As a wannabe-writer of sorts, I find myself collecting countless copies of how-to books on publishing, craft, writing prompts, and Writer's Markets (I found my dusty copy of WM from 2002 the other day! talk about dated), I'm trying to work on my discrimination when it comes to buying these types of books; after all, I think I spend more time trying to find literary magazines than I do actually writing. But one book that I find myself going back to quite often for a reference tool is the Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published.

I appreciate this book mostly for its ability to take a dry-as-toast tutorial on getting your material published and makes it interesting and easy to understand. Along with a current copy of the Writer's Market, this is a great tool for writers everywhere who have finished their first (or second or fiftieth) draft and are ready to take it to the next step.