List of books every writer should refer to BEFORE contacting an agent or publisher

The following books are invaluable resources for writers. They will give you a good handle on the publishing industry and what is expected from agents, editors and publishers in terms of proposals and manuscripts.

• How to Get Happily Published, Judith Appelbaum -- An excellent introduction to the publishing business, and what happens every step of the way from conception to publication. This classic is in its 5th edition. This is the first book a writer should consult.
• Literary Agents: What They Do, How They Do It, and How to Find and Work with the Right One for You, Michael Larsen -An indispensable guide to understanding why you need an agent and how to find the right match for you.
• Jeff Herman's Guide to Book Publishers and Literary Agents 2004: Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over, Jeff Herman -- A very reputable guide that provides an introduction to a wide range of publishing houses, what they publish and what they are looking for, as well as profiling some of the top literary agents, their interests, how they like to be approached, their pet peeves. This is a must-have for every aspiring writer.
• How to Write a Book Proposal, Michael Larsen - A good basic guide for nonfiction writers.
• Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 That Sold and Why, Jeff Herman -- An excellent guide that includes actual examples of nonfiction book proposals that went on to become published.
• How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step Non Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling, James N. Frey -- A good practical guide to the craft of fiction-writing.
• The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers, Betsy Lerner -- The author has been both an editor and a literary agent.
• Thinking Like Your Editor: How Write Great Serious Nonfiction-and Get it Published, Susan Rabiner -- Another editor turned agent dispenses advice from the vantage point of understanding who you are selling your book to and what that person is looking for.

These books are excellent guides for writers on how to publicize and market your book once you have a publisher.

• The Savvy Author's Guide to Book Publicity: A Comprehensive Resource from Building the Buzz to Pitching the Press, Lissa Warren
• Media Training 101, Sally Stewart

These specialized guides are some examples of the many that target a specific market:

• The Business of Writing for Children, Aaron Shephard
• Idiot's Guide to Publishing Children's Books, Harold D. Underdown
• Idiot's Guide to Publishing Science Fiction, Cory Doctorow and Karl Shroeder
• 2004 Writers Market
• 2004 Writers Novel and Short Story Writers Market