There are hundreds of books for guiding writers from start to finish on how to write your book. They are too numerous to mention so I'm going to list the ones that helped me get the important information that was needed to complete my manuscript.
I highly recommend subscribing to Writer's Digest magazine. This is one magazine that I can't wait to arrive at my doorstep every month. It contains helpful information, whether you are a first-time writer or a published author. It has topics that inform you on what's selling in today's market, contests, conferences, workshops and methods and styles to enrich your story.
The magazine has write-ups from authors on thier own personal stories on how they got published. Web sites are listed so you can contact agents and publishers. Every issue has had at least one new idea that has helped me with a project I had been working on with my writing. Their website is www.writersdigest.com.
Writer's Digest frequently has an insert in the middle of the magazine that offers the Writer's Digest Book Club. This is completely separate from the Writer's Digest magazine. Many of us look for bargains and I'm no different. The club offers you the opportunity to choose 3 books "free" with a 4th book for only $11.99. It states: "No Obligation to buy anything else--ever! Sound good? It is, but, you have to remember, it's a book club. Their website is www.writersdigestbookclub.com.
There's a way to get around the "club" connection and still come out with a deal, which I did. Joined the club, ordered the books, but when the new book of the month card arrives, check the box each month for "No book this month." Now, I am not saying that you may not want to order another book at full price. If you join and forget to cross-off the "No order" block, and a book comes in the mail, return it to the post office unopened. I bought the four books at $11.99 and saved $100.96.
Here are the four books that I had purchased:
2006 Writer's Market that is normally $29.99. The Editor is Kathryn S. Brogan, and the Assistant Editors are Robert Lee Brewer & Joanna Masterson. I had bought the 2005 issue through Barnes & Noble and had paid $35 for it. The book contains 4,000 listings for book publishers, consumer magazines, trade journals, literary agents and more. It also includes exclusive interviews with writers, agents and other publishing professionals on the business of writing.
No More Rejections by Alice Orr normally sells for $22.99. It contains 50 secrets to writing a manuscript that sells.
The Novel Writer's Toolkit by Bob Mayer normally sells for $22.99. It is a guideline to writing great fiction and getting it published.
Roget's Super Thesaurus, Third Edition, by Marc McCutcheon normally sells for $24.99. This revolutionary reference features: 1,000+ new and expanded entries, time-saving reverse dictionary, built-in vocabulary builders, sample sentences and colorful quotations and 400,000+ synonyms and antonyms.
Now that was a tremendous savings. If I had to purchase them at full price, I never would have been able to afford them.
I purchased an inexpensive 168 page book 100 Ways to Improve Your Writing by Gary Provost. It only cost me $6.99. It details explanations and expert advice about every aspect of writing--from inspiration to punctuation, actual examples of "dos" and "don'ts" that make the difference and is designed for both instant reference and cover-to-cover reading. It has ideas on how to combat writer's block, create irresistible openings, shows an effective writing style, how to choose powerful words, master grammar, spelling and punctuation. how to hold the reader's attention, rewrite and put the finishing touches on a manuscript, and much, much more. For a tiny soft cover book, it is an easy-to-use handbook. It is small enough to carry anywhere with you.
My book A Healing Heart is a spiritual book so I bought Sally E. Stuart's book Christian Writer's Market Guide/2006. It cost me thirty dollars. Just to mention a few of its listings; 354 book publishers, e-book publishers, 126 literary agents, 95 newspapers, e-mail addresses, search engines, web sites, conferences, and submission guidelines.
If you can't afford the expensive books, go to www.barnesandnoble.com. Most of the online bookstores offer used books which I have purchased myself. They arrive in perfect condition and the savings is remarkable. I have bought twenty-four dollar books used for ten dollars or less. The most important feature I liked about Barnes & Noble is the fact your order arrives at your home usually within 2-3 days.
I was informed by my editor, Jerine Watson, that Writing Fiction, Creating the Fourth Dimension by C. J. Hannah is a great book. It was published January 2006. It's available on PublishAmerica's website www.publishamerica.com for $16.95 or at Barnes & Noble www.barnesandnoble.com for $19.95
Once your book has been excepted by a publisher, invest in The Published Author's Guide To Promotion by PublishAmerica. It costs around twenty dollars, not including tax or shipping if you order it on line. It shows numerous ways to promote your book. I'm looking forward to using their suggestions since my book has been released.
No matter what publishing company contracts with you, they all depend on and expect, the author to do ninety percent of the selling to promote their own book. You are the one that will be scheduling the book signing, your website, talking at conventions and bookstores. The author invests in all the material to promote the book; bookmarks, posters, adds, setting-up the television appearances, newspaper and radio reviews. Save your receipts!
Depending on which genre of writing you are doing, it will determine what kind of books you need to purchase. I hope the ones I have mentioned, will help you get started.
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