For the sake of my review, let me start by saying that the full title, 78 REASONS WHY YOUR BOOK MAY NEVER BE PUBLISHED & 14 REASONS WHY IT JUST MIGHT, will hereby be shortened to 78 & 14 REASONS.  Though very self-explanatory, the title is a mouthful.

Pat Walsh is the founding editor of one of my very favorite publishing houses, MacAdam/Cage.  MacAdam/Cage has very high standards; they just don’t publish any old book.  They look for pieces of timeless literature in a sea of fiction.  Pat Walsh has seen it all, and 78 & 14 REASONS offers his sound advice to making it in the writing world.

One of his quotes cracked me up:  “I apologize for sounding like a cold-blooded prick, but it is important.”  As a reviewer, I’ve been called cold and uncaring more times than I can count, but it is also important that a reviewer give their honest opinion (and it is just that ONE opinion.)  My opinion doesn’t have to be the same as yours, but in the world of writing, if you want to be published, you have to learn to take the rejection—I framed my first rejection letter at the age of sixteen and someday I’ll make it to where I want to be!  One rejection letter isn’t the end of the world.  This is only one of a handful of lessons that many aspiring authors seem to understand.

Therefore, I sat down with Pat Walsh’s book and soaked up his wisdom.  He makes some very sound points—my favorite being: “You listen to false praise.”  Nothing personal but your mother’s glowing recommendation of your book really isn’t high praise.  A mother would never hurt their child, even if it meant lying.  There is a reason the phrase “white lie” exists.  Other advice is poor dialogue, preaching, not knowing your audience, or ignoring requests for revision.  In all, you have 78 topics discussed in depth, often with clear examples.

This is not all you’ll find within this keeper.  The author also lists the 14 reasons why your book will be published.  There, topics range from being honest with yourself to actually writing a good book.

78 & 14 REASONS is an outstanding guide.  Every author and author-wannabe needs to keep this copy close at hand!