Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

NPR’s interview with me on the Reader Analytics controversy

August 4, 2016 by Alan Rinzler

Breaking News! National Public Radio’s Lynn Neary of All Things Considered  interviewed me the other day for an editor's perspective on Reader Analytics, and whether data about reading behavior should have an impact on publishing decisions. Listen to Publishers’ Dilemma: Judge a Book by its … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, All Things Considered, author, book editor, developmental editor, editor, Jellybooks, Lynn Neary, NPR, publisher, reader analytics

Jellybooks reader analytics: Sweet or sour deal for authors?

July 15, 2016 by Alan Rinzler

What if your agent called to say your publisher was doubling the ad budget on your new book because their Jellybooks reader analytics convinced them it was a rip-roaring page-turner? Yippee!! Or, what if you got a call with the heart-stopping news that your publisher was renegotiating your … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, book deal, book editor, book industry, developmental editor, editor, Jellybooks, reader analytics, trends, writers

New author sells 80K books in 1 year. Here’s how

October 1, 2015 by Alan Rinzler

When John J. Davis set out to market his first self-published thriller Blood Line, he thought he did everything right. He hired an experienced book publicist, arranged readings at bookstores, went on a 30-day cross-country author tour. The results were dismal. "We quickly discovered that the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, Amazon, book editor, book sales, developmental editor, marketing your book, self-publishing

Why should anyone give a shiitake about your book?

December 14, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

That's the first question to ask yourself, writes Guy Kawasaki in the opening chapter of a definitive new book on self-publishing, APE: Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur – How to Publish a Book, written with co-author Shawn Welch. Kawasaki is passionate about writers creating worthwhile books for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Get Published, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author brand, author platform, book editor, book publicity, book publishing, developmental editor, editing, editor, Guy Kawasaki, self-publishing

Ask the Editor: Can I become a better writer?

November 20, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Q: Every rejection letter I get says there’s something wrong with my writing. Can I really get better at this? A: Yes, you can! Having edited hundreds of writers, I know for a fact that even the most seasoned, successful writers read, study, revise and rewrite, use a professional developmental … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, Barry Eisler, book editor, craft, craft of writing, developmental editing, developmental editor, editor, Garth Stein, novelist, Tom Robbins, writer, writing

Great reasons to self-publish: 7 case histories

October 8, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Writers who self-publish often reap enormous benefits that are personal and unique. This goes way beyond the usual notion of self-publishing as either an alternative or a pathway to a traditional book deal. Writing and publishing a book can strike an emotional chord of meaning and importance … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, book editor, developmental editor, editor, self-publishing, writer

Ask the editor: An agent said my novel needs emotional glue. Help!

September 17, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Q. An agent said my novel is missing emotional glue. Like it doesn’t stick together. What is emotional glue and how do I get it into my story? A. Emotional glue reveals a character’s internal reactions, ruminations, and anticipated responses to the dialogue and action of the story. It's the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, ask the editor, book editor, craft of writing, developmental editor, editor, emotional glue, fiction, novel, writing, writing tips

Big-6 publisher jumps on the indie bandwagon

September 6, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

Was it just a matter of time? The news came recently that Penguin Group, one of the largest book publishers in the world, has acquired Author Solutions Inc (ASI), a leading provider of services for self-publishing writers, for $116 million. Penguin's CEO, John Makinson, waxed rhapsodic in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, ASI, Author Solutions, book editor, book publishing, developmental editing, developmental editor, John Makinson, Keith Ogorek, Penguin, Penguin Group, Penguin Publishing, self-publishing

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)
  • Book Industry Trends (81)
  • Book Proposal Critiques (4)
  • Craft of Writing (72)
  • Guts Ball: Editing Hunter Thompson (3)
  • How To Get Published (80)
  • Literary Agent Profiles (11)
  • Literary Destinations (3)
  • Marketing Your Book (33)
  • Memoir (7)
  • Parts of a Book (5)
  • Self-Publishing (34)
  • The writer's toolkit (3)
  • Writers at work (2)

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