- Be Your Own Literary Agent: The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Getting Published by Martin P. Levin. Ten Speed Press, 1996.
- Gives information on selling books, model letters and samples of other documents, tips on negotiating; lots of advice.
- Mastering the Business of Writing: A Leading Literary Agent Reveals the Secrets of Success by Richard Curtis. Allworth Press, 1996.
- Discusses what agents do, breaking into the market, business details, and etiquette; a very different perspective from most other books on the market.
- Money for Writers: Grants, Awards, Prizes, Contests, Scholarships, Retreats, Resources, Conferences, and Internet Information edited by Diane Billot. Owl Books, 1997.
- Exactly what it sounds like; highly useful.
- National Writers Union Guide to Freelance Rates & Standard Practice by Alexander Kopelman. National Writers Union, 1995.
- Presents rights and responsibilities, market practices, politics, and information about the union.
- Writer's Internet Sourcebook by Michael Levin. No Starch Press, 1997.
- Discusses agents, the business of writing, genre, online publishing, zines, law, links, essential sites, mailing lists and newsgroups.
- Writing for Money by Loriann Hoff Oberlin. Writer's Digest Books, 1994.
- Gives ideas for coping with home-office hurdles, freelance life, fast-cash writing like filler material, commercial work like advertising, newsletters, etc.
Basic Reference Books
The Macmillan Visual Dictionary edited by Jean-Claude Corbeil and Ariane Archambault. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1992.
- Pictures with all the parts labeled, featuring such things as: constellations, a radio telescope, a glacier, leaf structures of various plants, equine anatomy, human anatomy, a gothic cathedral, the elements of ancient costume, telecommunications by satellite, a four-masted ship, musical notation, a floor loom, knots, an electron microscope, a coal mine, and a suit of armor.
- The New York Public Library Desk Reference, Second Edition edited by Sarah Gold. The Stonesong Press, Inc. 1993.
- A fine general guide to life, the universe, and everything: time and dates, weights and measures, symbols, animals, basic math and science, inventions and scientific discoveries, the arts, literature, religions, philosophy, words, grammar and punctuation, etiquette, forms of address, legal data, personal finances, travel, the outdoors, health and first aid, the United States, and the world.
- Random House Word Menu by Stephen Glazier. Random House, 1992.
- A stunning smorgasbord of lists and definitions organized by topic; includes a wide range of subjects such as the human body, the Earth, the sciences, technology, domestic life, the arts, language, and character.
- Roget's International Thesaurus, Fifth Edition edited by Robert L. Chapman. HarperCollins, 1992.
- Organized by topic in the front, with a standard alphabetical index in the back.
- New Illustrated Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, Deluxe Edition by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company. 1992.
- Besides the basic dictionary section, this edition features a mini-thesaurus, basic math, a perpetual calendar, guide to foreign words, medical dictionary, weights and measures, conversion factors, signs and symbols, a spelling dictionary, and other goodies.
- The Writer's Essential Desk Reference, Second Edition by Writer's Digest Books. 1996.
- Offers information on tracking income/outflow, taxes, employment agencies, writer's groups, online research, government documents, permissions, the business of publishing, promotion, etc. Includes a resource section listing organizations and other useful contacts.
Coping Strategies
- On Writer's Block: A New Approach to Creativity by Victoria Nelson. Houghton Mifflin Company, 1993.
- Deals with the myth of procrastination, perfectionism, obssessive rewriting, hiding from life, and other aspects of writer's block.
- The Writer's Survival Guide by Rachel Simon. Story Press, 1997.
- Offers ideas for dealing with emotions, logistics, education, mindset, writer's block, and success.
- Writing Past Dark: Envy, Fear, Distraction, and Other Dilemmas in the Writer's Life by Bonnie Friedman. HarperPerennial, 1994.
- Discusses writing about the living, writing from inside, coping with success, and other issues.
Market Guides
- 1998 Writer's Market: 4,200 Places to Sell What You Write edited by Kirsten C. Holm. Writer's Digest Books, 1997.
- Includes information on getting published, queries, and the business of writing in addition to the market profiles.
- Heliocentric Network newsletter, edited by Lisa Jean Bothell. Bimonthly.
- Features industry news, short articles, and market information about speculative fiction and other markets. 17650 1st Avenue South, Box 291 Seatlle, WA 98148 or lbothell@wolfenet.com or http://www.wolfenet.com/~lbothell/
- Science Fiction and Fantasy Writer's Sourcebook by David H. Borcharding. Writer's Digest Books, 1996.
- Second edition of Science Fiction Writer's Marketplace and Sourcebook; contains new articles with an emphasis on fantasy, plus updated market information.
- Science Fiction Writer's Marketplace and Sourcebook by David G. Tompkins. Writer's Digest Books, 1994.
- Presents science fiction trends and subgenres, tips on technique, market profiles, finding and working with an agent, speculative fiction agent listings, "anatomy of a sale" examples, and an extensive resource list; covers speculative fiction in general, not just science fiction.
- Speculations magazine, edited by Kent Brewster.
- Bimonthly with interim issues for the off months; includes up-to-date market information and fantastic articles related to speculative fiction. 1111 West El Camino Real, Suite 109-400 Sunnyvale, CA 94087-1057 or editor@speculations.com or http://www.speculations.com. If you decide to subscribe to Speculations, please let them know where you heard of the magazine, to help them track word-of-mouth advertising.
- The Writer's Handbook 1998 edited by Sylvia K. Burack. The Writer, Inc. Publishers, 1997.
- This book simply has everything: 110 chapters on how to write followed by 3,200 market listings.
Other Genre Guides
- Creating Poetry by John Drury. Writer's Digest Books, 1991.
- Describes preparation, the use of senses, language, names, image and metaphor, sound effects, movement and rhythm, the shape and pattern of traditional forms, voice, viewpoint, understatement, sources of inspiration, things to write about, influence from other arts such as mythology, revision, and other oddments of craft. Outstanding guide to writing poetry, but highly useful for improving prose as well.
- How to Write Erotica by Valerie Kelly. Crown Publishers, Inc. 1986.
- Covers general markets for erotic fiction and nonfiction, the basic formula for writing erotica, knowing your audience, making it sexy, finding ideas for material, getting published, and writing for the script market; includes a great appendix of sensual words. Useful for learning to write about erotic scenes in speculative fiction, from soft-core to hard-core.
- You Can Write a Romance ... and Get It Published, Revised Edition by Yvonne MacManus. Toad Hall Press, 1996.
- Discusses the romance market, professional manuscript presentation, facing the facing the blank page, good fiction techniques, the practical side of business, the editorial process, contracts, publicity and promotion, glossary of standard publishing terms, and guidelines for major romance publishers; includes lots of examples and a good resource list. Useful for learning how to handle romantic sub-plots in speculative fiction.
Publishing Law
- Kirsch's Handbook of Publishing Law for Authors, Publishers, Editors, Agents by Jonathan Kirsch. Acrobat Books, 1996.
- Discusses idea protection, contracts, manuscript preparation, subsidiary rights; gives sample forms.
- The Writer's Legal Companion: How to Deal Successfully with Copyrights, Contracts, Libel, Taxes, Agents and Publishers, Legal Relationships, and Marketing Strategies by Brad Bunnin and Peter Beren. Addison-Wesley, 1994.
- Also includes sections on publishing in magazines, collaboration, defamation and fact-checking, privacy and publicity, legal resources and dealing with lawyers, the business of publishing, and the business of writing. Lavish sample documents and resource directory.
- The Writer's Legal Guide: A Complete Handbook Covering Copyright, Contracts, Censorship, Libel and Privacy, Agents, Collaboration, Taxes, Electronic Rights, Estate Planning, Grants, and Much More by Tad Crawford and Tony Lyons. Allworth Press, 1996.
- The title says it all.
Reference Books Designed for Writers
- The Fiction Writer's Silent Partner by Martin Roth. Writer's Digest Books, 1991.
- A book of lists and guidelines including scores of potential details for use in character background, names, theme, deliberate vs. nondeliberate involvement, conflicts, climaxes, resolutions, a whole section on horror and the occult, love story elements, most romantic male and female qualities, problems associated with marriage and family, comedy and comic situations, sports, medicine, crime, espionage, the military, vehicles, the old west, religion, language, common expressions and slang, general and unusual locations, a reference list, and a section on putting it all together.
- The New York Public Library Writer's Guide to Style and Usage edited by Andrea J. Sutcliffe. HarperCollins, 1994.
- Features production, grammar, usage, charts and tables, desktop publishing, spelling, editing, design, indexing, printing, and illustration.
- The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook by Sherrilyn Kenyon with Hal Blythe and Charlie Sweet. Writer's Digest Books, 1994.
- Discusses the importance of names, toponyms and resnyms, and naming for the genres; lists over 20,000 first and last names (with meanings) by nationality and gender.
Revision and Editing
- Edit Yourself: A Manual for Everyone Who Works with Words by Bruce Ross-Larson. W.W. Norton & Company, 1996.
- Explains the process of improving word choice, order in the sentence, shorter sentences, and consistency; offers basic tools and examples of what editors most often cut and change in manuscripts.
- Editors on Editing: What Writers Need to Know about What Editors Do, Completely Revised Third Edition edited by Gerald Gross. Grove Press, 1993.
- Features essays on the evolution of the American editor, the ethical and moral dimensions of editing, what editors want, negotiation, editing for specialty markets, copy editors and line editors, editing science fiction and fantasy, and reference books.
- Magazine Editors Talk to Writers edited by Judy Mandell. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1996.
- Reveals the lingo of the publishing industry, what editors want, what to do in a variety of sticky situations, and specifics on some mainstream magazines.
- Rewrite Right: How to Revise Your Way to Better Writing by Jan Venolia. Ten Speed Press, 1987.
- Offers useful tools for revising content, style, and grammar; features checklists for things like proofreader's marks and commonly-misused words.
Science Guides
- Dictionary of Scientific Literacy by Richard P. Brennan. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1992.
- Alphabetic listing of essential vocabulary and core knowledge, thoroughly cross-referenced; includes numerous drawings, diagrams, and photographs.
- The Language Instinct: How the Mind Creates Language by Steven Pinker. HarperPerennial, 1994.
- A layman's guide to the science of language; in particular I direct my fellow xenolinguists to page 153 for a hilarious look at how aliens might name a rabbit.
- Rodale's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs edited by Claire Kowalchik and William H. Hylton. Rodale Press, 1987.
- A splendid guide to the science and art of herbalism, with some overlap into general botany; features numerous herbs in detail (giving history, description, uses, growth habits, etc.) plus special sections on dangers, dyes, gardening, healing, and the language of herbs and flowers.
- Social Psychology, Fourth Edition by James W. Vander Zanden. Random House, 1987.
- A college textbook particularly applicable to sociological science fiction, with a summary and glossary at the end of each chapter; covers social perceptions, communication and language, socialization, identity, attitudes, conformity, relationships, altruistic behavior, conflict and aggression, influence of the physical environment, power and influence, prejudice, gender roles, and collective behavior.
- Universe, Third Edition by William J. Kaufmann, III. W.H. Freeman and Company, 1991.
- A college astronomy textbook; they don't get any better than this. Covers the basics of astronomy, planets and moons of our solar system, stellar evolution and our sun, galaxies, and cosmology in great depth with an afterword on the search for extraterrestrial life.
Skill Development
- 1,818 Ways to Write Better and Get Published by Scott Edelstein. Writer's Digest Books, 1991.
- A collection of checklists: attitude, craft, nonfiction tips, markets, business, legal issues, etc.
- The Art and Craft of Feature Writing by William E. Blundell. Penguin Books, 1988.
- A guide to writing feature articles, with attention to ideas, keeping files, cultivating sources, story dimensions, planning, organizing, leads, quoting people, and narrative flow.
- The Art of Styling Sentences: 20 Patterns for Success, Third Edition by Marie L. Waddell, Robert M. Esch, and Roberta R. Walker. Barron's Educational Series, Inc. 1993.
- A textbook-type manual for intensive work on sentence construction.
- Characters & Viewpoint: How To Invent, Construct, and Animate Vivid, Credible Characters and Choose the Best Eyes through Which To View the Events of Your Short Story or Novel by Orson Scott Card. From Writer's Digest "The Elements of Fiction Writing" series, 1988.
- The title says it all.
- The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: The Ultimate Grammar Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed, Second Edition by Karen Elizabeth Gordon. Pantheon Books, 1993.
- A gothic story demonstrates the principles of grammar through a series of chilling examples; guaranteed the most entertaining grammar book in the world.
- Every Page Perfect: A Full-Size Writer's Manual for Manuscript Format and Submission Protocol, Third Revised Edition by Mary Lynn. Toad Hall Press, 1997.
- Features lavish examples of manuscript formats, letters, and other documents for short nonfiction, short fiction, poetry and verse, book-length fiction and series, book-length nonfiction, and publicity biographies; includes a glossary of relevant terms.
- A Field Guide for Science Writers by Deborah Blum and Mary Knudson. Oxford University Press, 1997.
- Explains getting starting, writing for various types of markets, freelance writing issues, statistics and sources, reporting on scientific developments, and working outside the media.
- Handbook of Magazine Article Writing edited by Jean M. Fredette. Writer's Digest Books, 1988.
- Covers research, queries, interviews, reselling the same article to multiple markets, titles, and submission formats.
- How to Be Successfully Published in Magazines: The Inside Scoop by Top Editors and Successful Writers by Linda Konner. St. Martin's Press, 1990.
- Includes a hilarious quiz to determine if you'd make a good freelance writer plus information on how to catch an editor's eye, etiquette, what you need to know, turn-offs, some interviews with leading editors, successful writers and what they do right, sticky situations, and earning a living.
- How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query and Cover Letters by John Wood. Writer's Digest Books, 1996.
- Examines the art of correspondence, writer and editor interaction, article queries, book queries and proposals, cover letters, and other correspondence.
- How to Write Like an Expert About Anything: Bring the Voice of Authority to Your Writing by Hank Nuwer. Writer's Digest Books, 1995.
- Presents elements of expertise, research & interview, analysis, style, revision, attitude, limits, and marketing.
- Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and an Advance Before Writing Your Book by Elizabeth Lyon. Blue Heron Publishing, 1995.
- Features a step-by-step process of researching and writing a nonfiction book proposal, supported with lavish examples; a must-read if you want to write a whole book about speculative fiction.
- Practical Research: Planning and Design, Sixth Edition by Paul D. Leedy. Prentice-Hall, 1997.
- Covers tools of research, related literature, planning and design, experimental and non-experimental research, statistics, organization, and format.
- The St. Martin's Handbook, Second Edition by Andrea Lunsford and Robert Connors. St. Martin's Press, 1992.
- Textbook-style guide explains in great detail about the process of writing and research, considering purpose and audience, revision, argument, paragraph and sentence construction, grammar and punctuation, stylistic choices, spelling, effective word use, documentation sources, writing in different disciplines, professional and business correspondence, writing with a computer, and manuscript preparation; includes a glossary of grammatical terms and a glossary of usage.
Speculative Fiction Guides
- The Craft of Writing Science Fiction That Sells by Ben Bova. Writer's Digest Books, 1994.
- Covers character, background, conflict, and plot; gives generous examples in fiction.
- Encyclopedia of Science Fiction edited by Robert Holdstock. Octopus Books Limited, 1978.
- An overview of the genre with many allusions to well-known authors and their works; touches on locations, major themes, the pulps, alien encounters, artists, and other key elements.
- The Fantasy Almanac by Jeff Rovin. Dutton Paperbacks, 1979.
- An alphabetical guide to characters, authors, and motifs in fantasy; touches on comics, folklore, history, fairy tales, motion pictures and television, the occult, unexplained phenomena, and more.
- How to Write Horror Fiction by William F. Nolan. Writer's Digest Books, 1990.
- Digs up the dirt on monsters, sources for horrible ideas, suspense, gory details and how much to use them, and marketing; includes profiles of top writers like Stephen King and Anne Rice.
- How to Write Science Fiction by Matthew J. Costello. Paragon House, 1992.
- Presents definitions of science fiction, worldbuilding, creating characters, storytelling techniques, and the business of writing.
- Magickal, Mythical, Mystical Beasts: How to Invite Them into Your Life by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 1996.
- As a New Age book, this one isn't so hot -- but it's a wonderful guide to imaginary creatures from around the world. Categories include unicorns, flying horses, gigantic birds, magical serpents, hell-hounds, water-folk, and gargoyles.
- Paragons: Twelve Master Science Fiction Writers Ply Their Craft edited by Robin Wilson. St. Martin's Griffin, 1996.
- Stories and essays about plot, character, setting, theme, viewpoint, and style.
- The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe by George Ochoa and Jeffrey Osier. Writer's Digest Books, 1993.
- Features all the important points on space, spaceships and space stations, solar systems, the Milky Way, designing a planet (with a case study), aliens, galactic civilizations, nanotechnology and virtual reality, designing a future, intelligent machines, remodeling humans, future shocks, and alternate universes.
- Writing Fantasy Fiction by Sarah LeFanu. A&C Black, 1996.
- Discusses worldbuilding, assumptions, plotting, subgenres like dark fantasy, revision, names and language, etc. Useful ideas but not entirely accurate; keep your salt-shaker handy.
- Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association edited by Mort Castle. Writer's Digest Books, 1997.
- Covers developing horror concepts, dark ideas, characters, plot, mood, verisimilitude, genre and subgenre, innovation, and marketing.
- Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy: 20 Dynamic Essays by Today's Top Professionals edited by Gardner Dozois, Tina Lee, Stanley Schmidt, Ian Randal Strock, and Sheila Williams. St. Martin's Press, 1991.
- Features essays on living the future, plot, dialog, characters, learning how to write comedy, worldbuilding, submission mechanics, and revision. Contributors include Robert A. Heinlein, Isaac Asimov, Jane Yolen, Connie Willis, Poul Anderson, and Hal Clement.
Useful Miscellany
- 1,911 Best Things Anybody Ever Said selected and compiled by Robert Byrne. Fawcett Columbine, 1988.
- Ideal for generating title ideas; also good for finding quotes to support your work.
- The Book of Goddesses and Heroines, Revised and Enlarged Edition by Patricia Monaghan. Llewellyn Publications, 1993.
- An alphabetical guide to goddesses and other powerful female figures from around the world; includes a listing of goddesses by culture of origin, a glossary, a calendar of goddess feasts, an index of associations, and an index of alternative names and minor goddesses.
- Contemporary Paganism: Listening People, Speaking Earth by Graham Harvey. New York University Press, 1997.
- A topical guide to Pagan traditions in today's world; a must-read if you plan to write about witches, also excellent inspiration for inventing religions. Covers seasonal holidays, Druidry, Witchcraft as a religion, Norse Paganism, Goddess Spirituality, the theory and practice of magic, Shamanism, the "greenwood" and related otherworlds, history and influences, rites of passage, and inter-faith dialogue. Every chapter opens with a Terry Pratchett quote.
- Every Cliché in the Book by Peggy Rosenthal and George Dardess. William Morrow and Company, Inc. 1987.
- Expressions to avoid like the plague; also good inspiration for inventing alien clichés.
- If ... Questions for the Game of Life by Evelyn McFarlane and James Saywell. Random House (Villard Books imprint), 1995.
- An insidious collection of suggestive questions highly applicable to plot and characterization.
- Life in a Medieval City by Joseph and Frances Gies. HarperPerennial, 1969.
- Covers diverse aspects of life: the home itself, childbirth, weddings and funerals, business, the church, scholars, disasters, and town government.
- Lord of Light and Shadow: The Many Faces of the God by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 1997.
- A guide to various gods and their powers, from a New Age/Pagan perspective; covers aspects such as the Divine Child, Lord of the Forest, the Hero/Warrior, the Magician, and the Sacrificed Savior. Excellent appendices offer a list of gods and their attributes, god symbols, and a cross-reference by sphere of influence.
- "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" Adventures of a Curious Character by Richard P. Feynman. Bantam Books, 1985.
- An example of science and humor mixed to perfection, this book showcases entertaining excerpts from Feynman's life. Feynman thought like a fan and used his sense of wonder to great effect in both science and literature. Go and do likewise.
- There's a Word for It! A Grandiloquent Guide to Life by Charles Harrington Elster. Pocket Books, 1996.
- A splendiferous assembly of exotic words, organized by subject; most useful for its lists of phobias, divination methods, and insults.
Writer's Digest "Genre Writing" Series
- How to Write Mysteries by Shannon Ocork. 1989.
- Explains subgenres, plot, atmosphere, heroes, murderers, suspects, victims, pace, clues, suspense, climax, titles, and marketing. Useful for learning suspense techniques, but especially for articles or stories driven by mystery-type motifs.
- How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card. 1990.
- Covers world creation, story construction, leading readers into strangeness, the business of writing, and much more.
Writer's Digest "Howdunit" Series
- Body Trauma: A Writer's Guide to Wounds and Injuries by David W. Page. 1996.
- Describes the concepts of field care and first aid, specific traumas by organ system, unique traumas like snake bites, temperature extremes, diving accidents and altitude sickness, sexual assault and domestic violence, organ donation, etc.
- Deadly Doses: A Writer's Guide to Poisons by Serita Deborah Stevens with Anne Klarner. 1990.
- Examines the classic poisons (arsenic, cyanide, and strychnine) in detail, household poisons, poisonous plants and fungi, snakes and other living things, drugs, pesticides and industrial poisons, plus methods for inventing fictional poisons. Splendid appendices list poisons by method of administration, by form, by the symptoms they cause, by reaction time, and by toxicity rating. Don't poison your characters without this book.
- Murder & Forensic Medicine by Keith D. Wilson, M.D. Writer's Digest Books, 1992.
- Covers terminology, medical and legal procedures related to death, distinguishing between murder and suicide, crime and punishment, accidents, sudden natural deaths, chronic disease, and controversies like euthanasia. More clever ways to bump off your characters.
Writer's Digest "Science Fiction" Series edited by Ben Bova
- Aliens and Alien Societies: A Writer's Guide to Creating Extraterrestrial Life-Forms by Stanley Schmidt. 1995.
- Discusses plausibility, astronomy, biochemistry, body and mind, societies, language, interaction with humans, characterization and motivation, examples from fiction, and life "not as we know it" in varying forms.
- Space Travel: A Writer's Guide to the Science of Interplanetary and Interstellar Travel by Ben Bova with Anthony R. Lewis. 1997.
- In addition to basic science and travel options such as rockets, this book also covers the key issues of living in space, working in low or zero gravity, and relevant laws.
- Time Travel: A Writer's Guide to the Real Science of Plausible Time Travel by Paul J. Nahin. 1997.
- Presents issues of relativity, hyperspace, paradoxes, and plenty of physics.
- World-Building: A Writer's Guide to Constructing Star Systems and Life-Supporting Planets by Stephen L. Gillet. 1996.
- Explains how to design a planet, using Earth and Sol system as examples; briefly discusses life "not as we know it" too.
Other Resources for Writers
This list of "Non-Fiction Resources for Writers" copyright 1997 Elizabeth Barrette. Portions of this book list have appeared in Eternity Online.
Comments?
Art on this page are from the "Deep Space Mine" set at Moyra's Web Jewels
The "ATTENTION" gif is from Barry's Clip Art Server. 
.
The URL for this page is http://www.worthlink.net/~ysabet/specfic/booklist.html and it was last updated on October 13, 1998.
