AT LAST! Finally, I can take this one off my "currently reading" list. After several false starts, and a too-long hiatus that meant I had to start over, I have finally devoted the time necessary to read this one from start to finish.

This was one of several books I picked up for myself during my first trip to California back in 2009. It was this and a copy of Literary Market Place that I grabbed from a small bookstore frequented by actors (I don't want to name drop, but a former SNL cast member was at the register when we walked in).

There is so much useful information here, written by a lawyer who used to work in publishing. Levin has seen both sides of the process, both as publisher and as representative of the author, so he knows a thing or two about the process of getting a book into the hands of the right editor and getting your book published. Some of the most interesting chapters for me were those that dealt with contract negotiation and exactly what to include when first contacting an editor about publishing.

Along with sample contracts, cover letters, and bios, Levin also includes several appendices that cover terminology, examples from LMP, and a few "best bet" publishing houses to consider contacting.

Definitely a handy guide that I'll be coming back to when I reach the point of trying to publish my first book. ( )