Review: Writing a Romance Novel – for Dummies series, Leslie Wainger
Wiley Publishling, 2004, 360pages, ISBN: 0-7645-2554-9

The Bottom Line: Buy it. Wise advice from a trusted, experienced editor on just about everything you need to know about writing and selling romance.

I have to admit, I had to force myself to buy this book. I just don’t like the “for dummies” concept, and I’ve never bought one of the volumes. However, it was Leslie Wainger’s reputation that led me to finally plunk down the cash for this one ($19.95), and it was well worth it. There isn’t one bad bit of advice in the book, and plenty that is useful to new and established authors alike.

Wainger’s book does more than help you through the writing process, it helps you understand what being published is about and gives you a general idea of how the romance market works. It also provides a view of how editors view manuscripts, and why some get bought while others flounder. There is advice on agents, on submitting, on marketing, on research, and even on taxes! This book manages to have a little bit of everything but it is substantial advice.

I don’t have a particularly favorite part of this book, I love it all, and find it all useful to page through when I am just reading for general enlightenment or looking for some specific advice. Leslie Wainger has done everyone a favor in writing this book. Though I still wince a little when I see the “for Dummies” title on my shelf, I am happy to have taken a chance on this one.

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