Intro -- Foreword -- Introduction -- How to Use This Guide -- Chapter 1: Get Ready -- Considerations on the Writing Life -- Can you handle rejection? -- Why your manuscript may get rejected -- Can you handle success? -- Can you take constructive criticism? -- Do you have the skills to write - or can you learn? -- Can you stick to a writing routine? -- Can you meet deadlines? -- Can you keep writing in the face of adversity? -- Do you need a dedicated workspace? -- How Will You Publish? -- Chapter 2: Get Set -- Choosing Your Genre -- Fiction -- Romance -- Horror -- Thriller/Suspense -- Science Fiction -- Fantasy -- Mystery/Crime -- Action-Adventure -- Historical -- Young Adult -- Nonfiction -- How-to -- Self-Help -- Travel Guides -- Cooking and Food -- Humor -- Creative Nonfiction -- Adventure -- Travelogues -- Biography -- Memoir -- True Crime -- Essays -- Sharpening Your Writing Skills -- Writing Classes & Workshops -- Writing Groups -- How to evaluate a writing group -- Keeping a Writer's Notebook or Journal -- Dealing with Writer's Block -- Writing Resources -- Where do I get ideas? -- Writing software -- Should you join a professional writing association? -- National novel writing month (NaNoWriMo) young writers program -- Writing partners -- First readers -- Choosing a Title -- Dipping Your Feet in the Writing Pool Before Jumping In -- Blogging -- Freelancing -- Contests -- Copyright and Legal Issues -- Editing and Revising -- Revision tips -- Chapter 3: Go -- How Traditional Publishing Works -- What Happens After You Get a Publishing Deal? -- Contract Basics -- 21st Century Publishing -- The Big Five -- Other Publishing Options -- Why self-publish? -- CreateSpace -- Lulu -- A word of caution about vanity presses -- Should You Hire a Freelance Editor? -- Chapter 4: Publishing an E-book -- Why E-Publish? -- Identifying Your Audience.

E-Publishing Options -- Upload directly to an online retailer -- Through an independent e-book distributor -- Sell directly from your website -- E-Readers -- Formatting -- Creating content for e-readers -- Protection from Copyright Infringement and Electronic Theft -- Digital Rights Management (DRM) software -- Pricing Your E-book -- Chapter 5: Literary Agents -- What Does a Literary Agent Do? -- Do I Need a Literary Agent? -- Am I Ready for an Agent? -- How to Land a Literary Agent -- Where Do I find a Literary Agent? -- How to Decide if an Agent is Right for You -- I Have an Agent, Now What? -- Chapter 6: Putting Together Your Pitch Package -- The Submission Process -- The Pitch Package -- The query letter -- Parts of a query letter -- Synopsis -- Proposals -- Chapter 7: Your Author Platform -- Branding -- Creating a Website -- What should your website include? -- Where to get design ideas -- Social Networking -- Podcasts -- The Big Two: Facebook and Twitter -- Online Chats -- Book trailers -- Creating your YouTube channel -- Book Signings, Readings, and Tours -- Planning your event -- Unusual venues -- How to give a good reading even if you are terrified -- Author Pages -- Goodreads author program -- Amazon author central -- Conclusion -- Appendix A: Additional Resources -- Books on Writing -- Websites -- Contests & Awards -- Writing Conferences/Workshops/Classes -- Professional Organizations -- Glossary -- Bibliography -- About the Author.