Author Laura Mazzuca Toops is a Chicago-based writer with more than 15 years of professional experience. Her writing, editing and reporting experience includes stints at Chicago's legendary City News Bureau, Crain Communications, freelance work for the Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, and other local and national publications. She also worked for five years as a film critic for a Chicago monthly entertainment magazine. Her short fiction has been published in several local little magazines, and she has studied at writing workshops at the University of Chicago. Her nonfiction book,  A Native's Guide to Chicago's Western Suburbs, was published in August 1999 by Lake Claremont Press. She currently teaches fiction writing at several local venues, including the College of DuPage.

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Fiction Writer’s Workshop and Writing Fiction
Step by Step, Josip Novakovich
One of the best series available on how to put a story together, with analysis and exercises on character, setting, plot, dialogue – all the essentials.

The Forest for the Trees,  Betsy Lerner
Written by a literary agent, this is a great primer on how the publishing industry really works. Guaranteed to open your eyes to the business end of an art form.

The Writers’ Journey,  Christopher Vogler
What do Greek mythology, soap operas, Star Wars and your novel have in common? Something called the hero’s quest. The author uses familiar pop culture examples to illustrate why mankind’s oldest story will always be compelling.

Writing the Natural Way,  Gabriele Lusser Rico
This describes the tried-and-true "clustering" writing technique, which is especially useful in breaking through writer’s block. Now in its umpthteenth edition. I’m thrilled to know kids are now learning this method in grammar school.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers,  Renni Browne and Dave King
Hard-core, down-and-dirty tips on how to clean up your manuscript, written by a professional editor in clean, no-nonsense prose. Invaluable.

Dictionary of American Slang,  Robert L. Chapman, ed.
Sez who? Sez me, this is one bad-ass book that any writer who loves dialogue will read for pleasure.

Bird By Bird,  Anne LaMott
A quirky, unforgettable look at what motivates a writer – including all the paranoia, loneliness and envy inherent in the process. You’ll recognize yourself in these pages.

The New Diary,  Tristine Rainer
Gets into the reasons why we really write – whether for publication or to purge our souls.

Writing the Memoir,  Judith Barrington
All fiction begins in truth, and memoir is the logical link between fact and fiction. Outlines the forms of memoir writing with good examples from real-life writers.

Revising Fiction: A Handbook for Writers,  David Madden
Another excellent and practical book on how to tame your first (and subsequent) draft into something resembling literature.

K.A. Corlett
The Queen of Scream and the Vamp of Vamps delivers
classy horror generously laced with pop culture and humor.

Juliet Waldron
Her award-winning histfict novel Mozart's Wife is a damnfine read.

Lynn Voedisch
Chicago-based journalist, fiction writer, and fellow short person!

Kevin Baker
Historical fiction writer extraordinaire (Dreamland, Paradise Alley), wonderful mentor, and friendly New York tour guide.