Jena Ball, who runs The Nature of Writing, an online school for nature, food, travel and memoir writers, touched base recently to let me know about her new writer's guide. It sounds like an excellent resource. She writes:

My writer’s guide – Writing and Selling Personal Essays – is now available for purchase as a PDF. This 45-page guide is based on the popular essay writing classes I teach for The Nature of Writing and is packed with practical information and exercises that will help you write and sell your personal essays. For just $24.95 here’s what you get:

Twelve Lessons designed to walk you through the process of crafting, refining, and finding publishers for your personal essays.You will learn:

- What a personal essay is and why it's different from other kinds of essays.

- The four-parts of an effective narrative essay.The skills that are necessary to write each part of your essay.

- How to go about finding publications that publish the kinds of essays you write.How to approach editors.

-How to query, submit essays, and follow up with editors.

- What to expect when an editor wants to publish your piece.

Writing and Selling Personal Essays can be purchased online at www.thenatureofwriting.com. Click on the Paypal link below the description.