INTRODUCTORY GUIDES

• How to Get Happily Published , 5^th Edition Judith Appelbaum
• The Shortest Distance Between You and A Published Book , Susan Page

Excellent introductions to the publishing business, and what happens every step of the way from conception to publication. These are the first books a writer should consult.

• Agents, Editor and You: The Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book Published , ed. Michelle Howry - A series of articles by agents and editors that offer insight into topics like how to write a good query letter, what an agent does and does not do, and what publishers are looking for. It also looks at new trends in publishing.
• Putting Your Passion Into Print: Get Your Book Published Successfully! , Arielle Eckstut and David Sterry - The authors lead a writing seminar at Stanford University and are both published writers. They offer insight into the process of getting a book published from sending letters to agents to dealing with royalties.

LITERARY AGENTS

• Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers and Literary Agents 2008: Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over, Jeff Herman -- A very reputable guide issued annually that provides an introduction to a wide range of publishing houses, what they publish and what they are looking for, as well as profiling some of the top literary agents, their interests, how they like to be approached, their pet peeves. This is a must-have for every aspiring writer.
• Guide to Literary Agents 2008 , ed. Chuck Sambuchino-An annual book with listings of agents and advice on finding representation and selling your work.
• Making the Perfect Pitch: How To Catch a Literary Agent's Eye , Katharine Sands - By a New York literary agent, the book offers advice on getting an agent for your book, as well as information on writing a proposal.
• How to Get a Literary Agent , Michael Larsen-By a top literary agent who has written numerous books and speaks extensively on publishing and writing.

PROPOSALS

• How to Write a Book Proposal, Michael Larsen - A good basic guide for nonfiction writers. Note: This was revised in 2004
• Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, 2^nd Edition, Jeff Herman -- An excellent guide that includes actual examples of nonfiction book proposals that went on to become published.
• Writer's Guide to Queries, Pitches & Proposals , Moira Anderson Allen-By a writer, editor, and publisher with years of experience.
• Book Proposals That Sell , W. Terry Whalin-The author is an editor and speaker, as well as the author of dozens of nonfiction books, and explains how to create a successful proposal for your book.
• Give 'Em What They Want: The Right Way to Pitch Your Novel to Editors and Agents, A Novelist's Complete Guide to : Query Letters, Synopses, Outlines , Blythe Camenson and Marshall J. Cook-By two authors and writing coaches.
• Sell Your Novel Tool kit , Elizabeth Lyon-Written by an editor, writer, and coach to help fiction writers get their work published.
• Thinking Like Your Editor: How Write Great Serious Nonfiction-and Get it Published , Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato-Two editors turned agents dispense advice on understanding who you are selling your book to and what that person is looking for.
• The Fast Track Course on How to Write a Nonfiction Book Proposal , Stephen Blake Mettee-The book, written by a publisher who knows the business thoroughly, walks you through creating a query and proposal for a nonfiction work and includes examples.
• Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody can Write , Elizabeth Lyon-By a writer, editor, and speaker, the book includes many example proposals.

ADVICE ON WRITING

• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life, Anne Lamott – A witty take on the reality of a writer’s life.
• How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step Non Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling, James N. Frey -- A good practical guide to the craft of fiction-writing.
• The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers, Betsy Lerner -- The author has been both an editor and a literary agent.
• The Writer's Mentor: A Guide to Putting Passion on Paper , Cathleen Rountree -The book answers frequently asked questions and includes interesting and fun examples, including recommended movies that reflect on the life of a writer. The author teaches writing the University of California, Santa Cruz.
• On Writing , Stephen King - Part autobiography, half advice from the mega best-selling novelist.

PUBLISHING

These books are excellent guides for writers on how to publicize and market your book once you have a publisher.

• The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Publicity: A Comprehensive Resource from Building the Buzz to Pitching the Press, Lissa Warren
• Media Training 101, Sally Stewart
• Publicize Your Book: An Insider's Guide to Getting Your Book the Attention It Deserves , Jacqueline Deval
• The Frugal Book Promoter: How To Do What Your Publisher Won't , Carolyn Howard-Johnson
• 1001 Ways to Market Your Books , Sixth Edition, John Kremer