Writer's Market 100th Edition - a good general guide

 

Writer's Market 100th Edition: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published by Writer's Digest Books
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As usual this edition has some very useful articles in the front; I found some information in the articles important enough to make notes, and the query letter examples were priceless. However, that said, this is a very generally, lengthy guide for both freelance non-fiction work, all the way through fiction. The literary agents section does not list all of the agents available (there is a separate guide for that with 600 agents listed). I am a fiction writer and found this book of somewhat limited scope for fiction writing. This book does have a comprehensive list of publishers, but most fiction writers will want to start with going through an agent. I will likely shell out a few more books for the literary agent's division of this book, or shell out the cash for the online version of Writer's Market.

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Book review: Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann

Letters to a Young Writer: Some Practical and Philosophical Advice by Colum McCann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First, the title of this book may lead you to believe that this book is for young adults, not so. I believe the term "young writer" refers to a beginning writer, but this book could be read at any age and any stage in your writing journey. In fact, in one chapter he writes, "how old is the young writer? Seventeen, sixty, forty-six - who cares?" So be a brave writing soul and pick up this book, no matter what your age.

This is an excellent book that includes a lot of humor, as well as an abundance of encouragement and hints at what it takes to be a great writer. One of the funniest was the chapter titled: don't be a dick. He addresses the snooty attitude laden writer. The chapter goes deeper and funnier. I laughed out loud when I started the next chapter title: Then again don't be too nice (in your fiction anyway). I haven't written in a long time, but this book did jump start me right back again. Sometimes you need a book like this to give you a good kick in the pants (and encourage and instruct you as well).

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My Favorite Writing Books ~ with mini reviews ~ [VEDO #20] ~ #WRITING

So glad you’re joining me for a short list of my favorite writing books – I’ve listed all size books below. Enjoy.

Writing books featured (with Amazon links):

If You Want To Write by Brenda Ueland

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne & Dave King (newedition)

Manuscript Makeover by Elizabeth Lyon

The Weekend Novelist by Robert J. Ray

Escaping Into the Open by Elizabeth Berg (new edition)

How to Write Romances by Phyllis Taylor Pianka

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An excellent book for the beginning writer

Live to Write Another Day: A Survival Guide for Screenwriters and Creative Storytellers by Dean Orion
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dean Orion has been writing for a long time and he shares his years of experience and techniques for survival in this indispensable book.

Life for a writer is hard. There are people out there who don't have the "writer's gene" and therefore, can never understand how writers think and what they go through. Orion shares techniques he has used over the years, not just with dealing with those who don't have the writer's gene, but also others who do. Though it sounds like Orion writes mostly screenplays, he has something in this book for every writer. Though mostly for newer writers, even people who have read a multitude of books on the subject can learn something new from Orion. Mostly, this is an excellent resource for beginners.



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