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How to Get Happily Published: A Complete and Candid Guide

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The classic, bestselling guide to getting published In the 20 years since it first appeared, hundreds of thousands of writers'professionals as well as beginners--have read, followed and benefited from How to Get Happily Published. This new edition adds material on making deals with publishers (and what's important), working with small publishers (and when that's preferable), capitalizing on contacts (and where to make them), deciding whether to self-publish (and how much that costs), using new electronic media (to publish; to get information, publicity, promotion and sales; and to connect with enthusiastic readers), and making your work sell better (whoever the publisher is). Plus hundreds of new resources--books, magazines, newspapers, newsletters, groups, experts and Internet sites covering every step of the publishing process.

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

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About the author

Judith Appelbaum was an American editor, consultant and author.

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5 stars
15 (16%)
4 stars
24 (26%)
3 stars
39 (43%)
2 stars
10 (11%)
1 star
1 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for MariNaomi.
Author 34 books424 followers
March 16, 2010
I'm currently going through the publishing process for the first time, and I picked up this book (a gift long ago from my beloved aunt, may she rest in peace) to make sure I'm doing everything right. Although the book is dated (this version was printed in 1992 so it doesn't talk about internet promotions and other current marketing tactics), there are some good ideas here, and I particularly found her section on sales/promotions helpful. Another interesting section was on self-publishing, which she really seems to endorse. She also discusses potential pitfalls of the agent-author/editor-author relationship and how to avoid them, which I think anyone (author, artist, or anyone really) looking for representation would benefit from reading.
Profile Image for Rob.
Author 2 books411 followers
November 1, 2008
I'm sure that there are some useful tid-bits in here but right in the first chapter we get: ...they [writers] rely on common-sense measures to improve their writing skills. Which pretty much put me right off wanting to continue. But the title isn't How to Be a Happy Writer, it's How to Get Happily Published. Circling back on the table of contents, it seems that there's precious little to say about getting the manuscript in front of editorial eyes and on to the next phase (instead of into the slushpile).

I'll stick to my revisions and maybe come back to this one if we get that far.
Profile Image for Matea.
213 reviews
April 15, 2016
So, I referenced the outdated one, but my library didn't have the fifth version. I actually think I first picked up the first edition, so I'm glad I at least /found/ a newer version.
Wow. Lots of information. I didn't even have time to read all of it, I mainly focused on the self-publishing part, but there is a lot of great resources at the end of the book. Probably would be very helpful to some people.
Profile Image for Sheri.
2,282 reviews6 followers
April 3, 2009
Read it but had to skim the end as it was due at the library and someone else was in line for it. Didn't receive any new information but confirmed what I had heard at writing classes and workshops. Was helpful.
Profile Image for Alexis.
Author 7 books142 followers
September 23, 2014
This book was recommended to our group by Lawrence Hill this summer. It contains a lot of information about publishing and marketing, along with resources in the back.

It's a bit dated though, but still worth a read.
Profile Image for Tatra.
1,697 reviews
June 14, 2015
I read this for the amusement factor and also because it belonged to my grandma. This edition was published back in 1992, and some things have changed since then. I am more likely to go online to find the answers now.
83 reviews
May 12, 2011
Mount Laurel Library
070.5

Excellent book. Indexed.
Lengthy list of resources.
Profile Image for Fredrick Danysh.
6,844 reviews179 followers
June 8, 2013
The author explores the ins and out of getting what your have written published. She gives tips on how to get your work looked at and some general rules to follow.
Profile Image for Holly.
366 reviews4 followers
October 20, 2015
Mostly a list of resources and fairly common knowledge of how the publishing process works.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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