cnricochet's review against another edition

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4.0

The most valuable sections of the book were the first section (what you may be doing wrong in writing your book) and the last section (what you should be doing right in writing, editing, and submitting your book). The sections in the middle about the publishing industry from agents to editors to book sellers was useful, but it wasn't as engaging. I read it once, but I think that's enough. I can't see myself going back to reference the middle sections as I know I'll be referencing the beginning and end.

Overall, Pat Walsh wrote with humor, sarcasm, and a healthy dose of honesty, which makes for an enjoyable read with lots of reference points. I would really like to see a supplementary checklist-type publication come from this.

jrt5166's review against another edition

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4.0

I read this book on the recommendation of a writing professor. She was right - the book was indeed brutal but useful. If I am being honest, I found myself in the pages a bit more often than I would have liked.

At times it felt a bit repetitive, but then again some points are important enough that they may have been worth repeating.

isnotacrayon's review

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4.0

This book should be read by every single aspiring author in the world.
The things Walsh brings up are things that editors and agents alike have literally told me to my face as being absolutely TRUE. These are topics that MUST be addressed, and are not nearly as often as they should be. So many writers completely ignore the appropriate protocol with getting represented and published, and then they complain about the publishing industry.
Walsh's writing is very accessible as well, and funny. He keeps you engaged and doesn't bog you down with a bunch of unnecessary information.
I would, however, have liked an included resource section (books, websites, etc. that would be useful).
If you want to be a serious and successful author, get this book. Really.
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