The Magazine Writers’ Handbook, by Franklynn Peterson and Judi Kesselman-Turkel.

Getting Started as a Freelance Writer, Expanded Edition, by Robert W. Bly.

Six-Figure Freelancing, by Kelly James-Enger.

Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer: How to Win Top Writing Assignments, by Jenna Glatzer.

WriterMama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids, by Christina Katz

I’ve actually owned the last three books for a couple of years but am only now really cracking them open. I’m not reading all of the above all at once, of course, as I’m also obviously working and doing research. Still, I like to dip into each of them a little at a time. Each writer has a different take on the profession — especially Jenna, who prefers to focus exclusively on non-copywriting assignments, whereas Bly and James-Enger, for example, mix feature writing with ad copy, direct marketing, technical writing, public relations, and other kinds of “commercial” writing.

And no, I’m not preggers, the last book title notwithstanding, nor do I expect to be anytime soon. I found this book at the Dallas Half-Price store last May and thought it looked useful. If anyone can juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities, it’s a working mom, so I thought I could glean some productivity tips from the book.

What writing books have you found very useful/informative/inspiring?

I’ll post my reviews of these as I finish each book.