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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I tore through this book in about two days. I RARELY buy books but I pre-ordered this one... I just had a feeling it would be a treasure trove of useful information that I'd want to go back to and it did not disappoint. I've taken a pitching class, read tons on the topic of writing and pitching, and while there were some parts of this book I already knew a) it was great to have everything consolidated in one place vs random corners of the internet, notebooks I've misplaced and b) there was also a good deal of info and advice that was new to me or explained in a way that more of an impression on me. Not only that but it's not just a bunch of information Shapiro is spewing at you.. It's hard-won knowledge that she imbues with personality and humor.
EDITED TO ADD: About 6 weeks after I finished this book I had a personal essay published in the Washington Post. THIS BOOK WORKS!
EDITED TO ADD: About 6 weeks after I finished this book I had a personal essay published in the Washington Post. THIS BOOK WORKS!
This has a few good nuggets, but unless you're a true beginner, it won't help much. It also has a lot of pieces missing that I think would be valuable for someone wanting to get essays published.
It also seems that the author is arguing with other negative reviews, so I have blocked her. Who has time for that nonsense?
It also seems that the author is arguing with other negative reviews, so I have blocked her. Who has time for that nonsense?
informative
fast-paced
Anyone else laugh there butt off reading this book? I was wondering who comes up with those insane articles we all read in magazines. Yes, they are catchy....and hilarious. Thanks so much to the author... I really needed a laugh.
What did I like? Am I going to be published anytime soon....no. I do however enjoy writing reviews on books and I think this book was pretty simple and straight forward! Some of the examples in the book are just priceless but you could also look at the nearest magazine. Articles that sell are really just what everybody is into at the moment. Does the author have experience...yes, but coming up with a catchy title can’t be all that a article needs.
Would I recommend or buy? I’m not really buying what this author is selling but since she has more than a book under her belt she can’t be all wrong. If you wish to be published then maybe byline is for you.
Thoughts for the author? I enjoyed the commentary in the byline bible and thank you bookish for a copy in exchange for my opinion.
What did I like? Am I going to be published anytime soon....no. I do however enjoy writing reviews on books and I think this book was pretty simple and straight forward! Some of the examples in the book are just priceless but you could also look at the nearest magazine. Articles that sell are really just what everybody is into at the moment. Does the author have experience...yes, but coming up with a catchy title can’t be all that a article needs.
Would I recommend or buy? I’m not really buying what this author is selling but since she has more than a book under her belt she can’t be all wrong. If you wish to be published then maybe byline is for you.
Thoughts for the author? I enjoyed the commentary in the byline bible and thank you bookish for a copy in exchange for my opinion.
After winning this in the bookish first I immediately found how helpful it was. For someone who is just trying to write and be published without having the big name publishing companies this is perfect. It gives information in such a way that it is easy to follow as well as informative. There are tips and tricks that I would never have known if I had not spent the time to read it.
Although some areas are a bit harder to understand and dry all in all this book does exactly as promised.
It may not get you there without some other help but it is a great resource for any want to be author to have in their library.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have new ideas on how to publish.
Although some areas are a bit harder to understand and dry all in all this book does exactly as promised.
It may not get you there without some other help but it is a great resource for any want to be author to have in their library.
I would recommend this to anyone who wants to have new ideas on how to publish.
The advice in this was good, but definitely quickly got repetitive and the included articles were sometimes fun to read, but would have benefited from annotations for what the author thought appealed to an editor about the piece. I also felt as if the inclusion of literal links in a physical book was a very strange inclusion. I think that a supplemental website for the paperback edition would have made much more sense than links printed in a book. Overall though, I think this is a good starting point, and I will likely pass this along to a friend with an interest in journalism.
Very practical. I feel equipped to pursue paid writing for today’s publications. Demystifies and educates.
This book is written by a published nonfiction magazine writer that teaches others how to sell pieces to magazines. It is broken into five assignments and ten chapters. While I adore print copies of advice books, the ebook version would be helpful due to the numerous hyperlinks. The author does not gloss over or make getting published seem easy. She recommends research and gives advice on where to start for that. In addition to the hyperlinks, she includes many published articles to illustrate the point she is making. She highlights frequent mistakes and goes over how to avoid them. Admittedly, the cover and title did not draw me in (I generally avoid anything with the word bible) but found the advice solid.
I have recently returned to writing and was happy that I won an advance copy of this book to read and review. There's nothing like a good book on the subject of writing, and this one hits the mark. I enjoyed the insight into the writing industry the author gives the reader. The book is something that i will use as a reference in my writing. While I write fiction, and this book is geared toward article writing, there is so much knowledge that all writers can take away from this book.
I recommend that any type of writer pick up this book. The book is well written, easy to follow and the author is very experienced within the writing industry. Read it, learn from it, reference it and go write!
I recommend that any type of writer pick up this book. The book is well written, easy to follow and the author is very experienced within the writing industry. Read it, learn from it, reference it and go write!
I read this in just two days, and I'm glad it's over so I can move onto better guides: I simply can't trust Shapiro's advice here. As I said early today, every few pages this book has at least 1 thing that makes me question the author and the validity of her claims. That's a REALLY high ratio for a guidebook that I want to trust and learn from. From ignoring the experiences of journalists of color to giving story advice hypocritical to advice earlier in the book, I kept reading out of confusion and concern more than any normal emotion (like, the desire to educate myself). I'm a super new journalist. I'm mostly self-taught, I've been doing this since March 2020. I'm 22. And even I knew that this guide reads as off and quite unhelpful. It doesn't reflect what journalism is in 2020, and I highly doubt it reflects what journalism in 2018 looked like: the book lacks any discussion of the labor aspects of freelancing, freelance solidarity, sexism in the industry (especially post Me Too), or the crumbling opportunities and support for journalists during the Trump administration and corporate takeover of news. Those are all things I wish I learned more about before freelancing! This is a basic guide that could be helpful to some, yes, but what I'm most worried about (that no other reviews here have discussed) is how inaccurate its claims seem. Also, Rebecca Renner said Shapiro seemed like she was attacking people for negative reviews on here? I hope she's still not like that now; I just want the best for fellow young journos.