Customer Reviews

Health Writer's Handbook

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Barbara Gastel's Health Writer's Handbook is one of the most useful guides I have ever owned. It is well written and to the point. Although I am a seasoned professional writer, I am relatively new to the health beat. This book saved me hours of investigational research. Thank you Barbara Gastel.

Although targeted toward the writing professional, Health Writer's Handbook is a good source for the non-writer in this age of one scientific study telling you not to eat fiber and another saying you must eat forty bowls of it. The book is arranged in order of how one would go about researching and writing an article or book in the health field. The first section, "Finding Topics and Information," identifies where to locate information to help you formulate a piece. One particular helpful category is "Tips on Interviewing." Some of the more useful ones include, remember to be prepared before the interview, but do not appear to be a know-it-all on the subject, review notes immediately after an interview and double check with the source on any material on which you may be unclear. E-mail communication is a great way to do this.

One of the best sections of the book is "Evaluating Information" found under Part II, "Preparing the Piece." There are ten key items to evaluate, such as the source, study design, averages, etc. Gastel, also, presents an overview of good writing techniques, which might be rudimentary for someone with experience, but she adds specific examples of health-writing style which would probably not be found in regular style books. The last section has information on career options, professional organizations, and educational opportunities. While these are easily found elsewhere, it is convenient to have them in one source.

Gastel covers all the basics and not-so-basics of health writing. I got this book as an introduction to health writing, but I find that the advice Gastel offers applies to all good writing. She includes a very in-depth chapter about how to find information (research, research, research!). There are also chapters on Preparing the Piece, Exploring Areas and Issues, and Pursuing a Career. All of the chapters are broken down into logical, easy-to-follow sub-headings such as Ethical Issues, Sensitivity and Style, Professional Organizations, Genres of Health Writing, etc.

I think the greatest thing about this book is Gastel's writing style. The writing is fluid and concise without being condescending (sorry to say that the same isn't true of many other "how-to" books on writing). Great cartoons illustrate the text but do not overwhelm or distract. This is, quite simply, a great little book that has provided me with so much valuable information. Bravo!

I first became aware of Dr. Gastel's book when she was quoted in an e book on medical writing written by one of her former students who has done quite well in the profession. As a disabled physician interested in developing my writing skills I felt that this might just be the information source I needed. I couldn't have been more correct. Her writing style is easy to follow and understand and the topics chosen for this book fully encompass the various areas that even a seasoned writer might find useful. She has also included numerous helpful websites. There aren't a lot of books available on this subject but there doesn't need to be when one such as this has been written. Thanks Dr. Gastel!!

Gives you lots of relevant contact info that you could choose from depending on the type of article you plan to write. Good for beginners but I see it as useful for advanced writers as well. Makes excellent points on what goes into writing a riveting and relevant article. Overall, I recommend it.

Barbara Gastel's Health Writer's Handbook is one of the most useful guides I have ever owned. It is well written and to the point. Although I am a seasoned professional writer, I am relatively new to the health beat. This book saved me hours of investigational research. Thank you Barbara Gastel.