Browse and shop our collection of recommended writing and research books.

HOW TO WRITE A ROMANCE FOR THE NEW MARKETS AND GET IT PUBLISHED by Kathryn Falk -- Just in time for the new millenium, Kathryn Falk, reigning queen of the romance genre and founder of Romantic Times Magazine, has written the book every aspiring (and published!) romance author needs to read now.

Drawing on her years of experience as a writer and editor, as well as the contributions of over 100 of the most successful current romance writers, she gives the reader invaluable advice. First, the book covers the basics of romance writing: Building character and emotion, writing sensual scenes, and research.

The second part of the book provides detailed advice on writing romances for the new markets--multicultural (African-American, Latino, American Indian), inspirational, alternative realities (paranormal, time travel, werewolf, vampire), and suspense. Authors in each of these new areas present essential insights into how to write for their markets. An inspiring must-read that will propel your writing into the future.


HOW TO WRITE AND MARKET THE REGENCY ROMANCE by Gayle Buck -- The how-to's in plot, creating characters and building tension, using description, marketing, agents and contracts. By an award-winning author of ten regency romance novels.


THE ART OF FICTION by John Gardner -- John Gardner was almost as famous as a teacher of creative writing as he was for his own words. In this practical, instructive handbook, based on the seminars that he gave, he explains, simply and cogently, the principles and techniques of good writing.


THE ART OF ROMANCE WRITING: HOW TO CREATE, WRITE AND SELL YOUR CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE NOVEL by Valerie Parv -- Australian author Parv has assembled a comprehensive guide for new writers trying to break into the contemporary market.


DEVIOUS DERIVATIONS: POPULAR MISCONCEPTIONS AND MORE THAN 1000 TRUE ORIGINS OF COMMON WORDS AND PHRASES by Hugh Rawson -- Language aficionados, fanatics and simply plain fanciers will enjoy this detailed etymology of words as simple or complex as: woman, cesarean, landlubber, rewards and wedlock.


THE EVOLUTION OF USEFUL THINGS by Henry Petroski -- Not only a trivia-laden history book with detailed descriptions of everything from paper clips to button hooks, the book is a "celebration of inventiveness" offering detailed examples of the evolution of the household object.


BEGINNINGS, MIDDLES AND ENDS by Nancy Kress -- Translating a flash of inspiration into a compelling story requires careful crafting. Learn how to hook an editor in three paragraphs, and make and keep your stories implicit promise.


DARE TO BE A GREAT WRITER: 329 KEYS TO POWERFUL FICTION by Leonard Bishop -- Face the challenge of writing fiction that's not just good, but great and salable. This fiction writer's manual is packed with honest, workable, proven, enduring writing guidelines.


THE DICTIONARY OF CONTEMPORARY SLANG by Tony Thorne -- An amazing, comprehensive guide to slang that offers over 5000 colloquialisms, puns, similes, metaphors and double entendres.


EDITORS ON EDITING by Gerald Gross -- What writers need to know about what editors do. This indispensable guide offers a series of essays by successful editors in every field. They discuss how books are chosen, the ethical dimension of editing, what an editor looks for in a query letter or proposal and much more.


GUIDE TO FICTION WRITING by Phyllis A. Whitney -- By the preeminent author, this is a wonderful starter's guide that is clear, logical and full of very sound advice.


HOW TO WRITE A ROMANCE AND GET IT PUBLISHED by Kathryn Falk -- The very best source for writers at every level. Gives information on writing every type of romance, every step of the way. Plus detailed agent and editor listings!


HOW TO WRITE EROTICA by Valerie Kelly -- A great guide for adding sizzle to your sex scenes. This how-to on breaking into the erotic market is full of lots of valuable info.


HOW TO WRITE IRRESISTIBLE QUERY LETTERS by Lisa Collier Cool -- Learn how to write a persuasive and appealing letter that will sell your book or possibly pre-sell an idea for a book!


HOW TO WRITE MYSTERIES by Shannon O'Cork -- Starting with the sinister plot, this book offers invaluable tips on how to hide your "bad guy," develop great series character, and scatter red herrings throughout your book.


HOW TO WRITE ROMANCES by Phyllis Taylor Pianka -- This prize-winning author offers personal tips and excellent writing exercises to help writers of every level flesh out characters and tighten up dialogue.


WRITER'S GUIDE TO BOOK EDITORS, PUBLISHERS AND LITERARY AGENTS by Jeff Herman -- Let established editor Jeff Herman show you the real ropes. This is indeed an inside scoop with all the trimmings. Anything you might want to know about how to submit and to whom.


MAKING A GOOD SCRIPT GREAT by Linda Seger -- A guide to writing and rewriting by a Hollywood script consultant.


THE POLISHED PROFESSIONAL Learn the ins and outs of business etiquette. Don't underestimate how important it is to make the right impression.


ROMANCE WRITER'S PHRASE BOOK by Jean Kent & Candace Shelton -- This playful book offering over 3,000 descriptive 'tags' for writers is a wonderful resource for physical descriptions, body movements, emotions and descriptive sex scenes.


THE ROMANCE WRITER'S PINK PAGES by Eve Paludan -- A fabulous source book for romance writers. Specific to romance, it cites publisher's guidelines, names and addresses of literary agents and acquisitions editors, and has a complete directory of networks.


THE SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL ROMANCE WRITING by Emma Darcy -- In this simple but comprehensive book, Emma Darcy reveals the secrets of her phenomenal success as a category fiction author.


THE SMART WOMAN'S GUIDE TO SPENDING, SAVING AND MANAGING MONEY by Diane Pearl and Ellie Williams Clinton -- As a business woman, you should learn how to manage your money... here is basic info on everything from managing a home budget, requesting a loan, planning for the future and planning for retirement.


STARTING FROM SCRATCH by Rita Mae Brown -- From the best-selling author of RUBYFRUIT JUNGLE, here is a writer's manual as provocative, frank and funny as her fiction. Unlike most writer's guides, this one has as much to do with how writers live as with mastering the tools of their trade.


A WRITER'S GUIDE TO BOOK PUBLISHING by Richard Balkin -- A super resource! Highly recommended.


TO WRITERS WITH LOVE: ON WRITING ROMANTIC NOVELS by Mary Wibberley -- This expert on contemporary romance writing offers her personal advice as to what makes a story work, including methods and materials, ideas, research and characters.


WRITING THE BLOCKBUSTER NOVEL by Albert Zuckerman -- Let master agent Al Zuckerman show you what a real blockbuster is made of. He walks you through the making of Ken Follet's BRILLIANT MAN FROM ST. PETERSBURG in plain language. Highly recommended.


WRITING EROTIC FICTION by Derek Parker -- Imported from England, this how-to guide teaches you the do's and don'ts for short stories and full length novels. It discusses language, plot and the explicit role of the text.


WRITING FROM THE INNER SELF by Elaine Farris Hughes -- Writing and meditation exercises that free your creativity and inspire your imagination and help you overcome writer's block.


THE WRITER'S DIGEST GUIDE TO MANUSCRIPT FORMATS by Dian Dincin Buchman & Seli Groves -- As a professional writer, you need to learn how to submit books, articles, stories and other written work for publication in the right manuscript format. Here are the answers.


THE WRITERS' LEGAL COMPANION by Brad Bummin and Peter Beren -- Whether or not you have an agent, here are all the things you'll want to know before you sign any contract! Helpful info on contracts, copyrights, libel, taxes, agents and publishers, legal relationships and marketing strategies.


BUSINESS AND LEGAL FORMS FOR AUTHORS AND SELF PUBLISHERS by Tad Crawford -- Forewarned is forearmed! A great resource for writers with and without agents.


ZAP! HOW YOUR COMPUTER CAN HURT YOU AND WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT IT by Don Sellers -- A wonderful resource for writers who worry about the constant exposure to their PC systems. Diagrams, descriptions and helpful info about radiation exposure, carpal tunnel syndrome, eyestrain, back and neck pain, pregnancy and stress.


SECRETS OF SUCCESSFUL FICTION by Robert Newton Peck -- A great easy to read how-to that simplifies the writing process for beginners.


SHIPS: SAILORS AND THE SEA (Usborne Beginner's Knowledge) by Caroline Young -- Designed for children, this outstanding picture book offers simplified historical information very useful to historical writers.


BIRD BY BIRD by Anne Lamott -- Lamott confirms your worst suspicions: writing is as painful, magical, logical, insane as you feared. Fortunately, she also confirms that for most of us, there's no choice: writers write because they find it impossible to do anything else. Lamott's essays are witty, wise and deeply moving. BIRD BY BIRD is a must for every writer's shelf.


MAKE YOUR WORDS WORK by Gary Provost -- In addition to the wonderful how-to topics, Provost also talks about the need writers have for friendship with other writers. Let's face it, who else on earth understands the angst like another writer?


TELLING LIES FOR FUN AND PROFIT by Lawrence Block -- Lawrence Block should be declared a National Treasure. If you want to be challenged, if you want to laugh outloud, if you want to feel that you've met your writerly soulmate, if you just plain want to be entertained by a master, read this book.


CREATING UNFORGETTABLE CHARACTERS by Linda Segar -- How to create strong, multidimensional characters in fiction.


LECTURES ON LITERATURE by Vladimir Nabokov, Edited by Fredson Bowers -- For nearly 20 years, first at Wellesley and then at Cornell, Nabokov introduced undergraduates to the delights of great fiction. Here, collected for the first time, are his famous lectures on Austen, Dickens, Flaubert, Kafka and Joyce.


LITERARY AGENTS: A WRITER'S GUIDE by Adam Begley -- When your book proposal is written or your manuscript is complete, a whole new challenge begins...finding a publisher! With the right agent, you're halfway there!


THE WRITER'S ART by James Kilpatrick -- An excellent writer expounds on his own personal theories about what qualifies as good writing—wonderful advice and wonderfully entertaining too!


STEAL THIS PLOT by June & William Noble -- If there are really only so many plots out there, exactly how can you rework a plot so that it is your own.


WRITING THE NOVEL FROM PLOT TO PRINT by Lawrence Block -- A wonderful book with an explanation that shows you how to create a plot that will get you beyond the first chapter. Uses backgrounds you know and those you don't.


WRITING THE SCRIPT: A PRACTICAL GUIDE FOR FILMS AND TELEVISION by Wells Root -- An essential guide to writing for the screen, and a how-to book by someone who actually knows how.


YOU CAN'T AFFORD THE LUXURY OF A NEGATIVE THOUGHT by John-Roger & Peter McWilliams -- Oprah Winfrey helped this wonderful book onto the bestseller list and offers a positive way of looking at life in every incarnation. It teaches that the power of the mind is amazing, and positive thinking can help you to change your life for the better.


PAINTED PARAGRAPHS: INSPIRED DESCRIPTION FOR WRITERS AND READERS by Donald Newlove -- A curious treasure, this book offers the authors very candid and witty opinions about the author's favorite descriptive passages in literature. Includes everyone from Hemingway, Conrad, Shakespeare, and Whitman to Terry Macmillan. It's wonderful to see these descriptive passages isolated from their text.


THE WRITER'S DIGEST GUIDE TO GOOD WRITING From the Editors of Writer's Digest -- Since Writer's Digest Magazine was launched in the twenties, some of the very best writers have written articles outlining their personal tips for success. Included in this collection are some of the very best that Writer's Digest has to offer: Gary Provost, Taylor Caldwell, Phyllis A. Whitney, Stephen King, and Jude Deveraux.


BECOMING A WRITER by Dorothea Brande -- A reissue of the classic work published in 1934 on writing and the creative process. This is a sound, practical guide with an inspirational and charming approach to writing.


A MANUAL OF WRITER'S TRICKS by David L. Carroll -- Here is some essential advice for fiction writers. This invaluable reference offers easy access to stratagems and tried and true literary short cuts that help writers save time, improve style and avoid common pitfalls.


SCENE AND STRUCTURE by Jack M. Bickham -- How to construct fiction with scene-by-scene flow, logic and credibility. Bickham teaches how structure is the backbone of a story and provides a writer a liberating framework rather than a constricting one.


BECOME A RICHER WRITER by Gene Perret -- This is a practical yet inspirational guide for getting your career moving forward faster. The book breaks down into three categories: It evaluates your marketing skills, your writing skills, and your own self worth. Highly recommended.


THE WRITER'S JOURNEY: MYTHIC STRUCTURE FOR STORYTELLERS & SCREENWRITERS by Christopher Vogler -- This is a must read for all romance writers! The basis of the book is the myth that is at the heart of all romance novels. The material is very approachable and is specifically pinpointed to any story writer. Truly terrific!


FROM ACHILLES' HEEL TO ZEUS' SHIELD by Dale Corey Dibbley -- A lively, informative guide to more than 300 words and phrases born of mythology. This book explores the origins, meaning, and modern usage of such phrases as tantalize, echo, and going berserk.


THE COMPLETE HOME OFFICE: PLANNING YOUR WORK SPACE FOR MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY by Alvin Rosenbaum -- Everyone knows that most writers find whatever space they can at home to work. This practical design book shows you how to maximize your space whether you're in a closet or have your own den with picture windows.


KIND WORDS: A THESAURUS OF EUPHEMISMS by Judith S. Newman & Carole G. Silver Contains more than 4,000 ways to avoid saying what we mean about sensitive subjects.