Title: The Cry of the Cuckoos
Author: John Wayne Cargile
Author's Website: http:// www.thecryofthecuckoos.com
Genre: Mystery
ISBN: 978-1-60693-526-2
Reviewer: Rita Hestand
From Amazon.com
Reviewed by Rita Hestand (author)
Sometimes finding the truth opens up a can of worms that can't be disposed of. Retired news reporter Donald Drummond, and his retired teacher wife, Anne, begin to unravel a family mystery that leads to death and intrigue. Trying to discover his father's killers, Donald is whisked into the confidence of the FBI and faced with insurmountable truths.
Donald is forced to deal with his father's underhanded business with the Society of Southern Patriots, and an unmasking of his own identity that he must come to grips with.
After sixty one years, Donald meets his real mother. And his mother is a suspect in his father's death. His father was poisoned. However, as Donald works closely with the authorities, he unravels one bad soap opera after another, how much can one man stand to know about his heritage? And can he live with the knowing?
John Wayne Cargile takes us on a journey that starts with much intrigue and ends with bold characterization of family life sometimes better left unsaid. Even when all is well, it isn't.
What an emotional jaunt Mr. Cargile leads us on, spilling forth with page turner characters and strong plotting that keeps one on the edge of his seat to finish this book. I enjoyed it no end.
Mr. Cargile has my undying admiration for writing a book that has no holes barred. Equal in emotion and plotting to a William Faulkner book, this one is a real keeper and one you won't forget for some time! Thanks for the enjoyable read.....
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Friday, 19 June 2009
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Julianne Moore Pens the Perfect Book, Perfect Ending
Title: Freckleface Strawberry and Dodgeball Bully
Author: Julianne Moore
Illustrator: LeUyen Pham
ISBN 9781599903163
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children's Books
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
When I first heard about this book, my first thought was that freckle-faced kids need a book of their own because of the discrimination that goes around playgrounds. Race is not the whole issue. There is a panoply of physical traits kids can get teased for. Too white. Too fat. Too dark. Too skinny. When I was in high schoold, for heaven's sake, students call one of my friends Blue-Lips Burton.
My second thought was that the issue of bullies in school is finally getting the attention it deserves and this little children's book is perfectly timed.
And the third? It was that this book was probably based on a real-life event suffered by Julianne Moore as a child. Of course, she got the ultimate victory, exquisite, fragile and brilliant Julianne Moore of acting fame.
What I didn't expect was the ending! You will find it a surprise,too. It is perfect. Absolutely perfect.
Technorati Tags:
julianne moore, leuyen pham, bloomsbury chidren's books, bloomsbury usa, blog tour, carolyn howard-johnson, the new book review, bullying, freckles, freckle face, dodgeball, freckleface strawberry and the dodgeball bully,
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Memoir in Poetry by Prominent Dancer and Author
Title: My Life As a Doll
Author: Elizabeth Kirschner
Genre: Memoir
Synopsis:
My Life as a Doll, is a survivor's tale, a memoir in verse about child abuse, madness and recovery. It is one long poem broken into four sections. The first, Cuckoo, focuses on childhood and the severe violence of a mother brought upon a daughter. The next one, An Itty Bitty Ditty, chronicles a disturbing adolescence and the following is about life in a psych ward as an adult mother and wife. The closing sequence, O Healing Go Deep, details bouts of madness and the profound desire to heal.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Kirschner has published three books of poetry, Twenty Colors, Postal Routes and Slow Risen Among the Smoke Trees all by Carnegie-Mellon University Press. In addition, she has a CD released by Albany Records with her own poetry set to Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe. Now titled The Dichterliebe in Four Seasons, it premiered in Vienna in the fall of 2005, followed by an American debut in Boston featuring soprano Jean Danton accompanied by pianist Thomas Stumpf. She collaborates with many composers and has taught at Boston College since 1990. Kirschner also studies ballet with Boston Ballet.
Author's Websites:
Elizabeth Kirschner’s website: http://www.elizabethkirschner.com
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Elizabeth Kirschner
Genre: Memoir
Synopsis:
My Life as a Doll, is a survivor's tale, a memoir in verse about child abuse, madness and recovery. It is one long poem broken into four sections. The first, Cuckoo, focuses on childhood and the severe violence of a mother brought upon a daughter. The next one, An Itty Bitty Ditty, chronicles a disturbing adolescence and the following is about life in a psych ward as an adult mother and wife. The closing sequence, O Healing Go Deep, details bouts of madness and the profound desire to heal.
About the Author:
Elizabeth Kirschner has published three books of poetry, Twenty Colors, Postal Routes and Slow Risen Among the Smoke Trees all by Carnegie-Mellon University Press. In addition, she has a CD released by Albany Records with her own poetry set to Robert Schumann's Dichterliebe. Now titled The Dichterliebe in Four Seasons, it premiered in Vienna in the fall of 2005, followed by an American debut in Boston featuring soprano Jean Danton accompanied by pianist Thomas Stumpf. She collaborates with many composers and has taught at Boston College since 1990. Kirschner also studies ballet with Boston Ballet.
Author's Websites:
Elizabeth Kirschner’s website: http://www.elizabethkirschner.com
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Tuesday, 9 June 2009
Dog Lovers Alert: You Gotta Meet "Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog"
TITLE: Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog
AUTHOR: Barbara Gail Techel
AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: http://www.joyfulpaws.com
GENRE/CATEGORY: Nonfiction - Children's
ISBN #: 978-0-9800052-0-2
NAME OF REVIEWER: Dr. Alicia DiFabio
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: Welcome to My Planet
Reviewed by Dr. Alicia DiFabio for WelcomeToMyPlanet4 blog
So Much More Than A Children's Book: One Small Dog Teaches One Big Lesson About Facing Disability
I read to my children every night. They usually get hooked on one particular book for months. Their newest obsession is a book that I enjoy reading just as much as they enjoy hearing it: Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog.
This true story is narrated by a heroine so lovable and relatable to children - a little "wiener dog" named Frankie. Her story is told in her own "voice" through her owner and book's author, Barbara Gail Techel. Frankie is a little dog who is loved dearly and enjoying a happy life until one day a spinal injury leaves her hind legs paralyzed. At this point, the story could become a tragedy; but it doesn't. It shines as a story of love, hope and over- coming challenges.
Frankie's spinal injury necessitates her learning how to use a special doggy wheelchair and her life moves forward just as full and rich as it ever was before. In fact, even richer, because now little Frankie and Barbara enjoy meeting, educating, spreading awareness, acceptance and encouragement to children and adults everywhere who are facing all types of difficult situations. Frankie and Barbara not only get through the challenges life gave them, but use their experience to reach out to the world and help others. The message is not one of "being dealt the cards you are given," but of the joy and empowerment that life gifts to you, even in the most challenging of times.
What I like about this book is that it captures children of all ages and can be used to convey positive messages about disabling conditions. The book's life lesson is so multifaceted that it can meet any child, at any age, where they are in their development. The story, for instance, can be summarized for younger children as they connect with the brightly colored pictures. For older children, you can read the length of the story verbatim, and it is even a perfect book for young readers to enjoy reading aloud on their own.
If you're interested in a visually appealing, inspirational, and educational book for your kids, nieces, nephews, religious group, daycare or school, I highly recommend the multi-award winning Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog as a great learning tool, conversation starter about disabilities, and just a plain, nice enjoyable read for anyone who loves animals.
To learn more about Frankie's amazing life and dedication to raising awareness in the community about disabilities, visit her blog, http://www.joyfulpaws.com.
Buy.
Reviewed by Alicia DiFabio,Welcome To My Planet and New Jersey Moms
http://welcometomyplanet4.blogspot.com
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
AUTHOR: Barbara Gail Techel
AUTHOR'S WEBSITE: http://www.joyfulpaws.com
GENRE/CATEGORY: Nonfiction - Children's
ISBN #: 978-0-9800052-0-2
NAME OF REVIEWER: Dr. Alicia DiFabio
ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: Welcome to My Planet
Reviewed by Dr. Alicia DiFabio for WelcomeToMyPlanet4 blog
So Much More Than A Children's Book: One Small Dog Teaches One Big Lesson About Facing Disability
I read to my children every night. They usually get hooked on one particular book for months. Their newest obsession is a book that I enjoy reading just as much as they enjoy hearing it: Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog.
This true story is narrated by a heroine so lovable and relatable to children - a little "wiener dog" named Frankie. Her story is told in her own "voice" through her owner and book's author, Barbara Gail Techel. Frankie is a little dog who is loved dearly and enjoying a happy life until one day a spinal injury leaves her hind legs paralyzed. At this point, the story could become a tragedy; but it doesn't. It shines as a story of love, hope and over- coming challenges.
Frankie's spinal injury necessitates her learning how to use a special doggy wheelchair and her life moves forward just as full and rich as it ever was before. In fact, even richer, because now little Frankie and Barbara enjoy meeting, educating, spreading awareness, acceptance and encouragement to children and adults everywhere who are facing all types of difficult situations. Frankie and Barbara not only get through the challenges life gave them, but use their experience to reach out to the world and help others. The message is not one of "being dealt the cards you are given," but of the joy and empowerment that life gifts to you, even in the most challenging of times.
What I like about this book is that it captures children of all ages and can be used to convey positive messages about disabling conditions. The book's life lesson is so multifaceted that it can meet any child, at any age, where they are in their development. The story, for instance, can be summarized for younger children as they connect with the brightly colored pictures. For older children, you can read the length of the story verbatim, and it is even a perfect book for young readers to enjoy reading aloud on their own.
If you're interested in a visually appealing, inspirational, and educational book for your kids, nieces, nephews, religious group, daycare or school, I highly recommend the multi-award winning Frankie The Walk 'N Roll Dog as a great learning tool, conversation starter about disabilities, and just a plain, nice enjoyable read for anyone who loves animals.
To learn more about Frankie's amazing life and dedication to raising awareness in the community about disabilities, visit her blog, http://www.joyfulpaws.com.
Buy.
Reviewed by Alicia DiFabio,Welcome To My Planet and New Jersey Moms
http://welcometomyplanet4.blogspot.com
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Monday, 8 June 2009
Leslie Lehr Explores Life After Divorce
Wife Goes Onby Leslie Lehr
http://www.wife-goes-on.com
Fiction
ISBN: 0758222416
Publisher: Kensington
Wife Goes On is the story of four women who become friends unintentionally and help one another during their divorces. It is the story of true friendship. Leslie Lehr shows that there is life after divorce and you do get a second chance at starting over. Wife Goes On will make you laugh and cry. It is funny and sexy. It is a lighthearted look at a serious subject. I think anyone who has ever been a in relationship will walk away with something positive from of this book.
Reviewed by Debby Block
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
http://www.wife-goes-on.com
Fiction
ISBN: 0758222416
Publisher: Kensington
Wife Goes On is the story of four women who become friends unintentionally and help one another during their divorces. It is the story of true friendship. Leslie Lehr shows that there is life after divorce and you do get a second chance at starting over. Wife Goes On will make you laugh and cry. It is funny and sexy. It is a lighthearted look at a serious subject. I think anyone who has ever been a in relationship will walk away with something positive from of this book.
Reviewed by Debby Block
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Kathy Stemke Releases Book To Educate with Love
“MOVING THROUGH ALL SEVEN DAYS”
By Kathy Ann Stemke
Publisher: Action Alley Education
Action Alley Education is close to publishing, "Moving Through All Seven Days." This book inspires movement as children learn about the days of the week. The lyrical rhymes also teach them how to spell each day! The activities at the end of the book are designed to reinforce the concepts as well as give impetus to movement exploration.
Teachers, parents and kids will love this book for it's fun and colorful rhymes as well as the many great activity suggestions. Teachers will appreciate the resource pages that can be copied and used year after year. The book includes an 18 page action rhyme with colorful illustrations of the seven days of the week. There are 14 pages of activities that will help children learn how to spell the days of the week. Included in these pages are phonics practice activities and a coloring book of the seven days.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Rita Schiano's New Fiction Based on Real Life
Painting The Invisible Man
by Rita Schiano
Http://www.paintingtheinvisibleman.com
Fiction
ISBN: 0979534704
Reviewed by: BookFinds.com
What is often talked about in fiction writing is that every novel has pieces of the author’s life hidden in the details. In Rita Schiano’s emotionally riveting novel, Painting the Invisible Man, there is no hiding the parallels between Rita’s life and that of her main character, Anna Matteo.
Schiano explores what happens when Anna begins to learn the truth about her father through his brutal dealth. Rita Schiano learned the truth about her own father through his brutal death. And yet it is with this honesty and quiet depiction of reality that Schiano creates memorable characters and beautiful prose. Schiano explores the emotional ties that bind us to our family and our history. She shows that it is our past that gives birth to our dreams and it is our future that gives us hope.
Rita Schiano’s Painting the Invisible Man explores truth through the veil of fiction and highlights these truths with honesty and emotional intensity. A beautiful poetic read!
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
by Rita Schiano
Http://www.paintingtheinvisibleman.com
Fiction
ISBN: 0979534704
Reviewed by: BookFinds.com
What is often talked about in fiction writing is that every novel has pieces of the author’s life hidden in the details. In Rita Schiano’s emotionally riveting novel, Painting the Invisible Man, there is no hiding the parallels between Rita’s life and that of her main character, Anna Matteo.
Schiano explores what happens when Anna begins to learn the truth about her father through his brutal dealth. Rita Schiano learned the truth about her own father through his brutal death. And yet it is with this honesty and quiet depiction of reality that Schiano creates memorable characters and beautiful prose. Schiano explores the emotional ties that bind us to our family and our history. She shows that it is our past that gives birth to our dreams and it is our future that gives us hope.
Rita Schiano’s Painting the Invisible Man explores truth through the veil of fiction and highlights these truths with honesty and emotional intensity. A beautiful poetic read!
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Thursday, 4 June 2009
Well-Known Journaler Pens First YA Book
FourEver Friends
Young Adult
By Erica Miner
Available on Amazon
It’s autumn, 1960, and JFK's presidential campaign heralds revolutionary changes in the American social and cultural landscape. In a specialized inner city Detroit high school, four teenage girls have established the roots of lasting friendship. Their backgrounds are different, but their passion for classical music and angst over raging hormones link them irrevocably.
The girls’ school is a cultural melting pot of race and ethnicity in which students are judged by their intellect and talents, not the color of their skin or religious upbringing.
As the inseparable Jessica, Marg, Toma and Rachel negotiate the turbulent waters of adolescence and bond through their music performances throughout the city, forbidden loves and jealousies mar their closely-knit friendship. But they always remain loyal and true to each other.
In the end, poised for the leap into their post-high school lives, they question their ability to maintain their closeness in future years, when increased possibilities of separation by miles may threaten the sanctity of their group. Nonetheless, they swear lifelong loyalty as they set off on their new paths.
The author is Erica Miner, author of Travels With My Lovers
Fiction Prize Winner, Direct from the Author Book Awards
http://www.ericaminer.com. Contact her at:
Erica Miner
emwriter@earthlink.net
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Young Adult
By Erica Miner
Available on Amazon
It’s autumn, 1960, and JFK's presidential campaign heralds revolutionary changes in the American social and cultural landscape. In a specialized inner city Detroit high school, four teenage girls have established the roots of lasting friendship. Their backgrounds are different, but their passion for classical music and angst over raging hormones link them irrevocably.
The girls’ school is a cultural melting pot of race and ethnicity in which students are judged by their intellect and talents, not the color of their skin or religious upbringing.
As the inseparable Jessica, Marg, Toma and Rachel negotiate the turbulent waters of adolescence and bond through their music performances throughout the city, forbidden loves and jealousies mar their closely-knit friendship. But they always remain loyal and true to each other.
In the end, poised for the leap into their post-high school lives, they question their ability to maintain their closeness in future years, when increased possibilities of separation by miles may threaten the sanctity of their group. Nonetheless, they swear lifelong loyalty as they set off on their new paths.
The author is Erica Miner, author of Travels With My Lovers
Fiction Prize Winner, Direct from the Author Book Awards
http://www.ericaminer.com. Contact her at:
Erica Miner
emwriter@earthlink.net
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Stan Berenbaum Lends Expertise to New Business Book
LEAD THE CATEGORY
by Stan Berenbaum
iUniverse.com
Paperback Format
May 2009
Business and Investing/Professional and Technical/Business How-To
ISBN 978-1-4401-3228-5
Reviewed by K.J. Johnson
Finally, a businessperson provides the secrets of franchising and business success in a book designed for busy executives, business owners, franchisers and franchisees, and that businessperson is a great leader in this category. Franchise attorney and executive Stan Berenbaum draws on his experience as president and CEO of American Leak Detection as well as his former high-level position with Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.
Berenbaum offers 95 secrets of effective business and franchise success. Each chapter has a "takeaway" that sums up the lesson Berenbaum delivers. In addition, the author often draws from his own experience and concrete examples to illustrate his points.
While many of the chapters involve the nuts and bolts of franchising, Berenbaum reminds us that business challenges--and solutions--are similar no matter what your market.
A sampling of Berenbaum's ideas demonstrates why this book is valuable:
--Wait until you have a free day to accomplish those goals. "Instead, try living your life in 5 or 10 minute increments." Build your skills and do your work a little at a time.
--"Category leaders make it painless for franchisees and customers to do business with them."
This book, with its secrets of franchising and franchise-specific information, as well as definitions, is a must-read if you are a franchiser or thinking of buying a franchise.
However, you don't have to be involved in a franchise business relationship to benefit from this book. Berenbaum's approach challenges business owners' thinking and provides solutions for many difficulties that anyone doing business faces--especially in this economy (Berenbaum has a lesson or two to cover that, too). This book should be on every category leader's shelf. Now you, too, can lead the category!
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
by Stan Berenbaum
iUniverse.com
Paperback Format
May 2009
Business and Investing/Professional and Technical/Business How-To
ISBN 978-1-4401-3228-5
Reviewed by K.J. Johnson
Finally, a businessperson provides the secrets of franchising and business success in a book designed for busy executives, business owners, franchisers and franchisees, and that businessperson is a great leader in this category. Franchise attorney and executive Stan Berenbaum draws on his experience as president and CEO of American Leak Detection as well as his former high-level position with Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc.
Berenbaum offers 95 secrets of effective business and franchise success. Each chapter has a "takeaway" that sums up the lesson Berenbaum delivers. In addition, the author often draws from his own experience and concrete examples to illustrate his points.
While many of the chapters involve the nuts and bolts of franchising, Berenbaum reminds us that business challenges--and solutions--are similar no matter what your market.
A sampling of Berenbaum's ideas demonstrates why this book is valuable:
--Wait until you have a free day to accomplish those goals. "Instead, try living your life in 5 or 10 minute increments." Build your skills and do your work a little at a time.
--"Category leaders make it painless for franchisees and customers to do business with them."
This book, with its secrets of franchising and franchise-specific information, as well as definitions, is a must-read if you are a franchiser or thinking of buying a franchise.
However, you don't have to be involved in a franchise business relationship to benefit from this book. Berenbaum's approach challenges business owners' thinking and provides solutions for many difficulties that anyone doing business faces--especially in this economy (Berenbaum has a lesson or two to cover that, too). This book should be on every category leader's shelf. Now you, too, can lead the category!
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Vivek Chaturvedi Reviews Debutante Indian Author
Title: Knots and No Crosses - Heartbreak after heartbreak, he still dreams of as perfect wedding...Author: Hitesha Deshpande
Website: http://knotsandnocrosses.com/
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Romance
ISBN: 9788122310481
Reviewer's Rating: 4 out of 5
Reviewed by Vivek Chaturvedi
Debutante Indian Authors
Debutante Indian authors have been making quite some waves recently. The seeds may have been sown with Anurag Mathur’s ‘The Inscrutable Americans’, but there was a hint of a lull thereafter. The current scenario, however, has changed. Right from Chetan Bhagat becoming a sensation on debut, to Arvind Adiga picking the Booker for his first published novel, a section of modern Indian fiction seems to be coming of age. This shift is also characterised by changes in language, flow and appeal of the content. The urban woman oriented themes, clubbed as ‘chick lit’, are becoming more rampant and gaining popularity. Books like ‘Almost Single’ by Advait Kala, that has sold around 2000 copies by now, or the lesser known ‘Pink or Black’ by Tishaa, both debut novels, reflect this trend.
To add to this, is the trend of blogging that is proving to be a wonderful platform for a number of aspiring authors to test and hone their craft before attempting anything mainstream. So we have the likes of Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan, trying her pen via the blog ‘The Compulsive Confessor’ and then landing a contract with a major publication for her debut novel ‘You Are Here.'
Knots and No Crosses - The Book
Hitesha Deshpande, making her debut with the book “Knots and No Crosses”, falls in a similar league. Having had a strong following on her blog ‘Wild Imagination’ (http://wildindigestion.blogspot.com/) (just one of over 5-6 well read fiction blogs that she has created over last few years), she has now come up with her debut novel.
The brevity of her narration and her tact of connecting multiple threads of a story, and literally forcing the reader to remain glued to the book is most notable. The way the author connects one chapter to the other and how the story moves back and forth in time in a smooth and exciting manner displays her instinctive craftsmanship at story telling. Amusingly titled as ‘Knots and No Crosses’, roller coasters could learn a thing or two from this one hell of a reading ride.
The story is about a young small town lad called Akkie and his multiple relationships in life, culminating into the holy grail of an intended perfect wedding. A wedding that nightmarishly turns out to be almost everything except, perfect. The book captures multiple emotions and thought processes of the characters in a hilarious and crisp manner. Right from the comical description of the parental pressure of marital expectations and the ways to avoid them, to the almost insane behavior of a bride getting cold feet right before the day of the wedding, the book pulls you into its plot page by page. Weaved in between the wedding drama, is the past of this small town boy with big dreams, his multiple relationships and how he grows through them. Each relationship teaching him something about life, each relationship giving him something except what he wanted, but all of them ripping his emotions apart with equal mercilessness. The tagline of the book wonderfully captures the thought - ‘Heartbreak after heartbreak, he still dreams of a perfect wedding…’.
The story is imaginatively rich with anecdotal details and displays good understanding of the subtleties of human behaviour on the author’s part. For eg. this scene at the dinner table where young Akki has decided to boldly express to his father (and uncles) his intent of moving out of Jodhpur, to go to Pune to study Commerce and Germen, while the “women hovered around pretending to serve, but not wanting to miss out on even a bit of this exchange. It would make excellent gossip as they dried mangoes for their pickles on the terrace, the next afternoon.”
The book also grips you with an interesting unexpected twist that makes it all the more worthwhile a read. Without revealing much more of the plot, let me just say that this book is a great fun read, where each chapter makes you crave for the next and you can’t stop until you are done with it all! If you are the type looking for a light humorous gripping read, and don’t care that time flies by while you are at it, then this is just the right thing to pick. Once you pick it up, you just can’t put it down!
Book Site - http://knotsandnocrosses.com/
--
Reviewed by Vivek Chaturvedi
+91 9873693951
"Heartbreak after heartbreak, he still dreams of a perfect wedding..."
Check out 'Knots and No Crosses' by Hitesha Deshpande.
http://knotsandnocrosses.com/
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Website: http://knotsandnocrosses.com/
Genre: Fiction, Humor, Romance
ISBN: 9788122310481
Reviewer's Rating: 4 out of 5
Reviewed by Vivek Chaturvedi
Debutante Indian Authors
Debutante Indian authors have been making quite some waves recently. The seeds may have been sown with Anurag Mathur’s ‘The Inscrutable Americans’, but there was a hint of a lull thereafter. The current scenario, however, has changed. Right from Chetan Bhagat becoming a sensation on debut, to Arvind Adiga picking the Booker for his first published novel, a section of modern Indian fiction seems to be coming of age. This shift is also characterised by changes in language, flow and appeal of the content. The urban woman oriented themes, clubbed as ‘chick lit’, are becoming more rampant and gaining popularity. Books like ‘Almost Single’ by Advait Kala, that has sold around 2000 copies by now, or the lesser known ‘Pink or Black’ by Tishaa, both debut novels, reflect this trend.
To add to this, is the trend of blogging that is proving to be a wonderful platform for a number of aspiring authors to test and hone their craft before attempting anything mainstream. So we have the likes of Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan, trying her pen via the blog ‘The Compulsive Confessor’ and then landing a contract with a major publication for her debut novel ‘You Are Here.'
Knots and No Crosses - The Book
Hitesha Deshpande, making her debut with the book “Knots and No Crosses”, falls in a similar league. Having had a strong following on her blog ‘Wild Imagination’ (http://wildindigestion.blogspot.com/) (just one of over 5-6 well read fiction blogs that she has created over last few years), she has now come up with her debut novel.
The brevity of her narration and her tact of connecting multiple threads of a story, and literally forcing the reader to remain glued to the book is most notable. The way the author connects one chapter to the other and how the story moves back and forth in time in a smooth and exciting manner displays her instinctive craftsmanship at story telling. Amusingly titled as ‘Knots and No Crosses’, roller coasters could learn a thing or two from this one hell of a reading ride.
The story is about a young small town lad called Akkie and his multiple relationships in life, culminating into the holy grail of an intended perfect wedding. A wedding that nightmarishly turns out to be almost everything except, perfect. The book captures multiple emotions and thought processes of the characters in a hilarious and crisp manner. Right from the comical description of the parental pressure of marital expectations and the ways to avoid them, to the almost insane behavior of a bride getting cold feet right before the day of the wedding, the book pulls you into its plot page by page. Weaved in between the wedding drama, is the past of this small town boy with big dreams, his multiple relationships and how he grows through them. Each relationship teaching him something about life, each relationship giving him something except what he wanted, but all of them ripping his emotions apart with equal mercilessness. The tagline of the book wonderfully captures the thought - ‘Heartbreak after heartbreak, he still dreams of a perfect wedding…’.
The story is imaginatively rich with anecdotal details and displays good understanding of the subtleties of human behaviour on the author’s part. For eg. this scene at the dinner table where young Akki has decided to boldly express to his father (and uncles) his intent of moving out of Jodhpur, to go to Pune to study Commerce and Germen, while the “women hovered around pretending to serve, but not wanting to miss out on even a bit of this exchange. It would make excellent gossip as they dried mangoes for their pickles on the terrace, the next afternoon.”
The book also grips you with an interesting unexpected twist that makes it all the more worthwhile a read. Without revealing much more of the plot, let me just say that this book is a great fun read, where each chapter makes you crave for the next and you can’t stop until you are done with it all! If you are the type looking for a light humorous gripping read, and don’t care that time flies by while you are at it, then this is just the right thing to pick. Once you pick it up, you just can’t put it down!
Book Site - http://knotsandnocrosses.com/
--
Reviewed by Vivek Chaturvedi
+91 9873693951
"Heartbreak after heartbreak, he still dreams of a perfect wedding..."
Check out 'Knots and No Crosses' by Hitesha Deshpande.
http://knotsandnocrosses.com/
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Monday, 25 May 2009
Judi Silva Reviews "Writing the Breakout Novel"
Title: Writing the Breakout Novel
Author: Donald Maass
Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books
ISBN: 0-89879-995-3
My Rating - 5 out of 5
Reviewed by Judi Silva
Writing the Breakout Novel is one book that will definitely help you take your fiction writing to the next level. Whether you’re a first time novelist or a published author, Donald Maass can show you how write that novel that will stand out on the bookstore shelves and scream “Read Me!” If you want to find your novel on the best-seller lists, then this writing reference book is a must.
Writing fiction is a whole different ballgame than non-fiction. You have characters that sometimes get a mind of their own, plots that come to a screeching halt in a dead-end alley or times and places that just don’t seem to mesh together for one reason or another. What do you do?
First things first. Grab Maass’ book from out of the collection which stands neatly on your desk and open it up. Start with the encouraging forward by Anne Perry and then dig right in to the first of eleven highly-packed chapters. Be prepared, as the author doesn’t just give you the book to read but shows you how to use it.
You’ll learn how to write your breakout novel by learning the techniques to create your premise, characters, plots and multiple viewpoints, along with honing your skills in developing a theme, pace, voice, endings and much more, including the finer details. Breakout check-lists at the end of each chapter are very helpful in making sure you have everything covered before moving on to the next task at hand. Each component of every element of novel writing is broken down, covering what often goes wrong and how to remedy it. Identify the roadblocks and learn the systematic removal of them. Using other literary masterpieces, cases in point are made to show how it is successfully accomplished.
After you have a completed novel, you will learn how to “break out”, to find and work along with your agent and editor, as you venture into writing the pitch and outline (synopsis). As an author of seventeen novels and more than twenty years of experience as a literary agent, Maas gives sound advice on publishing and beyond.
“Every novel is a world unto itself. It lives, breathes, alternates between day and night, changes, grows and acts upon the characters or is indifferent to them. So build your world!”
Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Then this book is essential to own.
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Assoicated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Donald Maass
Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books
ISBN: 0-89879-995-3
My Rating - 5 out of 5
Reviewed by Judi Silva
Writing the Breakout Novel is one book that will definitely help you take your fiction writing to the next level. Whether you’re a first time novelist or a published author, Donald Maass can show you how write that novel that will stand out on the bookstore shelves and scream “Read Me!” If you want to find your novel on the best-seller lists, then this writing reference book is a must.
Writing fiction is a whole different ballgame than non-fiction. You have characters that sometimes get a mind of their own, plots that come to a screeching halt in a dead-end alley or times and places that just don’t seem to mesh together for one reason or another. What do you do?
First things first. Grab Maass’ book from out of the collection which stands neatly on your desk and open it up. Start with the encouraging forward by Anne Perry and then dig right in to the first of eleven highly-packed chapters. Be prepared, as the author doesn’t just give you the book to read but shows you how to use it.
You’ll learn how to write your breakout novel by learning the techniques to create your premise, characters, plots and multiple viewpoints, along with honing your skills in developing a theme, pace, voice, endings and much more, including the finer details. Breakout check-lists at the end of each chapter are very helpful in making sure you have everything covered before moving on to the next task at hand. Each component of every element of novel writing is broken down, covering what often goes wrong and how to remedy it. Identify the roadblocks and learn the systematic removal of them. Using other literary masterpieces, cases in point are made to show how it is successfully accomplished.
After you have a completed novel, you will learn how to “break out”, to find and work along with your agent and editor, as you venture into writing the pitch and outline (synopsis). As an author of seventeen novels and more than twenty years of experience as a literary agent, Maas gives sound advice on publishing and beyond.
“Every novel is a world unto itself. It lives, breathes, alternates between day and night, changes, grows and acts upon the characters or is indifferent to them. So build your world!”
Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Then this book is essential to own.
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Assoicated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Oldie But Essential Book for Novelists
Title: Writing the Breakout Novel
Author: Donald Maass
Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books
ISBN: 0-89879-995-3
My Rating - 5 out of 5
Reviewed By Judi Silva
Writing the Breakout Novel is one book that will definitely help you take your fiction writing to the next level. Whether you’re a first time novelist or a published author, Donald Maass can show you how write that novel that will stand out on the bookstore shelves and scream “Read Me!” If you want to find your novel on the best-seller lists, then this writing reference book is a must.
Writing fiction is a whole different ballgame than non-fiction. You have characters that sometimes get a mind of their own, plots that come to a screeching halt in a dead-end alley or times and places that just don’t seem to mesh together for one reason or another. What do you do?
First things first. Grab Maass’ book from out of the collection which stands neatly on your desk and open it up. Start with the encouraging forward by Anne Perry and then dig right in to the first of eleven highly-packed chapters. Be prepared, as the author doesn’t just give you the book to read but shows you how to use it.
You’ll learn how to write your breakout novel by learning the techniques to create your premise, characters, plots and multiple viewpoints, along with honing your skills in developing a theme, pace, voice, endings and much more, including the finer details. Breakout check-lists at the end of each chapter are very helpful in making sure you have everything covered before moving on to the next task at hand. Each component of every element of novel writing is broken down, covering what often goes wrong and how to remedy it. Identify the roadblocks and learn the systematic removal of them. Using other literary masterpieces, cases in point are made to show how it is successfully accomplished.
After you have a completed novel, you will learn how to “break out”, to find and work along with your agent and editor, as you venture into writing the pitch and outline (synopsis). As an author of seventeen novels and more than twenty years of experience as a literary agent, Maas gives sound advice on publishing and beyond.
“Every novel is a world unto itself. It lives, breathes, alternates between day and night, changes, grows and acts upon the characters or is indifferent to them. So build your world!”
Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Then this book is essential to own.
Buy.
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Associated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Donald Maass
Publisher: Writer’s Digest Books
ISBN: 0-89879-995-3
My Rating - 5 out of 5
Reviewed By Judi Silva
Writing the Breakout Novel is one book that will definitely help you take your fiction writing to the next level. Whether you’re a first time novelist or a published author, Donald Maass can show you how write that novel that will stand out on the bookstore shelves and scream “Read Me!” If you want to find your novel on the best-seller lists, then this writing reference book is a must.
Writing fiction is a whole different ballgame than non-fiction. You have characters that sometimes get a mind of their own, plots that come to a screeching halt in a dead-end alley or times and places that just don’t seem to mesh together for one reason or another. What do you do?
First things first. Grab Maass’ book from out of the collection which stands neatly on your desk and open it up. Start with the encouraging forward by Anne Perry and then dig right in to the first of eleven highly-packed chapters. Be prepared, as the author doesn’t just give you the book to read but shows you how to use it.
You’ll learn how to write your breakout novel by learning the techniques to create your premise, characters, plots and multiple viewpoints, along with honing your skills in developing a theme, pace, voice, endings and much more, including the finer details. Breakout check-lists at the end of each chapter are very helpful in making sure you have everything covered before moving on to the next task at hand. Each component of every element of novel writing is broken down, covering what often goes wrong and how to remedy it. Identify the roadblocks and learn the systematic removal of them. Using other literary masterpieces, cases in point are made to show how it is successfully accomplished.
After you have a completed novel, you will learn how to “break out”, to find and work along with your agent and editor, as you venture into writing the pitch and outline (synopsis). As an author of seventeen novels and more than twenty years of experience as a literary agent, Maas gives sound advice on publishing and beyond.
“Every novel is a world unto itself. It lives, breathes, alternates between day and night, changes, grows and acts upon the characters or is indifferent to them. So build your world!”
Are you ready to take your writing to the next level? Then this book is essential to own.
Buy.
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Associated Content: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
A Memoir: Love After Death
Title: Love From Both Sides
Author: Stephanie Riseley
Genre: Memoir
How many ways are there to share your life with another person?
In this new release, a memoir by Stephanie Riseley, she shares the deeply emotional story of the continued relationship between her and her husband Dan after his sudden death. Exploring the ways in which love and forgiveness can transcend the boundaries of life and death, the book intends to change perceptions of the emotional and spiritual relationships two people can share.
About the Author:
Stephanie is a writer, a teacher and a hypnotherapist. She studied hypnosis for over 35 years and no, there are no chicken imitations involved. Instead Stephanie has used hypnotherapy to help hundreds of people alter their behavior to lose weight, quit smoking and make other positive life changes.
Author's Websites:
Stephanie Riseley's website: http://www.stephanieriseley.com
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author: Stephanie Riseley
Genre: Memoir
How many ways are there to share your life with another person?
In this new release, a memoir by Stephanie Riseley, she shares the deeply emotional story of the continued relationship between her and her husband Dan after his sudden death. Exploring the ways in which love and forgiveness can transcend the boundaries of life and death, the book intends to change perceptions of the emotional and spiritual relationships two people can share.
About the Author:
Stephanie is a writer, a teacher and a hypnotherapist. She studied hypnosis for over 35 years and no, there are no chicken imitations involved. Instead Stephanie has used hypnotherapy to help hundreds of people alter their behavior to lose weight, quit smoking and make other positive life changes.
Author's Websites:
Stephanie Riseley's website: http://www.stephanieriseley.com
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Sunday, 17 May 2009
New Writer's Handbook: An Anthology for One's Career
Title: New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career Editor: Philip Martin, Preface: Erica Jong
Publisher: Scarletta Press (June 6, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0976520168
ISBN-13: 978-0976520160
My Rating - 4.5 out of 5
Reviewed By Judi Silva
What is most interesting and attention-grabbing about this book is that it isn’t written by only one author. Rather, it is an anthology of the best and practical advice that writers can use to hone their craft and make a successful career with their writing. Composed of sixty-three articles from almost as many writers (some authors have more than one article showcased), it is a collection no writer should be without. All of the personal websites of each author are listed at the end of their articles. Even more valuable is how each author’s article is filled with quotes and advices they found helpful from other famous authors.
In this review, I have tried to quote a portion of each author’s article to give the reader a good sampling of what is covered in this anthology and hopefully wet their appetite to go out and buy it in order to devour the rest. There is something for everyone, no matter who you are or what you write.
The preface is written by Erica Jong. She points out “the more worldly the world, the more it needs a solitary artist for its own spiritual health. Believe in yourself. You are the soul and the conscience of the world, even if the world doesn’t know it yet.”
Under the first subheading of Creativity, Motivation & Discipline, Jane Yolen encourages the writer to “read everything you write out loud. Put everything in a folder (both computer and printout). Go back over what you have done previously before you begin that day.”
Eric Abrahamson clues us in on The Benefits of Messiness. “People with orderly desks report spending 36% more time finding things. Moderate messiness is completely acceptable and is, in fact, probably superior in a number of instances.”
Especially fascinated with the subject, I appreciated the article Where Do Ideas Come From? Some writers get annoyed with people who ask this question. But, as a writer who tries to turn a situation or experience into a story, I relish the opportunity to answer it.
For instance, one of my ideas came from inside a book I loaned from the local library. It was a novel written by one of my favorite authors, Indu Sundaresan. Not able to wait to reach home to begin reading it, I cracked open the cover on the bus. To my surprise, a portion of a boarding pass for Lufthansa Airlines fell out into my lap. Picking it up, I read what little details I could extrapolate from it and began to imagine who the previous reader of this novel had been and my imagination began to run wild. Instead of reading the book on the way home, I grabbed my journal and pen out of my backpack and began writing one of my own.
Philip Martins, who wrote the abovementioned article on ideas explains, “Where ideas come from then, is a combination of openness, constant seeking and courage. If the writer is tuned into these, the serendipity of ideas coming unbidden can at times seem miraculous.”
Gabriel Gudding, in the article The Cultivation of Mindstates says, “because writing is principally an act of generosity, cultivating an empathetic mindstate, indeed an empathetic temperament will only enhance our desire and ability to write well.”
Dennis Palumbo, who is not only an author but a licensed psychotherapist specializing in the issues of creative writing gives us The Three Cosmic Rules of Writing. “You may at this very moment be feeling scared, frustrated, blocked or discouraged. If so, join the club. Because so does every other writer in the world, even the most successful ones.”
On the topic of Developing Intuition, the creator and president of the National Association of Women Writers (NAWW) Sherri McConnell gives writers five suggestions to do this while also testing your inner guidance.
The Treadmill Journal, according to author Gregory Martin should include five daily entries - date and time, how long you will work, what you plan to work on, how it went and when you will work tomorrow and for how long. He also includes a sample entry.
Do you find yourself wondering how to start your story? Brandi Reissenweber tells writers, “The beginning’s job is to lure. You want to entice the reader into the story and deliver on that enticement.”
Most helpful are the articles entitled Checklist for Characters and Conflict Revision by Gregory Martin and Haiku Techniques of which author Jane Reichhold discusses nineteen of them.
The article by Laura Backes on What Dr. Seuss Can Teach Us was enlightening to me. Did you know for instance that it was in 1954 when a challenge by Pulitzer Prize winner John Hersey was put before Dr. Seuss and others in Life magazine? This challenge, which is discussed in detail led to the publication of The Cat In The Hat.
Maybe you’re trying to break into the world of magazine writing. Marcia Yudkin’s feature on M-Factors - Qualities That Help You Break Into Major Magazines will not only pique your interest but give you the five different factors important to your success in this field.
Is it nonfiction scenes that have your shorts in a bunch? Then check out Larry Getlen’s Recreating Nonfiction Scenes. Quoting author Julian Rubenstein he says, “you can’t write narrative reflection unless you have the material. You have to know everything. Then, and only then, can you decide what is best to illustrate your story.”
Linda Formichelli follows up with Getting The Tough Interview.
For journalists, Ray Peter Clark discusses The Line Between Fact and Fiction with strong advice and elaboration on the two cornerstone principles of “Do Not Add” and “Do Don’t Deceive”.
Lynn Franklin covers the importance of The Psychological Action In Nonfiction and how it increases the power of the story. By “bringing the reader close to the psychological action you help them to empathize with the character.”
The next three authors, namely W. Terry Whalen, Linda Adams and Judy Bridges advice writers about critique groups, both joining and running one along with creating snappy introductions for a successful one.
The quest for information/articles on the topic you want to write about is undertaken in Marylaine Block’s entry My First Rule of Information. She gives helpful advice on where to go to find what you need.
Eight articles appear in the Pitching & Proposals section. Resources are included with samples of pitches, query letters and proposals, along with a do’s and don’t and what to remember lists. Rounding it all out are the remaining two articles in this section - How to deal with a small press and understanding editorese.
Marketing Your Work is the section which follows. Learn how to create a successful press kit and how you as a writer can help your publisher with marketing by taking all the listed opportunities available to you. Both short and long projects are clearly defined.
The article on How To Get Great Testimonials lists seven tried and true styles to finding the right people and asking them for want you want. “Testimonials are a workhorse tool for your book marketing effort,” says author Jay Lipe.
Helpful step-by-step instructions are listed on the subject of Planning Author Events in Bookstores. After you’ve planned your event, take advantage of the tips to make sure it’s a well-attended event. This is especially true if the majority of your audience is international, such as was the case with author Jenna Glatzer. She discusses the nine best ways, which she found through trial and error, that work for her.
Not to be overlooked are the important topics of focusing on Niche Markets and The Potential of Tips Booklets by Kate Bandos and Paulette Ensign respectively.
One of the known experts on Writing White Papers, Michael Stelzner explains exactly what a white paper is, why they matter, why you should care about them, how they are used, and who reads them. The emergence of white papers as marketing tools and their standards are also considered.
Deborah Raney gives numerous ideas on how you can have a “positive influence” on both the life of your book and you as an author.
Being Internet savvy these days is a must for authors. Your own website will be not only the core but the starting point for an online book promotion, in order for you to target a larger audience than just those locally.
The five major steps which need to be taken to acquire a successful website are outlined by Patrice-Anne Rutledge. Moira Allen helps the writer create on online portfolio and talks about what to keep in mind when posting clips.
Have you started blogging yet? Creative Consultant Lani Voivod will explain why it is imperative to do so “if you have a passion, specialty, niche, mission or business.” Steve Weber continues with the same line of thought in his article Fundamentals of Blogging.
A concise, detailed explanation of the 10 Tips on Writing the Living Web have been compiled by Mark Bernstein.
Developing a catchy email signature is the topic of conversation with Linda Formichelli.
The last section of the anthology, barring the two appendices (Editor’s Afterward and Publication Credits), is titled Literary Insights and Lost Words. It encompasses ten articles by ten authors. Writers will learn How To Speak A Book with Richard Powers.
The articles Books As A Gateway Drug, Time Traveling By Words, Music and Arts, and Literary Fiction all appear in rapid succession. We then reach Katha Pollitt’s comical Thank You For Hating My Book.
No matter where we hail from, our culture and heritage has its own distinct language. “It is a language,” concludes Barry Lopez in Discovering Home Ground, “that keeps us from slipping off into abstract space.
Go Into The Light with Mike Silva and be content with Being A Minor Writer with Bruce Holland Rogers.
When all is said and done, Mary Pipher’s Writing In A New World cautions writers that sometimes language can be a weapon in itself. “We weaponize it when we use it to objectify, depersonalize, dehumanize and create an “other”.
Philip Martins sums things up by expressing the sentiments that “writing is a gift and we should try to use it for good. Take it seriously but don’t forget to laugh at yourself. Good writing comes from great passion and personal dedication.
Buy
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Associated Content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Publisher: Scarletta Press (June 6, 2007)
ISBN-10: 0976520168
ISBN-13: 978-0976520160
My Rating - 4.5 out of 5
Reviewed By Judi Silva
What is most interesting and attention-grabbing about this book is that it isn’t written by only one author. Rather, it is an anthology of the best and practical advice that writers can use to hone their craft and make a successful career with their writing. Composed of sixty-three articles from almost as many writers (some authors have more than one article showcased), it is a collection no writer should be without. All of the personal websites of each author are listed at the end of their articles. Even more valuable is how each author’s article is filled with quotes and advices they found helpful from other famous authors.
In this review, I have tried to quote a portion of each author’s article to give the reader a good sampling of what is covered in this anthology and hopefully wet their appetite to go out and buy it in order to devour the rest. There is something for everyone, no matter who you are or what you write.
The preface is written by Erica Jong. She points out “the more worldly the world, the more it needs a solitary artist for its own spiritual health. Believe in yourself. You are the soul and the conscience of the world, even if the world doesn’t know it yet.”
Under the first subheading of Creativity, Motivation & Discipline, Jane Yolen encourages the writer to “read everything you write out loud. Put everything in a folder (both computer and printout). Go back over what you have done previously before you begin that day.”
Eric Abrahamson clues us in on The Benefits of Messiness. “People with orderly desks report spending 36% more time finding things. Moderate messiness is completely acceptable and is, in fact, probably superior in a number of instances.”
Especially fascinated with the subject, I appreciated the article Where Do Ideas Come From? Some writers get annoyed with people who ask this question. But, as a writer who tries to turn a situation or experience into a story, I relish the opportunity to answer it.
For instance, one of my ideas came from inside a book I loaned from the local library. It was a novel written by one of my favorite authors, Indu Sundaresan. Not able to wait to reach home to begin reading it, I cracked open the cover on the bus. To my surprise, a portion of a boarding pass for Lufthansa Airlines fell out into my lap. Picking it up, I read what little details I could extrapolate from it and began to imagine who the previous reader of this novel had been and my imagination began to run wild. Instead of reading the book on the way home, I grabbed my journal and pen out of my backpack and began writing one of my own.
Philip Martins, who wrote the abovementioned article on ideas explains, “Where ideas come from then, is a combination of openness, constant seeking and courage. If the writer is tuned into these, the serendipity of ideas coming unbidden can at times seem miraculous.”
Gabriel Gudding, in the article The Cultivation of Mindstates says, “because writing is principally an act of generosity, cultivating an empathetic mindstate, indeed an empathetic temperament will only enhance our desire and ability to write well.”
Dennis Palumbo, who is not only an author but a licensed psychotherapist specializing in the issues of creative writing gives us The Three Cosmic Rules of Writing. “You may at this very moment be feeling scared, frustrated, blocked or discouraged. If so, join the club. Because so does every other writer in the world, even the most successful ones.”
On the topic of Developing Intuition, the creator and president of the National Association of Women Writers (NAWW) Sherri McConnell gives writers five suggestions to do this while also testing your inner guidance.
The Treadmill Journal, according to author Gregory Martin should include five daily entries - date and time, how long you will work, what you plan to work on, how it went and when you will work tomorrow and for how long. He also includes a sample entry.
Do you find yourself wondering how to start your story? Brandi Reissenweber tells writers, “The beginning’s job is to lure. You want to entice the reader into the story and deliver on that enticement.”
Most helpful are the articles entitled Checklist for Characters and Conflict Revision by Gregory Martin and Haiku Techniques of which author Jane Reichhold discusses nineteen of them.
The article by Laura Backes on What Dr. Seuss Can Teach Us was enlightening to me. Did you know for instance that it was in 1954 when a challenge by Pulitzer Prize winner John Hersey was put before Dr. Seuss and others in Life magazine? This challenge, which is discussed in detail led to the publication of The Cat In The Hat.
Maybe you’re trying to break into the world of magazine writing. Marcia Yudkin’s feature on M-Factors - Qualities That Help You Break Into Major Magazines will not only pique your interest but give you the five different factors important to your success in this field.
Is it nonfiction scenes that have your shorts in a bunch? Then check out Larry Getlen’s Recreating Nonfiction Scenes. Quoting author Julian Rubenstein he says, “you can’t write narrative reflection unless you have the material. You have to know everything. Then, and only then, can you decide what is best to illustrate your story.”
Linda Formichelli follows up with Getting The Tough Interview.
For journalists, Ray Peter Clark discusses The Line Between Fact and Fiction with strong advice and elaboration on the two cornerstone principles of “Do Not Add” and “Do Don’t Deceive”.
Lynn Franklin covers the importance of The Psychological Action In Nonfiction and how it increases the power of the story. By “bringing the reader close to the psychological action you help them to empathize with the character.”
The next three authors, namely W. Terry Whalen, Linda Adams and Judy Bridges advice writers about critique groups, both joining and running one along with creating snappy introductions for a successful one.
The quest for information/articles on the topic you want to write about is undertaken in Marylaine Block’s entry My First Rule of Information. She gives helpful advice on where to go to find what you need.
Eight articles appear in the Pitching & Proposals section. Resources are included with samples of pitches, query letters and proposals, along with a do’s and don’t and what to remember lists. Rounding it all out are the remaining two articles in this section - How to deal with a small press and understanding editorese.
Marketing Your Work is the section which follows. Learn how to create a successful press kit and how you as a writer can help your publisher with marketing by taking all the listed opportunities available to you. Both short and long projects are clearly defined.
The article on How To Get Great Testimonials lists seven tried and true styles to finding the right people and asking them for want you want. “Testimonials are a workhorse tool for your book marketing effort,” says author Jay Lipe.
Helpful step-by-step instructions are listed on the subject of Planning Author Events in Bookstores. After you’ve planned your event, take advantage of the tips to make sure it’s a well-attended event. This is especially true if the majority of your audience is international, such as was the case with author Jenna Glatzer. She discusses the nine best ways, which she found through trial and error, that work for her.
Not to be overlooked are the important topics of focusing on Niche Markets and The Potential of Tips Booklets by Kate Bandos and Paulette Ensign respectively.
One of the known experts on Writing White Papers, Michael Stelzner explains exactly what a white paper is, why they matter, why you should care about them, how they are used, and who reads them. The emergence of white papers as marketing tools and their standards are also considered.
Deborah Raney gives numerous ideas on how you can have a “positive influence” on both the life of your book and you as an author.
Being Internet savvy these days is a must for authors. Your own website will be not only the core but the starting point for an online book promotion, in order for you to target a larger audience than just those locally.
The five major steps which need to be taken to acquire a successful website are outlined by Patrice-Anne Rutledge. Moira Allen helps the writer create on online portfolio and talks about what to keep in mind when posting clips.
Have you started blogging yet? Creative Consultant Lani Voivod will explain why it is imperative to do so “if you have a passion, specialty, niche, mission or business.” Steve Weber continues with the same line of thought in his article Fundamentals of Blogging.
A concise, detailed explanation of the 10 Tips on Writing the Living Web have been compiled by Mark Bernstein.
Developing a catchy email signature is the topic of conversation with Linda Formichelli.
The last section of the anthology, barring the two appendices (Editor’s Afterward and Publication Credits), is titled Literary Insights and Lost Words. It encompasses ten articles by ten authors. Writers will learn How To Speak A Book with Richard Powers.
The articles Books As A Gateway Drug, Time Traveling By Words, Music and Arts, and Literary Fiction all appear in rapid succession. We then reach Katha Pollitt’s comical Thank You For Hating My Book.
No matter where we hail from, our culture and heritage has its own distinct language. “It is a language,” concludes Barry Lopez in Discovering Home Ground, “that keeps us from slipping off into abstract space.
Go Into The Light with Mike Silva and be content with Being A Minor Writer with Bruce Holland Rogers.
When all is said and done, Mary Pipher’s Writing In A New World cautions writers that sometimes language can be a weapon in itself. “We weaponize it when we use it to objectify, depersonalize, dehumanize and create an “other”.
Philip Martins sums things up by expressing the sentiments that “writing is a gift and we should try to use it for good. Take it seriously but don’t forget to laugh at yourself. Good writing comes from great passion and personal dedication.
Buy
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Associated Content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Saturday, 16 May 2009
Teaching Memoir Reviewed by Author Judi Silva
Title: New Directions In Teaching Memoir: A Studio Workshop Approach
Author(s): Dawn Latta Kirby and Dan Kirby
Publisher: Heinemann
ISBN-10: 0325006687
ISBN-13: 978-0325006680
My Rating - 4 out of 5
Reviewed By Judi Silva
This studio workshop approach for the genre of contemporary memoir is quite interesting, as it is written from the standpoint of the instructor who is teaching a class on writing memoir. Taking a look at the new direction in which the class is being taught, the authors of this book have taken their ideas from those which required a little over a decade to develop and then successfully implemented in classrooms and workshops across the country.
The concept of the book has a dual purpose. It is a “how-to-write” memoir, along with a “how-to-teach” writing memoir. The important tools for both are contained within its 195 pages of instruction, bibliography of memoirs and subsequent index.
The twelve well stocked chapters are broken down into the following: Chapters 1-3 cover background information and exploration in memoir writing. Chapters 4-11 are the meat ... the “how-to” create a memoir of your own. Chapter 12 is the extensive bibliography.
When you have finished this book, you will have learned how to read and write a memoir, along with thinking like a reader and like a writer of memoir. You will be equipped with the valuable tools which assist you in drafting, writing, revising, assembling, tracking, assessing and evaluating your memoir. Reflections and final thoughts round things out.
Various readings from other literary memoirs are cited to give excellent examples of how a memoir “should” read, such as in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Namesake and The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Charts, key questions and printouts help tremendously with the task at hand. Assembling and presenting your memoir is the best part of the entire project. Experiment with color, fonts and pictures. Be creative. It’s the story of your life. Seeing the finished product which is not only personalized but ready to share with others is very rewarding.
Just a side point, not mentioned in the book - watch the Mira Sorvino starrer Tarentella (1996). In it you will find an interesting example of a memoir, from which you can incorporate some ideas.
Buy New Directions In Teaching Memoir: A Studio Workshop Approach.
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Assoicated Content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
Author(s): Dawn Latta Kirby and Dan Kirby
Publisher: Heinemann
ISBN-10: 0325006687
ISBN-13: 978-0325006680
My Rating - 4 out of 5
Reviewed By Judi Silva
This studio workshop approach for the genre of contemporary memoir is quite interesting, as it is written from the standpoint of the instructor who is teaching a class on writing memoir. Taking a look at the new direction in which the class is being taught, the authors of this book have taken their ideas from those which required a little over a decade to develop and then successfully implemented in classrooms and workshops across the country.
The concept of the book has a dual purpose. It is a “how-to-write” memoir, along with a “how-to-teach” writing memoir. The important tools for both are contained within its 195 pages of instruction, bibliography of memoirs and subsequent index.
The twelve well stocked chapters are broken down into the following: Chapters 1-3 cover background information and exploration in memoir writing. Chapters 4-11 are the meat ... the “how-to” create a memoir of your own. Chapter 12 is the extensive bibliography.
When you have finished this book, you will have learned how to read and write a memoir, along with thinking like a reader and like a writer of memoir. You will be equipped with the valuable tools which assist you in drafting, writing, revising, assembling, tracking, assessing and evaluating your memoir. Reflections and final thoughts round things out.
Various readings from other literary memoirs are cited to give excellent examples of how a memoir “should” read, such as in Jhumpa Lahiri’s Namesake and The House On Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros.
Charts, key questions and printouts help tremendously with the task at hand. Assembling and presenting your memoir is the best part of the entire project. Experiment with color, fonts and pictures. Be creative. It’s the story of your life. Seeing the finished product which is not only personalized but ready to share with others is very rewarding.
Just a side point, not mentioned in the book - watch the Mira Sorvino starrer Tarentella (1996). In it you will find an interesting example of a memoir, from which you can incorporate some ideas.
Buy New Directions In Teaching Memoir: A Studio Workshop Approach.
Reviewed By Judi Silva
judi.silva@gmail.com
http://www.dark-horse-adaptations.com/
Originally published on Assoicated Content:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/1968/simran.html
-----
The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor.
