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LAPL Writes - Book Lists

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General Writing Advice

Book cover for The writing & critique group survival guide : how to give and receive feedback, self-edit, and make revisions

Book cover for A year of writing dangerously : 365 days of inspiration & encouragement

Book cover for Spellbinding sentences : a writer's guide to achieving excellence & captivating readers

Book cover for Writing tools : 50 essential strategies for every writer

Writing Fiction

Book cover for Complete writing for children course

Book cover for Magic words : writing great books for children and young adults

Book cover for Writing 21st century fiction : high-impact techniques for exceptional storytelling

Book cover for The story cure : a book doctor's pain-free guide to finishing your novel or memoir

Writing Non-Fiction / Memoir

Book cover for You should really write a book : how to write, sell, and market your memoir

Book cover for Having the last say : capturing your legacy in one small story

Book cover for You can't make this stuff up : the complete guide to writing creative nonfiction--from memoir to literary journalism and everything in between

Book cover for Storycraft : the complete guide to writing narrative nonfiction

Screenwriting

Book cover for Playwriting

Book cover for Writing the comedy movie

Book cover for Cut to the chase : writing feature films with the pros at UCLA Extension Writers' Program

Book cover for The screenwriter's problem solver : how to recognize, identify, and define screenwriting problems

Editing and Publishing

Book cover for The author training manual : develop marketable ideas, craft books that sell, become the author publishers want, self-publish effectively

Book cover for The bestseller code : anatomy of the blockbuster novel

Book cover for Write that book already! : the tough love you need to get published now

Book cover for Write a bestseller

Writers on Writing

Book cover for The right to write : an invitation and initiation into the writing life

Book cover for Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life

Book cover for Why we write : 20 acclaimed authors on why and how they do what they do

Book cover for How to be a writer : conversations with writers about writing

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Why support the Library?

The Los Angeles Public Library serves the largest most diverse population of any library in the United States.

Through its Central Library and 72 branches, the Los Angeles Public Library provides free and easy access to information, ideas, books and technology that enrich, educate and empower every individual in our city's diverse communities.

With more people than ever before using the library—a record 17 million last year alone—your support helps the Library provide people with the resources they need to succeed and thrive.

How to support the Library

You can support the Los Angeles Public Library in several ways:

Join a “Friends” group. There is a “Friends of the Library” group for most branch libraries and departments of the Central Library. Friends groups raise money for improvements to their library through memberships, used book sales and other activities. For more information click here or talk to your local librarian.

Join the Library Foundation of Los Angeles. The Library Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds for Library enhancement programs such as adult and early literacy, children and teen reading clubs, technology, and cultural programs. Foundation members receive a variety of benefits with their membership. For more information, see http://www.lfla.org.

Make a donation by check to the Los Angeles Public Library and send it to:
Support the Library, 630 W. Fifth St., Los Angeles CA 90071 or call (213) 228-7272.