How to Write a Bestseller : An Insider's Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction for General Audiences.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mazzeo, Tilar J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Creative nonfiction--Authorship.

Creative nonfiction.

Reportage literature--Authorship.

Reportage literature.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (229 pages)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, 2024.

Summary:

A bestselling author’s definitive guide to writing and publishing research-based nonfiction for a wide audience Writing fact-based nonfiction for large general audiences requires two different skills: the ability to conduct rigorous research and to craft engaging prose. Tilar J. Mazzeo is one of the few people with extensive experience in both arenas, as a tenured academic and a New York Times bestselling author whose books have been made into a major motion picture and translated into more than fifteen languages. She is also a sought-after writing coach with a passion for helping others communicate their expertise more broadly. In this practical how-to book, Mazzeo draws on her experiences writing and publishing bestsellers to offer an indispensable guide for anyone looking to write narrative nonfiction for a large public audience. In a series of frank and illuminating chapters, she leads readers through the entire process, from conception to publication and beyond. She covers choosing a topic, finding an agent, negotiating a contract, crafting an effective proposal, creating a compelling narrative, marketing one’s work, and developing an author platform. Most importantly, she provides step-by-step advice on how to write prose that will resonate broadly. The ultimate insider’s account, this book will help researchers convey their knowledge effectively so it has impact in the public sphere.

Contents:

Cover

Half Title

Title Page

Copyright Page

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION: The Public-Facing Scholar

CHAPTER 1. The General Audience Topic

CHAPTER 2. The Trade Market and the "Big" Book Topic

CHAPTER 3. Finding the Story

CHAPTER 4. From Narration to Narrative

CHAPTER 5. The Organic Illusion of Narrative (and How to Structure a Trade Nonfiction Title)

CHAPTER 6. The Book Proposal (and Caveat Entrepreneur)

CHAPTER 7. The Book Proposal: Marketing and Author Platform

CHAPTER 8. The Sample Chapter and the Business of Writing

CHAPTER 9. How Not to Write Like an Academic: Character as Narrative Device

CHAPTER 10. How Not to Write Like an Academic: Narrative Tension

CHAPTER 11. Writing Narrative Nonfiction: Why Bestsellers Sell

Acknowledgments

Index.

Notes:

Description based on publisher supplied metadata and other sources.

Other Format:

Print version: Mazzeo, Tilar J. How to Write a Bestseller

ISBN:

9780300280562

OCLC:

1446089853