Self-Editing for Fiction Writers Reviews

Reader, Jean Horn, Portland Oregon

"I’d been working on my suspense novel off and on for about seven years when I came across your book. It was one of dozens I checked out from the library, and I liked it so much I had to buy it. As an English teacher and working journalist, I knew a lot about writing and had taken many fine courses at local colleges and graduate writing programs. But nowhere had I learned most of what your book presented. I’d heard that old saw “show don’t tell” dozens of times but never really understood it till I read your explanation. I knew I shouldn’t be “telling” thoughts and feelings but did not really know how to use internal monologue to present them. I was frequently overwriting without realizing it, even though I prided myself on being concise.

Your book taught me techniques that graduate fiction courses never addressed, such as the most ineffective sentence constructions, how to use fragments effectively, lots of dialogue tricks, and when to use narrative summary instead of a scene. It was like working with two gifted editors and helped me immensely. I’d like you to know that one of William Morris Agency’s top agents recently called to ask for my completed manuscript a.s.a.p because the first six chapters I’d sent wowed her. This is in no small part due to the techniques Self-Editing For Fiction Writers taught me. Thank you so much!

I know this would never be happening without Renni's help. Now I just have to get the other 290 pages in shape."

An Amazon.com Reviewer

“There's not much of the old-style editing going on at publishing houses today. Renni Browne, veteran of William Morrow and other publishers, founded the Editorial Department in 1980 to teach fiction writers the techniques professional editors (many of whom have gone independent) use to prepare a manuscript for publication. In this book, she and senior editor Dave King share their accumulated expertise in a series of brilliantly compact lessons. One page from their simply and markedly improved version of a scene from The Great Gatsby alone would make a compelling advertisement for their techniques. This book is very highly recommended. “-MTB

From Library Journal

“Both novice and seasoned fiction writers can ensure themselves greater publishing success by correcting textual problems before submitting their manuscripts to an editor. This exemplary instruction manual offers readers the wisdom of two experienced editors who focus on writing/editing techniques (the mechanics of dialog, characterization, point of view, etc.). Adhering to fiction's underlying principle of "show and tell," this lively text includes both good and bad examples in each lesson. At the end of every chapter is a tip checklist to match against one's own work and two or three exercises with which to practice and reinforce the chapter's topic. A superb tutorial for anyone wanting to learn from pros how to polish fiction writing with panache.” - Cathy Sabol, Northern Virginia Community Coll., Manassas

"A superb tutorial for anyone wanting to learn from pros how to polish fiction writing with panache.

Both novice and seasoned fiction writers can ensure themselves greater publishing success by correcting problems before submitting their manuscripts to an editor. This exemplary instruction manual offers readers the wisdom of two experienced editors who focus on writing/editing techniques (the mechanics of dialogue, characterization, point of view, etc.). Adhering to fictions' underlying principle of "show and tell," this lively text includes both good and bad examples in each lesson. At the end of every chapter is a tip checklist to match against one's own work and two or three exercises with which to practice and reinforce the chapter's topic.

An entire book on improving what you've written is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, which comes from professional editors who know their stuff."

From the Publisher

“The term "editor" has taken on a new connotation in recent years. At today's publishing houses, editors find most of their time is invested in negotiating contracts, acquiring books, and lunching literary agents. Because this leaves so little time for working on manuscripts, even very strong submissions that need editing tend to be rejected. Writers who use this book can give their work the editorial attention it needs—before the book ever reaches the publisher's desk. A pre-edited book, short story, or article makes looks like the work of a professional rather than an amateur. As such, its author is far more likely to get published—and to become a better writer in the process."

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