Illustrations, diagrams, and charts clarify. They’re worth including in your book. But every time I work with authors, they underestimate the challenge, delay, and cost that comes with graphics. If you’re going to use graphics, you need to be prepared. Let me put this simply: If something is going to trip up the production stages…
Neal Katyal decided to write a book on impeachment on October 5. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt published Impeach: The Case Against Donald Trump less than two months later. This type of speed is very unusual for a well researched, professionally published book. I’ll talk about why it worked in this case. (This is not a post…
I’m soooo close to 200 responses in my author survey. If you didn’t already take it and you are (or plan to be) a nonfiction author, please help. This is the last chance to do that. It’s 8 minutes. Eight. It’s here. Everyone who takes it gets a summary of survey results (see where you…
In the monumental effort of writing a book, the biggest milestone is handing in your finished manuscript. Whew, that felt good. You’ve done 95% of the work. But you’re not done. Unless you prepare for the rest of the work, your book won’t be as good as it ought to be — and it might…
The advice is all over writing advice sites: If you’re having trouble getting your book going, set aside a specific time (like 6 to 7 a.m.) every day to write. This is bad advice, at least for nonfiction writers. You cannot write unless you have something to say. “Writing time” presumes that what you need…
The most fundamental principle in writing is actually . . . version control? It’s an unwritten rule. Like changing your underwear every day. And if you violate it, you are a barbarian. This is the least sexy writing advice ever. But if you and your collaborators don’t share a common understanding of version control, you’re…
Today’s question concerns what “public information” really means — and there’s a lot at stake for a victim of abuse. Dear Dr. Wobs: I am a victim of domestic violence. At 10 years healing I am ready to write my book. I’ve hit brick walls over and over while seeking the answer to what should…
Mark Gottlieb is an agent representing authors at one of the largest literary agencies, Trident Media Group. He places both publishing rights and dramatic rights, such as TV and film. Here’s a peek into how one agent perceives the current market for books. I conducted this interview by email and edited it slightly for length….
Hybrid publishers like Ideapress, Greenleaf Book Group, and Mascot Books are invisible to some folks: agents and traditional acquisitions editors whom I’ve interviewed can’t seem to see them. But for many authors, they’re a realistic publishing alternative, and may even be the best choice. The third alternative Authors who haven’t studied the alternatives imagine that…