Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Fear of editors

December 20, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Are you a writer who worries about working with a developmental editor for fear of losing control over the project? You're not alone If so, you’re not the only one. One writer put it this way recently on an online forum: “I worry that an editor will erase my voice.” Another said, “I fear I’ll … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, concern, control, developmental editor, editing, editor, fear, freelance developmental editors, how to find an editor, self-publishing, worry

Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot

August 7, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Here’s a situation that editors encounter frequently: manuscripts with a large cast of potentially interesting characters, sparkling dialogue, and the glimmer of ideas churning just beneath the surface. But after a little while the scenes become repetitious, the characters and their machinations … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing Tagged With: "narrative arc", Alan Rinzler, author, characters, developmental editor, editor, memoir, novel, plot, plot structure, writer

The writer’s toolkit: Breaking the rules of the narrative arc

March 7, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Feeling boxed in by the rules and expectations of the conventional narrative arc? Tired of the old 1st act, 2nd act, 3rd act routine? Itching to break out and try something new? If so, this post is for you. Ordinarily, I'm a staunch believer in the basics of linear story structure: keep it … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Craft of Writing, The writer's toolkit Tagged With: "narrative arc", Alan Rinzler, author, editor, narrative structure, writer

What makes writers special: An editor’s valentine

February 12, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

All good editors love working with writers. To us, writers are special people, compelled to put words together as they look at the world.  They can’t stop, must return to whatever is in their heads, what they’re thinking and feeling, making sense of their lives, to explain, to teach, so write … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, developmental editor, editor, freelance editor, traits of writers, writers

Ask the editor: How to untangle a plot

January 24, 2011 by Alan Rinzler

Q: An agent said my novel was “dense, over-plotted and difficult to follow.” I’m not sure what to do. A: You might have too much action and not enough content. If that's the problem, you need to punctuate any rapid fire twists and turns with dialogue, description, and the kind of pacing that’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Ask the Editor, Craft of Writing Tagged With: action, Alan Rinzler, Dan Brown, editing, editor, pacing, plot

What makes a book publisher drool? Can you say “series”?

November 13, 2010 by Alan Rinzler

For a publisher, producing a successful book series is like winning the lottery. The rewards can be enormous and ongoing. Check out these numbers The Harry Potter behemoth towers over all the rest, with more than 400 million copies sold. Nancy Drew? The 175 installments of the beloved mystery … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Craft of Writing, How To Get Published Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, editor, Harry Potter, Nancy Drew, serial character, series, Stieg Larsson, writer

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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)
  • Guts Ball: Editing Hunter Thompson (3)
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  • Literary Destinations (3)
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  • Memoir (7)
  • Parts of a Book (5)
  • Self-Publishing (34)
  • The writer's toolkit (3)
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