Research is something that every author must do, whether you're writing an historical or a contemporary.  If you're not researching an era, there will be town and professions to research instead.

Don't think that simply going to an "expert" will solve your research problems.  Like everyone else, experts don't have a lot of time to waste.  Be prepared; do your homework before you ask questions of a professional.

For both the historical and the contemporary author, here are some research sources we have found useful, and a good place to start.

• Read newspapers (preferably those located in your setting).  Check the library's microfiche to see what date they start, and if they can get other papers through interlibrary loan.
• Historical Society periodicals
• Magazines
• Read overview books on the era or place and check their bibliographies for further reading possibilities.
• Diaries
• Biographies
• Children's/Juvenile literature
• University Press catalogs (they often have great and hard-to-find history books)
• Used bookstores, bargain book catalogs
• Contact State Department of Tourism or Chambers of Commerce and ask them to send you information.
• Contact county/city historical societies (they're often listed in Chamber of Commerce info) and as for a listing of books they might have for sale.

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