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Key Resources for Writers

Brewer, Robert Lee, and Chuck Sambuchino, eds. 2008 Writer's Market: Deluxe Edition. 8th ed. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2007. An invaluable resource, covering both magazine and book publishing. Has marketing information as well as articles on how to submit manuscripts to publishers and other practical topics. The deluxe edition includes everything found in the regular edition of Writer's Market plus a 1-year online subscription to WritersMarket.com, featuring a searchable database, submission tracker, and other useful tools.

Browne, Renni, and Dave King. Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print. 2nd ed. New York: HarperCollins, 2004. Praise from Library Journal: "a superb tutorial."

Camenson, Blythe, and Marshall J. Cook. Give ’Em What They Want: The Right Way to Pitch Your Novel to Editors and Agents. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2005. Provides information on the submission process geared to novelists.

The Chicago Manual of Style. 15th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. The bible of U.S. publishers; provides a wealth of information on everything from grammar to book design and typesetting. A reference book, not a "how-to" book.

Eckstut, Arielle, and David Henry Sterry. Putting Your Passion into Print. New York: Workman, 2005. The nuts and bolts of getting published.

Herman, Jeff. Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents, 2007: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! 17th ed. Stockbridge, MA: Three Dog Press, 2007. Complements other directories like Literary Market Place (LMP) and Writer's Market. A useful guide.

Herman, Jeff, and Deborah Levine Herman. Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why. 2nd ed. New York: Wiley, 2001. Detailed analysis of 10 successful proposals.

Howard-Johnson, Carolyn. The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't. Star Publish, 2004. A goldmine of information on book promotion.

Kremer, John. 1001 Ways to Market Your Books. 6th ed. Taos, NM: Open Horizons, 2006. Full of helpful tips; described by Amazon.com as a "tome of biblical proportion."

Larsen, Michael. How to Get a Literary Agent. Naperville, IL: Sourcebooks, 2006. From the back cover: "Here's everything you need to know to find an agent who'll be as excited about your book as you are."

Larsen, Michael. How to Write a Book Proposal. 3rd ed. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2003. Step-by-step guide to proposal writing. The author is a longtime agent.

Leder, Meg, Jack Heffron, and the Editors of Writer's Digest. The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know about Creating & Selling Your Work. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2002. Articles and interviews on both the craft and the business of writing.

Levine, Mark L. Negotiating a Book Contract: A Guide for Authors, Agents, and Lawyers. 2nd ed. Kingston, RI: Acorn Alliance, 2006. Provides essential information for authors and others.

Lyon, Elizabeth. Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and Advance Before Writing Your Book. Rev. ed. New York: Perigee Books, 2002. One of the best guides to proposal writing; strongly recommended.

Lyon, Elizabeth. The Sell Your Novel Tool Kit: Everything You Need to Know about Queries, Synopses, Marketing, and Breaking In. Rev. ed. New York: Perigee Books, 2002. Comprehensive guide by a longtime writing professional.

Maisel, Eric. The Art of the Book Proposal: From Focused Idea to Finished Proposal. New York: Jeremy P. Tarcher/Penguin, 2004. Not confined to the practical aspects of preparing a book proposal; also explores the creative process involved in thinking through the book project.

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. 11th ed. Springfield, MA: Merriam-Webster, 2003. The dictionary most U.S. publishers rely on as the arbiter of American spelling. (The first spelling given is the one editors generally use, both for ordinary words and for the biographical names and place names listed in the "Bio" and "Geo" sections, respectively, at the end of the dictionary. Many editors also treat the "Bio" section of this dictionary as the ultimate authority for famous people's dates.) Other useful features for writers include the chart of "Proofreaders' Marks" accompanying the definition of proofreader.

Mettee, Stephen Blake. The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal. Sanger, CA: Word Dancer Press, 2001. Short but useful.

Mosko, Lauren, and Michael Schweer, eds. 2008 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market. 27th ed. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2007. Detailed listings for book publishers, magazines, agents, and others; also includes articles on the craft and business of fiction writing.

Page, Susan. The Shortest Distance between You and a Published Book. New York: Broadway Books, 1997. Dispels misconceptions about publishing and offers many useful tips.

Poynter, Dan. Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book. 16th ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Para Publishing, 2007. The bible of self-publishing; highly recommended.

Rabiner, Susan, and Alfred Fortunato. Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfiction—and Get It Published. New York: Norton, 2002. An excellent resource from an insider's perspective (Rabiner is an agent and former editor; Fortunato is an editor).

Ross, Tom, and Marilyn Ross. The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing: Everything You Need to Know to Write, Publish, Promote, and Sell Your Own Book. 4th ed. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2002. A comprehensive resource not only on self-publishing but on publishing in general. Those exploring the possibility of self-publishing should definitely consult this book.

Sambuchino, Sam, ed. 2008 Guide to Literary Agents. 17th ed. Cincinnati, OH: Writer's Digest Books, 2007. A comprehensive directory.

Sands, Katharine. Making the Perfect Pitch: How to Catch a Literary Agent's Eye. Waukesha, WI: The Writer Books/Kalmbach, 2004. Useful articles by agents on their preferences and procedures; writers trying to get published will find this book valuable.

Walsh, Pat. 78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might. New York: Penguin Books, 2005. No-nonsense advice from an experienced editor.

Whalin, W. Terry. Book Proposals That Sell: 21 Secrets to Speed Your Success. Phoenix, AZ: Write Now Publications, 2005. A practical, nuts-and-bolts guide by a successful author.