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ebonyutley's review against another edition
4.0
Thinking Like Your Editor is one of the few books I bought in graduate school that is just as useful then as it is today as an associate professor and a published author. Rabiner says it took her 8 years to deliver under her contract, which is awesome because a) it makes me feel great about my delivery time and b) it made for an awesome book. It’s so concise and honest about a form and style of writing that no one ever teaches you. The two most important lessons—it’s about the audience and the story—nothing else matters as much. Know exactly whom you want to write for and tell a psychological story that carries your argument. I admit to not always thinking in terms of a story but always wanting to be engaged by one. Whether you’re writing serious commercial nonfiction or university press projects, this book is for you. Learn how to structure your arguments within a standard book format. My only critique is that the book is way overdue for a new edition. How books are written may still be the same but how books are published is certainly not.
rhyslindmark's review against another edition
3.0
A bit dated (written in 2003).
But overall solid advice on what editors do. For me the key learnings were:
- Editors care about sales. You need a highly defined audience that will buy your book the moment they hear about it.
- Your serious nonfiction needs to be read in order to get the ideas across. To make sure it's read, make it fun.
- And, clearly define your question then go through your book slowly answering it. Your audience will follow you because they want to know the answer.
But overall solid advice on what editors do. For me the key learnings were:
- Editors care about sales. You need a highly defined audience that will buy your book the moment they hear about it.
- Your serious nonfiction needs to be read in order to get the ideas across. To make sure it's read, make it fun.
- And, clearly define your question then go through your book slowly answering it. Your audience will follow you because they want to know the answer.
tammyshelley's review against another edition
5.0
So many helpful bits of advice! It is readable and a great guide to not only thinking like an editor, but thinking about argument altogether.
tvancort's review against another edition
3.0
I know the exact date this book was due because the NYU library recalled its copy and I had to scramble to finish.
alesia_charles's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent and reassuring. Some of the most basic advice is no different from what I've read online, but the expansions and explanations make it all clear - and so much less intimidating.
At least for people who, like me, are more intimidated by ignorance than by information.
At least for people who, like me, are more intimidated by ignorance than by information.
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