My #1 Tip to new writers: Never, repeat, never send an unsolicited manuscript to a publisher (or anyone else) without enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with enough return postage to send it back! Otherwise, you will get no reply and your work goes in the trash. Also, don't send manuscripts to published writers (including me) -- we are not agents, so sending us your stuff just wastes time. Better to use the resources below.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published
de-mystifies the publishing industry for beginners and
tells you, step-by-step in the familiar "idiot's"
format, how to get your writing in print. Writing is
a business -- and this book teaches you the ropes. Or, if
your prefer the Dummies books, try
Getting Your Book Published for Dummies.
2004 Writer's Market: 8000 Editors Who Buy What You Write. Indispensible resource for finding the right market for whatever you write. Also has a good intro section on submitting manuscripts, plus great tips by published writers, lists of agents, writer's orgs, awards and contests, etc. This book pays for itself over and over. Order your copy now!
2004 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market
2004 Children's Writers and Illustrators Market
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books
2004 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market
The Teen's Guide to Getting Published is the only
such book written by teens for teens -- and it's excellent!
The authors, who were 15-year-old high school freshmen when they
wrote this, are knowledgeable, professional -- and good writers.
They really help fellow teens understand and use the exact process
in getting published, as well as avoiding beginners's pitfalls.
The Designer Revolution Are you a Designer Writer? That's a person who
not only writes the text, but designs the graphics, fonts, and layout. If
you have ever wished you could publish your poems or stories with your own
illustrations, you should read this innovative, full-color book that presents
a startling new theory for publishing in the 21st century. Start thinking
outside the black-text box!
How to write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card.
Although this book focuses of the Sf&F genre, it is an excellent resource
for writing any type of fiction. I found it very useful in helping me
to write and tell stories about the Hasidic world (a culture as alien to
most Americans as anything from outer space) by working in the cultural
details naturally, without sounding preachy. Many more great writing tips
make this a must-read for all kinds of writers.
The Writer's Quotation Book is a great collection of short quotes by
writers about writing and getting published. Some inspiring, some cynical, some downright
absurd -- but all will ring true if you are a writer.
The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing
By Casey Miller and Kate Swift. An excellent
resource for writers, editors, and speakers
who want to update their gender pronoun usage
and terminology (man, he, brotherhood, founding
fathers, etc.) -- a must in today's market.
This book gives practical examples with a touch
of humor and a minimum of political rhetoric.
Read my Amazon review and order
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