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Index Interviews: Howard A. Tyner Articles: Spend a Few Bucks, Make a Million Breaking Through Writer's Block The Internet: A Force for Uniting the Arts An Inside Look At Intellectual Capital.com Book Reviews Editorial Upcoming Events Calendar Reader Mail Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
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Writing Book ReviewsWriter's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents by Jeff HermanPrima Publishing, 1997.864 pp. ISBN: 0761510125 Trade paperback. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk Note: This book is published annually. For the latest edition be sure to check the Writer's Bookstore. 
This information filled resource is just what the author
ordered. The book provides detailed information about
book editors, publishers
and literary agents in an easy to use format. The brunt of
the book, over 500 pages,
provides detailed information about publishers including United
States publishers, University publishers, religious and
inspirational publishers and Canadian publishers.
Each publisher listing includes contact information, the names of the editors and additional information including recent books published, information on any imprints the publishing house has and an explanation of the company: its style, origin and publishing focus. The literary agents directory contains contact information and listings of the agents, some of which include bios. The agency listings also include agent's responses to questions such as "Description of the Client from Heaven (and Hell)" and "What writers can do to enhance their chances of getting an agent (besides being good writers)". Another section in the book includes useful articles by Jeff Herman and published authors, including "Write the Perfect Query Letter", "Rejected... Again: The Process and the Art of Perseverance" and "The Author-Agency Agreement". This is an excellent reference book which also educates you on the book publishing industry. How To Write Your Novel by Margaret ChittendenThe Writer, Inc., 1995.149 pp. ISBN: 0871161788. Trade paperback, $10.95 U.S. Ordering information: Amazon.com. | Amazon.co.uk 
How to Write Your Novel is an invaluable aid to the aspiring
author. Popular novelist
Margaret Chittenden takes you by the hand and leads you through
the confusing maze which you must learn to navigate if you ever hope
to see your name
on a book jacket. In Part I, Preparation, she reveals how to
find a great idea for a novel, how to develop it into a storyline
complete with characters, plot and setting in a way that will hold
your readers' interest to the end of the story. Part I also covers
the crucial elements of point of view, voice and style, as well as
how to write a successful synopsis.
Part II, "The Writing" tells you how to use the skills you learned in Part I to create a rough draft, devise interesting and believable characters, write natural and entertaining dialogue and craft an ending that will please yourself and your readers. So, your novel is written: now what? In the last chapter, "Marketing Your Novel", Chittenden gives tips for choosing a title, getting an agent to sell your finished work and ideas on marketing your finished work. Written in Chittenden's characteristically charming and witty style, How to Write Your Novel is informative and entertaining at the same time. You almost feel that Chittenden herself is right there behind you encouraging you to get those thoughts down on paper. A must-have for novice writers. Return to Book Reviews Index ** More information on writing-related books can be found in the Writer's Bookstore. |