In 1969, Sheldon wrote his first novel, "The Naked Face", which earned him a nomination for the Edgar Allan Poe Award from the Mystery Writers of America in the category of "Best First Novel". His next novel, "The Other Side of Midnight", climbed to #1 on "The New York Times" Best Seller list as did several ensuing novels, a number of which were also made into motion pictures or TV miniseries. His novels often featured determined women who persevere in a tough world run by hostile men. The novels contained a lot of suspense and devices to keep the reader turning the page: