Author: Patricia L. Fry

IBSN: 0977357600

Patricia L. Fry, author of  The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book: Your Guide to Successful Authorship, describes herself as “give me the facts, ma'am sort of author with targeted how-to-books.”

She has rightfully been regarded as a maven when it comes to counseling authors in the art of publishing and selling their books. This much-deserved status is the result of having written many articles over a span of 30 years concerning a variety of subjects that have appeared in over 200 publications.

In addition, Fry is the author of 25 published books, including 8 related to writing/publishing. While some of her books have been published through traditional royalty publishers, several have been self-published through her 20-year-old publishing company, Matilija Press.

Fry is also the president of SPAWN (Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network) and she has been involved with lectures and workshops, as well as working with clients on a variety of projects.

Fry begins her recent tome, The Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book: Your Guide to Successful Authorship with the basic premise that the first step in the process of writing a book does not start at the keyboard but rather in the understanding of what the publishing business is all about.

From here Fry moves on by providing useful guidance pertaining to steps authors must adopt to change their approach to writing, publishing and selling their books. Topics explored in depth are finding the best publisher, book proposals, the right audience, marketing, organizing, approaching and working with agents and publishers, writing, self-publishing, promotion, bookkeeping and the writer's life.

Fry emphasizes the importance of realistic evaluation and she warns authors of the trap they frequently fall into where they become so attached to their book that they become blind to reality ignoring the marketability of their book. Book projects must be thoroughly examined in the light of their potential profit. It is not just enough to launch a book hoping that people will flock to the bookstore and purchase your masterpiece. Find out what is your competition, who is your target audience and is there a need for your book? Incidentally, understanding all of these factors is essential when approaching an agent or publisher and should be included in your pitch.

Tackling a subject as broad as writing, publishing and selling your book takes some doing, but Fry pulls it off with a combination of personal anecdotes and a writing style that is enlightening and accessible. She also has an excellent connection with her readers and at times I felt as if she were physically present explaining to me the ins and outs of writing, publishing and selling books.

The scope of the material included in the book is extensive and informative. Fry relies on a tremendous amount of solid research and personal experiences that are supported by a flotilla of helpful tips, information bites, resources, lessons and examples. For example, Fry devotes considerable ink to book proposals and dissects her own proposal pertaining to The  Right Way to Write, Publish and Sell Your Book: Your Guide to Successful Authorship.

In the end, however, as Fry states in the Introduction, all of the information provided in the book is useless if you don’t use what you learn to move your career forward. And don’t forget, as Fry states, the book is not designed to take the place of hard work.

 The above review was contributed by  NORM GOLDMAN:  Editor & Publisher of Bookpleasures.  Here are more of  Norm Goldman's Reviews       

 To read Norm's Interview with Patricia Fry CLICK HERE

 Click On The Images Below To Read More From Patricia Fry