A
Read-First Introduction Every Author Needs
A Slim Book for
Newbies Who Don’t Want to Get Snared by Publishing
Scams
Reviewed
by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Disclaimer: I met the author Terry W. Whalin when we
were both presenters at a writers’ conference—probably
a decade ago—and I received a review copy of this
book from the publisher at no charge. Such disclaimers
may discourage a reader from taking my review at face
value, but the truth is I have known Whalin’s
work—both his books and his other industry presence—so
long that I am in the enviable position of knowing of
his expertise and experience—yes, honestly and
fairly.
First,
a little story. I have often wished that many of my
clients had come to me before they had jumped headlong
into publishing That is true of many who are self-published
and just as many who are traditionally published. The
reason, of course, is that a solid book or a solid hour
of consultation could have saved them hundreds—and
sometimes thousands—of dollars.
Another
story: I use a little list of publishing industry myths
as a four-page handout at many of the writers’
conferences I speak at. It is by necessity brief, and
I have often wished I could recommend a book on this
topic to read before they read my multi award-winning
The Frugal Book Promoter (now in its third edition published
by Modern History Press) which gives them what they
need to act as their own publicist or work more effectively
with a publicist assigned them by their publisher. First
things, first, after all! And I often thought of writing
this book. It is good I didn’t. No one could do
this better than Whalin. He indeed has the expertise
and the experience (all those authors he has encountered
struggling with the fibs and misunderstandings many
feel compelled to repeat on the web and elsewhere!).
A
mere 140 pages, this book is The Book for an author
with dreams of a bestseller dancing in their heads.
I often tell my clients (and readers!) that one book
on any aspect of publishing is never enough to cover
an industry so large and varied that it includes editing,
formatting, indexing, cover design, interior book design,
marketing, and even new writing techniques for every
genre an author should tackle. That’s why each
of my books in the HowToDoItFrugally Series of books
for writers includes a suggested reading list in the
appendix of each edition. Terry Whalin’s "10
Publishing Myths" will be included in that list
in the very next edition I publish or the next book
I write. That’s a promise. |