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Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book

Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book

by Courtney Maum

Catapult ·2020 ·365 pages ·Health
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
62/99
Near the Top

52/99

Critics

Near the Top

73/99

Readers

n/a

Scholars

70/99

Rating

34/99

Volume

98/99

Rating

48/99

Volume

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About This Book

Everything you've ever wanted to know about publishing but were too afraid to ask is right here in this funny, candid guide by acclaimed author Courtney Maum. Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book has over 150 contributors from all walks of the industry, including international bestselling authors Anthony Doerr, Roxane Gay, Garth Greenwell, Lisa Ko, R. O. Kwon, Rebecca Makkai, and Ottessa Moshfegh, alongside cult favorites Sarah Gerard, Melissa Febos, Mitchell S. Jackson, and Mira Jacob. Agents, film scouts, film producers, translators, disability and minority activists, and power agents and editors also weigh in, offering advice and sharing intimate anecdotes about even the most taboo topics in the industry. Their wisdom will help aspiring authors find a foothold in the publishing world and navigate the challenges of life before and after publication with sanity and grace. Are MFA programs worth the time and money? How do people actually sit down and finish a novel? Did you get a good advance? What do you do when you feel envious of other writers? And why the heck aren't your friends saying anything about your book? Covering questions ranging from the logistical to the existential (and everything in between), Before and After the Book Deal is the definitive guide for anyone who has ever wanted to know what it's really like to be an author.


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Reviews

"Far from dry and dusty, this account is laced with humor not for its own sake but to make a point—eschewing 'perfectionism,' Maum claims, 'bad writing is the only way you're going to start writing well' ..."

Edward B. Cone· Library Journal Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"A core choice for public library collections, and a logical next step for budding writers who have consumed Stephen King's On Writing (2000), Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird (1995), and Chuck Wendig's Damn Fine Story (2017)."

Cari Dubiel· Booklist Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"This witty, quirky guide to writing books as a profession, from novelist Maum manages to be both funny and informative ..."

Publishers Weekly Read review ↗ Near the Top

"a sensible and brightly encouraging guide to publishing."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Near the Top

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