Like a complete, compact course on getting published--very up-to-date.

This is one writing book I would pay for--as instructive as a full course on getting published! The author knows her subject intimately, having been published in numerous national newspapers (New York Times) and magazines, but unlike most authors of writing guides, Shapiro writes in an informed, conversational style that gently takes aspiring writers under her wing without the know-it-all, lecturing tone other writing guides use. She is one of us, and she shares her own journey to getting published with humor and fascinating detail.