How to Write Serious Nonfiction—and Get it Published

Distilled wisdom from two publishing pros for every serious nonfiction author in search of big commercial success.

You may be an acknowledged expert in your area and have vital information and a great story to tell. But how can you ensure that your project will be accepted for publication and—more important—that your book will be read by more than a handful of like-minded experts in your field?

This book reveals the trade secrets of an editor/literary agent team with a long track record of success in helping hundreds of authors write serious nonfiction. Many of these books have become best sellers, garnered great reviews, earned their authors prizes, and in some cases altered the course of public debate.

This book will teach you how to craft a serious nonfiction proposal that will interest the right publisher; when to use a literary agent and how to choose the right one; how to shape your argument and present it in good narrative form; and how to work with your publisher to successfully market your book.

Whether your subject is history or science, biography or business, the law, politics, or economics; whether you're a journalist or an independent writer, a newly minted Ph.D. or a seasoned scholar hoping to write your most important book, here's the inside information you need to ensure that your book gets the attention it deserves.

Filled with trade secrets, Thinking Like Your Editor explains:

• How to tailor academic writing to a general reader, without losing ideas or dumbing down your work
• How to write a proposal that editors cannot ignore
• Why the most important chapter is your introduction
• Why "simple structure, complex ideas" is the mantra for creating serious nonfiction
• Why smart nonfiction editors regularly reject great writing but find new arguments irresistible

Students like little books. They want affordable course materials. They need to read and write and do research. And now they need more help than ever before listening, engaging respectfully with others, and distinguishing between facts and fiction. We've got the book for all that. It's called Let's Talk, and it's by Andrea Lunsford.

For Writers from All Walks of Life

There's no need to fear the big, bad world of writing with "The Little Red Writing Book" in hand. Brimming with clever advice, this book offers writers, students, and business professionals a concise guide to penning strong and effective work for all occasions.

"The Little Red Writing Book" is designed for visual appeal and ease of use. Elegant yet practical, it will be an intriguing, inviting reference you'll turn to again and again. Author Brandon Royal offers concise explanations and nonintimidating instruction based on the four pillars of sound writing: structure, style, readability, and grammar. His discussion centers on 20 immutable writing principles as well as 30 commonly encountered rules of grammar. A wealth of examples, charts, and engaging exercises make "The Little Red Writing Book" an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to master those skills that will make a good writer even better.

Using side-by-side pairings of first drafts and final versions, including full-page reproductions from the poets’ personal notebooks, as well as an insightful essay on each poem’s journey from start to finish, The Art of Revising Poetry tracks the creative process of twenty-one of the United States’ most influential poets as they struggle over a single word, line break, or thought. This behind-the-scenes look into the creative minds of working poets, including African American, Latino, Asian American, and Native poets from across the US, is an essential resource for students practicing poetry, and for instructors looking to enliven the classroom with real world examples. Students learn first-hand from the deft revisions working poets make, while poetry teachers can show in detail how experienced poets self-edit, tinker, cut, rearrange, and craft a poem. The Art of Revising Poetry is a must-have for aspiring poets and poetry teachers at all levels.

What we intend to do in this book is to explain, and exemplify, in a nuts-and-bolts way, what we are calling Scholarly Personal Narrative (SPN) writing. This is a genre created over 15 years ago by Robert, one of the co-authors of this book. The other co-author, DeMethra, has actually written a thesis and dissertation using this genre, so she brings an author's direct SPN experience to the table. Both of us co-teach a course that we call "Scholarly Personal Narrative Writing for Pre-Professionals and Professionals." In the chapters that follow, we will present a step-by-step approach for composing an SPN manuscript. The book will be comprised of four general parts, consisting of several short, practical chapters, written in non-technical language. We will write each of the chapters as a way of responding to the most common questions that our students have raised about SPN writing through the years. We will attempt to write as we teach, with no frills and with clarity, empathy, and understanding. We will also provide several SPN writing examples, as well as authorial toolbox tips, throughout the book. In addition, we will conclude with a bibliography of the most relevant personal narrative writing guides we have been able to muster. Our desire is to minimize the number of in-text citations and references in order to maximize the space for us to present a useful, nuts-and-bolts guide to writing, as well as a realistic, down-to-earth rationale for scholarly personal narrative writing in the academy. After reading the book, and practicing the writing exercises, undergraduate and graduate students will be able to author research papers, theses, and dissertations using the Scholarly Personal Narrative research genre. Hundreds of students have done this already throughout the country.

CAPTURE YOUR CHANGING PERSPECTIVES AS THE YEARS PASS
Journal once a year. Shape the story of your life.
It is hard to remember how your thoughts on kissing, marriage, pets, health, education, and other topics have changed over the years. And the memories surrounding your first experiences grow dim over time ... unless you record them.
This journal poses the same series of questions each year, allowing you to record milestones, beliefs, and emotions at each stage of your life. Imagine your smile as you look back and compare your perceptions and views at each age.
Become the author of a unique story-your own
A RECORDED ACCOUNT OF EMOTIONS AND EXPERIENCES
Most journals demand too much time. Have you ever bought a journal only to have it sit untouched in your nightstand? By summarizing your entire life, in just a few hours each year, journaling remains a treasured pleasure instead of another tedious task.
If you dream of writing your memoir some day, but aren't quite sure how to get started...this journal is for you.
Give the gift of detailed memories to yourself or a loved one.
Life is a marvelous adventure and worth remembering every moment.