As we look ahead to a new year, I know a lot of you are considering what writing goals you want to set. I’ve been doing the same, actually. I recently had the opportunity o read and review From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith and it’s a wonderfully inspiring book that talks through all facets of the writing life.
Before we get to my review, here’s a bit about the book:
You’ve been writing and honing your craft for months or years and are curious about seeking publication for your latest project. Perhaps you wonder about the next steps in the process. Look no further!
This book has a little something for every writer interested in expanding their audience and sharing their writing with readers, from pre-writing and writing your drafts to choosing your market and the writing life before, during, and after publication.
Topics covered in the book include:
- The Lovely Littles: Breaking into Literary Magazines
- The Spinning Spider: Keeping Track of your Brainchildren
- Options, You’ve Got ’em: Traditional, Indie/Small, University Press, or Self-Publishing
- Two Streams with One Stone: To Simultaneously Submit or Not
- Monetize it! Part One: All about the Benjamins; Monetize it! Part Two: Risk and a Swimming Metaphor
- The Myth of the Fancy-Pants Tools
- The Art of Writing the Author Bio
- Paradox Meets Passion: Writer vs. Author
- The Slam-Bam Reply: Now in Two Painful Varieties; Creative Noodling
- F.U.N
and so much more!
What I thought:
What a helpful book! While I wouldn’t say this is a book for people wanting to learn how to write, edit, or revise their story, it’s still a book I encourage every writer purchases. It’s all part of what happens when you think you are ready for the publication process. Melanie has such a loving, encouraging tone in each chapter. One of my absolute favorite chapters was the art of writing the author bio. This is a process that I’ve had such a hard time with and Melanie gave such great tips on crafting a memorable one (that doesn’t just read like a resume).
Overall, there are so many helpful aspects of this book! It’s inspiring and keeps you moving forward to grow your writing career. It’s a must for every writer out there and would make an excellent gift this holiday season.
Purchase your copy on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can also add it to your GoodReads reading list.
About Melanie Faith
Melanie Faith is a night-owl writer and editor who moves through the daytime world with her camera. She’s an introvert who likes to wear many hats, too, including as a poet, photographer, professor, and tutor. She’s been a doodler for years but just recently started to share her perfectly imperfect doodles. She loves to write about historical settings in poetry and prose, and this fall she taught both a Leaping Worlds class for historical fiction and time-travel writers as well as a university class about publishing. She especially enjoys creating nonfiction craft books that assist fellow authors on their writing paths, including books packed with tips about writing flash fiction and poetry. Her latest published craft books are: Photography for Writers, guides for teaching online and writing a research book respectively, and From Promising to Published: A Multi-Genre, Insider’s Guide to the Publication Process (all from Vine Leaves Press). Read more about her books, classes, and arts projects at https://melaniedfaith.com/.
Thanks for sharing this.