What does it take to go from unknown hopeful to published author?

Writing is a lonely occupation where rejection is the norm, and learning about the early hardships of today's best-selling authors can provide vital reassurance (and comic relief). These compelling stories of perseverance and publication will nurture your dreams until you succeed. Inside you'll find:

--How more than eighty authors launched a successful career---in their own words. Many of these stories appear in this book for the very first time, while others are famous literary legends.

--Ten "absolute" rules to follow for publishing success, gleaned from an analysis of more than fifty "how to get published" books. (All of these how-to books agree on what the rules are, if not on their order of importance.)

--Inspiration and instruction that will help you realize your publishing dreams.

This book focuses on the scary and exciting time when writers are poised to jump before they discover if they can fly--the days when a writer has nothing but a manuscript or an idea or a story, and a desire to get published.

Everybody loves a success story, and this book will leave you feeling energized and upbeat about finding your way.

Edited by Ray White and Duane Lindsay

Contributors include: Christopher Moore, Clive Cussler, J.A. Jance, Gayle Lynds, JA Konrath, John Lescroart, David Morrell, Kathi Kamen Goldmark, Stephen White, Hallie Ephron, Stephen Coonts, Sue Ann Jaffarian, Dave Barry, MJ Rose, Jerry B. Jenkins, and dozens of other published authors.