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.
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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.
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Business and Legal Forms for Authors and Self-Publishers,
by Tad Crawford (2000, Allworth Press), paperback, 192 p.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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On Writing Well (25th Anniversary Edition),
by William K. Zinsser (c. 2001, Harper Resources), paperback, 320 pgs.
.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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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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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You Can Write Greeting Cards,
by Karen Ann Moore (c.1999, Writers Digest Books), hardcover, 128 pgs.
.
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1001 Ways to Market Your Book: For Authors and Publishers
2002 Children's Writer's &
Illustrator's Market
2002 Christian Writers'
Market Guide
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