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The Book Deal

What 4 top agents desire in a memoir

August 10, 2015 by Alan Rinzler

Sometimes it seems like everyone's writing a memoir. You too? So how can you break out of the pack and and persuade an agent to take a look? Here are four accomplished literary agents, and they’re all selling memoirs. Scroll down to see some of the books they represent. These agents are the … [Read more...]

How to find a hungry agent

August 29, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

Here’s a literary agent who’s very specific about the kind of book she'd like to see in her inbox: “I love books with some kind of psychological element, like if the MC has a mental illness or if they can't trust their mind.” Working on anything like that? Or something close? Want to know more … [Read more...]

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.

Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot

Wake up your readers!
How to thicken a plot

2015-07-28T15:29:05+00:00

Wake up your readers! How to thicken a plot

https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/another-link/

Tips for blending in the backstory

Tips for blending in
the backstory

2015-07-28T14:50:53+00:00

Tips for blending in the backstory

https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/tips-for-blending-in-the-backstory/

Memoir or novel for my true story?

Memoir or novel
for my true story?

2015-07-28T20:47:16+00:00

Memoir or novel for my true story?

https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/3172/

Is your book in need of emotional glue?

2015-07-28T20:51:25+00:00

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?

2015-07-28T21:05:22+00:00

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+00:00

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+00:00

What to expect from a developmental editor

https://alanrinzler.com/testimonials/what-to-expect-from-a-developmental-editor/