title: The Essential Guide for New Writers: From Idea to Finished Manuscript
author:  Valerie Storey 
description: "...designed to give the first-time writer confidence, encouragement, and practical knowledge..." -- <i>Writer's Digest Magazine, September, 1995</i><br /><br />"Information is easy to follow from getting your thoughts on paper, giving your characters life, building conflicts and creating solutions." -- <i>Gotta Write, Winter, 1995</i><br /><br />"The material is presented in a logical progression of ideas, checklists, and writing exercises." -- <i>The Prolific Freelancer, Vol. I, Issue 1, 1996</i>
zlib_text: ## [ACKNOWLEDGMENTS](nav.xhtml#r_idParaDest-38)
  
  
  Seeing Nikki all the way through her journey has been an amazing and intense
  process that required the dedication of a lot of people. I feel honored to
  have so many passionate professionals believe in my abilities and help me
  bring you the best stories I possibly can. I would like to thank them here.
  
  
  First up, always, is my agent, Cori Deyoe, who is probably Nikki Kill’s
  biggest fan (besides my dad. Thanks, Dad!). I would be nowhere without Cori’s
  support, encouragement, strong shoulder, and gentle editing.
  
  
  What an awesome team I got to work with at Katherine Tegen Books! It was such
  a pleasure brainstorming with, writing with, and revising with this phenomenal
  team: Melissa Miller, Claudia Gabel, Kelsey Horton, Stephanie Guerdan, Valerie
  Shea, Kathryn Silsand, and of course, Katherine Tegen. I know there are many
  more who lent a hand in getting Nikki’s story in shape, out the door, and onto
  bookshelves—even if I didn’t directly wor