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Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009: Who They Are! What They Want! How To Win Them Over!m19th Edition (Jeff Herman's ... Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents)
Average Customer Review : 4.0/5 based on 6 reviews
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Editorial Reviews
Calling all writers, get your manuscripts out of the “slush pile” and into the bookstore with Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents. More comprehensive than ever before—and now 1,000 pages—this revised edition describes the insider dynamics at hundreds of U.S. and Canadian publishers, with hundreds of names and specialties for book acquisition editors. Nearly 200 of the most powerful literary agents reveal invaluable tips, as if they were having a private conversation with a special friend. With detailed information on what to do (and what not to do) to break the code, break down the walls, and get that first book, second book, or thirtieth book published, bought and read, Jeff Herman’s Guide is the go-to source for writers everywhere.
Spotlight Reviews
Disappointing (2009-01-08)
Customer Review : 1
I expected much but found little. You have to read each paragraph to find the information. For example to find out if you need an agent, there is no shortcut symbol. The interviews with agents are unnecessary and not helpful. Very disappointing.
Much better than nothing, but... (2008-12-29)
Customer Review : 4
This review is based on the 2006 edition.
If you're trying to find an agent, Herman's Guide is certainly the place to start. Perhaps the best thing about HG are the detailed responses to Herman's queries about each agent's attitudes towards writing and writers, as well as the sorts of books they are or aren't interested in.
Prospective writers should be aware that agents will say they're interested in a particular genre, then when you submit your query you're told that /isn't/ the type of book they're interested in. These self-descriptions should, to some extent, be taken with a grain of salt.
Mr. Herman should find an editor. His typos, spelling errors, and mangled sentences are startling.
This is the Writer's Bible (2008-12-17)
Customer Review : 5
First of all, let me start by saying I was a little intimidated by the sheer size of this book. At 1,075 pages, it resembled the Cliff Notes for War and Peace. But being the voracious reader that I am, I looked at it in a positive light. I was definitely going to get my money's worth. You've heard the old saying, `You get what you pay for?' Well, I got a wealth of indispensable information.
This book is a must have for any author or aspiring writer hoping and dreaming to one day, become published. I initially purchased this book to get a list of agents who might be interested in representing a romance novel I'd recently written (which by the way, in my opinion, is the greatest romance ever written, but I haven't been able to convince anyone else of this fact, except my mother and my husband. And they don't count, because by default, they're obligated to tell me wonderful things about myself).
But Jeff's book was so much more than just a simple listing of agents. Not only does it contain a detailed summary of each editor, agent and publishing house ever known to human-kind, it also provides personal information, hobbies and recent book sales on the aforementioned parties. I appreciated the depth of the research involved in this endeavor. After two years of desperately searching for an agent, I thought I'd harassed every one - but this book showed me that I had not yet exhausted all the possibilities.
In addition to background information on publishing houses, this book provides the following:
* Instructions on how to approach/write/query/contact agents and editors
* A sample contract between an author and an agency
* The publishing process and how a book ends up - well, published
* A day in the life of a literary agent
* Advice for dealing with editors and agents
* Definitions of book genres and the future of publishing
* How to market yourself as a writer
* A list of writing groups/critique groups to help refine your manuscript
* Information on self-publishing and e-publishing
* A detailed list of websites and other resources for writers
This book truly exceeded my expectations. I gained invaluable knowledge about writing and the publishing business in general that I believe has made me a better writer. In fact, I'm thinking of contacting Jeff and telling him to republish it with a different title - The Writer's Bible. Once you read it, you may just agree with me.
If you write romance, you won't find much here (2008-12-14)
Customer Review : 3
This book lists tons of information about publisher, editors, and literary agents. However, if you write romance, and are looking for an agent, you won't find what you need. There are approximately 276 pages of literary agents in this book, and I found about sixteen agents that specifically list that they represent romance. Some say they represent commercial fiction and women's fiction, but they don't consider romance to fall in those genres, because when they list what the don't represent, they say NO romance. Also, for you sci-fi and fantasy writers, lots of these agents reject that as well.
That is the only real failing of the book that I can see. Herman has provided a wealth of information, it's just that for some writers in certain fields, the literary agents are going to be useless. You might be better served to see if you can find this at the library or order it through inter library loan before you buy it to make sure you can find agents that will represent your type of work. If you just skim through the listings and only look at what the agents represent, you should take about two hours to go through all the listings. However, make sure you find the 2009 version because the information in an earlier edition could be different.
Incidentally for romance authors, the Writer's Digest guide to literary agents is supposed to list more agents who represent romance authors.
An enthusiastically recommended resource guide for novice and experienced authors alike! (2008-12-13)
Customer Review : 5
Having written a manuscript is only the first and initial step toward being published. In many ways, it is the easiest part of the publication process. Turning that manuscript into a published book requires special knowledge, targeted skills, and useful contacts beyond those required to simply write well. That's where a reference and resource like "Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009" will prove invaluable. Now in a completely updated and substantially expanded 19th edition, "Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009" is a 1070-page compendium of practical and descriptive information that begins with five individual sections listing publishing conglomerates, independent U.S. publishers, university presses, Canadian publishers, and literary agents. That alone would make this exhaustive reference a worthwhile addition to any writer's reference shelf. But "Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009" is made even more useful with the inclusion of an impressive 'Advice for Writers' section providing 'real-world' information on all aspects of the publishing process from literary agents, to book proposals, to time management, to rejections, and more. Of special note are the concluding sections dedicated to providing insight and information with respect to Independent Editors and Resources for Writers. Enhanced with a Glossary and an exhaustive Index, "Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009" is an enthusiastically recommended resource guide for novice and experienced authors alike!
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