Writing Local History Today guides local historians through the process of researching, writing, and publishing their work. Mason& Calder present step-by-step advice to guide aspiring authors to a successful publication and focus not only on how to write well but also how to market and sell their work. Highlights include:
Discussion of how to identify an audience for your writing projectTips for effective research and planningSample documents, such as contracts and requests for proposalsDiscussion of how to use social media to leverage your publicationDiscussion of the benefits and drawbacks to self-publishingAn essay by Gregory Britton, the editorial director of John Hopkins University Press, about financial pitfalls in publishingThis guide is useful for first-time authors who need help with this sometimes daunting process, or for previously published historians who need a quick reference or timely tip.

Thomas A. Masonis Adjunct Lecturer in History at Indiana UniversityPurdue University Indianapolis.
J. Kent Calderis the Executive Director of the Texas State Historical Association, located on the campus of the University of North Texas, Denton.

Introduction
Chapter 1: The Consumer: Who Is Your Audience?
Chapter 2: Evidence: Where Do You Find It? How Do You Use It? (Research)
Chapter 3: Communication: How Do You Shape a Specialized Subject
Chapter 4: Economics, Design, and Production: How Do You Produce and Market
Appendix 1: Sample Authors Guidelines
Appendix 2: Sample Contract for an Article
Appendix 3: Sample Contract for a Book
Appendix 4: Sample Contract with a Photographer
Appendix 5: Sample Request for Proposal for Typesetting and Printing a Journal
Appendix 6: Sample Request for Proposals for Writing a Book
Appendix 7: Sample Request for Proposals for Publishing a Book
Appendix 8: Why Books Cost: Or a Glance at the Microeconomics of Book Publishing for Small Publishers, by Gregory M. Britton
Bibliography