Customer Reviews

The New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career (New Writer's Handbook: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft & Career)

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Over 60 authors of note have added their 2¢ worth in this collection of articles about writing. If you learn one tidbit from each one, you'll be a better informed person and certainly a better writer.

The collection is broken into 6 sections:

1. Creativity, Motivation and Discipline
2. The Craft of Writing
3. Pitching and Proposals
4. Marketing Your Work
5. Internet Skills
6. Literary Insights and Last Words

One of my favorites (this said as a reviewer) is the 6-page "Invisible Writer" by William G. Tapply. He writes about how important it is that the story should shine--not the writer--and how this is achieved so readers say: What a good story (vs) What a good writer.

Some articles relate to fiction, others to non-fiction. Many have appeared in magazines or author Web sites/blogs. The author's Web site is listed at the end, along with their credentials. Nice resource to learn more.

The how-to articles explained by experienced writers/authors might be new to you, or a good reminder of some rules or new ideas to learn from these experts.

I enjoyed the article by Laura Backes about Dr. Suess. In 1954 Dr. Suess and other authors were challenged to write reading primers for America's first graders. Yes, 50 years ago The Cat in the Hat was born--and Dr. Suess was able to incorporate 236 different words from the publisher's reading list. Compared to the Dick and Jane readers, kids loved this story then and now, and don't feel like they are "learning." And, when asked what they loved, they never said: It rhymed.

The Marketing Your Work section tells you how to get testimonials, market your book, have successful author events, or even show your expertise by writing white papers listing the value/benefit of what you know. The Internet section is a must-read for any self-promoting author.

As an editor, writer and reviewer, I found so much value. I'll keep this on my bookshelf to refer to as needed for proposals, press kit/releases, web sites--and yes, also how to handle rejection.

Armchair Interviews says: This is not a book you might not read from front to back, but as a valuable resource you'll pick time and time again.

Expertly compiled and deftly edited by Philip Marin, "The New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology Of Best Advice For Your Craft & Career" is a compendium of sixty practical, insightful, informed and informative articles that aspiring writers of fiction and novice authors of nonfiction will find to be invaluable as they approach the craft and business of being professional authors. The contributors are experienced, successful, and range from award winners, to writing instructors, to working journalists, to editors, to literary bloggers, to best-selling authors. A critically important and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Writing/Publishing reference collections, "The New Writer's Handbook 2007" covers general writing techniques and marketing tips, as well as specific book project pitching tips and models for writing career success.

This book slim volume contains a little something for every aspiring writer. The collection is clearly broken down into 7 sections covering everything from creativity and the writing process down to marketing and dealing with agents and editors. Given the essay feel of this book, it doesn't delve very deeply into any one area.

My favorite essays were (1) "Three Cosmic Rules of Writing" - Dennis Polumbo can easily push you to write and keep writing, and (2) "How to Write a Query Letter" - Brenda Coulter shares a basic query letter that netted her a book sale then she goes into detail teaching how to develop your own query letter.

As I said at the end of the first paragraph of my review, this book doesn't delve deeply into any one area as thoroughly as you might want it to. It is a good, basic beginning book to read and encourage yourself to write more. For more detail on any one area you might want to purchase a book that is only related to the topic you wish to study. For example, if you have trouble with dialogue or with developing your proposal for your novel, you might wish to buy a book specifically targeted toward those topics for more intense study.

Though a good book, this one didn't earn keeper status for my bookshelf. Other than a few essays that I found worthwhile, I wouldn't likely pick this book up to read again or keep beside me while writing. You may wish to order this book through your library and if you find it merits keeper status for you, then buy it.

This book has a blend of refreshers, unique approaches and reviews of basics. I needed something to get my enthusiasm for writing up, and this book did that. I was writing with motivation again before I finished the first section.

The writers and styles are diverse, brief and right to the point in most cases. The advice from editors seemed well considered and helpful. Would I recomend this book to a friend?

I did. Several.

Here's my disclaimer: I'm one of the contributors to this stellar writers' resource.

But it's not my bias that's inspiring me to write a FAB review. It's the fact that I've had a chance to hold the book in my hands, and...

1) Read the section heads (i.e.: Creativity, Motivation & Discipline * The Craft of Writing * Pitching & Proposals * Marketing Your Work * Internet Skills * Literary Insights & Last Words)

2) Check out the bios of some of the OTHER contributors (most of whom are award-winning novelists, esteemed journalists, devoted academics, passionate bloggers, and/or industry mavens)

3) Marvel at the depth and breadth of practical, essential, cutting-edge advice, inspiration, and information available for writers and craft enthusiasts within its covers.

Fact is, I'm insanely proud to be part of this book, the inaugural edition of what promises to be one of the premier writers' resources from this day forward.

You not only get a bunch of sound, hard-won advice and wisdom -- you get a fine collection of writing styles, too.

Thank you, Mr. Philip Martin, Editor Extraordinaire, for having the vision, experience, and know-how to bring this book from its concept phase to its reality.

As one of the two "Content Lovers" of brainstorming, marketing, & content strategy wheelhouse Epiphanies, Inc. ("A-Ha Yourself!"), the fearless (ha!) facilitator of the Wild Quills Writers Group and "Chief Scribbler" of the Wild Quills blog, and lifelong student of all-things writing and creativity, I'd like to say CONGRATULATIONS on a job exceptionally done!

-Lani Voivod
Grateful contributor and enthusiastic evangelist of "The New Writer's Handbook 2007"