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Green-Light Your Book: How Writers Can Succeed in the New Era of Publishing by Brooke Warner
mike_trigg's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent primer for any aspiring author staring over the confusing landscape of self-publishing.
ephemerily's review against another edition
5.0
This book was not what I expected, and helped me more than I’d anticipated. I had heard of the book many times; I took a few webinars with the author and listen to her Write Minded podcast. So when I saw Green-Light Your Book at the library (on the shelf next to the book I was looking for, Letters to a Young Novelist by Vargas), I checked it out.
I’ve read a lot about the current state of publishing and about self-publishing and other new models, and I expected this book to be more of that information; perhaps it would fill in some gaps in my knowledge. The author worked for years in traditional publishing before starting a reputable hybrid press, and is an advocate of self-publishing as well.
I was wrong. This book is for authors and includes information they need, at a deep and insightful level, no matter what method of publishing they choose. It discusses topics that I’d heard over and over but never really understood. Reading the book made me feel hope in situations that had previously felt hopeless, like developing an author platform as a non-famous introvert.
A few of the parts that were particularly helpful to me were these:
1. There are descriptions of the major genres and how publishing them differs. I can now see that my first book (Bread Science) sells in spite of its amateur cover because it is a how-to book that contains information people want. I did not have the same luck with my memoir (Somewhere and Nowhere, which is in a genre in which a book must stand out to be noticed, and a bad cover can ruin you. The books I’m currently working on (new adult, romance) are each in their own genre, which I’ll have to research before publishing.
2. The book breaks the concept of author platform into parts, and some of the parts are not impossible for a beginner, such as “ability to execute” or “expertise.” Even authors writing fiction have expertise, and they can use this expertise to come up with blog posts or other content.
3. Authors must consider their “online presence.” This is something I’ve struggled with because I now have four books (two self-published, two in progress) in four different genres, as well as a freelance editing business. I use my blog to post news as well as tips for writers and editors, and now I need to add content that will attract readers of my fiction books. I saw that I can’t treat all my subscribers the same--readers of writing tips are not the same people interested in new adult fiction--so I decided to add functionality to my blog to allow subscribers to choose categories.
4. Everyone talks about the importance of metadata, but no one ever just clearly tells you what it is and how to deal with it. This book does.
I recommend this book for all new authors. It’s also easy to read!
I’ve read a lot about the current state of publishing and about self-publishing and other new models, and I expected this book to be more of that information; perhaps it would fill in some gaps in my knowledge. The author worked for years in traditional publishing before starting a reputable hybrid press, and is an advocate of self-publishing as well.
I was wrong. This book is for authors and includes information they need, at a deep and insightful level, no matter what method of publishing they choose. It discusses topics that I’d heard over and over but never really understood. Reading the book made me feel hope in situations that had previously felt hopeless, like developing an author platform as a non-famous introvert.
A few of the parts that were particularly helpful to me were these:
1. There are descriptions of the major genres and how publishing them differs. I can now see that my first book (Bread Science) sells in spite of its amateur cover because it is a how-to book that contains information people want. I did not have the same luck with my memoir (Somewhere and Nowhere, which is in a genre in which a book must stand out to be noticed, and a bad cover can ruin you. The books I’m currently working on (new adult, romance) are each in their own genre, which I’ll have to research before publishing.
2. The book breaks the concept of author platform into parts, and some of the parts are not impossible for a beginner, such as “ability to execute” or “expertise.” Even authors writing fiction have expertise, and they can use this expertise to come up with blog posts or other content.
3. Authors must consider their “online presence.” This is something I’ve struggled with because I now have four books (two self-published, two in progress) in four different genres, as well as a freelance editing business. I use my blog to post news as well as tips for writers and editors, and now I need to add content that will attract readers of my fiction books. I saw that I can’t treat all my subscribers the same--readers of writing tips are not the same people interested in new adult fiction--so I decided to add functionality to my blog to allow subscribers to choose categories.
4. Everyone talks about the importance of metadata, but no one ever just clearly tells you what it is and how to deal with it. This book does.
I recommend this book for all new authors. It’s also easy to read!
khanes's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! As a veteran of the traditional publishing industry and founder of a hybrid publishing company, She Writes Press, Brooke has so much inside information to share. Her book is highly readable and accessible, and I found myself whizzing through. I never knew about hybrid publishing, distribution, metadata, print runs vs. print-on-demand, and the importance of cover design, proof-reading, etc. This book is good for authors considering any form of publication. I highly recommend it!
cansail's review against another edition
5.0
If you are considering publishing a book through any of the available methods, read this first. There's lots of great advice from a veteran of the publishing industry.
lauriebuchanan's review against another edition
5.0
Aspiring or well-established, published or not; if you’re a writer, you need this book. In her straightforward, from-the-hip style, Brooke Warner—publisher at She Writes Press—generously shares her industry savvy. From publishing models, to publicity, and everything in-between, including author mindset, GREEN-LIGHT YOUR BOOK is the keep-at-hand guide for those of us who write.
davebartell's review
4.0
Brooke masterfully illuminates book publishing for what it is - a business. At the 2018 SF Writer's conference, she spoke on several panels and led a session I attended. She is articulate, pragmatic and passionate about writing and publishing. She advocates change in publishing - get indie-book publishing the same respect as indie-film and indie-music - AND to hold a high standard for quality. Example, would you listen to a crappy recording of a band? No.
Her book packages all the advice given in the session. For a Newbie to publishing, like me, the coaching is entirely worth the purchase price. Her book taught me:
- Writing is product development (in the garage tinkering and beta/customer testing)
- Publishing is packaging and distribution
- Maketing and Sales is exactly that
Her book packages all the advice given in the session. For a Newbie to publishing, like me, the coaching is entirely worth the purchase price. Her book taught me:
- Writing is product development (in the garage tinkering and beta/customer testing)
- Publishing is packaging and distribution
- Maketing and Sales is exactly that
cansail's review
5.0
If you are considering publishing a book through any of the available methods, read this first. There's lots of great advice from a veteran of the publishing industry.
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