Here's my list of great writing how-to and writing inspiration books.

Techniques of the Selling Writer ~ Dwight V Swain
ISBN 0-8061-1191-7
Very concrete, and to the point information about writing popular fiction. All the information in this book is invaluable. His chapter on 'Selling your Stories'is terse and to the point:
1 Study your markets.
2. Get manuscripts in the mail.
3.Keep them there.

On Writing ~ Stephen King
ISBN 0-684-85352-3
(That's the hard back ISBN. It's also in trade paperback.) A wonderfully sane, down-to-earth book.

How to Write a Dirty Story ~ Susie Bright.
ISBN:0743226232.
The title says it all. Readable and down-to-Earth, with an excellent section on the realities of making a living from writing.

Elements of Arousal - How to Write and Sell Gay Men's Erotica ~ Lars Eightener
ISBN: 1-56333-230-2
Long out of print but well worth the search. Don't be put off by the title - this book offers excellent writing advice for any genre.

Bestseller ~ Celia Brayfield
ISBN 1-85702-383-8
Excellent sections on what makes a story work and what readers expect from a story. Good writing advice too.

Guide to Fiction Writing ~ Phyllis A Whitney
ISBN 0-87116-157-5
A very practical outlook and no nonsense approach.

If you Want to Write ~ Brenda Ueland
ISBN 0-915308-94-0
This is the book to read when you're feeling guilty about not writing''enough'.

Also for inspiration and ideas:

Hot and Bothered ~ Wendy Dennis ISBN 0-586-21440-2
A Natural History of Love ~ Diane Ackerman ISBN 0-679-76183-7
A Natural History of the Senses ~ Diane Ackerman ISBN 0-679-73566-6

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