Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Eavesdropping for story ideas and other tips from a veteran novelist

October 6, 2014 by Alan Rinzler

Today we have some sage advice for writers from a proven practitioner of the art and craft of literary commerce who's had a successful career as a writer for more than 50 years. Warren Adler has published more than 32 novels and short story collections, including The War of the Roses, which was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, getting published, novelist, tips, War of the Roses, Warren Adler, writer, writing

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

How winning a literary prize can change your life

May 14, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

"First, it got my book published," says Kirstin Scott, whose novel Motherlunge won the 2011 Association of Writers and Writing Programs Award. "And with that, the prize gave me readers." There's no doubt that winning a well-respected competition can help validate your work with agents and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, award, developmental editor, fiction, Flannery O’Connor Award for Short Fiction, Iowa Short Fiction Award, literary, literary prize, novelist, prize, publication, winner, writer, writing

Market heats up for debut authors

April 22, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

“Editors still love a chance at debut fiction,” says Manhattan literary agent Michelle Brower. “If the book is unique and meaningful, the debut author doesn’t yet have a bad sales track record so we can look at their book with all of the rosiness of potential rather than reality” Good … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Literary Agent Profiles, Self-Publishing Tagged With: agent, Alan Rinzler, debut author, debut writer, developmental editor, editorial consultant, emerging author, fiction, Folio Literary Agency, Folio Literary Management, Jill Marsal, literary agent, Marsal Lyon Agency, Michelle Brower, novelist

The career-boosting power of your name on a book

February 11, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

Many authors I've worked with have written books that promoted and enhanced their professional lives. Some have written a book precisely with this hope in mind: to advertise their special skills and passions. Other writers have enjoyed the surprise of being propelled in their careers with major … [Read more...]

Filed Under: How To Get Published, Marketing Your Book Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, book, book marketing, career building, developmental editing, developmental editor, Getting Change Right, Jinny Webber, Michele Borba, novelist, Seth Kahan, The Big Book of Parenting Solutions, writer, writing

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

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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