Customer Reviews

Fairy Tales for Writers

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"Fairy Tales For Writers" is a virtually unique entry into the Midwest Book Review's monthly book review column 'The Writing/Publishing Shelf' which is usually devoted to 'how to' books and manuals for aspiring writers and novice publishers. This small, slender, imaginative, hilarious, and all-to-true 30-page collection of poetry by Lawrence Schimel wonderfully and artfully reflects the almost archetypal hopes, ambitions, frustrations, passions, and processes of writing for publication. Here in a kind of poetic folklore format are 'the new writer who encounters a wolf along the path to publication'; the writing workshop member who must always be 'the fairest of them all'; the writer who for the sake of love gives up her own special voice; the shy, anonymous author who slips away before the end of the reading only to be remorselessly tracked down by the editor wanting to publisher her work. Everyone who has ever put pen to paper, and the tried to submit that paper to a publisher, will recognize the poetically expressed truths in Lawrence Schimel's superb little book, "Fairy Tales For Writers". As the last line on the last page of this marvelous little gem has it: "Sometimes there is a happy ending, even in publishing."

This petite gem of a book belongs on every writer's bookshelf. Schimel distills common experiences in the world of writing and publishing into compact, perfect little allegories. Like all good fairy tales, some will provoke shivers and some will provoke sweet smiles. But all of them are delectable.

In addition to the enchanting writing, the design of the book is clean, and the pages are attractive and easy to read. One would think those qualities would be a given, but lately I've seen many small-press books that made me cringe. Hurrah for Schimel and hurrah for A Midsummer Night's Press for maintaining such high standards.

This small collection of Fairy Tales for Writers by Lawrence Schimel is a delightful and encouraging read for the fledgling or struggling writer. Using various real writer's life scenarios, Schimel weaves the tales of Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and others. Each story relates the scary evil a writer may confront as she pens her way through the dark and lonely forest of the writing life. I found this book an entertaining and encouraging read. Not only do I recommend it -- but I also think it would make and ideal gift for a writing friend or family member who is just finding their way in the writing world or perhaps just graduating from a writing program.

what a terrific idea -- this pocket-sized volume, bite-sized really, is just chock full of delightful verse about the joys and pains of writing as a vocation.