A complete guide to writing and selling your novel

So you want to write a novel? Great That's a worthy goal, no matter what your reason. But don't settle for just writing a novel. Aim high. Write a novel that you intend to sell to a publisher. "Writing Fiction for Dummies" is a complete guide designed to coach you every step along the path from beginning writer to royalty-earning author. Here are some things you'll learn in "Writing Fiction for Dummies" Strategic Planning Pinpoint where you are on the roadmap to publication; discover what every reader desperately wants from a story; home in on a marketable category; choose from among the four most common creative styles; and learn the self-management methods of professional writers.Writing Powerful Fiction Construct a story world that rings true; create believable, unpredictable characters; build a strong plot with all six layers of complexity of a modern novel; and infuse it all with a strong theme.Self-Editing Your Novel Psychoanalyze your characters to bring them fully to life; edit your story structure from the top down; fix broken scenes; and polish your action and dialogue.Finding An Agent and Getting Published Write a query letter, a synopsis, and a proposal; pitch your work to agents and editors without fear.

"Writing Fiction For Dummies" takes you from being a "writer" to being an "author." It can happen--if you have the talent and persistence to do what you need to do.

Turn your knack for language into a lucrative career

Must-know techniques and resources for maximizing your accuracy and speed

Interested in becoming a copyeditor or proofreader? Want to know more about what each job entails? This friendly guide helps you position yourself for success. Polish your skills, build a winning resume and land the job you've always wanted. Books, magazines, Web sites, corporate documents - find out how to improve any type of publication and make yourself indispensable to writers, editors, and your boss.Balance between style and rulesMaster the art of the queryUse proofreader symbolsEdit and proof electronic documentsBuild a solid freelancing career

earn the official language of Kenya and Tanzania.

Swahili For Dummies will teach you the basics of Swahili, so you can start conversing in Africa’s language of commerce. This book introduces you to the foundations of Swahili grammar and enables you to engage in basic conversations. With the simplified Dummies learning process, you’ll quickly get a grasp on the language, without complex terms and confusing explanations. You’ll also move through the book at a comfortable pace, so you’ll be familiar with what you’ve learned before moving on to more complex stuff. Focus on communication and interaction in everyday situations, so you can actually use the language you’re studying―right away.

• Understand the basics of Swahili
• Learn everyday words and phrases
• Gain the confidence to engage in conversations in Swahili
• Communicate while traveling and talk to Swahili-speaking family members

Swahili For Dummies is for readers of all ages who want to learn the basics of Swahili in a no-stress, beginner-friendly way. Swahili teachers will also love sharing this practical approach with their students.

Start reading and speaking Arabic Arabic For Dummies helps readers start speaking Modern Standard Arabic in no time. Whether you're a student, traveler, or work in business or government, you'll find this title to be packed with practical lessons, cultural facts, and handy references. Inside, you'll find guidance on basic grammar, as well as the necessary vocabulary to make introductions and greetings, use proper etiquette, make small talk, make transportation arrangements, order food and beverages, ask directions, deal with money, shop, access recreation, and handle an emergency. Features new and revised content Offers a revamped, user-friendly design to both pedagogy and organization Includes expanded coverage of grammar, verb conjugations, and pronunciations Get free access to conversational audio tracks online If you want to start speaking Arabic, this go-to book is packed with practical instruction, cultural facts, and handy references you won't want to be without!

Unlock your creative potential and write something special Ever dream of writing a book, article, poem, or play that means something to you—and maybe to someone else as well? Do you have an idea you’re ready to get down on paper? In Creative Writing For Dummies, you’ll learn how to unleash your creative side and become a confident and productive writer. Discover the essential elements of storytelling, including structure, characterization, setting, dialogue, and plot, as you navigate the countless ways you can express yourself with the written word. Explore the media and methods you can use to help find an audience—from traditional to self-publishing, social media, blogging, and more! Creative Writing For Dummies also shows you how to: Write in all sorts of different formats, including screenplays, scripts, creative nonfiction, poetry, short stories, novels, and beyond Navigate the world of social media and learn how it can contribute to getting your work read by more people in more places Understand the new, online nature of contemporary journalism and the proliferation of news and blogging sites A can’t-miss roadmap to getting your first—or hundred-and-first—story, poem, or script committed to paper, Creative Writing For Dummies is an essential read for aspiring, amateur, and professional writers everywhere.

The easy way to master French grammar

"French Grammar For Dummies "is a logical extension and complement to the successful language learning book, "French For Dummies. " In plain English, it teaches you the grammatical rules of the French language, including parts of speech, sentence construction, pronouns, adjectives, punctuation, stress and verb tenses, and moods. Throughout the book, you get plenty of practice opportunities to help you on your goal of mastering basic French grammar and usage. Grasp the grammatical rules of French including parts of speech, sentence construction, and verb tensesEnhance your descriptive speech with adverbs, adjectives, and prepositionsBenefit from plenty of practice opportunities throughout the bookUse the French language confidently and correctly

Whether you're a student studying French or a professional looking to get ahead of the pack by learning a second language, "French Grammar For Dummies" is your hands-on guide to quickly and painlessly master the written aspect of this popular language.

Learn to speak Italian like a native? Easy.

Italian All-in-One For Dummies appeals to those readers looking for a comprehensive, all-encompassing guide to mastering the Italian language. It contains content from all For Dummies Italian language instruction titles, including "Italian For Dummies, Intermediate Italian For Dummies, Italian Verbs For Dummies, Italian Phrases For Dummies, Italian Grammar For Dummies, "and "Italian For Dummies Audio Set. "Offers readers interested in learning Italian a valuable reference to all aspects of this popular languageThe content appeals to students, travelers, and businesspeople who visit Italian-speaking countriesAn online companion site allows you to download audio tracks allows for more practice opportunities, as well as additional content empowering you to speak Italian like a native

Whether you're a pure beginner or have some familiarity with the language, "Italian All-in-One For Dummies, "with downloadable audio practice online, is your ticket to speaking, and writing, Italian.

Grasp the rich culture and language of the Deaf community To see people use American Sign Language (ASL) to share ideas is remarkable and fascinating to watch. Now, you have a chance to enter the wonderful world of sign language. American Sign Language For Dummies offers you an easy-to-access introduction so you can get your hands wet with ASL, whether you're new to the language or looking for a great refresher. Used predominantly in the United States, ASL provides the Deaf community with the ability to acquire and develop language and communication skills by utilizing facial expressions and body movements to convey and process linguistic information. With American Sign Language For Dummies, the complex visual-spatial and linguistic principles that form the basis for ASL are broken down, making this a great resource for friends, colleagues, students, education personnel, and parents of Deaf children. * Grasp the various ways ASL is communicated * Get up to speed on the latest technological advancements assisting the Deaf * Understand how cultural background and regionalism can affect communication * Practice signing with videos online If you want to get acquainted with Deaf culture and understand what it's like to be part of a special community with a unique shared and celebrated history and language, American Sign Language For Dummies gets you up to speed on ASL fast.

Learn to write in Arabic In Arabic, there are different levels of language. The written language, which is studied in this book, is literary Arabic, sometimes also called classical Arabic or even modern or standard Arabic. It is the language of the Quran, classical poetry, literature and the media. The Arabic plume consists of 28 consonants and three long vowels. Each consonant is accompanied by a vowel which is placed above or below the consonant. Arabic speakers are in great demand in the United States, due to the country's political commitments to the Middle East, but only 25 percent of non-native speakers know the language in enough detail to function as translators, interpreters, analysts, or field agents. Arabic Character Writing For Dummies helps you write this language clearly and correctly. Learn to write the Arabic alphabet Find free instructional videos, flashcards, and printable writing pages online Build upon your mastery of the language Get ahead at work or in your personal life Arabic Character Writing For Dummies is designed for beginners, students, and lifelong learners wishing to write in Arabic.

Learn to write 100 Japanese characters If you want to join the ranks of more than 128 million speakers of Japanese worldwide, this book should be your first stop! Whether studying for school, business, or travel, learning to write the Japanese Kanji characters is essential to gain a working knowledge of this language. Japanese is considered to be the most complicated writing system in the world, with tens of thousands of characters. But with Japanese Character Writing For Dummies, you'll find easy step-by-step instructions for writing the first 100 Japanese Kanji characters with ease. Includes online bonus content featuring videos, downloadable flashcards, and printable writing pages Offers easy-to-follow instruction for writing 100 Japanese characters Helps you take your understanding of the language to a new level Shows you how to use the written word to communicate with native speakers Learning to write Japanese Kanji characters is fun -- and now it's fast and easy too!

Discover how the Oval Office's occupants have made and make history Which one was the tallest? Which one fought a duel? Which had liquor smuggled into the White House during Prohibition? And why is the president even called the president in the first place? From periwigs and knee breeches to the 24-hour news cycle and presidential Tweets, the fascinating and colorful stories of the 45 incumbents are a powerful lens through which to view U.S. history and get insight into the present. Taking readers on a fact-filled journey through two centuries, this book examines how each individual obtained their dream (or nightmare) position, what they stood for (or against), achieved (or didn't), and how their actions affected the country--for better or worse. And--remembering that presidents are people too--it shows how the personal really can be political, exploring how each president's vision, strengths, and foibles helped or hindered them in building the country and their own legacy. Accessible biographies of all presidents Sidebars, timelines, and photos Lists of best and worst administrations Bonus online content, including quizzes galore to help build retention Whether you're a student, a history buff--or are even interested in becoming president yourself one day--U. S. Presidents For Dummies is the perfect guide to what it takes to be leader of the free world, who has stepped up to that challenge, and how those personal histories can help us understand yesterday's, today's, and even tomorrow's union.

Get your books into the hands of readers with this simple how-to guide.

Self-Publishing For Dummies takes you through the entire process of publishing your own books, starting with the writing and editing process and moving through cover design, printing options, distribution channels, and marketing to a target audience. With the advice in this book, you can tackle self-publishing, no matter what genre you write in. You’ll learn how to retain full control over your work and keep the profits from the sales of your book. In this updated edition, you’ll discover the latest technologies in self-publishing, trends in the world of ebooks, and new marketing techniques you can use online and in the real world.

Becoming a published author is easier than ever, thanks to this Dummies guide.

• Understand every step in the self-publishing process
• Discover how to write and sell your books in ebook and printed formats
• Hire an editor, obtain an ISBN, and generate publicity for your book
• Fine-tune your writing to improve your chances of success
• Get your work out there―no agent or publisher needed

Self-Publishing For Dummies is the perfect choice for anyone with an interest in DIY publishing.

Dutch is spoken by 23 million people, mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium, and is an official EU language. For English speakers, written Dutch can be fairly straightforward to pick up, although the pronunciation can be more of a challenge.

This simple guidebook and audio CD covers Dutch grammar, pronunciation and everyday phrases, making this vibrant language more accessible to English speakers - whether you're just visiting or planning to stay on a long-term basis." Dutch For Dummies" is the essential guide for everyone from students and holidaymakers, to those wanting to speak Dutch for business purposes.

From numbers and vocabulary to greetings, popular expressions and proper etiquette, this clear, easy-to-follow guide will have you speaking Dutch like a native in no time.

"Dutch For Dummies" includes: Audio CD to assist learningIntroductory grammar and vocabularyMeeting and getting to know peopleDining out, shopping, leisure time and the workplaceDealing with emergenciesTips on how to pick up Dutch quickly

Note: CD files are available to download when buying the eBook version

Turn your inspiration into a story with clear, expert guidance

"Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies" is a step-by-step creative writing course designed to hone your craft, regardless of ability. Written by the founder of the Complete Creative Writing Course at London's Groucho Club, this activity-based guide walks you through the process of developing and writing in a wide range of genres including novels, short stories and creative nonfiction. The book includes writing prompts, exercises, mind maps, flow charts and diagrams designed to get your ideas flowing. You'll get expert guidance into character development, plot structure and prose, plus extensive insight into self-editing and polishing your work.

Whether you're a new writer with a seed of an idea you would like to develop, or are looking to strengthen your creative writing skills, this book has you covered. Covering every aspect of narrative, from setting initial goals to formatting a manuscript, "Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies" provides the tools and instruction you need to make your story the best it can be. Learn to spark your imagination and sketch out ideasCreate compelling characters and paint a picture with descriptionDevelop your plot and structure and maintain continuityStep back from your work and become your own ruthless editor

The rise of e-books has opened up the publishing world, even to non-established writers. If you have a story you're dying to tell but aren't sure how, "Creative Writing Exercises For Dummies" is the clear, concise solution you need.

Improve your English grammar You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by using proper English language and grammar. The ability to articulate and communicate effectively is a valuable asset in all aspects of life. From writing a research paper to giving a presentation at work or just holding a casual conversation with friends or family, strong verbal and written skills are necessities in everyday communication. English Grammar Workbook For Dummies is the perfect solution for sharpening the tools in your grammar kit, with lessons and plenty of practice opportunities to help reinforce learning. Whether you need to brush up on the finer points of punctuation, need help making sense of those pesky parts of speech--or anything in between--this approachable guide makes it fast and easy. - Find FREE quizzes for every chapter online - Handle pronouns with grace - Master plurals and possessives - Improve your proofreading skills Everyone benefits from using proper grammar and speech, and now you can too!

Get the last word on English grammar Grasping the intricacies of the English language doesn't need to be tricky, and this down-to-earth guide breaks everything down in ways that make sense Revealing rules, tips, and tricks to eliminate confusion and gain clarity, English Grammar For Dummies gives you everything you need to communicate with confidence! Good grammar lays the foundation for speaking and writing clearly. This easy-to-follow book will help you become a more articulate, effective communicator. Covering everything from the building blocks of a sentence to those pesky rules of punctuation, it offers the practical guidance you need to communicate in a way that would make any English teacher proud. * Improve your speaking skills * Clearly compose written communications * Get the latest techniques for continuous improvement * Write a winning college entrance exam or compelling business presentation Stop worrying about the grammar police and become more confident with your words!

Get good guidance on using English well English is a hard language to get right. It's all too easy to make simple mistakes, whether writing or speaking which can land you in embarrassing social situations or even cost you a job. Luckily, Basic English Grammar For Dummies UK Edition is here to help you get to grips with English. Without the complexity of formal grammar and through plenty of examples and brief exercises, it gets you up and running on common spelling errors, how to structure sentences to make yourself easily understood, and find the right tone and style for any situation, whether you're talking on the phone or writing a letter, email, or text. Is it good or well? There, their or they're? Some people don't have to think twice about using proper English grammar, but for the rest of us it can become tricky and confusing. Easy to understand and free of jargon, this friendly and accessible guide sticks to the basics and makes it easy to build your English grammar skills. In no time, you'll leave the me or I?' debate at the door and speak and write confidently and correctly. * Includes quizzes and self-tests * Provides guidance on composing letters, emails, and texts * Uses easy vocabulary to make the content accessible to all * Serves as a great guidebook to English grammar for overseas learners If English is your second language or you simply missed or have forgotten the nuances that were taught in school, Basic English Grammar For Dummies UK Edition is the fast and easy way to brush up on your skills and make a good impression.

Privyet! Explore the Russian language with this fantastic beginner's guide With over 260 million speakers around the world, Russian remains one of the most popular and marketable languages you can learn. And for those who have no idea where to begin, Russian For Dummies is the perfect first step! In this easy-to-understand resource for Russian language beginners, you'll discover basic grammar and common expressions you might use while shopping, dining out, traveling, or conducting business. You'll also find simplified and generalized conjugation rules and a streamlined approach to grammar based on how you actually understand the language, rather than technical rules and details. This book offers: Supplemental online resources so you can hear how native Russian speakers use the words you're trying to learn Guidance on identifying Cyrillic letters from the alphabet used by Russian speakers and writers Tons of useful exercise and practice opportunities you can take advantage of to sharpen your skills Perfect for any newcomer to the Russian language trying to pick up their first few phrases, Russian For Dummies is a fantastic first foray into conversational Russian that will have you ordering meals, going shopping, and navigating other day-to-day situations with ease. ! (That means good luck!)

Demystifies key players, their relationships, and their motivations

Understand the mythology, characters, and themes of Middle-earth

Don’t know Gollum from Gandalf? This plain-English guide helps you make sense of the creatures, language, geography, and richly detailed history of the fascinating world of Middle-earth. From the Shire to Mount Doom, from the hobbits to the Ringwraiths, you’ll discover the varied sources and inspirations behind Tolkien’s stories and comprehend the meanings that lie beneath the surface.

Discover:

• The differences between the books and the movies
• The historical background of Middle-earth
• The origins of Tolkien’s mythology in European folklore
• Middle-earth’s diverse languages
• Why the Elves were Tolkien’s favorites

The Dummies Way

• Explanations in plain English
• "Get in, get out" information
• Icons and other navigational aids
• Tear-out cheat sheet
• Top ten lists
• A dash of humor and fun

Explains his influence on the military, law, politics, and religion
Get the real story of Napoleon Bonaparte
Not sure what's true about Napoleon? This easy-to-follow guide gets past the stereotypes and introduces you to this extraordinary man's beginnings, accomplishments, and famous romances. It traces Napoleon's rise from Corsican military cadet to Emperor of the French, chronicles his military campaigns, explains the mistakes that led to his removal from power, and explores his lasting impact on Europe and the world.
Discover
* How Napoleon built -- and lost -- an empire
* The forces that influenced him
* Why he created the Napoleonic Code
* The inside story on Josephine
* How he helped shape modern-day Europe

English Grammar Workbook For Dummies, UK Edition is grammar First Aid for anyone wanting to perfect their English and develop the practical skills needed to write and speak correctly. Each chapter focuses on key grammatical principles, with easy-to-follow theory and examples as well as practice questions and explanations. From verbs, prepositions and tenses, to style, expressions and tricky word traps, this hands-on workbook is essential for both beginners looking to learn and practise the basics of English grammar, and those who want to brush up skills they already have - quickly, easily, and with confidence. English Grammar Workbook For Dummies, UK Edition covers: Part I: Laying the Groundwork: Grammar Basics Chapter 1: Placing the Proper Verb in the Proper Place Chapter 2: Matchmaker, Make Me a Match: Pairing Subjects and Verbs Correctly Chapter 3: Who Is She, and What Is It? The Lowdown on Pronouns Chapter 4: Finishing What You Start: Writing Complete Sentences Part II: Mastering Mechanics Chapter 5: Exercising Comma Sense Chapter 6: Made You Look! Punctuation Marks That Demand Attention Chapter 7: One Small Mark, a Whole New Meaning: Apostrophes Chapter 8: "Let Me Speak!" Quotation Marks Chapter 9: Hitting the Big Time: Capital Letters Part III: The Pickier Points of Correct Verb and Pronoun Use Chapter 10: The Case of It (And Other Pronouns) Chapter 11: Choosing the Best Pronoun for a Tricky Sentence Chapter 12: Travelling in Time: Tricky Verb-Tense Situations Chapter 13: Are You and Your Verbs in the Right Mood? Part IV: All You Need to Know about Descriptions and Comparisons Chapter 14: Writing Good or Well: Adjectives and Adverbs Chapter 15: Going on Location: Placing Descriptions Correctly Chapter 16: For Better or Worse: Forming Comparisons Chapter 17: Apples and Oranges: Improper Comparisons Part V: Writing with Style Chapter 18: Keeping Your Balance Chapter 19: Spicing Up and Trimming Down Your Sentences Chapter 20: Steering Clear of Tricky Word Traps Part VI: The Part of Tens Chapter 21: Ten Over-corrections Chapter 22: Ten Errors to Avoid at All Cost

The clear and easy way to get a handle on the science of speech

The science of how people produce and perceive speech, phonetics has an array of real-world applications, from helping engineers create an authentic sounding Irish or Canadian accent for a GPS voice, to assisting forensics investigators identifying the person whose voice was caught on tape, to helping a film actor make the transition to the stage. Phonetics is a required course among students of speech pathology and linguistics, and it's a popular elective among students of telecommunications and forensics. The first popular guide to this fascinating discipline, "Phonetics For Dummies" is an excellent overview of the field for students enrolled in introductory phonetics courses and an ideal introduction for anyone with an interest in the field.

Bonus instructional videos, video quizzes, and other content available online for download on the dummies.com product page for this book.

Learning hundreds of useful words, their meanings, and word tips doesn't always come easily, but Vocabulary For Dummies can help by providing the perfect context for enhancing vocabulary skills.

Vocabulary For Dummies helps you learn vocabulary that can enrich your speaking skills. Organized to be used as a reference for common vocabulary questions, this book presents words in easy-to-remember formats. This approach differs from other vocabulary books, which present the words in alphabetical order with no explanation of how they are used in communication. Every chapter is packed with the author's proven tips and tricks for remembering when and how to use a word, and ends with a challenge section so you can see what you have learned.

Do ever wish that you could write the perfect university essay? Are you left baffled about where to start? This easy-to-use guide walks you through the nuts and bolts of academic writing, helping you develop your essay-writing skills and achieve higher marks. From identifying the essay type and planning a structure, to honing your research skills, managing your time, finding an essay voice, and referencing correctly, Writing Essays For Dummies shows you how to stay on top of each stage of the essay-writing process, to help you produce a well-crafted and confident final document. Writing Essays For Dummies covers: Part I: Navigating a World of Information Chapter 1: Mapping Your Way: Starting to Write Essays Chapter 2: Identifying the essay type Part II: Researching, Recording and Reformulating Chapter 3: Eyes Down: Academic reading Chapter 4: Researching Online Chapter 5: Note-taking and Organising your Material Chapter 6: Avoiding Plagiarism Part III: Putting Pen to Paper Chapter 7: Writing as a process Chapter 8: Getting Going and Keeping Going Part IV: Mastering Language and Style Chapter 9: Writing with Confidence Chapter 10: Penning the Perfect Paragraph Chapter 11: Finding Your Voice Part V: Tightening Your Structure and Organisation Chapter 12: Preparing the Aperitif: The Introduction Chapter 13: Serving the Main Course: The Essay's Body Chapter 14: Dishing up Dessert: The Conclusion Chapter 15: Acknowledging Sources of Information Part VI: Finishing with a Flourish: The Final Touches Chapter 16: It's all in the detail Chapter 17: Perfecting Your Presentation Chapter 18: The afterglow Part VII: Part of Tens Chapter 19: Ten Tips to Avoid Things Going Wrong Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Make Your Essay Stand Out

Hundreds of useful phrases at your fingertips
Speak German - instantly!
Traveling to Germany but don't know German? Taking German at school but need to kick up your conversation skills? Don't worry! This handy little phrasebook will have you speaking German in no time.
Discover how to: Get directions, shop, and eat outTalk numbers, dates, time, and moneyChat about family and workDiscuss sports and the weatherDeal with problems and emergencies