It's not enough to want to write - you need the essential tools...

Resource index

• The Non Fiction Agent
• Downloads and programs
• Books
• courses
• Web links

The Non Fiction Agent

Ideally you would simply come up with an idea, jot down a few notes and a publisher would rush to your door and beg to buy your book. But we all know life isn't like that. It would help if you could get an agent. But if you aren't a well-known author, that can be harder than getting a publisher. Brian Clegg, a writer with over 20 books in print, with titles translated into a dozen different languages, has put together a simple, practical guide to making the most of your non-fiction idea.

Called The Non Fiction Agent, it's a step-by-step guide to presenting your book in the way most likely to get it noticed and published. Of course it can't work miracles. You need to have a good idea and be able to write - but there are plenty of unpublished authors in that position. The Non Fiction Agent gives writers the chance to operate on a level playing field and get their book noticed. It's a compact 48 pages because it's entirely focussed on that one task - making your non fiction proposal count.

Want to see what it's like? You can download the first ten pages for free by RIGHT CLICKING HERE and selecting "Save Target As..." or "Save Link As..." to download. If you have any queries about The Non Fiction Agent, just drop us an email at info@cul.co.uk

Please note that this ebook is licensed solely to the buyer and may not be distributed or resold in electronic or paper form.

Buy The Non Fiction Agent in UK pounds (Adobe PDF format) £8.99 IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD - you will be able to pay securely using a credit card or PayPal. Select Return to Merchant at the end of the transaction to get to the download page.
Buy The Non Fiction Agent in US dollars  (Adobe PDF format) $18.99 IMMEDIATE DOWNLOAD - you will be able to pay securely using a credit card or PayPal. Select Return to Merchant at the end of the transaction to get to the download page.

Not got the free Adobe Acrobat reader?

Downloads and programs

There is an increasing range of downloads and programs available to help writers.

• Concept Design Wizard - FREE - not sure what to write your non-fiction book about? Try out our free five minute wizard
• Downloadable Creativity Course - a 25 module course to help boost your personal creativity. Designed for business, but equally effective to help inspire the writer. The first module can be downloaded free to get a taste of the course.
• Imagination Engineering - our free to download creativity program - ideal to help stimulate new idea directions
• Instant Brainstorming - get on top of this powerful creativity technique with an expert guide to why brainstorming can fail and how to make it perfect. A bargain priced download at just £4.99 ($9.99 or €7.99).
• Instant Stress Management - help control the stress of writing and the inevitable rejection letter. Contains the full content of our 128 page book, originally published by Kogan Page. A bargain priced download at just £4.99 ($9.99 or €7.99).
• Idea Structuring Software - information on mind mapping and other forms of software you can use to help with structuring your ideas
• OneNote 2003 - Microsoft's flexible notebook software. We find it excellent for book research as you can capture Web pages, make notes and generally structure your ideas very flexibly.
  

Books

If writers don't make use of books, who will...

	Writers' and Artists' Yearbook The old master of UK-originated writer's guides, which also covers art and illustration markets. If you're a writer I either suggest buying this and the Writer's Handbook and seeing which you prefer, or alternating between the two. Either way, unless you have an agent it's an essential guide to where you can sell your stuff. This resource includes up-to-date listings of all media markets, including artists, illustrators and designers. For writers, it covers more listings of national newspapers/magazines, more Websites, and practical information on writing for newspapers and magazines. Also included is advice on marketing your book, how to get an agent and how to submit a typescript. For the artist, topics include freelancing, picture research, market for greeting cards and cartoons, artists' agents, and Websites for artists. There is now also a children's writers' version: And a poetry version:
	The Writer's Handbook   A useful alternative to the Writers' and Artists' Yearbook - much the same material but presented in a slightly different (dare we say slightly more modern?) way. Our preference is to alternate between these two books year on year.
	The Writer's Market UK   The big name for US writers now also has a UK version - still some suspicions that the homegrown versions (above) might have the edge, but if you like Writer's Market, you ought to take a look at this.
	Writer's Market edited by Katie Brogan and Robert Brewer The giant guide to the US market, packed with entries. Note that there also specific market versions (see end of write-up). Writer's Market is the indispensable writer's reference, providing more up-to-date and accurate market entries than ever before. Break into the US market with these listings of book publishers, consumer and trade magazines, script buyers and more. Easy-to-reference symbols and indexes readers zero in on the most promising markets for their work. They'll find phone numbers, contact names, pay rates, e-mail addresses, guidelines and submission tips for over 4000 leads - crucial information that can help them get published and get paid. There are several subsection books that give more detail for other markets. Look out for:
	Novel and Short Story Writer's Market
	Children's Writer and Illustrator's Market
	Writing Bestselling Children's Books by Alexander Gordon Smith There's something attractive about writing novels for children - not only are children's books usually shorter than those for adults, but it's hard not to feel that you've got the chance - however small - of producing the next Harry Potter. Writing Bestselling Children's Books provides 52 key ideas to improve your chances of making it as a children's author. Like other books in this series, each of the 52 ideas is much more than a one-liner, providing instead a range of useful, practical suggestions, little side comments, and very valuably a "how did it go" question and answer at the end, helping deal with any potential misunderstandings. The author is realistic enough to emphasize that you won't necessarily get the J. K. Rowling treatment, but there's no doubt that if you take the very professional advice inside, you will have a significantly better chance of being published. Alexander Gordon Smith not only gives positive tips, but picks up on the mistakes repeated time and time again by new authors, from talking down to the audience to writing out-of-date children's fiction.
	Inspired Creative Writing by Alexander Gordon Smith Creative writing isn't something you can learn from a book - it takes talent and lots of practice - however, there's no doubt that a good book can give you a push in the right direction, and this member of the "52 brilliant ideas" series does a good job. There are 52 short chapters (handily one a week if your mind works well with that sort of structure). Apart from the main text there's a here's an idea for you box to try out straight away, try another idea that links to another of the sections, defining idea which is a relevant quote and how did it go, which gives guidance when it hasn't worked out properly for you. To be honest, the defining ideas weren't particularly inspiring, but that last section, how did it go, is a brilliant concept - not original, but (as I'm sure the authors will tell you) creativity isn't always about being original, and having a "how to fix it if it didn't work for you" bit is superb. You can guarantee that not every one of these suggestions will work for you - but many of them will, and altogether it makes a very effective kickstart for your creative writing talents.
	Marketing Your Book: An Author's Guide by Alison Baverstock You might thing it's enough to get your book published, but most of authors actually want to be read. That means getting people to buy the book in the first place. You might think that's the publishers' job - but they've got lots of books to concentrate on - you've only got yours. This is an excellent, practical guide to what you can do to improve the marketing (and hence the sales) of your books. It's not one of those woffly self-help book that promises lots and delivers little - it is practical and effective. Highly recommended. Out of stock in the US, but available from Marketplace by clicking the Amazon.com link, then selecting from the box on the right.
	Outwitting Writer's Block by Jenna Glatzer The back cover says this: If you've ever found yourself staring at the blank page all day, or cleaning out the refrigerator for the fifth time in a week just to avoid seeing that taunting, blinking cursor, then you've experienced writer's block. Outwitting Writer's Block will help any writer break through the dreaded block and become a more creative and better writer than before. Filled with exercises designed to jump-start creativity and encouraging tips from fellow writers and instructors, this book is like Drano for clogged creative pipes. The fact is, a lot of of us have problems getting down to writing, and whether or not you believe in 'writer's block' per se, it's a great benefit to have something to help you get started.
	Mining the Internet by Brian Clegg This book takes the pain out of using the Internet as an information source, whether you need to know what's on at your local cinema, to find a telephone number of a publisher on the other side of the world, or to produce in-depth research material for your next book. It provides simple, practical ways to improve your ability to find the right information, with specific application-focussed sections to chase up specific requirements. The Internet is much too fluid for a guidebook to be of any use. Instead of taking the user on a tour of the Internet, this book builds the skills needed for anyone to be their own explorer. It keeps the subject light, concentrating on the information rather than the technology. The book is split into Skills chapters, giving you helpful information on how to find things on the Internet, and Focus chapters, giving help with specific information topics.
	The Internet, A Writer's Guide by Jane Dorner This isn't a 'how-to' book on getting connected to the Internet, but rather a guide for writers on making the most out of a powerful resource. The author likens it to a cookbook rather than a recipe book - principles and tips rather than a set of specific instructions. Chapters cover getting connected, e-mail, the Web, virtual communities, electronic imprints, new writing opportunities, the practicalities of publishing on the Web and the issues of being involved in an online environment. There is also an online component of the book containing 800+ writers' links on the Internet (including this site). If you are interested in using the Internet as in information source, we strongly recommend Mining the Internet (see above), but this book is an excellent complement for writers bringing in all the aspects of getting published on the Web, meeting up with fellow writers and using this amazing resource to the full.
	Writing the Blockbuster Novel by Albert Zuckerman Cited by some as the best guide to writing popular fiction, this is part fiction-biology textbook, part cookbook. Its author, Albert Zuckerman, dissects the commercial bestseller, then provides recipes for each discrete element. Settings, according to Zuckerman, should be "topical, trendy, 'sexy'"--either newsworthy hotspots or uncharted territory--and main characters, à la Don Corleone and Scarlett O'Hara, should loom larger than life. Like Hollywood blockbusters, "mega-books" should be high concept, with high stakes. Zuckerman discusses point of view (there should be multiple), character relationships, plotting, revision, and especially outlining. "Every mega-book with which I've been involved was planned and replanned and planned again," he confides. Indeed, a 63-page chapter here features four versions of Ken Follett's outline for The Man from St. Petersburg and an analysis of each. Still, no matter how good your outline, remember that there's a learning curve. A beginning novelist writing a successful blockbuster novel, says Zuckerman, is about as likely as "a high school athlete trying to play with the Dallas Cowboys."

Courses

• Imperial College, London - MSc in Creative Non-Fiction - A course that's particularly designed with popular science writing in mind. Here's their bumf: This course is designed for those who want to write extensively on factual matters for non-specialist audiences. Applicants may already have a project in mind or in hand. Students will learn the essential elements of researching and writing non-fiction material primarily with book authorship in mind. The word creative in the title reflects our belief that the practical and intellectual skills of writing can greatly improve the quality of non-fiction texts, over and above necessary subject knowledge and expertise. The academic and practical courses focus on writing and publishing popular science because our central expertise lies in that area. For our purposes science includes technology, medicine, the environment and any other context in which scientific knowledge plays a part or makes a contribution. Students undertake a practical writing project instead of an academic dissertation. The project must be accompanied by an analytical commentary (guide length 2500 words). There is no compulsory work placement or internship, but any student who wishes is encouraged to undertake a publishing, agency, or research placement. The course does not aim to prepare students directly for employment, but to provide the opportunity to develop non-fiction writing skills for freelance authorship with a view to obtaining publishing contracts.

Links

• PLR - any UK-based author should make sure they are registered for PLR (Public Lending Right). For each library loan of one of your books you will get a payment (currently a little over 4p per loan, up to a maximum of £6,000) - income for doing nothing more than letting them know you and your titles exist.
• Authors' Licensing and Collection Society - if you are a published author based in the UK you ought to check out this site next, which provides collection of fees from various parts of the world, including PLR from Germany and Holland.
• AA Independent Press Guide - useful list of addresses and contacts for smaller independent publishers (both magazines and books). Click the "Enter" button, then look for the box with the press guide in the visual menu.
• Creative Concepts & Copywriting - marketing and PR consultant Michele Pariza provides resources for writers, articles and email newsletters, both to help with creativity in writing and marketing.
• Everyone Who's Anyone in Adult Trade Publishing - US-based site with a lot of information on publishers and agents.
• Litopia - information website for would-be authors with good hints and tips from an agent and selections of books on specialist writing (e.g. books for SF authors)
• Society of Authors - one of the two main organizations representing UK authors, with a range of benefits plus free ALCS membership.
• Watch File - want to quote someone and don't know where to get permission? Excellent database of copyright ownership.
• Writers' Guild - the other big name for UK authors. Compare the websites before joining.
• Writers' Guild of America - major US organization.
• Writers Beware - subsite from the SF & Fantasy Writers of America with useful updates on dubious publishers and agents.
• The Writers' Workshop - very useful site with information on publishing, agents and writing.

Let us know about any other useful links - drop us an e-mail

In any form of creativity, the creative stimulus is an important part of the creative process. We strongly recommend reading something completely different, something you would never normally think of reading, when looking for inspiration. For that reason, this page features our current recommended popular science book, as reading approachable books about science is a great way to open your mind to new thoughts.

Being Me by Pete Moore 

Doing something really different with a popular science book is both difficult and risky. Pete Moore has largely pulled this off in this unusual and personal exploration of what it means to be human.

The book is divided into sections, each addressing a different aspect of our human nature - embodied, conscious, genetic, historic, related, material, spiritual and so on. In each, Moore gives us a view of a different part of the complex mix that is a human being. If the content had just been Moore's thoughts, the book would not have been particularly inspiring (not a criticism of the author's ability to think, just the limitation of one person's view), but what makes it so successful is that each of the sections is developed around one or more interviews with people who Moore sees as embodying the particular component (though, of course, like all of us, they have the other components as well).

Mostly this works remarkably effectively. Moore gives us a mix of scientific and philosophical theory, the interviews, and his personal view, including enough detail from his viewpoint of the interviews to make them more than a sterile set of quotes. The section that works least well, emphasizing the importance of the real people featured in the book, is the one on "the conscious being" which piles in too many pages of theory and isn't so strongly based around the interviews.

This is a very personal book. The chances are you won't agree with everything. But that's not a bad thing with a topic like this. The section that most raised my eyebrows in this respect was the "social being" one, where a lot of focus is put on how modern society is lacking the social thread that is part of human nature, and that this isn't good for us. Moore contrasts this with the African concept of ubuntu, which describes an intertwining of a human being with his fellow men and the environment, which Moore suggests leads to a much better support mechanism. This may be true, but makes a doubtful example. Moore does point out the paradox of the sometimes endemic violence in the same communities, but brushes this aside. I'm not sure this is wise. If part of the requirement for ubuntu is tribalism (which seems highly likely - it's much easier to have strong social loyalty when it's "us versus them"), then it comes at too high a price, as Rwanda and many other strife-torn nations can testify. This isn't an ideal contrast to the isolation of the Western individual.

Inevitably - and Moore notes this - the book can't be comprehensive. There are plenty of defining characteristics (Moore mentions language; I would think of creativity) that aren't covered. That doesn't really matter, though. The fact is that Moore has managed to paint a superb picture of the human being, using a scientific perspective, but admitting that science alone isn't enough. If you thought you had seen it all when it comes to popular science, think again.

Also in hardback: