Much of this book, whose author has published more than 100 short stories, is potentially useful to the beginning writer. Explanations are clear and as thorough as can be expected; genres, nicely delineated, are often illustrated by actual storiesthough curiously, no religious short story is given despite the claim that the religious market is one of the best for writers addressing young people. To round out the discussion, the book touches on such issues as the preferences of various age groups; collecting information and developing ideas; outlining a story (with a story and outline given); characters, dialogue, and titles; and, finally, editorial and marketing concerns. Fran Lewis, Albany P.L., New York