The practical writer: from inspiration to publication

Introduction: From Inspiration to Publication

Sect. 1. Concepts of Craft: Imagination's Many Forms

Fiction vs. Nonfiction: Wherein Lies the Truth? / Helen Benedict

Paths and Pearls: A Poet Ponders Memoir and Lyric / Gregory Orr

On Essays, Literature's Most Misunderstood Form / Michael Depp

Lingerie Theory of Narration / Julie Checkoway

Stuff: The Power of the Tangible / David Long

Push Hands: Balancing Resistance and Revision / Jeffrey Skinner

Trouble with Titles / Nicholas Weinstock

Sect. 2. Initial Contact: Getting Your Work off Your Desk and onto Someone Else's

Loose Bottoms: On Becoming Ready to Send Your Work Out / David Hamilton

Submission Strategy and Protocol / Amy Holman

Little and Literary / Natalie Danford

Glossies / Joanna Smith Rakoff

How to Read Rejection / C. Michael Curtis

How to Get a Grant / Scott Bane

Sect. 3. Building Your Team: How to Work Well with Publishing Professionals

How to Land an Agent: Strategies for the Search / Noah Lukeman

Negotiate Your First Book Contract Without Losing Your Deal, Your Future, or Your Mind / Kay Murray

Editor Etiquette / Betsy Lerner

Midlist and Other Fictions / Sol Stein

Publicity Primer / Michael Taeckens

How to Win Friends and Influence Booksellers / Kate Whouley

How Lucky Can You Get ... and Other Things No One Tells You / M. J. Rose

Sect. 4. Meeting Your Public (and Getting Them to Buy Your Book)

Publicity for Your Small Press Title / Robert McDowell

Techno Promo: Are You Ready for Digital Marketing? / Catherine Wald

Bookstore Appearances and Speaking Engagements / Jacqueline Deval

How to Give a Rousing Reading / Tom Bradley

Slam Your Way Across America / R. Eirik Ott

Sect. 5. Jobs in the Field: Lots of Reward, Little Pay

So You Want to Start a Literary Magazine? / Rebecca Wolff

Editing Lit Mags Online / Guy Shahar

How to Start a Reading Series / Fran Gordon

Tales of a Literary Saloon Keeper / Melvin Jules Bukiet

Balancing Act: Teaching Creative Writing / Hilma Wolitzer

Why I Write / Robert Phillips.