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Books for Writers

To read additional reviews on these items or for pricing information, just click on any book cover. There's no obligation to buy. Please enjoy my personal comments below.

1001 Ways to Market Your Book: For Authors and Publishers, by John Kremer (1998, Open Horizons), 5th edition paperback, 640p.

Recently featured in the Writer's Digest Book Club bulletin, I ordered this book and want to recommend it to all writers. With 640 pages of information, 1001 Ways covers a lot of ground with sections like "The Seven Seasons of Bookselling," "Developing Series for Continuing Sales," "Tips on Advertising Your Books," "Working with Bookstores," and much, much more. There's also a list of the top 500 independent bookstores in the country. Clearly, this book is a must-have for all self-published authors, but it also offers benefits to the author who desires to increase exposure and sales for their current published works. It's well worth the money.
Amazon.com


2002 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market, (Writer's Digest Books), paperback, 391p.

If you write for children, this book lists almost all the markets looking for writers and illustrators of children's products. The most interesting, perhaps, are the outstanding personal interviews with both well-known and up-and-coming children's writers and illustrators. I've purchased a copy about every other year, but now that I'm getting more things published in the children's market, I need to keep up-to-date on additional markets. If you want detailed information related to children's writing, this is the ultimate resource.
Amazon.com


2002 Christian Writers' Market Guide, by Sally Stuart (annual release every January, published by Harold Shaw), paperback, 624p.

I purchase a copy of this market guide every year since 1992, each one becoming tattered and thumb-worn from use. For Christian writers, Sally's market guide is THE book for your reference shelf. You'll find a complete listing of publishers in all kinds of markets at your fingertips: books, magazines, take-home papers, curriculum, greeting cards--you name it, she's got it. There's so much more to this book than just a list of publishers, too; publishing trends and insights are included in each section, along with a list of agents and writer's conferences all over the country.
Amazon.com


2002 Writer's Market, by Kirsten Holm, editor (annual release every September, published by Writers Digest Books), paperback, 1088p.

To save production costs, this book came out in paperback for the first time last year--what a mistake. It doesn't hold up well under wear and tear like the original hardcover versions, and I can't use it as a book-end. However, this book still packs a wallop of publishing information, including over 4,200 listings and reports invaluable to writers. If you prefer the CD version, it's available for about $40 from WD Books, and includes both the print book and CD. If you'd like to save some money and order the book alone, click on the book cover above for your very own 1999 edition.
Amazon.com


The Best Writing on Writing, Vol. 2, by Jack Heffron (1995, Story Press), paperback, _p.

Currently reading. Very good so far. Check back to see my review.
Amazon.com


Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers, by Tad Crawford (2000, Allworth Press), paperback, 192 p.


Amazon.com


Caldecott and Co.: Notes on Books and Pictures, by Maurice Sendak (1990, Noonday Press), paperback, _p.

I received this as a gift from a seller on eBay. What a wonderful book! I am still reading it, so please check back later to see my full review.
Amazon.com


The Children's Writer's Reference, by Eric Suben, Berthe Amoss (1999, Writer's Digest Books), paperback, 272p.

I just acquired this book, so please check out my review later.
Amazon.com


Children's Writer's Word Book, by Alijandra Mogilner (1992, Writer's Digest Books), hardcover, 354p.

Have you ever wondered if a particular word or phrase is age-approporiate for your young readers? This book is packed with valuable word lists divided by grade level (K-6), a thesaraus of listed words, reading levels for synonyms, and includes advice and tips on word usage. I appreciate having a copy on hand because it's so useful. If you're a children's writer, you need this resource!
Books.com | Amazon.com


Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Chilren's Books, by Harold Underdown (c.2001, Alpha Books), softcover, _p.

Harold Underdown is the author of the beloved children's books about Harold and his purple crayon. I just picked up this book, and can't wait to finish it. Please check back to read my review.
Amazon.com


The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel, by Dr. Penelope J. Stokes (c.1998, Writer's Digest Books), paperback, 240p.

Dr. Penelope Stokes is highly qualified to write such a definitive book for Christian writers. She's edited more than 150 books spanning the past 15 years for all the major Christian publishing houses, is an author herself, and spent twelve years teaching literature and writing at the university level. She explains, "My intent in The Complete Guide to Writing & Selling the Christian Novel...was to identify and focus on issues that present repetitive problems for fiction writers. As I began this project, I asked myself: 'What do writers need to know to succeed in the world of Christian fiction?'" She not only depended on her own expertise, but surveyed top editors and Christian authors for their input as well. I've already begun to underline and earmark pages in my personal copy. This is a book I'll refer to often. Get a copy for yourself or a friend--just click on the book cover (above).
Amazon.com


For Writers Only, by Sophy Burnham (c.1996, Ballantine Books), hardcover, _pgs.

Currently reading. I love it so far. Check back to read my review.
Amazon.com


Ghostwriting: How to Get into the Business, by Eva Shaw (1991, Marlowe & Co.), paperback, _ p.

This book proved invaluable to me as I prepared to ghostwrite a book for an author out of state. I plan to write a full review, so please check back again.
Amazon.com


How to Write & Illustrate Childrens Books and Get Them Published, by Treld Pelkey Bicknell and Felicity Trotman (c., Writer's Digest Books), hardcover, 144 pgs.

This turned out to be a great book for my reference shelf. Check back to read my full review.
Amazon.com


Inside Religious Publishing: A Look Behind the Scenes, by Leonard George Goss and Don M. Aycock (c. 1991, Zondervan Publishing House), softcover, _pgs.

This book was recommended by members of the Christian Writers' Fellowship International online group, and I managed to get a copy. I skimmed through several sections, and it's interesting. Please check back later to read my full review.
Amazon.com


On Stories: And Other Essays on Literature, by C.S. Lewis (c.1982, Harvest Books), paperback, 153 pgs.

Recommended by Shirley Brinkerhoff, editor at Boyds Mill Press, in her workshop at the Glorieta Christian Writers' conference. I managed to buy a copy, and it's fascinating. Check back to see my full review.
Amazon.com


On Writing Well (25th Anniversary Edition), by William K. Zinsser (c. 2001, Harper Resources), paperback, 320 pgs.

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Amazon.com


What a Writer Needs, by Ralph J. Fletcher, forward by Donald M. Murray (c.1993, Heinemann), hardcover, 176p.

Out of curiousity more than anything, I checked this book out of the library and found myself drawn into a book with beautiful language and concrete examples of ways to improve my prose. Author Ralph Fletcher's flowing dialogue with the reader resembles Ann Lamott's deep style, while offering unusual insights on writing technique. He includes compreshensive details on beginnings, endings, voice, style, creating character, etc. He's the master of SHOW, not tell and includes writing samples from both students and professionals to make his points. Surprisingly, he never uses the phrase "show, don't tell." Instead, he explains narrative versus dramatic scene and the strength of both. This book is one I want for my reference shelf. Maybe you might find it as helpful, too.
Amazon.com


The Writer's Digest Guide to Manuscript Formats, by Dian Dincin Buchman & Seli Groves (1988, Writer's Digest Books), hardcover, 198p.

I consider this book to be THE authoritative manuscript format book that every beginning writer should have on their bookshelf. Writer's Digest provides specific, detailed layouts for manuscripts, book proposals, and query letters. You'll refer to it again and again. EXCELLENT.
Amazon.com


The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structures for Writers, by Christopher Vogler (c. 1998, Michael Wiese Productions), softcover, 326 pgs.

This book is fascinating, and deserves a thorough read. Please check back to read my review.
Amazon.com


The Writer's Legal Guide, by Tad Crawford & Tony Lyons (1998, Allworth Press), paperback, 320p.

A new release featured in Writer's Digest Book Club, this legal guide for writers is up-to-date with legal information written in easy-to-understand lay terms for writers. A friend loaned me her copy, and I was so impressed with it I purchased my own copy. It's an important resource for any writer's reference shelf.
Amazon.com (paperback)


The Writer's Little Instruction Book: 385 Secrets for Writing Well and Getting Published, by Paul Raymond Martin and Polly Keener (1998, Writer's World Press), paperback, 174p.

Similar in style to the popular "Little Instruction" booklets, this gem is packed with quick one-liners and inspirational quotes related to the writing life. Divided into twelve concise sections, you can easily browse quotes to address your immediate situation. Do you struggle (like me) with characterization? Flip open to page 22 and read: "Good characters have their weaknesses, evil characters have their strengths. And both have their reasons." Fun!
Amazon.com


Writing and Illustrating Children's Books for Publication: Two Perspectives, by Berthe Amoss and Eric Suben (1995, Writer's Digest Books), hardcover, 128p.

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Amazon.com


Writing With Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books, by Uri Shulevitz (c.1997, Watson-Guptill Publications), hardcover, 272pgs.

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Amazon.com


You Can Write Greeting Cards, by Karen Ann Moore (c.1999, Writers Digest Books), hardcover, 128 pgs.

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Amazon.com




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Updated March 28, 2002

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