How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction—and Get It Published

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

Over 50,000 books are published in America each year, the vast majority nonfiction. Even so, many writers are stymied in getting their books published, never mind gaining significant attention for their ideas—and substantial sales. This is the book editors have been recommending to would-be authors. Filled with trade secrets, Thinking Like Your Editor explains:

• why every proposal should ask and answer five key questions;
• 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.

Whatever the topic, from history to business, science to philosophy, law, or gender studies, this book is vital to every serious nonfiction writer.

"In 45 years in publishing I have never read better advice than this book offers. Bravo!"—Hugh Van Dusen, HarperCollins Publishers

"[W]ill be the standard text for non-fiction authors."—Herbert P. Bix, author of Hirohito, winner of the 2001 Pulitzer Prize

"[A]n excellent book, one of the best I've ever read on the art of serious nonfiction."—Iris Chang, author of The Rape Of Nanking

"The path from good idea to great book is anything but a straight line, Rabiner and Fortunato know every precipice and crevice."—John Paulos, author of A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper

"[S]hould be required reading for any writer of serious nonfiction."—Laura N. Brown, president, Oxford University Press USA

"What a smart and useful book Thinking Like Your Editor is."—Gerald Howard, editorial director, Broadway Books

"Rabiner and Fortunato take you through the corporate Oz of the publishing world, behind the smoke and mirrors."—Dale Maharidge, author of And Their Children After Them, winner of the 1990 Pulitzer Prize in nonfiction

"Likely to become the gold standard for anyone hoping to be successful in trade publishing."—Juliet B. Schor, author of The Overworked American

"This smart, straight-talking, profoundly encouraging book is an invaluable guide for authors and editors alike. (Sara Bershtel, Associate Publisher, Metropolitan Books

"[Rabiner's] guide to succeeding with nonfiction is every bit as good as her submission letters: the best in the business."—George L. Gibson, President and Publisher, Walker & Company

"Useful advice on every page."—Publishers Weekly starred review

"Many how-to's have been written by the dubiously credentialed. This one, with inside knowledge, has a clear and positive effect and is eminently readable."—Booklist

"Avoids feeding fantasies in favor of detailing necessities."—Library Journal

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