Gershom's Book Shop: Writer's Resources

My #1 Tip to new writers: Never, repeat, never ever send an unsolicited manuscript to a publisher (or anyone else) without enclosing a self-addressed stamped envelope (SASE) with enough return postage to send it back! Otherwise, you will get no reply and your work goes in the trash.  Also, don't send manuscripts to published writers (including me) -- we are not agents, so sending us your stuff just wastes everybody's time.  Better to use the resources below.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published de-mystifies the publishing industry for beginners and tells you, step-by-step in the familiar "idiot's" format, how to get your writing in print. Writing is a business -- and this book teaches you the ropes. Or, if your prefer the Dummies books, try Getting Your Book Published for Dummies.

2009 Writer's Market Indispensible resource for finding the right market for whatever you write. This book pays for itself over and over. Order your copy now!

Plus, there are specialized markets and guides:

2009 Poet's Market

How to Publish Your Poetry

2009 Novel and Short Story Writer's Market

2009 Children's Writers and Illustrators Market

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books

2009 Artist's and Graphic Designer's Market

2009 Guide to Literary Agents

The Teen's Guide to Getting Published is the only such book written by teens for teens -- and it's excellent! The authors, who were 15-year-old high school freshmen when they wrote this, are knowledgeable, professional -- and good writers. They really help fellow teens understand and use the exact process in getting published, as well as avoiding beginners's pitfalls.

The Designer Revolution Are you a Designer Writer? That's a person who not only writes the text, but designs the graphics, fonts, and layout. If you have ever wished you could publish your poems or stories with your own illustrations, you should read this innovative, full-color book that presents a startling new theory for publishing in the 21st century. Start thinking outside the black-text box!

How to write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card. Although this book focuses of the Sf&F genre, it is an excellent resource for writing any type of fiction. I found it very useful in helping me to write and tell stories about the Hasidic world (a culture as alien to most Americans as anything from outer space) by working in the cultural details naturally, without sounding preachy. Many more great writing tips make this a must-read for all kinds of writers.

The Writer's Quotation Book is a great collection of short quotes by writers about writing and getting published. Some inspiring, some cynical, some downright absurd -- but all will ring true if you are a writer.

The Handbook of Nonsexist Writing By Casey Miller and Kate Swift. An excellent resource for writers, editors, and speakers who want to update their gender pronoun usage and terminology (man, he, brotherhood, founding fathers, etc.) -- a must in today's market. This book gives practical examples with a touch of humor and a minimum of political rhetoric. Read my Amazon review and order

Also consider self-publishing on Lulu.com -- That's where I self-published one of my own books, Jewish Themes in Star Trek (shown here.)  The product quality is excellent and it's a good way to get specialized niche books into print.  

Want to be a Top Reviewer on Amazon.com? Writing reviews of books and other products you like is a great way to start getting your opinions published and your name known. I've been on the Top 500 Reviewers list (sometimes in the Top 100) since 1999. To find out how I do it, read my essay, How to be a Top Reviewer.

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