How to Write a Novel and Get It Published
Do you have a story you want to tell and sell? The resources below might help you write your novel and learn how to find an agent and a publisher. Although the collection of the Poughkeepsie Public Library District is highlighted here, you can also expand your search in the Mid-Hudson Library System Public Library Catalog (online catalog) to include your local Library.
Print Sources
The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers by Betsy Lerner (808.042 Ler at ADR or 808.02 at ARL)
How I Write: Secrets of a Bestselling Author by Janet Evanovich and Ina Yalof (808.3 Eva)
Literary Market Place (R 070.5 Lit)
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing by Evan Marshall (808.3 Mar)
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King (B King at ADR or 808.02 Kin at ARL)
Starting from Scratch: A Different Kind of Writer's Manual by Rita Mae Brown (808.066 B at ADR or 808 Bro at ARL)
Write Is a Verb: Sit Down. Start Writing. No Excuses by Bill O’Hanlon (808.02 Oha)
The Writer's Market (R 808.025 Wri at ADR or R 808.02 at ARL)
Periodicals
Online Databases
The Proquest database has both The Writer and The Writer’s Digest magazines articles available in full text. This database is available to all card-holders in the Mid-Hudson Library System. Have your library card handy, because you'll be prompted to enter your barcode when you log on to this resource.
Web Sites
AAR (The Association of Authors’ Representative, Inc.)
The AAR is an organization for literary and dramatic agents. The AAR website gives information about how agents operate, about the agent/author relationship, and how to find the right agent for you.
HWA (Horror Writers Association)
MWA (Mystery Writers of America)
RWA (Romance Writers of America)
SFW (Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, Inc.)
These four organizations offer information, networking, and assistance to authors writing in these genres.
A guide to publishers, agents, and writing, with one of the best lists of agents available.
BLOGS
An amusing and informative blog. Writers can send queries to Evil Editor, who will analyze and comment on them in his blog.
Et in arcaedia, ego (Jennifer Jackson’s Blog)
Jackson is an agent with the prestigious Donald A. Maas Literary Agency; her blog on writing and agenting is one of the best-known in the publishing business.
A wickedly funny and accurate view of the publishing business by a NY agent. Although the blog is no longer active, it’s still available to read. While Miss Snark was actively blogging, her blog was the hottest site in publishing.
Search the Catalog
You can search in the online catalog under the following related subjects for more specific information. For additional Subject Headings, ask a Librarian.
Remember that the online catalog contains the holdings of 70 Mid-Hudson Libraries. If what you want is not owned locally, click the green "Request-a-Title" button in the item's record and follow the instructions on the screen. Materials will be sent to whichever library you request.
Browse the Collection
Most materials on writing are located in the Dewey Decimal number range beginning with 808.02
Most materials on book publishing as a business are locating in the Dewey Decimal number range beginning with 070.5
Prepared by Jennara Wenk, Librarian, 12/08
Contact (845) 485-3445 x3303 with any questions.