General Books

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association

American Psychological Association

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> Mental Health -> General AAS
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 259 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Necessary Evil 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

The program that I am in requires that I write all of my papers in this style, so I was forced to purchase the book. I do highly recommend the spiral format, as it is awfully easy to use.

Editorial Review:

In addition to providing guidance on grammar, the mechanics of writing, and APA style, this manual offers an authoritative reference and citation system. It also covers the treatment of numbers, metrication, statistical and mathematical data, tables and figures for use in writing, reports or presentations. This new edition has been updated to include: guidelines and examples for referencing electronic and online sources; avoiding plagiarism; presenting case studies and the construction of tables; copyright and permissions issues for writers; and reference examples for audiovisual media and patents. Writers, scholars and professionals will also find guidelines on how to choose text, tables or figures to present data, writing cover letters, the retention of raw data and on establishing written agreements for the use of shared data.

2009 Writer's Market

Robert Brewer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Writer's Market 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

In general, the Book has loads of good leads. I really like being able to sit down and relax with Writer's Market. For anyone who wants updated information, just sign up for the online Writer's Market. They list new information regularly so you never miss out.

In regard to the Book, it is nice to have when you don't want to go online, but you still want to look for a place to sell your writing. You can always check a market listenings' website for updates.

If you can afford to purchase the text and subscribe online, even better.

Editorial Review:

For 88 years, Writer's Market has given fiction and nonfiction writers the information they need to sell their work--from completely up-to-date listings to exclusive interviews with successful writers. The 2009 edition provides all this and more with over 3,500 listings for book publishers, magazines and literary agents, in addition to a completely updated freelance rate chart. In addition to the thousands of market listings, writers will find up-to-date information on becoming a successful freelancer covering everything from writing query letters to launching a freelance business, and more.

2009 Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market (Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market)

Alice Pope

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Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

The Best Guide out there! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I am a publisher author and illustrator, and I know first hand that this book works! How? Because it helped me to get where I am today! I have writers and illustrators asking me all the time how to get published, and I always direct them to this book. If you are a serious writer or illustrator, you NEED this book - not only does it have the names and addresses of countless publishers, it also has invaluable tips, and how-to's on everything from writing a query letter, to website design. I buy it every year, even though I no longer need it. I've purchased other "How to get published books" in the past, and none of them hold a candle to this one! Stop thinking about it and buy it!

Editorial Review:

Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market is the top market guide--the bible--for children’s writers and illustrators seeking publication.The 2009 edition of this stalward companion offers readers more than 650 listings for book publishers, magazines, agents, art reps and more. Completely updated, it also contains exclusive interviews with and articles by well-respected and award-winning authors, illustrators, and publishing professionals as well as nuts-and-bolts how-to information. Readers will learn what to do, how to do it, and get loads of information and inspiration.

The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law

Norm Goldstein

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 24 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Whether you're a student struggling through Composition 101 or a professional writer on a quest for perfection, The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law is always ready to fill the role of trusted advisor to your creative genius. Revised and updated in 2000, this version contains a 40-page section on media law, guides for punctuation and bibliographies, and specialized glossaries for business and sports writing, all in addition to its 280-page generalized stylebook.

Within each section, entries are alphabetized, and searching for an answer is a fairly simple process. Tricky words--those that can be hyphenated (know-how) or not (jukebox), homonyms, nonstandard spellings (mo-ped)--are given their own short entries. Larger categories, such as religions, military titles, the Internet, and datelines, have multiple pages devoted to their explanations, but detail and clarity are brought nicely together in each listing. Many entries concern brand names and trademarks--never again will you question whetherpingpong or Ping-Pong should be used in the flier for your table-tennis tournament.

While a few sections of this book--the ones concerning media law, photo captions, filing the wire, and proofreading marks--will most likely be used by professional and student journalists and editors, the majority of this book is an excellent tool for anyone who ever has to write for the public. Whether it's a newsletter for your badminton league, a training manual for your employees, or a press release detailing your company's quarterly earnings, this stylebook will help you turn out well-written copy that gains the approval of every English teacher you've ever had. --Jill Lightner

2009 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market (Novel and Short Story Writer's Market)

Editors of Writers Digest Books

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Really Helpful 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This book is a must have for an emerging writer who is trying to get his work out there. This book eliminates the problem of figuring out where to get started. After your story is complete, search the detailed listings to submit to journals and magazines that would be a good match. I wouldn't have known how to go about becoming a writer if it wasn't for this excellent book.

Editorial Review:

For 28 years, Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market has been the only resource of its kind exclusively for fiction writers. Covering all genres from romance to mystery to horror and more, this resource helps writers prepare their submissions and sell their work. This must-have guide includes listings for over 1,300 book publishers, magazines, literary agents, writing contests and conferences, each containing current contact information, editorial needs, schedules and guidelines that save writers time and take the guesswork out of the submission process.

With more than 100 pages of listings for literary journals alone and another 100 pages of book publishers, plus special sections dedicated to the genres of romance, mystery/thriller, speculative fiction, and comics/graphic novels, the 2009 edition for this essential resource is every writer's key to successfully selling their fiction.

2009 Guide To Literary Agents (Guide to Literary Agents)

Chuck Sambuchino

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A vital book for any author 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

While I prefer the Jeff Herman book (hence 4 stars for this not 5), this is nonetheless a vital tool for anyone who wants to be an author, and I know people who have succeeded in getting a literary agent (and, even more important, published by good publishers) as a result of buying it. In fact why not get both this book and Jeff Herman's and see if you end up getting published! I owe my literary career to my agents and no decent author can get on without one. Christopher Catherwood (author of CHURCHILL'S FOLLY on Churchill's creation of Iraq in 1921- which had an agent)

Editorial Review:

Now, more than ever, in a market glutted with aspiring writers and a shrinking number of publishing houses, writers need someone familiar with the publishing scene to shepherd their manuscript to the right person. Completely updated annually, Guide to Literary Agents provides names and specialties for more than 800 individual agents around the United States and the world. The 2009 edition includes more than 85 pages of original articles on everything writers need to know including how to submit to agents, how to avoid scams and what an agent can do for their clients.

Dan Poynter's Self-Publishing Manual, 16th Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Self Publishing Manual)

Dan Poynter

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 244 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Step One When You Self-Publish Your Book 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

There's a darn good reason--indeed lots of reasons--why Dan Poynter's manual has frequently been called the "bible of self-publishing." To the best of my knowledge, it was the first and certainly one of the very best ever published on this specialized aspect of book production. It covers the entire process from pre-pub requirements right through the mechanics of design, formatting and printing.

Dan doesn't simply throw out generalities about what must be done in each phase of the project; he delves into the nitty-gritty simplifying this challenging effort for those of us tackling self-publishing for the first time. I know. I did it after I studied his book from cover to cover.

Dan also includes a plethora of resources interspersed in the text as he illustrates each step. These can be most helpful to the uninitiated who are told what they must do in so many other books, but don't know where to go to accomplish each of those steps. At the simplest level, as an illustration, Dan doesn't just state that you have to procure an ISBN, he explains what it is and why it is needed and most important of all where to find it on the Bowker web site.

There are three excellent books that I have used to brief myself on self-publishing before producing my latest book. In addition to Dan's Manual, I suggest reading Peter Bowerman's "The Well-Fed Self-Publisher" and Patricia L. Fry's excellent study of the subject.

I attribute much of the success of the award-winning "The Writer Within You" to all three of them. I strongly suggest you start your effort with the outstanding guidance Dan has provided.

Editorial Review:

The bible on self-publishing. Highly recommended by virtually everyone in the industry -- even other authors of books on the subject (many of whom probably followed the advice in Poynter's previous 11 editions).

Jeff Herman's Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009: Who They Are! What They Want! How To Win Them Over!m19th Edition (Jeff Herman's ... Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents)

Jeff Herman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

This book changed my life! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

An earlier edition of Jeff Herman's book changed my life! I found a great agent in it and now I have had nearly 17 books published, most of which have been since I was accepted by my first agent, Bert Holtje (now retired) whose name I found in Jeff Herman. This is a book written by a literary agent and gives us all the inside scoop on what individual literary agents are seeking. Most of the worthwhile publishers these days only take agented books, and any sensible author nowadays has an agent. This is the best book by far for those wanting an agent, and as someone whose publishing life has been changed by it I cannot recommend it too highly to my fellow authors! Christopher Catherwood (author of CHURCHILL'S FOLLY: HOW WINSTON CHURCHILL CREATED IRAQ, agented by Gene Brissie of James Peters Associates, MAKING WAR IN THE NAME OF GOD, agented by his successor Ed Claflin, and now represented by the legendary Frank Weimann and Jaimee Garbacik of Literary Group International, for WINSTON CHURCHILL: THE FLAWED GENIUS OF WORLD WAR TWO, all of whom have appeared in earlier and current editions of this book)

Editorial Review:

Calling all writers, get your manuscripts out of the “slush pile” and into the bookstore with Jeff Herman’s Guide to Book Publishers, Editors & Literary Agents. More comprehensive than ever before—and now 1,000 pages—this revised edition describes the insider dynamics at hundreds of U.S. and Canadian publishers, with hundreds of names and specialties for book acquisition editors. Nearly 200 of the most powerful literary agents reveal invaluable tips, as if they were having a private conversation with a special friend. With detailed information on what to do (and what not to do) to break the code, break down the walls, and get that first book, second book, or thirtieth book published, bought and read, Jeff Herman’s Guide is the go-to source for writers everywhere.

Non-Designer's Design Book, The (3rd Edition) (Non Designer's Design Book)

Robin Williams

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Subjects -> Computers & Internet -> Graphic Design -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 215 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

great intro to designTurned the 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Turned the light on for me as to why my fliers, brochures and business cards were so hard to really "get." Because I'm a visual artist I hadn't thot I needed any help. How wrong I was! This book is great for beginners, it's short and sweet, and great bathroom reading!

Editorial Review:

A lot has happened in the world of digital design since the first edition of this title was published, but one thing remains true: There is an ever-growing number of people attempting to design pages with no formal training. This book is the one place they can turn to find quick, non-intimidating, excellent design help from trusted design instructor Robin Williams. This revised classic--now in full color--includes a new section on the hot topic of Color itself. In The Non-Designer's Design Book, 3rd Edition, Robin turns her attention to the basic principles that govern good design. Readers who follow her clearly explained concepts will produce more sophisticated and professional pages immediately. Humor-infused, jargon-free prose interspersed with design exercises, quizzes, and illustrations make learning a snap--which is just what audiences have come to expect from this best-selling author.

The Business of Writing for Children: An Award-Winning Author's Tips on Writing Children's Books and Publishing Them, or How to Write, Publish, and Promote a Book for Kids

Aaron Shepard

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Absolute Best "How-To Get Your Writing Career Started" Book on the Market 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

"The Business of Writing for Children" is an exceptional guide for all writers. There are loads of books on the market that deal with writing, but Aaron Shepard's work is a diamond amongst lead pellets. He shares his real life experiences that have led him to become a world renowned author. Reading the book was like being able to sit down face to face with a children's lit superstar to teach me all about the business.
There are several features that make Shepard's book superior to others in the field.

First, the book is a step-by-step guide. Shepard presents a logical sequence of events to follow to accomplish your writing goals. Second, Shepard shares the lessons that he learned as a new author struggling to get his work published to the accomplished writer he is today. Third, he lays out how to format your work in the manner that editors look for. Fourth, he provides unique strategies to make your manuscripts stand out on editors' desks. Fifth, Shepard explains how to get your work to editors who do not take unsolicited work. Sixth, the book gives an array of ideas to market your work and yourself. These are only a few of the things that I found to be extremely useful in this book.

Additionally, the book is not filled with fluff. It is only about 100 pages long. Some of the other books on this subject are hundreds of pages long. I found that all of the larger books available are filled with a lot of useless information; whereas, Shepard only supplies useful and relevant information. I appreciated his approach because I felt that I needed a straight forward approach to help me on my writing journey.

Editorial Review:

Writing books for children is both art and business. If you dream of becoming a children's author -- or even if you're well on your way -- this handbook can help you in writing sellable stories, getting them published, and promoting your books.

Topics include common myths about children's writing, children's book categories, elements of successful stories, manuscript format, submission strategies, contract negotiation, the publishing process, career building, and children's writer resources. Also included are specialized subjects such as querying for multiple manuscripts, promoting a first book, and designing a Web page.

Read The Business of Writing for Children to learn the secrets you might spend years discovering for yourself.