Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Publishing Industry

- Blurb -

Everything writers need and want to know about the ins and outs of the publishing industry is explained in this humorous and helpful book from literary agent, Barbara Poelle. There is a certain perception from the outside that the publishing industry is a near insurmountable fortress, with gatekeepers and naysayers manning the turrets looking for any way to fire a flaming arrow at the dreams of an aspiring writer. Funny You Should Ask, based on the popular Writer's Digest column of the same name, assists to deconstruct, inform, and illuminate the path to publication and beyond, all while dispelling the rumor that those in the industry are better than thou. And even though each writer's publishing journey is like a game of PLINKO--you can drop the chip in the same slot every time and get a different result--there are still common constructs and confusions that can be shared and explored together in order to help inform all writers. From understanding the nuts and bolts of a query letter, to learning how to process the soul-searing envy of watching someone else's career flourish, to how to talk to your editor, veteran literary agent Barbara Poelle covers the approach and execution of the common and uncommon bumps along the traditional publishing path. Includes: More than 100 questions answered including expanded answers to topics that didn't get the full treatment in a column Writing exercises, submission checklists, and publishing BINGO for every publishing milestone AUTHOR: Barbara Poelle is vice president at Irene Goodman Literary Agency where she has been an agent for 12 years, specializing in adult and young adult fiction. Her clients include Jessica Strawser, Sophie Littlefield (Sophia Grant), Graham Brown (co-author to Clive Cussler), Samantha Downing and more. She is a frequent speaker at conferences (including Writer's Digest Annual Conference and Novel Conference), panels, and on podcasts. Before joining Irene Goodman, Poelle had a brief stint as a standup comic in LA.