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Bookstore
Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford To Ignore, by Elizabeth Lyon
Perigee Trade Paperback Original. $14.95. 368 pgs. ISBN: 978-0-399-53395-2
Available through:
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Chapters.ca
"Whether you're learning the craft, revising your manuscript, or looking to position it for the best chance of getting published, read Elizabeth Lyon. Manuscript Makeover maps out exactly how to revise and rewrite. A Writer's Guide to Fiction provides practical tips to bring your characters to life and to improve your plot, and The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit is the best book I've ever read on how to write a query letter and synopsis that will get an agent and an editor's attention. I wouldn't be published without either book."
—Robert Dugoni, thrillers
author of New York Times bestseller The Jury Master, and Damage Control
"In her new book, Manuscript Makeover, Elizabeth Lyon makes excellent use of her years as a book editor. Any writer is sure to take away some inspiring anecdote or advice that will make their writing go where it could not before."
—Kathy Hepinstall, literary
bestselling author of The House of Gentle Men and Absence of Nectar
"Elizabeth Lyon is a writer's best friend. With masterful clarity and gentle humor she coaches us through the full range of techniques (from liberating our voice to a producing a presentable product) that will improve and enhance our manuscript and make us better at what we do. Manuscript Makeover is a must."
—Barbara C. Pope, literary historical fiction
author of Cezanne's Quarry
"With Manuscript Makeover, Elizabeth Lyon converts the complex process of revision into a step-by-step method of upgrading your plot, style, and characters. The book answers the daunting question of 'where do I begin?' and is loaded with simple revision techniques any writer, at any level, can use to craft a better novel."
—Carolyn Rose, mystery
author of the Casey Brandt series
"From overhauling structure, to deepening characters, fine-tuning imagery, mastering mechanics, and setting your style apart—Manuscript Makeover does it all. This is the one book on revision every writer should own."
—Michael Nettleton, off-beat mystery
co-author of Hard Karma Shuffle
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A Writer's Guide To Fiction, by Elizabeth Lyon
Perigee (Penguin Putnam). Cost: $13.95 US, $19.95 Canadian,
ISBN: 039952858x
Available through:
Amazon.com
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Chapters.ca
A concise, practical guide for novelists and short story writers that covers how to:
- Develop the art and craft of storytelling: five-part structure, Hero's and Heroine's journeys, scene, set-piece, subtext; pacing, description, narrative hooks, endings, and theme
- Create memorable characters that live and breathe: in-depth characterization, character chemistry, point of view, dialogue, archetypes
- Apply professional keys to self-editing, with checklists and summaries, and
- Discover strategies to successfully market your work, with sample query letters, insider tips, resources, and directories.
"A Writer's Guide to Fiction is a terrific resource for authors; positive in tone (VERY important to aspiring writers), well organized (a critical point for both authors and the librarians who are often called upon to advise them in these matters) and concise. I wish this book had been available when I fired up my own writing career!"
—Jayne Ann Krentz, bestselling author of women's suspense
"Elizabeth Lyon's latest book A Writer's Guide to Fiction is a must-read for anyone about to embark on fiction writing or anyone enjoying a writing career. As agents, we are recommending all our clients read it either as an inspiration or as a valuable refresher course. Lyon never talks down to the writer but simply puts up clean, clear signposts to follow the fiction rules of the road. Highly recommended."
—Anna Cottle and Mary Alice Kier, Cine/Lit Representation
"A superb introduction to the basics. Don't start your novel without it."
—Donald Maass, literary agent and author of Writing the Breakout Novel
"I just finished reading your book, A Writer's Guide to Fiction, and have to thank you for teaching me how to write a novel or short story. I've read many books on writing, but have never seen one address every possible question I could have until yours. I've already recommended it to other aspiring writers. There were so many things I've always wondered how to do that other books did not address, yet your book covered them all. I will be keeping your book on my desk next to my computer and will be referring to it often. Thank you for giving me a very detailed guide to writing, inspiration to go on, and the tools to create something worthwhile."
—Eileen S. novelist
"Like a clear mountain morning, Elizabeth Lyon sweeps into a writer's library. A Writer's Guide to Fiction, gives writers the basic information they need to write an award-winning novel. Having just read entries for the 2004 NWA Novel Contest, I was ready for the clear mountain morning. The path of the Novel Contest was littered with one-dimensional characters and enough "showing versus telling" to bury even the most patient reader.
Ah, to be able to tell every one of those entrants to read Lyon's book. No esoteric clap-trap here. Lyon takes the would-be novelist through developing characters, writing hooks, and mapping the novel sequence as only a master teacher can.
A Writer's Guide to Fiction is replete with good examples of what to do to
develop a winning tale."
—Reviewer, Authorship, 6/04
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Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and Advance Before Writing Your Book, by Elizabeth Lyon
Perigee (Penguin Putnam). Cost: $13.95 US, $19.95 Canadian, ISBN 0-399-52827-8.
Available through:
Amazon.com
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In this comprehensive yet accessible guide, you will learn exactly what a proposal is, what it must contain, and how to pull yours together into an informative, persuasive selling package. Already a favorite for thousands of aspiring writers, this book features nearly two dozen actual proposals, plus:
- Choosing a topic based on current trends and competing titles
- Drafting the perfect concept statement
- Preparing a table of contents and chapter summaries
- Submitting intriguing and well-written sample chapters
- Writing query letters
- Devising a marketing plan that will excite agents and publishers
- Examples of publication consent agreement and an author/agent agreement
- Resource information on market guides, literary agents, writers and editors' reference books and more
"The perfect tool with which to create a successful book proposal."
—Mary Alice Kier and Anna Cottle, Cine/Lit Representation, Literary Agency and Media Consultants
"Elizabeth Lyon knows book proposals the way a surgeon knows anatomy."
—Gary Provost, author of 22 books including 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing and Make Your Words Work
"Don't try to sell your next nonfiction book without consulting it!"
—Gerald Gross, author of Editors on Editing
"Like having a cousin in publishing, Elizabeth Lyon's book is filled with information and examples. It opens doors for authors. It guided my first book proposal to the enthusiastic response writers dream about."
—Carolyn Scott Kortge, author of The Spirited Walker: Workouts for Body and Soul
"This book is pure gold! I received an offer from a large publisher, who also stated that my proposal was professional and well written; even my agent said Elizabeth Lyon's book should be the standard in the industry."
—Mary Jeanne Menna, author of Mom to New Mom
"As I started reading your book [Nonfiction Book Proposals], one of the
things that happened for me was like a sigh of relief -- here's a place to
send those questioners to...here's a resource that's complete, not
over-written, hard-hearted and cynical, or makes any false turns into some
agenda. Even the pieces of info and suggestions that I didn't already have,
feel right to me. I've commanded at least 4 clients also to get it, so that
we'll be working on the same page."
—Ariele M. Huff, a writer/columnist, editor of 9 publications,
teacher of writing, book doctor, and publishing consultant.
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The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit: Everything You Need to Know About Queries, Synopses, Marketing, and Breaking In, by Elizabeth Lyon
Perigee (Penguin Putnam). Cost: $13.95 US, $19.99 Canadian. ISBN 0-399-52828-8.
Available through:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com
Borders.com
Powells.com
Chapters.ca
Learning to market your novel will make it stand out from the thousands of other books clamoring for the attention of an ever-shrinking number of publishers. Step by step, Elizabeth Lyon details what editors want, what questions to ask them, and how to develop a marketing strategy. You will learn:
- How to categorize your novel and the sixteen ways of describing it
- Nine ways of selling your novel
- Description of the jobs of literary agent, editor, and writer
- Examples of actual story synopses and dozens of successful query letters in all the genres
- How to prepare sample chapters
- Thirty questions a writer needs to ask a prospective agent
- Information on writers' organizations, market guides, and much more
"If you're serious about selling your novel, Elizabeth Lyon is here to coach you with the skills, the inside information, and the inspiration you need."
—Chuck Palahniuk, author of Fight Club
"A pragmatic marketing guide written for and about real writers in the trenches. It's like having a five-star general drop into your foxhole to not only show you a map of the entire battlefield but to give you tips on marksmanship and battlefield survival."
—M.K. Wren, author of eight mysteries
"Not just another how-to puff, this is an operations plan. Read it."
—Don McQuinn, author of eight fantasy novels including Warrior, Wanderer, and Witch.
"Here's the work writers must research BEFORE they approach me or any agent. The Tool Kit will be required reading for any potential client."
—Denise Marcil, literary agent
"Elizabeth Lyon has written a masterly work that belongs on every writer's bookshelf."
—Jean Naggar, literary agent
"Every novelist, published and hoping-to-be published, should own this gem."
—Kathleen Daugherty, author of mainstream thrillers
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A Writer's Guide to Nonfiction, by Elizabeth Lyon
Perigee (Penguin Putnam). Cost: $13.95 US, $19.99 Canadian. ISBN 0-399-52867-9.
Available through:
Amazon.com
BarnesandNoble.com
Borders.com
Powells.com
Chapters.ca
From Publishers Weekly:
"You know something others don't know and need," insists Lyon (Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write), and in her confident, optimistic writing primer, the first in the Writer's Compass series, she shows would-be authors how to find their area of expertise and turn it into an article, essay or even a book. Walking her readers through the writing process, from "What to I want to Say?" to "Writing About Ideas" and from "Troubleshooting and Problem Solving" to "Learning How to Market," Lyon crafts a detailed and practical course for the nonfiction novice. Those with a partially formed idea can turn to her section on different types of nonfiction pieces and the subjects to which they're suited, or her chapter on slants to determine the tone of a future piece. (A proponent of the look-before-you-leap school of creative endeavor, Lyon advocates a lot of planning before beginning a writing project.) Writers with a slightly clearer idea can ponder different leads, such as the one-line hook or the direct address, and methods of organization such as comparison and contrast. Almost all the chapters include multiple "maps," which might list "outstanding" memoirs and "choices for ending well," or guide readers through researching travel pieces and writing a query letter. Her troubleshooting section offers checklists for success, and, like all the other chapters, includes a sidebar on recommended reading. This detailed and practical guide may not guarantee writing hopefuls a book deal, but it distinguishes itself from other writing how-tos by its concrete and economical advice.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
"A Writer's Guide to Nonfiction helped me understand not only the craft of
writing (opening my eyes to pre-thinking, the synthesis of heart, mind,
and ideas)--to create a cogent and meaningful work! But even more, it helped
me understand and experience the artist in me. On a personal level, it is
helping me find my voice to make a difference."
—Debbie Caldwell, Portland, OR
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