A Wide Range

To learn more about the books to your left, roll over their covers with your mouse.

Alice LaPlante

Method and Madness

W.W. Norton

The famed Stanford University writing professor has written a guide to the craft of fiction that will be an invaluable resource for any writer at work on a novel. Comprehensive and accessible, it provides guidelines to all aspects of fiction writing, from generating ideas to getting published. As Lee K. Abbott, of Ohio State University, said, “Smart, patient, thorough, specific, practical and generous…Of its kind it is a jewel, rich with information and suggestion.”

Susan Wooldridge

Poemcrazy

Three Rivers/Random House

Now an inspiring classic, Susan Wooldridge’s Poemcrazy invites us into a realm where poetry is accessible and where poems are moments of discovery that often arrive in the most unexpected of places.  Anne LaMott called it “a wonderful book, smart, wide-eyed, joyful, helpful, inspiring. You're going to love it and love writing poetry more for having read it,” and Phillip Lopate adds, “Despite the crazy in the title, this is a very sensible book.”

Florence Isaacs

Just a Note to Say

Clarkson Potter/Random House

For a decade, Just a Note to Say . . . has been an unparalleled resource for choosing the perfect words to express sentiments on any occasion. Brief yet meaningful notes at times of celebration, transition, and sadness are more appreciated than ever.  This fully revised edition confirms that you needn’t write a lot to say a lot, offering practical advice to help you articulate your thoughts and let people know how much they matter—and now, a brand-new chapter on the etiquette of using e-mail tells you when it’s appropriate to share your good wishes electronically.

Jessica Morrell

Thanks, But This Isn't For Us

Tarcher/Penguin

Longtime writing coach Jessica Page Morrell deals with rejection—and how to overcome it—in this guide about writing for publication and avoiding the mistakes that convince editors and agents to turn a manuscript away.  Morrell takes her readers’ manuscripts through revisions before a publishing office has to take them to task.  Morrell is the author of several other books on writing, including Bullies, Bastards, & Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys in Fiction and Between the Lines.

Chris Baty

No Plot? No Problem!

Chronicle Books

Chris Baty is the founder of NaNoWriMo, or "National Novel Writing Month," wherein participants aim to write a short novel during the thirty days of November.  Beginning in 1999 with 21 writers, NaNoWriMo now includes over 40,000 and is growing every year.  No Plot? No Problem! is the “uproariously funny motivational manifesto” (according to Library Journal) that grew out of this movement, and will inspire writers from the heralding you-can-do-it trumpet blasts of day one to the champagne toasts of day thirty.

Arielle Eckstut and David Sterry

Putting Your Passion Into Print

Workman

You have an idea. A great idea. Now what? Whether you dream of having your name on the cover of a successful book or you’re a seasoned yet frustrated veteran of the publishing jungle, this nuts-and-bolts guide demystifies every aspect of the publishing process.  Written by our longtime agent Arielle Eckstut and her husband David Sterry, who is a published author and award-winning actor, Putting Your Passion Into Print provides a wealth of experience and insight from people who’ve been there and done that. Includes interviews with hundreds of publishing insiders—agents, editors, authors, and booksellers; side boxes featuring real-life publishing success stories; sample proposals, query letters, a resource guide, and more.