Your Expert Guide to Writing and Publishing a NovelIn 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-brain Develop a flexible card system for organizing and outlining plot Create dynamic characters that readers love--and love to hate Study classic novels and story structure to adapt with your ideas Featuring 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 future Who you should target as an agent for your burgeoning career How the mysterious auction for novels actually goes down Why you should learn to work with your agent through thick and thin Guiding 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.

In Your First Novel, novelist Laura Whitcomb and seasoned literary agent Ann Rittenberg team up to provide you with the skills you need to write your dream novel and the savvy business know-how to get it published. In this all-in-one resource, you'll discover essential novel-writing techniques, such as: How to best structure your research so that you can save time later How to card your story before you start writing What to consider when developing your cast of characters How to adapt classic story structures to fit your own ideas ...and insider information on what it takes to get published, including: What agents do at those three-hour power lunches-and how it affects you What makes an agent instantly reject a manuscript How to correctly translate submission guidelines What happens if you get multiple offers-or no offers at all Plus, learn about the publishing process from the firsthand accounts of such noted authors as Dennis Lehane, Kathryn Harrison, Jim Fusilli, Kathleen George, and others!