From its first page, this book will get you fired up to write your novel. As you begin to read, you'll find yourself turning its pages as quickly as you would an impossible-to-put-down mystery. Best of all, you'll start to believe the inner voice that whispers, 'I really could write and sell a novel!'

Ann Rittenberg, a top agent who counts Dennis Lehane (author of Mystic River) among her clients, and Laura Whitcomb, a published author, left no stone unturned in putting together Your First Novel. While many how-to books touch on various aspects of the preparation and construction of writing a novel, this book thoroughly covers the intricacies of each topic. And you won't have to wade through lots of unnecessary rhetoric to find the instruction you need. For example, in discussing point of view, Whitcomb states up front: 'The point of view (POV) is from whose eyes we see the story. Who's perspective are we taking?' You'll learn about first, second, and third person POV, including omniscient, inner and outer limited, and how to deal with multiple narrators.

Ann Rittenberg takes over in Part Two explaining the publishing process from her side of the agent's desk. With candor, wit and a professional's eye, Rittenberg gives you the low-down on what goes on behind-the-scenes once your manuscript is sent out your door. Learn the inside scoop of how agents get to know editors. Want to know what really goes on during those three-hour agent-editor power lunches? (Find the answers on page 147.) Read Anne's 'Ten Ways to Go From Good to Great' and her 'Top 10 Query Letter No-No's' (Tip #4 from Ann: Letters that start, 'I know how busy you are, so I'll get straight to the point and not take up too much of your valuable time.' By writing this, you've already taken up a full sentence of my valuable time.)

Says Kelly Nickell, editor of Your First Novel and managing editor of Writer's Digest Books, 'The wonderful thing about Your First Novel is that it contains value for every novelist. Laura Whitcomb teaches you how to further develop your fiction-writing skill set, while Ann Rittenberg provides tactics for being competitive in an industry where the fate of a manuscript can be determined over lunch. The more you know, the better equipped you'll be to accomplish your dream of seeing your work in print.'