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.
About the Author
Tilar J. Mazzeo is an award-winning author of research-based nonfiction. Her books include Irena’s Children: A True Story of Courage and Eliza Hamilton: The Extraordinary Life and Times of the Wife of Alexander Hamilton. She lives in Saanichton, Canada.
Praise For…
“This book is much like the author herself—wise, generous, full of both encouragement and kindness. With its good counsel—both pragmatic and philosophical—How to Write a Bestseller ought to be—you know: A bestseller.”—Jennifer Finney Boylan, author of She’s Not There
“Anyone who worries about the role and fate of the humanities in higher education and American life should read Tilar Mazzeo’s How to Write a Bestseller. It’s a clear and comprehensive guide for humanities scholars and a passionate and eloquent argument for why that engagement matters to the future of our democracy. Bravo!”—William D. Adams, 10th Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities
“It’s all here—clear directions, invaluable examples, and no-nonsense advice. Tilar Mazzeo’s How to Write a Bestseller is the guide for any academic who’s considering making the leap to writing for a general audience.”—Devoney Looser, author of Sister Novelists
“Tilar Mazzeo has written a superb guide for academics seeking to cross over into writing for a larger audience. I wish I’d had it when I began the crossover myself three decades ago.”—Leo Damrosch, author of The Club
