The New Writer's Handbook 2007 is quite appropriately subtitled a practical anthology of the best advice for your craft and career. Editor Philip Martin has taken a holistic approach in reaching out to new writers, nurturing their careers on both the creative and business side, and he's supported by the thoughts and personal experiences of dozens of successful writers and related professionals. The essays anthologized in this volume reflect Martin's opinion that, "to be a successful writer, you need to do a lot of diverse things." Within its covers, The New Writer's Handbook offers words of wisdom and experience along with real-world, how-to advice as well as inspiration and encouragement for when the going gets tough.

Well-known contributors include writers from all specialties, including Absolute Write's own Jenna Glazter, Katha Pollit, Katharine Sands, Neil Gaiman, Jane Yolen, Ridley Pearson, and Laura Backes, and more. Contributor bios include their URLs, facilitating writers' own research and quests for more information. While at first I was slightly disappointed to realize a large number of pieces are reprints from other popular writing magazines, ezines, and blogs, you'd have to be amazingly widely read to have already seen most of these pieces, some of which have been edited or expanded from their original form.

The most valuable part of The New Writer's Handbook is its many instances of step by step instructions and how-to's for common questions, for example, Jeff Kleinman's breakdown of exactly what goes into a nonfiction book proposal, Mark Bernstein's advice on finding good enemies when you're writing on the web, and Theresa Meyers on what belongs in your press kit. It's this kind of information that will keep the New Writer's Handbook on writers' desks, close at hand for quick reference.

Martin, the editor of this and other books, as well as the author of A Guide to Fantasy Literature, has made selections for the book that are complementary in style, tone, and intended audience-- definitely new writers. However, while experienced writers might find some of the information contained too basic, the inspiration gleaned from say, the essay on haiku or an article on research tips could be just the thing to make you laugh, think, or gravitate to a new idea, niche, or working method.

The arrangement of the essays and the topics covered lend themselves to being read cover to cover as well as individually as needed. It's nice that the table of contents is descriptive, laid out with section headings and explicit essay titles, but the lack of an index is frustrating. Despite that, it's a worthwhile volume and I look forward to reading next year's edition. The New Writer's Handbook inspires writers to brush up and branch out, explore and think differently about their work, their skills, and abilities.

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Amy Brozio-Andrews is the managing editor of Absolute Write. She's a freelance writer and book reviewer, and also the books editor for INTHEFRAY.org. Her work has been published by The Writer's Eye, Library Journal, and January Magazine. Visit http://www.amyba.com.

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