Whenever possible, books are in PAPERBACK.

While this is in no way intended to be an all-inclusive list of books for every writer's bookshelf, I do include those that I believe to be essential. A working writer must also be a salesperson who not only knows his or her product, but is cognizant of the market as well. The competition is fierce. But, as in all other things in life, knowledge is power. Believe in yourself and invest in your career. Whether you follow the online links and purchase the books recommended below or borrow them from your library, reading and studying them will make you a better writer. We've all heard the saying that "a goal is a journey, not a destination." Think of these books as your map. Enjoy your travels!

The marketing guides and other book links on this page will open in a new browser window. (For the complete index for THE EVERYTHING WRITING WELL Resource, click here.)

The Complete Idiot's Guide to
Getting Published

and

Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers, Editors and Literary Agents 2004: Who They Are! What They Want! and How to Win Them Over! (Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents.)
by Jeff Herman

2003-2004 Writer’s Guide to Editors, Publishers and Literary Agents (Book and CD-ROM)
Book Only
by Jeff Herman
(Available used at reduced price.)

2004 Writer's Market
by Kathryn S. Brogan (Editor), Robert Lee Brewer (Editor)

Book + Writer's Market Online
(2004 Writer's Market is the #1 tool for writers who want to get published. ...detailed listings for more than 8,000 editors who buy what you write. Each entry includes crucial information for making contact in the most efficient, effective way, including mailing addresses, phone numbers, and e-mail addresses, plus information on what each editor wants, how much they pay, and how often they buy. ... You'll find thousands of completely updated listings (plus 1,100+ brand new publishing opportunities!) for book publishers, consumer magazines, script buyers, trade and professional journals, plus more then 300 agents! No other reference provides such complete AND current information.)

The Writer's Market Companion
by Joe Feiertag, Mary Carmen Cupito
(With the revised edition of Writer's Market Companion, readers will find all the answers they need about the business of writing. ... Seventeen chapters updated with all of the latest statistics, trends, and news will provide writers with a comprehensive overview of the publishing world. Insider advice from successful authors and editors gives readers a professional view of what it takes to get their work in the market, get it published, and get paid. Topics featured in the book include: *The Writer's World *Your Writing Plan *Selling Your Articles and Other Short Nonfiction *Selling Your Fiction *Promoting Your Business and Yourself *Making and Saving Money *Finding A Community ... With one of the most trusted names in writing, this book is bound to take its place alongside Writer's Market on every author's desk!)

2004 Novel & Short Story Writers Market (Novel and Short Story Writer's Market)
by Anne Bowling (Editor), Michael Schweer (Editor), Vanessa Lyman (Editor)
 

2003 Guide to Literary Agents (Writer's Digest Guide to Literary Agents)
by Rachel Vater (Editor)

2004 Children's Writers & Illustrators Market (Writer's Digest Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market)
by Alice Pope (Editor), Mona Michael (Editor)

Writer's & Illustrator's Guide to Children's Book Publishers and Agents,2nd Edition: Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over!
by Ellen R. Shapiro (Author)

Children's Writer's Word Book
by Alijandra Mogilner, Alihandra Mogilner

The Business of Writing for Children: An Award-Winning Author's Tips on Writing and Publishing Children's Books, or How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book for Kids
by Aaron Shepard

Writing With Pictures: How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books
by Uri Shulevitz

Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books
by Harold D. Underdown, Lynne Rominger, Group Alpha, Jane Yolen



It's a Bunny-Eat-Bunny World: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in Today's Competitive Children's Book Market
by Olga Litowinsky
Using rabbit metaphors, the longtime children's book editor begins with a brief history of children's book publishing in the U.S. ("The Bunny Also Rises") and covers brass tacks, including finding the right publisher ("Hop to It!"); points to helpful organizations; and addresses such issues as rights ("Splitting Hares").

2004 Poet's Market: 1,800 Places to Publish Your Poetry (Writer's Digest)
by Nancy Breen (Editor), Vanessa Lyman (Editor)

The Writer's Handbook, 2004 (Writer's Handbook)
by Elfreida Abbe (Editor)
The new 2004 edition of the definitive career resource for writers, now completely revised and updated! The Writer's Handbook provides professional writers with over 1,000 pages of essential information, how-to advice, and paying markets they won't find anywhere else! Part I presents more than 50 invaluable articles filled with professional advice from such prominent writers as Madeleine L'Engle, Lois Lowry, Robert W. Bly, M. J. Rose, Ray Bradbury, and Anne Lamott. Part II offers 3,000 quality book and magazine markets, along with updated details and contact information. It also features more than 300 additional resources, such as agents, writer's organizations, competitions, and conferences. New to this 2004 edition are dozens of "quick-look" checklists for writing, selling, and organizing work more efficiently, as well as extensive sidebars with tips for submitting work for publication, writing queries, and more.

2003 Writer's Handbook (The Writer, Inc.)
(Available used.)

(Available used in 2002 edition.)

Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals
by Moira Anderson Allen, Moira Anderson Allen

1,818 Ways to Write Better & Get Published
by Scott Edelstein
Published by Writers Digest Books
(Revised version of title previously-published as
The Writer’s Book of Checklists.)

Writing to Learn
by William K. Zinsser
A book on how to use writing as a means of learning.

On Writing Well
by William K. Zinsser
The 1998 revised, 6th edition of this writing classic.

Inventing The Truth:
The Art and Craft of Memoir
Editors: Russell Baker, William K. Zinsser
I'm including this 1998 title because it's one on my wish list. According to amazon.com, in this book "nine well-known authors describe in anecdotal detail the pleasures and problems of writing a memoir. Inventing the Truth is an indispensable book for anyone writing a memoir or anyone eager to know how authors impose an orderly structure on the disorderly experiences, memories, and emotions of the past."

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
How To Edit Yourself Into Print
by Renni Browne, Dave King
In Writing For Profit, we mention that the hand-holding days of Maxwell Perkins-style editors is a thing of the past. Because of that, it's imperative that you teach yourself to edit your own work. This book is an excellent tutorial to help you do just that.

Bird by Bird:
Some Instructions on Writing and Life
by Anne Lamott
While I certainly don't agree with this author politically, I do find wisdom in her writing advice. Dispensed with a mixture of in-your-face humor and a self-deprecating style, Anne Lamott teaches us about one inch picture frames and other ways to get that pesky first draft down on paper. (You'll have to read the book to see what she calls those first drafts.) In my case, I've just "gotta" love an author who makes me feel less eccentric; I read Anne Lamott and I start to think of myself as downright normal.

Bird by Bird on Audio Cassette
Read by the author, Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird with Annie: A Film Portrait of Writer Anne Lamott (1999)
VHS

The Artist's Way:
A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity 
by Julia Cameron
This book is a comprehensive twelve-week program to recover your creativity from a variety of blocks, including limiting beliefs, fear, self-sabotage, jealousy, guilt, addictions, and other inhibiting forces, replacing them with artistic confidence and productivity.

The Artist's Way Engagement Calendar would be an excellent way to track your writing career progress because Cameron shows you creative ways to apply the principles of The Artist's Way every day of the year. Illustrations in the calendar are beautiful images from the San Francisco Asian Art Museum collection.

The Artist's Way Creativity Kit 
by Julia Cameron

Artist's Way on Audio Cassette
by Julia Cameron 

The Artist's Way at Work:
Riding the Dragon 
by Mark A. Bryan, Julia Cameron (Contributor), Catherine Allen (Contributor)
More advice on how to make the artist's way your way.

On Writing : A Memoir of the Craft
by Stephen King

Macmillan/Alpha Teach Yourself Grammar and Style in 24 Hours
by Pamela Rice Hahn and Dennis E. Hensley, Ph.D.