Alan Rinzler

Consulting Editor

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The blog for writers

The Book Deal

Self publisher’s wild ride

October 26, 2015 by Alan Rinzler

"It's been awesome," says Andy Weir. "It's like every writer's dream come true." The Washington Post describes Weir's novel The Martian, originally self published, as "Robinson Crusoe in a space suit." The unlikely New York Times bestseller is now a blockbuster Hollywood movie starring Matt … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, Andy Weir, developmental editor, self-publishing, The Martian

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

Lessons from a great book jacket designer

February 24, 2015 by Alan Rinzler

The bright yellow cover of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is instantly recognizable. The Wall Street Journal called the jacket, designed by Peter Mendelsund, one of the most iconic in contemporary fiction in the U.S. Mendelsund, Associate Art Director at Knopf, now has his … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Marketing Your Book, Parts of a Book Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, book, cover, design, editor, jacket, Peter Mendelsund, self-publishing, writer

Prequels build buzz!

December 16, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

Have you heard what some savvy authors are doing to build excitement and attract readers to their upcoming books? They're writing prequels: tantalizing teasers in short story form that preview the key characters and settings of an upcoming novel. Some prequels predate or provide backstories … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published, Marketing Your Book, Self-Publishing Tagged With: advice, Alan Rinzler, author, book, book deal, developmental editor, editor, fiction, marketing, prequel, self-publishing, writer

An interview with yours truly about self-publishing

September 26, 2013 by Alan Rinzler

A while ago I sat for an interview with Brian Felsen, CEO of BookBaby, a service provider for self-publishing authors. He asked a lot of good questions for authors about working with an editor, getting published, and effective book promotion. Here’s the video, in which we talk about how the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, How To Get Published Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, author, book, bookbaby, developmental editor, editor, interview, 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

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

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

The bears and bulls of publishing: An insider steps up

August 3, 2012 by Alan Rinzler

EBook buyers read more books. And why wouldn't they be? They can look on this article about ebooks and find places to get them for free! They're the future! We're in the midst of a fantastic transition. Words from another outsider advocating the overthrow of legacy publishing? Nope. Not at … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book Industry Trends, Self-Publishing Tagged With: Alan Rinzler, books, developmental editing, developmental editor, editor, future of publishing, John Glusman, publishing, self-publishing, Squaw Valley writers conference, WW Norton

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

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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

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