Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction and Get It Published

This book was recommended to me by an editor at a major trade press. It gives well-reasoned advice from a former senior editor and later literary agent. It was published in 2002, so some of the stories about the early days of the Internet and its impact on the publishing industry seem quaint now, but the main content still seems excellent. Preparing a solid book proposal, and preparing yourself to be a writer of a solid book proposal, are things that take a lot of hard work. With this book (and, eventually, your agent) at your side, at least the process isn't a mystery. And the best part is that making a better proposal will make your book better, too.

I have always wanted to write a book, but have had difficulty in finding a subject for which I was both knowledgeable and passionate, and which has not been covered by other writers. I finally came up with a great topic this summer. It was one of those moments where the goal suddenly seem crystal clear, but I did not know the path to reach it. I was prepared to pursue the self-publishing route. However, I felt my subject was an important one that deserved more "professional" respect and visibility than might be garnered by a self-published book.I knew I would have to write a book proposal. As a novice author, I had no idea about the mechanics of the proposal process and how to maximize my chances of success. I researched several books on Amazon, and "Thinking Like Your Editor" seemed to fit my requirements precisely.It was a good choice. I very much appreciated the authors' approach. This book provided the "tough love" necessary to ensure that I was very focused on what I wanted to say. It was also reassuring to read that I didn't have to have everything figured out before submitting a book proposal - that in fact is was better NOT to have gone too far down the writing path before submitting the proposal.This book offers excellent tips on how to write effectively. It contains many illustrative examples of writing that misses the mark, and suggestions for how to improve your impact. Finally, I like that the book emphasizes the importance of narrative even in non-fiction. You're not writing a term paper or dissertation. A book needs to tell a compelling story, which many technical writers forget. That advice helped me hone my approach to my subject.I found a potential publisher through research on the web, looking up publishers of books in topics related to the one I wanted to write. I filled out their application. I also appended a detailed table of contents using the format suggested in "Thinking Like Your Editor," even though a table of contents was not called for in the application process.I submitted my application on a Monday, and on Friday that week, I got an email that my proposed book would be an excellent fit in this publisher's series on Space Exploration. I had a contract within two weeks.I highly recommend the book for anyone who is seriously interested in getting a book published. Even if you decide to self-publish, the advice in this book will be invaluable in helping you write a book that people will want to read. You still have to do all the heavy lifting, but this book gives you a plan for achieving your goals.Thank you to Alfred Fortunato and Susan Rabiner for putting me on the path to finally writing that book I've always wanted to write!

What I learned from this book made the difference between getting my book published or not. Susan and Alfred's words were ringing through my mind as I developed my book proposal. I heartily recommend it.My subject, eating disorder recovery, is vast and so is my experience. Organizing my thoughts, bringing them into a cohesive and orderly progression that was interesting as well as informative was and is a challenge for me.This was complicated by the fact that I am passionate about my subject and yearned to inspire as well as inform adult women who want to create their recovery, find their healing and live a fulfilling and free life.Thinking Like Your Editor was my closest friend and adviser when I was writing my proposal. The advice, suggestions and probing questions clarified my thinking and streamlined my writing.I remember repeating in my mind as I sat before my keyboard, "Give them the proposal, not the book." Periodically my book would spill out on the pages, and I would let it pour. But I did not put that in the proposal. True to the wisdom in this book, I sorted through my work and only included the proposal.In my many conversations with my acquisitions editor who was championing my book at Conari Press I learned that the information she needed was about marketing. Editorial was behind Healing Your Hungry Heart. The answers I gave to the marketing questions in Thinking Like Your Editor were the answers the Conari marketing department was looking for.The great plus from all this effort certainly was that Conari accepted my proposal. But more than that, the way I wrote my proposal gave me a clear template for actually writing my book.I have many how to write a book proposal books in my home library. Thinking Like Your Editor is far and away the best. If you want to get your non-fiction book published you will greatly increase your chance for success by keeping this book by your side as you write your proposal.Joanna Poppink, MFT, psychotherapist, lecturer, author of Healing Your Hungry Heart: recovering from your eating disorder.

Reading “Thinking Like Your Editor” has gained me a new friend and mentor: author Susan Rabiner. Having completed 62,000 of a projected 65,000-word first draft of non-fiction, I was eager for Susan’s step-by-step tutelage. Part of me feels intimidated by the revisions I must do. Another part has gained confidence that I can succeed. With tips, details, examples, and expert inside information, Susan delivers what she promises. As to my book, I am glad I had completed a draft first. It is a foundation to what’s next: clear thesis, focused audience, narrative thread, and a guide for potential acceptance by first an agent, then a publishing house, and finally my readers.

I have self-published several ebooks and I have now decided to write a serious non fiction book and I aim for publication by a top tier house. I have been looking for several guidelines on how to write a compelling proposal. Most of the books on the market that deal with this topic are dated (pre 2000) or they are very superficial. This one is a gem if you are planning to write serious non fiction books (for other genres you may look elsewhere).It is completely unique and different from anything else. Susan Rabiner was an editor herself and then has became a literary agent and then a writer. She offers the prospective of all the parties involved, which is invaluable. The book is organised in 3 parts (pls read the introduction as it is a goldmine of info). The first chapter deals with the audience and really puts this key aspect in perspective. Amazing!The first part is on the submission package and what an editor is REALLY looking for. She goes through the big 5 questions your proposal has to cover, the difference between what you say and what you are talking about, the main question your book wants to answer (this is key to provide focus for your writing), the sample chapter and what it really is, the supporting material and table of contents (note that the example she is talking about is missing from the appendix, very annoying), whether to get an agent or not and how to go about getting the right one. She discusses the advance (the focus is on the American market though) and the criteria for choosing the right publisher for your book (money is not the main driver here).The second part is about how to write a book - the importance of the narrative tension, the writing argument and how to be balanced when talking about views that collide with your main thesis. Excellent the advice on the content chapter and how to incorporate the narrative and break chapters. She addressed the issues linked to the writer's block and how to overcome it.The third part is about the editing process, how to build a constructive relationship with your editor and the roles of copy editor, design team, etc. Basically she prepares you on what to expect and the timings.The book is packed full with examples - SR tries to cover as many options as possible. The appendix includes a sample proposal and a sample chapter for reference.4 stars as the example relating to the table of content is missing from the appendix, the marketing part is now super-outdated due to the lack of reference to the platform and social media (you would need to purchase another book for that - I bought How to Write a Book Proposal by Larsen) and the slight unclear explanation when she discusses the narrative bit. Overall I am really happy with this book and how it has clarified the proposal writing process, how to get my theory on the right track, how to define the audience and the question that I want to ask and answer with my book. It is very realistic (she covers also the worst case scenarios and how to answer the questions that an editor will very likely ask you) and yet very encouraging.I am using How to Write a Book Proposal by Larsen to cover the part on the platform and marketing as it is relevant for 2013 - but I am basically "ignoring" his suggestions on how to write the proposal and how to structure it as this book by AR is far superior.

This book has explained to me how to write good non-fiction, despite (for British readers) describing it from an American point of view. I found the book most helpful, and it describes in good detail what you should and shouldn't do when writing a non-fiction book.

Excellent book. Provides necessary information for writers of all categories to best prepare when seeking an agent and/or publisher.

Great guide for a beginning author. I’m sure it’s saved me months of wasted time.

This was one of the best books I've ever read on the ins and outs of writing a book from proposal to final sale. Well worth the read.