Allen, an author who has worked as a writer in many fields and teaches freelance and creative writing at community colleges, offers a guide for writers to queries, pitches, and proposals., the book covers aspects like query letters, nonfiction and fiction proposals, preparing manuscripts for submission, pitching columns, self-syndicate, corporate freelancing jobs, writing grants, criticism and rejection, and public speaking and teaching opportunities. This edition has information on email pitches, letters of introduction, international markets, pitching to agents at conferences, and additional markets such as greeting cards. Some sections and chapters are by additional contributors. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com) - (Book News)

Every writer wants to publish as widely as possible, and this book gives writers the tools to achieve a competitive edge and break into a wide range of markets. The second edition has been updated throughout and expanded to cover e-mail pitches, letters of introduction, pitching to international markets, how to pitch agents at conferences, and new markets such as greeting cards. This sprightly guide enables readers to expand their markets and increase sales by learning how to make the perfect pitch to magazines, publishers, corporations, and other potential clients. This indispensable resource provides writers with successful approaches to such topics as how to craft a query letter, create a nonfiction or fiction book proposal, approach newspapers with a column or syndication idea, get corporate freelancing jobs, and win a writing grant. Interviews with experts in a variety of fields and dozens of new examples of successful pitches, queries and proposals enliven and illustrate the text. Beginning and experienced writers will find this the perfect one-of-a-kind, desktop reference for developing the market approaches they need to sell their work.

Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers. - (Perseus Publishing)

Moira Anderson Allen has been writing professionally for more than 30 years, contributing to such publications as Writer's Digest, The Writer, Byline, and Entrepreneur, among others. She is the author of seven books (including Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer, Allworth Press, 2003, 2011) and more than 300 published articles. Her versatile background includes technical writing, corporate editing, corporate newsletter directing, and operating her own publishing firm. A long-time instructor of freelance and creative writing at community colleges, Allen is often a speaker at writing conferences and workshops. She lives in Columbia, Maryland. - (Random House, Inc.)

Moira Allen has been writing professionally for more than thirty years and has written hundreds of columns and articles for writers in a variety of publications. She is the author of The Writer&;s Guide to Queries, Pitches and Proposals (Allworth Press) and Writing to Win: The Colossal Guide to Writing Contests. For the past fifteen years, Allen has hosted Writing-World.com, one of the largest and most popular destinations for writers on the web and winner of numerous awards for &;best website for writers.&; She has also worked as a magazine editor, technical writer, newspaper columnist, web editor, and independent publisher, and she is currently at work on a young adult novel. She lives in Maryland with her husband and the obligatory writer&;s cat. - (Simon and Schuster)

Booklist Reviews

Even though there are thousands of howtobeawriter books already in print, there always seems to be a new way to tackle this familiar subject. Allen, an established writer, editor, and publisher, takes a handson approach to a very specific aspect of the topic, telling (and, through examples, showing) wouldbe authors how to get out of the starting blocks by crafting solid queries, pitches, and proposals. She also addresses such related questions as finding an agent, preparing a story synopsis, and using the Internet as a research tool. In addition to its specific focus, what sets this book apart from its numerous competitors is Allen's stance on breaking the rules: in a word, don't. Unlike many howto books, which tell budding writers it's OK to get creative with a proposal, this one tells it like it is: if you break the basic rules, you substantially reduce your chances of making a sale. This doittherightway point of view is refreshing and entirely proper. An excellent reference book that's sure to find an eager audience. ((Reviewed September 1, 2001))Copyright 2001 Booklist Reviews