| | Acknowledgments | |
| | Introduction: From Inspiration to Publication | |
| | Concepts of Craft: Imagination's Many Forms | |
| | Fiction vs. Nonfiction: Wherein Lies the Truth? | p. 3 |
| | Paths and Pearls: A Poet Ponders Memoir and Lyric | p. 10 |
| | On Essays, Literature's Most Misunderstood Form | p. 19 |
| | The Lingerie Theory of Narration | p. 25 |
| | Stuff: The Power of the Tangible | p. 33 |
| | Push Hands: Balancing Resistance and Revision | p. 44 |
| | The Trouble with Titles | p. 50 |
| | Initial Contact: Getting Your Work off Your Desk and onto Someone Else's | |
| | Loose Bottoms: On Becoming Ready to Send Your Work Out | p. 57 |
| | Submission Strategy and Protocol | p. 62 |
| | Little and Literary | p. 67 |
| | The Glossies | p. 73 |
| | How to Read Rejection | p. 83 |
| | How to Get a Grant | p. 93 |
| | Building Your Team: How to Work Well with Publishing Professionals | |
| | How to Land an Agent: Strategies for the Search | p. 105 |
| | Negotiate Your First Book Contract Without Losing Your Deal, Your Future, or Your Mind | p. 118 |
| | Editor Etiquette | p. 129 |
| | Midlist and Other Fictions | p. 135 |
| | Publicity Primer | p. 143 |
| | How to Win Friends and Influence Booksellers | p. 150 |
| | How Lucky Can You Get ... and Other Things No One Tells You | p. 157 |
| | Meeting Your Public (and Getting Them to Buy Your Book) | |
| | Publicity for Your Small Press Title | p. 167 |
| | Techno Promo: Are You Ready for Digital Marketing? | p. 175 |
| | Bookstore Appearances and Speaking Engagements | p. 182 |
| | How to Give a Rousing Reading | p. 189 |
| | Slam Your Way Across America | p. 195 |
| | Jobs in the Field: Lots of Reward, Little Pay | |
| | So You Want to Start a Literary Magazine? | p. 203 |
| | Editing Lit Mags Online | p. 213 |
| | How to Start a Reading Series | p. 218 |
| | Tales of a Literary Saloon Keeper | p. 225 |
| | Balancing Act: Teaching Creative Writing | p. 231 |
| | Why I Write | p. 237 |
| | App.: Grants & Awards | p. 247 |
| | App.: Conferences & Residencies | p. 311 |
| | App.: Resources for Writers | p. 333 |
| | App.: Notes on Contributors | p. 345 |
| | App.: About Poets & Writers, Inc | p. 351 |
| | Index | p. 357 |