This manual is designed to help library managers keep ahead of readers in their purchasing decisions. Since the second edition appeared in 1990, many new authors have written fiction serials and more established writers have added to existing series. This third edition features 33 per cent more series than the previous edition and adds dozens of new authors. Updating all book annotations and including publications through the end of 1995, this easy-to-use guide is organized by author, with a revised summary for each writer. It includes all titles that medium to large public libraries should possess and eliminates obscure, esoteric works that acquisitions librarians can't find and most patrons won't want. With expanded coverage of sci-fi and fantasy genres, this text includes entries on: Anne Rice; Clive Barker; CS Lewis; Honore de Balzac; William Faulkner; Thomas Wolfe; Herman Wouk; Gore Vidal; William F. Buckley Jr.; Isaac Asimov; Douglas Adams; Arthur C. Clarke; Michael Crichton; Tom Clancy; Agatha Christie; and Amanda Cross.