The Writer's Handbook

Tells how to become a writer, discusses techniques for fiction, nonfiction, poetry and plays, and lists agents, editors and publishers

A book as big and sprawling as a Larry McMurtry western--in fact, two books in one: The first 500 pages (!) are a copious selection of essays on the writing craft from pens ranging from E. Annie Proulx to Barnaby Conrad to Rita Dove. The second few hundred pages make up a "market guide" with information on magazines, publishers, playhouses, contests, and more. The handbook provides a good overview, but most of the listings give only street addresses; without phone or e-mail options, you're left with no recourse but snail mail.