bookspinesandwine's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great guide to writing a novel. Even if it's not your first novel, I still recommend this book for great tips. The first half of the book is about writing your novel, the second half is about getting it published. Great wealth of information!
krismoon's review against another edition
3.0
Some great tools and exercises in this book. Really good advice about publishing.
bookishgurl's review against another edition
4.0
I received a complimentary ARC copy of Your First Novel: Revised and Expanded Edition by Ann Rittenberg, Laura Whitcomb and Camille Goldin from NetGalley and F+W Media/Writer’s Digest Books in order to read and give an honest review.
If you are an aspiring writer who wants to publish your first book, Your First Novel: Revised and Expanded Edition is a perfect guidebook for you. Some of the biggest challenges a writer faces often just boils down to a lack of knowledge. This book is a very comprehensive how-to guide that which walks you through every step of the writing process. From creating a positive mindset, idea creation, POV and dialogue to finding an agent and publishing. I loved the tone of the book, it was easy to read and comprehend. The authors offer examples from well known published books to illustrate each section as well as reading lists of other books that focus on that specific aspect of writing. I don’t think they leave any aspect of the writing process out. Although it leans primarily towards traditional publishing it does feature an informative chapter on self-publishing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book which I know will become a reference that I will refer to time and again.
If you are an aspiring writer who wants to publish your first book, Your First Novel: Revised and Expanded Edition is a perfect guidebook for you. Some of the biggest challenges a writer faces often just boils down to a lack of knowledge. This book is a very comprehensive how-to guide that which walks you through every step of the writing process. From creating a positive mindset, idea creation, POV and dialogue to finding an agent and publishing. I loved the tone of the book, it was easy to read and comprehend. The authors offer examples from well known published books to illustrate each section as well as reading lists of other books that focus on that specific aspect of writing. I don’t think they leave any aspect of the writing process out. Although it leans primarily towards traditional publishing it does feature an informative chapter on self-publishing.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book which I know will become a reference that I will refer to time and again.
samanthabryant's review against another edition
2.0
The first half of the book didn't have any new advice for me. It was written for someone who has not written much and has not had any formal training in creative writing.
The second half, however, was very helpful. We'll find out how helpful as I work on moving my novel from "finished" to "published." There was good, hard tacks, direct information about query letters, contracts, and marketing.
The second half, however, was very helpful. We'll find out how helpful as I work on moving my novel from "finished" to "published." There was good, hard tacks, direct information about query letters, contracts, and marketing.
camillalice's review against another edition
5.0
The first part of this book is about the writing process and how to write a novel. It's well-written, full of information and motivating, so I enjoyed reading it. I didn't find much new in the first part of the book compared to other books on writing I have read.
The strength of this book is the second part, where a top agent explains the whole aspect of the life of a book post-writing: finding an agent, working with them, getting published, etc. I learned an awful lot from the second part. I would definitely recommend reading this book for the second part especially. Although targeted for an American readership, it is good for writers of other countries as well, as it doesn't go into too much legal detail.
A very informative read!
Disclaimer - I received a free digital copy of this book courtesy of F+W Media through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The strength of this book is the second part, where a top agent explains the whole aspect of the life of a book post-writing: finding an agent, working with them, getting published, etc. I learned an awful lot from the second part. I would definitely recommend reading this book for the second part especially. Although targeted for an American readership, it is good for writers of other countries as well, as it doesn't go into too much legal detail.
A very informative read!
Disclaimer - I received a free digital copy of this book courtesy of F+W Media through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
vivianfonseca's review against another edition
3.0
This would have been a lot more useful if I were brand-new to writing and publishing. There's good information here and resources at the end of each chapter to help writers. You have an author in the "writing guide section" and an agent in the "publishing section" - which I thought was a great idea.
The problem for me is that most of the information in both sections is commonplace. You can find the same info in other writing guides as well as author blogs out there... and, sometimes, these other sources will go into more detail. Also, I've read a lot of stuff over the years. There was nothing new here for me.
All in all, this is a good, solid guide for beginners - hence the 3 stars. But if you're looking for in-depth info into publishing (which is what I was looking for), this is not the book for you.
The problem for me is that most of the information in both sections is commonplace. You can find the same info in other writing guides as well as author blogs out there... and, sometimes, these other sources will go into more detail. Also, I've read a lot of stuff over the years. There was nothing new here for me.
All in all, this is a good, solid guide for beginners - hence the 3 stars. But if you're looking for in-depth info into publishing (which is what I was looking for), this is not the book for you.
keniasedler's review
5.0
This really pulled back the curtain on the entire writing process, from vague story idea all the way through post publication. I so appreciate the no-nonense insight these authors offer up.
deearr's review
5.0
As a reference book, this book excels in overall presentation. It is separated into two sections, the first educating potential authors how to write, and the second dealing with what to do with your finished project. After reading the book, chapters within each section help authors return to specifics without having to scan for whatever info is needed.
I was disappointed with the specific character examples provided by Laura Whitcomb (author of the writing section). It was as if the author expected that I have read the same books she has enjoyed. For instance, when listing examples of great heroes and great villains, I only knew one of the five heroes. It is hard to fully understand what the author is saying, especially on an emotional level. While it could be argued that I could expand my horizons and read the books mentioned, that still will not help me with the here and now. It could take me years to catch up on the book’s “required” reading.
Ms. Whitcomb, however, excelled with her technique presentations. Contrasting poor writing with better or great writing was accomplished by using examples taken from the books of published authors. Not only does this help budding authors by providing written examples, but it encourages them to embrace the necessary rewriting of your work in order to craft something special. Ms. Whitcomb also presents many writing exercises that readers could easily apply to whatever projects they are working on. I can’t see how anyone could walk away from this section without fistfuls of great ideas.
Ann Rittenberg’s “Publishing Your Novel” section was also exceptional. No matter whether an author wishes to seek out an agent, go directly to the publishing houses, or choose to self-publish, Ms. Rittenberg presents all methods as positive while explaining the pitfalls that might be encountered.
This updated and expanded edition of “Your First Novel” lives up to its promises of showing you how to write and get your work published. Five Stars.
My thanks to the authors, F+W Media, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
I was disappointed with the specific character examples provided by Laura Whitcomb (author of the writing section). It was as if the author expected that I have read the same books she has enjoyed. For instance, when listing examples of great heroes and great villains, I only knew one of the five heroes. It is hard to fully understand what the author is saying, especially on an emotional level. While it could be argued that I could expand my horizons and read the books mentioned, that still will not help me with the here and now. It could take me years to catch up on the book’s “required” reading.
Ms. Whitcomb, however, excelled with her technique presentations. Contrasting poor writing with better or great writing was accomplished by using examples taken from the books of published authors. Not only does this help budding authors by providing written examples, but it encourages them to embrace the necessary rewriting of your work in order to craft something special. Ms. Whitcomb also presents many writing exercises that readers could easily apply to whatever projects they are working on. I can’t see how anyone could walk away from this section without fistfuls of great ideas.
Ann Rittenberg’s “Publishing Your Novel” section was also exceptional. No matter whether an author wishes to seek out an agent, go directly to the publishing houses, or choose to self-publish, Ms. Rittenberg presents all methods as positive while explaining the pitfalls that might be encountered.
This updated and expanded edition of “Your First Novel” lives up to its promises of showing you how to write and get your work published. Five Stars.
My thanks to the authors, F+W Media, and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
elisabethd8a's review
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.5
If you're looking for the nuts-and-bolts approach to writing and publishing, this is your book. While it doesn't include lessons on grammar, usage, and mechanics, it does show how to write a novel in three acts that readers will want to pick up.
I selected this as a textbook for a homeschool novel-writing class. I am only using the first portion, but I wanted something informative, approachable, and affordable that wasn't so adult that teens couldn't identify with it.
I selected this as a textbook for a homeschool novel-writing class. I am only using the first portion, but I wanted something informative, approachable, and affordable that wasn't so adult that teens couldn't identify with it.
More...