I loved this very practical, entertaining guide to getting published. Susan Shapiro shares personal stories as well as ideas and successes from her students to present a very readable manual. The opening chapter that encourages the writing of a personal essay got me stirred up to get started and I felt the same passion and excitement all the way through. I loved how she showed that what we might consider ordinary situations in our life can be turned into great personal stories.The regional pieces she shared, written by her students, for the chapter on writing regional were very helpful. I also found the chapter on writing humor helpful. Shapiro ends the book with The Byline Bible's Top Five Lists and they are worth posting on the wall above your writing desk.