Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book

The neophyte, certainly, and possibly even the already published will find that Page, as her subtitle claims, really does tell you what you need to know to get happily published. This self-help author (If I'm So Wonderful, Why Am I Still Single?) knows what she's talking about, whether she's advising on how to write a book proposal, find an agent or promote one's book. To accomplish the latter successfully, Page suggests working at it full time for three months, then part time for a year--that's for the hardcover edition; the process starts again with the paperback reprint. Altogether she has devised 20 steps to walk you through a procedure that's likely to discourage the fainthearted. Page can't seem to resist a bit of lobbying as she makes a lengthy pitch in support of independent bookstores, and she's on target with her suggestion that attending regional bookseller conventions is beneficial. This is one of the more instructive guides to read before writing your book. (June)