The Author's Toolkit: A Step-By-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book

by Mary Embree

Book Overview

A guide designed for aspiring authors who have always wanted to write a book but didn't know how to begin. There is coaching for every step of the writing and publishing process from a veteran author,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1581152604
• ISBN13: 9781581152609
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: Allworth Press
• Length: 181 Pages
• Weight: 0.64 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.5" x 8.7"

Customer Reviews

Informative Help for New Authors

The Author's Toolkit: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing and Publishing Your Book I found this book to be a valuable compendium of information for "budding" authors. It helped me become aware of facts,figures, and the realities of the literary field. This "Toolkit" describes an author's subject matter, style, grammar, and format. The book discusses LEGAL issues and protocol and alerted me to many caveats of seeking book editors, agents, and publishers. The aspect of marketing & sales is also a prominent part of this text. The "Toolkit..." is a macro view of "authoring". It presents information clearly and I learned much. I approach my book-writing endeavors with more practical and legal agility and continue more in-depth focus. I recommend this book most emphatically.

No prior familiarity with the writing world is assumed

The Author's Toolkit: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing And Publishing Your Book offers beginners a handy basic reference to writing a book; from nurturing initial ideas and changing them to first drafts to creating a polished, finished work and understanding publishing options. No prior familiarity with the writing world is assumed, making this a perfect introduction for beginners.

Delivers what it promises: practical help(not a fancy index)

I found THE AUTHOR'S TOOLKIT in my public library, and when I caught myself jotting down two pages of notes from Mary Embree's advice, I realized this book is worth purchasing for my reference shelf. One such practical hint which I teach my writing students (while reminding myself of the same) is this: "Don't worry if you can't figure out what that first page, first sentence should be. You don't have to know that now. You might find after you have written 15 chapters that your book really starts at Chapter 5 and you can throw away Chapters One, Two, Three, and Four or plug them in somewhere else." (p.8) Who cares whether this book includes an index or not? It's full of practical, encouraging, direct advice."You may write for the joy of it. But the act of writing is not complete in itself. It has its end in its audience."--Flannery O'Connor

Another indispensable book for writers.

Having recently written and self-published a book I had become familiar with a number of excellent books on the subject of creating, writing and publishing books. Most writers who are interested in self-publishing would immediately buy and utilize Dan Poynter's indispensable book "The Self-Publishing Manual" for help and guidance. Now there is another book, which I would add to that small list of indispensable books on writing and publishing, Mary Embree's "The Author's Toolkit." In a brief 130 pages Mary Embree has put together more information and time saving advice then any other book I have read on the subject. Her editing ideas alone are sufficient reason to buy this book. I thought I fully understood the rules of writing but not until I read her ideas on this subject did I realize that my thoughts were at best fuzzy and at the worst incomplete. Also her ability to give you in a few short pages the needed information for copyrighting a book, making certain you understand how to negotiate with publishers, how to interpret contracts, and developing a proposal and query letter is nothing short of showing writing at its best. In her background, according to the biographical information on the back cover she has been a literary consultant and book doctor. I must emphasize that her book certainly indicates an exceptional skill at editing and writing in a clear, concise and effective manner. I can heartily recommend this book to anyone interested in writing or publishing. Marvin H.Berenson, M.D.,Author, "Think Yourself Smokeless."

Craftspeople Need the Best Tools

The Author's Toolkit takes you from the first thought, through writing, to editing, to that decision to publish. Mary Embree supplies the inside details on book writing only a successful author and accomplished editor could know. It is obvious that she has "been there" as both an author and an editor. Friendly, accurate and reliable, it is comforting to have her guide you through the maze of book writing. This book is your toolkit. DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com