They'll Never Read That: How to Make Mistakes in Publishing by Tony Collins

They'll Never Read That: How to Make Mistakes in Publishing Reviews

• 
  S.C. Skillman

  I embarked upon this book from the viewpoint of an author long experienced in bruising and teasing encounters with the world of traditional publishing. My approach is also influenced by the fact that I have met and chatted with the author at a number of writers’ events. As I read his account, I began to feel it was not so much the observations about the publishing world that resonated with me, as his account of the decisions he has made that he deeply regrets. His journey in some ways echoes mine, especially as I discovered he lived, and operated a publishing company, very close to my own family home in Kent and went to the same church I did: only, a couple of decades earlier!
  
  I was engrossed by his account of the ups and downs of his journey, both as a publisher and on a personal level: the joys and successes, the disappointments and failures, the lost opportunities, the unlooked-for or serendipitous events. The sheer fatefulness and unaccountability of life comes across strongly in this ‘life of a publisher’. For authors, especially those who have struggled for years to win a traditional publishing deal and instead received countless rejections, Tony Collins’ account cannot but have an emotional impact upon us.
  
  With the mountain top experiences and the sloughs of despond, I found here an acute reflection upon human nature, in the varied ways readers respond to books. It occurred to me that the position of a publisher is an excellent place from which to study hearts and minds. I was fascinated by his references to many books he published, some of which have been iconic for decades, and which I have read, and others I want to read as a result of reading this behind-the-scenes account of them. The account often sent me scurrying to Amazon to look up the books he mentions and reflect on their fate.
  Reading this memoir also made me more philosophical about my own past mistakes, misjudgements, and bad decisions. The author shows us how volatile and even elemental the whole publishing scene can be: full of swift and unlooked-for changes of fortune. In many cases Tony Collins followed his instinct and it paid off brilliantly. The title of this volume in itself pays tribute to his genius for choosing arresting titles even if they do not fully reflect the content of the book. “Once you have the title,” he writes, “a book often falls into focus.”
  
  I found the whole account very elegantly written and a compelling study of why different books of equal value and merit meet such a different fate: some fail and disappear from view, and others succeed on an enormous scale. Tony Collins describes publishing as “legal gambling” and I think he is exactly right. He also considers the difference between the fiction reading publics in the US and the UK, and the profound influence of their cultural presumptions and background on their acceptance or otherwise of a new book.
  
  Finally, Tony Collins’ insights into the writing craft are also invaluable: “The author is a guest at their reader's table,” he observes. From the point of view of a publisher: “Every book is a risk… it is a critically expensive risk to publish it, because it may make you rich, or bankrupt you.”
  
  Very strongly recommended to all authors and all those connected with the publishing world.
  
• 
  Sheila

  This was such an interesting read for its uniqueness. I don't think I have ever read a book before from an insider in the publishing industry. Tony wasn't too proud to share his failures either, which is very refreshing. Tony entered the world of publishing through a very unusual route. After studying an MA in town planning he applied to publisher, Hodder and Stoughton simply on the basis of a student of literature with a keen love of reading. To his great surprise he was accepted into the Christian sector of the industry, although Tony is very clear to explain that this probably wouldn't happen nowadays. Now there are very few highly contended vacancies editing with a publishing company and applicants would need a very good graduate MA degree to get in at the very least. After a number of years at Hodders, Tony decided, along with his wife, Jane to go to the mission field. However, due to a few personal issues this doesn't happen and Tony ends up working for the missionary publisher, MARC Europe and when they were taken over by Kingsway, Tony moves to there and on to owning his own publishing company, Monarch, with Jane. There followed Angus Hudson, taken over by Lion Hudson, who when they went into administration, Tony completed his career with SPCK, one of the world's oldest publishers, established in the 17th Century. Then, in his own words, Tony tried to retire but it didn't stick. He is now a literary agent. An interesting journey and an interesting read.
• 
  Paul Trembling

  As a writer myself I would always be interested in knowing more about the publishing side of books. But there is so much more in this than just how books get from writer to reader. Instead, Tony Collins gives us a candid and honest story of his life, and how the book business has shaped and influenced it.
  
  What comes through very clearly is how much publishing is about people - authors and editors, of course, but also all the others involved. And it also becomes clear what a chancy business it is, how both success and failure can come unexpectedly and catch even the most experienced publisher by surprise.
  
  It makes for a fascinating insight into a world that has touched everyone's life - everyone who ever read a book, at least! - yet is usually shrouded in mystery. Told with clarity, humour and a smooth flow of words I was captivated by it throughout. And I'd certainly publish it!
• 
  Amy Robinson

  I enjoyed this account of an eventful life in publishing. As both an author and a commissioning editor, I took Tony's sane advice to heart, shuddered at the mishaps and marvelled at the things that fell into place in his story. Tony's book gives not just a personal tale of the ups and downs of the publishing life in general but also a potted history of Christian publishing in particular - in fact, his recommendations had me adding several books to my to-read list. I found it really useful to get to grips with where this industry has been in the past compared with where it seems to be now. Both a fun read and a practical handbook.
• 
  Julia

  They’ll Never Read That by Tony Collins is a fascinating account of the author’s life in publishing.
  The whole book is written in a very personable style enabling the reader to become acquainted with Tony Collins. It feels more like we are hearing from a dear friend rather than reading a book.
  The world of publishing is full of ups and down, hits and misses. One has to be able to spot the next best seller. Tony Collins writes about the books that got away – and those that didn’t! – The Heavenly Man, Faith Like Potatoes, Alpha, Freedom In Christ to name but a few best sellers.
  It is fascinating to note that some books that were best sellers in America failed to provide similar sales here in the UK. I was most surprised to learn that Janette Oke’s Love Comes Softly series failed to be a best seller in Britain – I have read all the books and watched all the movies and I love it.
  There were some amazing facts about the Bible – America sells 168,000 Bibles every day. The Bible is excluded from best sellers lists as it would always top them. And the Gideons give away 90 million Bibles every year. I was also surprised to learn that the NIV only first appeared in 1973.
  As well as hearing about Tony Collins professional life, there are stories from his personal life, including his wife’s battle with depression. “There is an undercurrent in some Christian cultures that Christians should not get depressed… It is amazing how good Christians can be at wounding the wounded.” This is sad to read when we should in fact be supporting each other.
  As a lover of good books I really enjoyed Tony Collins book. In fact I noted down several more books that I now want to buy!
  They’ll Never Read That was a gripping read that I just could not put down and read it in just one sitting!
  I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
  
  
• 
  Deborah Jenkins

  This book was a delight. Tony writes about his forty+ years in publishing in a way that is honest, humorous and at times, moving. He has had many adventures, challenges and surprises and I was struck by the risks and rewards of a career in this unpredictable and ever-changing field.
  
  As a writer, it gave me a real insight into the trials publishers face; as a human being, I was struck by the courage and conviction by someone so dedicated to their calling. Tony’s faith in God and publishing to do good, is inspiring.
  
  Highly recommended to writers, readers and booklovers everywhere.
• 
  Olusola Anyanwu

  I found this captivating, insightful and very interesting. It is very well written and it achieved its purpose. It is always best to hear from the horse's own mouth. A Nigerian proverb says, 'He who falls in to a pit, teaches others, following behind, a lesson'!
  I thank Tony Collins for the so many things he has truthfully shared from his personal experiences and journey into publishing. These will be so valuable to readers, writers and publishers.
  This is truly deserving of 5 stars!
• 
  Katherine Blessan

  This was such an accessible, insightful look at the world of Christian publishing over the course of 40 or so years. Tony Collins approaches his subject with warmth and good humour and I particularly enjoyed the entertaining anecdotes in the footnotes - much more fun than the dry footnotes you get in academic books!
• 
  Anna Townsend

  Lovely to read about how so many familiar Christian books came to be published.