Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Ask the editor: Breaking the “write what you know” rule

April 7, 2014 by Alan Rinzler

Q: I have a terrific story to tell, but it didn't actually happen to me. Is it possible to write with authenticity about something you haven't experienced firsthand? A: Many great books are written by authors who seem to have nothing in common with their character's experiences. Different gender, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, ask the editor, author, book, breaking the rule, craft of writing, developmental editor, editor, expert, novelist, rule, The Book Deal, write what you know, writer

Too much vertical space in your manuscript?

November 25, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

In filmmaking, vertical space is shorthand for script pages with lots of white and not a lot of words. For scriptwriters it's the rule. A script has dialogue, brief notes for action on the screen and not much else. It makes for quick reading and ensures a kind of textual scarcity that directors … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, book, craft of writing, developmental editor, editor, fiction, freelance, vertical space

How to grab, delight or shock your readers right from the start

October 8, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

"Every time mama came down on that shabby floor, the bullet lodged in my stomach felt like a hot poker." Claude Brown and I hunted through his manuscript for two days to find that moment and move it to the opening of his classic Harlem memoir Manchild in the Promised Land. We wanted to detail … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, craft of writing, developmental editor, fiction, first sentence, non-fiction, opener, opening, short story, writer, writing

Happy Birthday Tom Robbins! Time to revisit your advice to writers

July 24, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

I’ve never known a great author to be more generous with useful advice about the craft of writing than Tom Robbins. If you’ve yet to discover this fabulous author, Robbins has written many bestselling novels including Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Jitterbug Perfume, Skinny Legs and All and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing Tagged With: advice, Alan Rinzler, author, craft of writing, developmental editor, editing, Jitterbug Perfume, suggestions, tips, Tom Robbins, writers

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

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

What writers can learn from Barry Eisler

June 2, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

It's inspiring when a successful author goes out of his way to help others in the craft of writing. Barry Eisler is one of those good guys. Though he'd probably rather be known as one baaad dude. He's a one-time CIA operative, a judo black belt and an intellectual property attorney, who's … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, Amazon, Amazon Publishing, authors, Barry Eisler, craft of writing, getting published, Grub Street, Joe Konrath, Kindle, publishing, self-publishing, writers, writing

Ask the editor: Trusting the reader

June 23, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Q: How can i be sure my readers will understand my core message, my purpose for writing the book in the first place – unless I help out with a little commentary or explanation? A: Authors need to respect their readers and allow them their own reactions to the narrative. This issue comes up … [Read more...]

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

Quick: How many POVs in an “I” narrative?

October 9, 2010 by Alan Rinzler

OK, it's a trick question. The answer is that every "I" narrative has not one, but two points of view. Think about it: You - the writer - embody the second POV. You stand behind the curtain of literary creativity, directing everything that happens in the story; what to include and what not, what … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing Tagged With: "I" narrative, 1st person, Alan Rinzler, craft of writing, developmental editor, first person, point of view, POV, writer

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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