Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Proposal critiques: 3 novels, a biography, a children’s book and an academic treatise

August 15, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Welcome to the final round in our series of book proposal critiques. It’s an audiocast, so to get started, just click the play button below. The six book proposals •The first proposal we’ll be looking at today is for a sci-fi/fantasy novel that takes place in a South American jungle.  The hero is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published

Choosing a freelance editor: What you need to know

July 2, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

In the increasingly difficult competition to get published, writers know they must put their best foot forward by sending out only a professional, polished, and persuasive new proposal or manuscript to any prospective literary agent or publisher. Many authors have come to understand the value of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published

Writers: Why you need to join Publishers Marketplace

June 17, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

If you want to succeed as a writer you have to realize you’re in the book business, with all its strange ways of doing things. Publishing is still a relationship business and you need to know the players, the powers that be, who’s making what things happen. Publishers Marketplace draws back the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Get Published

Ask the editor: Do publishers have rules about POV?

May 26, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Q:  I’ve heard that New York publishers will only accept books written from a third-person limited POV and no head hopping allowed. Does this mean I have to rewrite my manuscript to conform to these rules? A:  No! Stop. Don’t succumb to this kind of advice. These rumors can start as the result of … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published

Author alert! What you don’t know about BookScan can hurt you

May 14, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

An author friend of mine couldn’t figure out why he was having so much trouble selling his new book.  He had a respectable list of published books to his name, a regular schedule of speeches and workshops, and a solid platform in print and broadcast media. So on a hunch, I looked him up on Nielsen … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published

Proposal critiques: An adventure novel, a biography and a self-help book

April 29, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Welcome to round two in our series of book proposal critiques. It's an audiocast, so to get started, just click the play button below. Three submissions: A novel, a biography and an inspirational self-help book The first proposal we'll be looking at today is for an adventure novel with an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, How To Get Published

Proposal critiques: A novel and a children’s book series

April 12, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Click on the audio play tab below to listen to the first in our series for writers called My Proposal Critiques.  For those who are visiting here for the first time, we recently put out a call for book proposal submissions with an offer to critique them here on The Book Deal. Behind-the-scenes … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, How To Get Published

Open call for book proposals! Free critiques!

April 7, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Every writer needs to know how to write a good book proposal that will stand out and capture the attention of potential agents and publishers. Consequently, when I appear at writers conferences and seminars, book proposals are often on the agenda.  I frequently offer my critiques of selected book … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Proposal Critiques, How To Get Published

Literary agent stars online: Nathan Bransford, blogger extraordinaire

March 14, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Every day legions of writers and wannabes trek over to literary agent Nathan Bransford's blog for a dose of some of the smartest, most honest, entertaining and generous advice on the book business I've seen online. Leading the charge Bransford, 28, an agent since 2005 with the venerable Curtis … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Literary Agent Profiles

How successful writers keep up their confidence

February 8, 2009 by Alan Rinzler

Self-confidence is the single most essential ingredient an author needs to succeed, since good writing is never that quick or easy. To keep at it requires energy, discipline, and a sense of humor. The most accomplished and productive writers I work with are able to sustain a level of assurance … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing, How To Get Published

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About The Book Deal

Welcome readers.  Let me introduce myself and offer up some credentials for the opinions, perspectives and insights in this blog. In nearly … more »

Working with Alan

I can’t thank you enough!

"Working together was interesting, challenging, and fun. I can't thank you enough for taking my stories and putting them in a comprehensible order, focusing more on my younger, formative days with my parents, and helping me remember great events that added so much to the book."

– US Senator Barbara Boxer. Her memoir, The Art of Tough, was published by Hachette in June 2016.

Figure out how to get Alan on your side

"Figure out how to get Alan on your side. He took my rambling manifesto and helped me hone it into a sharp, funny, culture-changing book featured in the New York Times, the New Yorker, The Atlantic, the Times of London, and most recently on The Daily Show."

– Lenore Skenazy, author Free Range Kids – How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children Without Going Nuts with Worry.

Enthusiastic, imaginative and razor sharp

"Alan is enthusiastic, imaginative, razor-sharp, concise. His line-editing is specific and actionable; his developmental advice truly invaluable, providing focus and direction to the often chaotic process of writing a first novel."

– David Tomlinson, author of The Midnight Man.

An advocate, friend and mentor

“Alan can tell you at one glance, where a manuscript works and where it doesn’t. More than an editor, he’s an advocate, friend, mentor, and a bullshit detector of the highest caliber.”

–  Celeste Chaney, author of In Absence of Fear

A 5-star Olympic Gold Medal for editing!

"Alan Rinzler has edited seven of my books, and no one compares to his competence as an editor. Everything I write he makes better. Alan knows the business, knows writing and understands a writer’s needs. He has my 5-Star Olympic Gold Medal for editing! I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him."

– Michele Borba, author of Building Moral Intelligence, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, and others.

Featured Video

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Ask the Editor

Tips for blending in the backstory

Tips for blending in
the backstory
2015-07-28T14:50:53-07:00
Tips for blending in the backstory
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/tips-for-blending-in-the-backstory/

Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot

Wake up your readers!
How to thicken a plot
2015-07-28T15:29:05-07:00
Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/another-link/

Memoir or novel for my true story?

Memoir or novel
for my true story?
2015-07-28T20:47:16-07:00
Memoir or novel for my true story?
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/3172/

Is your book in need of emotional glue?

Is your book in need of emotional glue?
2015-07-28T20:51:25-07:00
Is your book in need of emotional glue?
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/is-your-book-in-need-of-emotional-glue/

Can I really become a better writer?

Can I really become a better writer?
2015-07-28T21:05:22-07:00
Can I really become a better writer?
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/can-i-really-become-a-better-writer/

7 techniques for a dynamite plot

7 techniques for
a dynamite plot
2015-07-28T21:17:53-07:00
7 techniques for a dynamite plot
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/7-techniques-for-a-dynamite-plot-2/

What to expect from a developmental editor

What to expect from
a developmental editor
2015-07-28T21:21:18-07:00
What to expect from a developmental editor
https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/what-to-expect-from-a-developmental-editor/

Categories

  • Ask the Editor (23)
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  • Craft of Writing (72)
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