Character and Point of View by Orson Scott Card
Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
Description and Setting by Ron Rozelle
Scene & Structure by Jack M. Bickham
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Romancing the Beat (for Romance Novels) by Gwen Hayes
Also, these Great Courses videos—DVD, online, or from your library:
How to Write Best-selling Fiction by James Bell
Effective Editing How to Take Your Writing to the Next Level by Molly McCowan
Self-editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King (This is an absolute must-read).
Every book needs a professional editor. You may find one advertised on various writing group websites or try these:
Dave King has edited all of my novels, but he is quite busy and may not be available for new clients.
The Editorial Department, a company representing numerous editors. I have used them and would recommend them.
Reedsy also has a list of editors, but I have never used them.
If you want to try the traditional publishing route, you need an agent first. This site lists legitimate agents and lets you track who you queried and when.
Both before and after you publish, you may encounter companies and con artists out to cheat authors. Since 1998, author Victoria Strauss has posted a list of major scams, fraudulent publishers, agents, and rip-off writer services. Check here:
If you decide to self-publish, read this how-to book before you start:
Indy Publishing Without Pulling Your Hair Out by Richard Gartee
Library of Congress Catalog Number (optional)
Look up book categories at Fiction Subject Headings or Complete Subject Headings List
Bookow.com (instantaneous and inexpensive)
If your book interior has images, read Chapter 3 of Indy Publishing Without Pulling Your Hair Out for typesetting alternatives.
fiverr.com Find inexpensive freelance cover designers.
Cover layout must exactly match the printer’s template. The links below will download the correct template for each company, but you must know the actual number of typeset pages first.
Kindle Direct Publishing cover template
Go to U.S. Copyright Office if you want to register your book copyright.
Even if you have a website, if you sell books on Amazon, it doesn’t hurt to set up their free author page. Go to: https://author.amazon.com
You or your cover designer will have made an image of just the front cover. If you want a 3d image you can make one for free at this site.
