Ed Cyzewski - A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction

Endorsements

I havent seen a single more helpful resource for writers hoping to enter the publishing fray. A Path to Publishing is a friendly guide through the challenging and confusing maze that leads to having a book on the shelves. It should be required reading for writers!

Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent, Books & Such Literary Group

Finally!! Someone who cares enough to tell the truth about publishing! This well written book is refreshingly honest, open and full of excellent advice about what it really takes to get your book published and how to effectively market and promote it. God bless you, Ed Cyzewski!

Kathleen M. Campbell, President, Campbell Public Relations, LLC

Experience is the best teacherespecially other peoples experiences. Ed Cyzewski has spent hundreds of hours learning from the pros and, thankfully, is now sharing the goods with everyone else. If youve ever dreamed about becoming a published book author, read this book. Underline the key points. Do what Ed says. And be sure to thank him on the Acknowledgments page of your first published book!

David Sanford, award-winning author, editor, writing coach, and former literary agent Credo Communications, LLC

A Path to Publishing is a book that most authors would benefit from reading. Not only does it give you the true life experiences of the author in getting books published, it gives solid, useful information for authors to use to help them in their quest to get published. No matter what your goals are regarding getting your book published, A Path to Publishing will give you concrete, helpful information and ideas to aid you in the process.

Doug Johnson, Author of You Sold Me At Hello: How To Get People To Buy Without Being A Salesman and CEO of G.R. Johnson & Son Consulting, LLC

If you're looking for some wise advice on getting published, invest a little money in Ed's book A Path to Publishing . He'll get you started, and point you down the right path.

Chip MacGregor, President, MacGregor Literary

I have been engaged in editing and book publishing for well over thirty years and sometimes even I am confused about what happens and why. It is a complex business, thats for sure. Every year commercial publishing houses go through the mysterious alchemy of selecting books to publish. If you have tried writing and publishing nonfiction, you have wondered by what process manuscripts are chosen to see the light of day as published books. And you have wondered how to negotiate the selection process to become one of the chosen few who do get published...

Now for all of this you have great help in Ed Cyzewskis rapidly readable, witty, fresh and incisive little book, which is big on valuable insights on how to publish and market expository writing. A Path to Publishing is a step-by-step manual with on-the-mark advice covering the sister professions of writing, editing and publishing. I do not always agree with all the authors assumptions, but in the best tradition of authorship, Cyzewski is willing to make available to others what he has found out for himself. He does this as an insider bringing an outsiders eye for all the profundities.

Leonard G. Goss, GoodEditors.com, www.goodeditors.com

A Path to Publishing

What I Learned By Publishing a

Nonfiction Book

Ed Cyzewski

* * *

Join My Community of Readers

You can get TWO FREE eBooks, first dibs (as well as discounts) on new book releases, and learn about my other books by signing up for my e-newsletter.

Sign up Today

* * *

To read more publishing tips, visit Eds website www.edcyzewski.com.

@ Ed Cyzewski, 2010

Revised edition, 2014

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Ed Cyzewski, .

Cover Design by Joel Ludlam of www.joelinmotion.com.

Cover Photograph: Open Book and Pile of Books

Vaeenma | Purchased at Dreamstime.com

Author Photograph by Joel Ludlam

Some of the anecdotal illustrations in this book are true to life and are included with the permission of the persons involved. All other illustrations are composites of real situations, and any resemblance to people living or dead is coincidental.

Cyzewski, Ed, 1979

A Path to Publishing: What I Learned by Publishing a Nonfiction Book

To my parents and step-parents:

Your support for my writing endeavors

means more than I can express.

T his book would not have been possible without the insight and direction provided by my many colleagues and friends in the publishing industry, especially my friends at NavPress. It has been an honor in particular to work with David Sanford and Kathleen Campbell and to receive their support for this project. The wisdom of Brad Lewis, Rebekah Clark, Caleb Seeling, and Debbie Stier are referenced at many points throughout this book, and Im grateful to have worked with such wonderful people.

It has been a privilege to work with Beth Meachem at the Greater Manchester Arts Council and Clemma Dawson, who co-chaired the Manchester Poets and Writers Weekend with her. They provided timely opportunities to talk about my experiences in publishing where I realized the importance of sharing whats in this book.

In addition, many friends and colleagues read through early drafts and offered editorial suggestions and advice that made this a much better book. Id like to thank:

Serena Kovalosky (http://serenakovalosky.blogspot.com)

Matthew Costner (http://www.resilientemergence.com)

Bill Spinks (http://www.google.com/profiles/wm.spinks)

Adrienne Williams (http://contemplativelife.wordpress.com)

Many other friends checked out my early drafts and gave this book the thumbs up, and Im very grateful for their support.

To my wife Julie, I appreciate your patience and support while I put this project together. Thanks for sticking with my crazy dream to write books even when the path forward isnt easy to figure out. To my Nana, thank you for your prayers.

W hat has changed since I self-published this book in 2010?

I have published quite a few books since releasing A Path to Publishing . I originally intended this book to capture the precise moment after I had just published my first book. What better way to relate to new authors than the wide-eyed moments after fulfilling my own dream of publishing a book? I had just gone through all of the emotions and challenges they were facing or at least hoping to face. I wanted to share how I, as a brand new author, had navigated the publishing process. I correctly suspected that I would relate to new authors in a very different way after publishing a few more books.

As I read through the 2010 version of A Path to Publishing , I found advice that remains relevant, but there were moments when I surprised myself. Oh right, I forgot that I felt that way...