Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner
The Forest For the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers
Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Betsy Lerner
Class/Genre: Non-Fiction Reference
Riverhead, Mar 2000, $21.95, 284 pp.
To start with THE FOREST FOR THE TREES: AN EDITOR’S ADVICE TO WRITERS is not your typical how to book that leaves a wannabe wondering what they did not understand. Instead, Betsy Lerner divides her nonfiction work into two segments, Writing and Publishing, which do not always go hand in hand.
Using her vast years in the business, especially as an editor, Ms. Lerner provides anecdotal tales to describe six writing personalities in which one will fit like a glove (non-OJ style) on most aspiring authors. Writers should be concerned about staying true to their own personality. This will make it easier to write and stay committed to writing.
The second part of the book deals with publishing, something new writers fail to think about until rejections pile up and the smell of failure (at least in their minds) becomes a way of life. Ms. Lerner explains what goes on inside the brain of an editor and agent, the impact of the net, and answers questions that torture authors even after they complete a book. Doubts linger on whether to agent or not to agent or to self publicize or remain silent, etc.
This book is a combination autobiography and what to expect book. The prose is entertaining and very humorous, especially when Ms. Lerner provides a look at the famous authors she has worked with. Anyone who wants to understand the today's publishing industry and not just the writers that make up a part of it will gain much pleasure and insight from this well-written book. It gives hope to aspiring authors because it proves that even an editor can write a good book.
Harriet Klausner
Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner
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