Your Expert Guide to Writing and Publishing a Novel

In this revised and expanded edition of Your First Novel, novelist Laura Whitcomb, seasoned literary agent Ann Rittenberg, and her knowledgeable assistant, Camille Goldin, team up to provide you with the essential skills needed to craft the best novel you can--and the savvy business know-how to get it published. Complete with updated references, analysis of new best-selling novels, and the same detailed instruction, Whitcomb will show you how to:

Practice the craft of writing, using both your right- and left-brainDevelop a flexible card system for organizing and outlining plotCreate dynamic characters that readers love--and love to hateStudy classic novels and story structure to adapt with your ideasFeaturing two new chapters on choosing your path as an author and understanding the world of self-publishing, Rittenberg and Goldin dive into the business side of publishing, including:What agents can--and should--do for your futureWho you should target as an agent for your burgeoning careerHow the mysterious auction for novels actually goes downWhy you should learn to work with your agent through thick and thinGuiding your first novel from early words to a spot on the bookshelf can be an exciting and terrifying journey, but you're not alone. Alongside the advice of industry veterans, Your First Novel Revised and Expanded also includes plenty of firsthand accounts from published authors on their journeys, including Dennis Lehane, C.J. Box, Kathleen McCleary, David Kazzie, and more.

Ann Rittenberg, the president of her own literary agency, has worked in book publishing for more than 35 years. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and three daughters.

Laura Whitcomb is the author of A Certain Slant of Light, The Fetch, Under the Light and other titles. The movie rights for A Certain Slant of Light sold to Kristin Hahn, producer of The Departed. The Fetch was #5 in the top ten of Children's Indie Next List 2009 and was published as an audio book by Recorded Books.

Camille Golden, a graduate of UCLA, is an agent with Ann Rittenberg Literary Agency.