Some contributions were originally published in Poets & writers magazine.

Introduction: From Inspiration to Publication -- Sect. 1. Concepts of Craft: Imagination's Many Forms -- Fiction vs. Nonfiction: Wherein Lies the Truth? / Helen Benedict -- Paths and Pearls: A Poet Ponders Memoir and Lyric / Gregory Orr -- On Essays, Literature's Most Misunderstood Form / Michael Depp -- The Lingerie Theory of Narration / Julie Checkoway -- Stuff: The Power of the Tangible / David Long -- Push Hands: Balancing Resistance and Revision / Jeffrey Skinner -- The Trouble with Titles / Nicholas Weinstock -- Sect. 2. Initial Contact: Getting Your Work off Your Desk and onto Someone Else's -- Loose Bottoms: On Becoming Ready to Send Your Work Out / David Hamilton -- Submission Strategy and Protocol / Amy Holman -- Little and Literary / Natalie Danford -- The Glossies / Joanna Smith Rakoff -- How to Read Rejection / C. Michael Curtis -- How to Get a Grant / Scott Bane -- Sect. 3. Building Your Team: How to Work Well with Publishing Professionals -- How to Land an Agent: Strategies for the Search / Noah Lukeman -- Negotiate Your First Book Contract Without Losing Your Deal, Your Future, or Your Mind / Kay Murray -- Editor Etiquette / Betsy Lerner -- Midlist and Other Fictions / Sol Stein -- Publicity Primer / Michael Taeckens -- How to Win Friends and Influence Booksellers / Kate Whouley -- How Lucky Can You Get ... and Other Things No One Tells You / M.J. Rose -- Sect. 4. Meeting Your Public (and Getting Them to Buy Your Book) -- Publicity for Your Small Press Title / Robert McDowell -- Techno Promo: Are You Ready for Digital Marketing? / Catherine Wald -- Bookstore Appearances and Speaking Engagements / Jacqueline Deval -- How to Give a Rousing Reading / Tom Bradley -- Slam Your Way Across America / R. Eirik Ott -- Sect. 5. Jobs in the Field: Lots of Reward, Little Pay -- So You Want to Start a Literary Magazine? / Rebecca Wolff -- Editing Lit Mags Online / Guy Shahar -- How to Start a Reading Series / Fran Gordon -- Tales of a Literary Saloon Keeper / Melvin Jules Bukiet -- Balancing Act: Teaching Creative Writing / Hilma Wolitzer -- Why I Write / Robert Phillips.

A guide to the writing profession features insights, expertise, advice, and information from a wide range of authors and other publishing insiders, covering such topics as selecting a title, applying for grants, conducting research, evaluating an agent, understanding contracts, working with an editor, revising a manuscript, and promoting a book.