Bennett, Hal, with Michael Larsen. HOW TO WRITE WITH A COLLABORATOR (Writer's Digest Books, 1988). A handbook for both author and writer, including various contractual tricks of the trade.

Poynter, Dan, and Mindy Bingham, IS THERE A BOOK INSIDE YOU? A Step-By-Plan for Writing Your Book (Para, 1996). See especially Chapters 13-14.

Shaw, Eva. GHOSTWRITING: How to Get Into the Business (Paragon House, 1994). A look at the ins and outs of being a writer-for-hire.

ON BOOK PROPOSALS

Herman, Jeff. WRITE THE PERFECT BOOK PROPOSAL: 10 Proposals That Sold and Why (Wiley, 1993). A primer of proposal writing with samples.

Larsen, Michael. HOW TO WRITE A BOOK PROPOSAL (Writer's Digest Books, revised edition, 1997.) A basic text on book proposals, including examples.

Lyon, Elizabeth. NONFICTION BOOK PROPOSALS ANYBODY CAN WRITE: How to Get a Contract and An Advance Before Writing Your Book (Blue Heron Publishing, 1995). Another good guide to writing and marketing the proposal.

ON WRITING AND PUBLISHING BOOKS
IN GENERAL

Appelbaum, Judith. HOW TO GET HAPPILY PUBLISHED: A Complete and Candid Guide (5th Edition, HarperCollins, 1998). A classic that's a mini-course in publishing, including lots of advice on self-publishing and how to promote your book.

Balkin, Richard. A WRITER'S GUIDE TO CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS (Writer's Digest Books, 1985). How to negotiate book contracts either by yourself or with an agent or lawyer.

Bunnin, Brad, and Peter Beren. THE WRITER'S LEGAL COMPANION: The Complete Handbook for the Working Writer (HarperCollins, 1998). A well-recommended guide to publishing law.

Curtis, Richard T. HOW TO BE YOUR OWN LITERARY AGENT: The Business of Getting Your Book Published (Houghton Mifflin, revised edition, 1996). A good, if irreverent, view of the business and how you can best protect yourself.

GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS (Writer's Digest Books, annually). In addition to well-indexed listings of agents, this includes excellent articles on how to best deal with agents.

LITERARY MARKET PLACE: The Directory of American Book Publishing (R.R. Bowker, annually.) Known just as LMP, this hefty volume, available in any library is the Bible of the industry. It lists publishers, agents, publicists, editors, fact checkers, writers, indexers, proofreaders, and many other categories of "editorial services"—including ghostwriters.

WRITER'S MARKET: Where to Sell What You Write (Writer's Digest Books, annually). This includes lists of publishers and agents as well as helpful articles about all aspects of writing and publishing.