Writers Books

I bought this book years ago because I love stories set in the Medieval and Renaissance periods. What I loved about this book, is that it helped me to get a wide variety of information in short period of time. It provides information about clothing, food, money, the law, and royalty. I used it to create a 30 page story in college.

Because of the amount of information, as well as bibliographical listings for you to expand upon your research, it makes a great reference when you are writing a story set in this period. If you are writing a novel or a feature-length screenplay, you'll need more information than is covered in this book, but for a short story or to supplement information that you have, it is fabulous. You can also use it when you have no idea where to begin your research. The bibliographies are designed so that you can find out information on a specific subject quickly rather than researching the whole period in general.

If your interest in the Renaissance centers on 16th century England, then this book's for you. With chapters arranged by broad subjects, such as Everyday Life, Government and War, and Society, it's easy to locate topics. If you are looking for a quick reference tool specific to the English Renaissance, this book belongs in your collection

Most Americans who would be interested in such things, after all, have probably visited a Colonial reconstruction (like Williamsburg) at some point, and seen the artifacts of the period up close and personal, so it doesn't matter too much that the volume this series offers about Colonial America isn't too well supplied with pictures. But visual recreations of Elizabethiana are thinner on the ground, and it would have helped to have been able to see something of the objects described (I had to haul out one of my costume references to comprehend the description of Anne Boleyn's trademark headdress, for example). That much said, the book is packed with useful information ranging from plots against the Virgin Queen to how much things cost to education, language (including the Scots dialect), and witchcraft. And it offers sizeable bibliographies of other books to seek out in connection with various specialized subjects. On balance, I have to say that I got a lot out of it, and would recommend it as a good jumping-off place for students as well as writers.

Not just for writers, but historians, hobbyists, and anyone interested in the small details of life in other times. This volume, like the others in the series, includes chapters (with figures and illustrations) on food, clothing, family life, work, education, religion, leisure activities, social and political history, etc. Great for browsing, great for research. Recommended.

The Writer's Guide to Renaissance England is a fantastic resource for everything to Elizabethan clothing, to what they ate, what they believed in and anything you need to research an aspect of English Renaissance culture. It's descriptive, thoural, and extreemely helpful.

Every year in December I read a creativity book and take as much time as I can to rejuvinate my creative soul and decide what projects I want to focus on in the coming year. Last year I read A Writer's Paris and this year I read A Writer's San Francisco. Both books are wonderful, inspirational texts that will help any writer find creative energy and meaning through their work. The first book made me want to get out and travel the world, using the opportunity to hone my senses and gather new experiences for my writing. It was wonderful, as far as that goes, but I don't generally have the money to fly off to Paris for a month, or even a week, to feed my creative soul. You can tell Maisel lives in San Francisco, while he himself has been only a tourist in Paris, because the second book brings writing home. It makes you appreciate your own home town, even if it's not as artist-friendly as San Francisco, and it offers an illuminating look inside a successful writer's daily life with out the rules and regulations so often laid out in "a writer's life" type of book. Recommended for all aspiring, struggling, and successful writers.

Armistead Maupin's fictional tales of the city are one long love letter to San Francisco ... and here is why. A must have book for al writers who plan to visit the Bay Area.

From Bernal Hill to Washington Square Park, Alcatraz Island to the West Portal Tunnel, Eric Maisel has traveled physically and metaphorically, and in this beautiful new book, he gives the reader a guided tour of heart, soul, and place.

The physical book is stunningly beautiful. Paul Madonna's colorful drawings of buildings, streets, interiors, and still-life scenes add amazing depth to the narrative. A center foldout shows a typically hilly San Francisco street full of narrow houses and flats with a view to the Golden Gate Bridge. Quotations by Imogen Cunningham, Dylan Thomas, Mark, Twain, and Oscar Wilde on the reverse side attest to the strength and attractions of the city.

Those who have followed Maisel's career, read his books on writing, received his frequent newsletters, and participated in his creativity workshops will be further entranced by this book of reflections, memories, and wise observations, but any author or artist who has fallen in love with a city - or, indeed, any place - will find this "Guided Journey of the Creative Soul" irresistible. Highly recommended. ~Lori L. Lake, Midwest Book Review

I just finished reading A Writer's San Francisco and I'll be buying extra copies to give as gifts. I think this one is even better than A Writer's Paris (which BTW was also very good). With A Writer's San Francisco, Eric Maisel manages to weave history, his personal connections to the city and the best of his creativity coaching lessons together into a delicious mix. The wonderful illustrations by Paul Madonna were paired with the essays to compliment them perfectly.
A Writer's Paris made me consider it viable to go to Paris for a writing vacation. A Writer's San Francisco is even bigger than that--it's a writer writing for writers and revealing why it's important to write, how connection to place and events can be so meaningful and rich, and how non-fiction essays can be creative and satisfying.
This really is a great idea--I can hardly wait to read the next city that Maisel profiles from his unique perspective and writer's experience.

I opened the book randomly to page 33, where the first line of the chapter read, "For a year I dated a schizophrenic poet-- let's call her Carol."

This is a travel guide?!

This essay was about a woman who hallucinated roses and poked strangers in the midriff and ended up institutionalized for some time, but who also wrote and recited poetry when she was "sane." And at one reading, a woman came up to her and said, "You are a real poet." It's the validation every writer craves, and it's the theme of this essay. Sure, the setting is San Francisco, but this is no "You must see this fine little café with the lovely murals" guide.

Having been drawn in by this essay, I flipped back to the first page and began reading. It's even more of a niche book than I imagined. It's written for nonreligious Democrat novelists who consider themselves "artists" and love San Francisco. I am precisely none of these things.

Considering how far out of his target market I am, I probably shouldn't have enjoyed this book. But I did. I enjoyed it despite wanting to toss mackerel at his kneecaps a few times. I enjoyed it partly because of that, maybe. What really matters, above all else, is that he's writing about the lives of writers. And even if I roll my eyes at the idea of "artistes" in coffee houses, we're going to have a lot in common.

The experience of walking into a bookstore and finding out someone else has already written the book you were planning to write, for instance. Trying to write even through tragedy and pressures. Missing a fabulous writing opportunity because you were in the wrong place at the right time. Blowing your first public speaking engagement in support of your book. Having conversations about the meanings of words like "haberdashery."

There are brilliant sentences and paragraphs here, things you'll wish you wrote. There are experiences you'll "get" even if you've never had them. This is part of the brotherhood and sisterhood of writers. The part that believes, regardless of what we write and where we live and what demographic boxes we check on subscription forms, that the merits of our work are still important. That those who try to belittle the craft should have their noses rearranged. That writing matters.

An excellent book full of tips, commonsense and reassurance. At times reading it is like talking to a Dutch Uncle. I highly recommend it. Ms Simon touches all the highs and lows a beginning or even experienced writer has undergone. Get it, read it, savour and recommend it.

Finally, a book about the psychological barriers which writers create and attempt to overcome in the holy pursuit of the word. A great instructive and inspirational book for novice writers.

The Writer's Survival Guide fills a much-needed gap in the marketplace. Inspiring and comprehensive, it details every aspect of the writing life - emotional, creative, practical and professional. What's more, it provides effective solutions to many of the difficulties writers encounter. On top of all that, it's an entertaining and absorbing read - humorous, poignant and universal in its treatment of the subject matter. It is a book every writer should have in his or her library. I recommend it wholeheartedly.

I found this title at the bookstore and felt I must have it. My instincts were correct. As a new writer, I have all these issues to deal with, issues I probably wouldn't have if I had never written a story, such as insecurity, worry about someone stealing your story, finding time and place to write, etc. Her book is definitely easy-reading and affirming. Reading this book was like having a mentor, guiding me through the walks of the writer's life. I highly recommend this to all novice writers.

Most writing books try to be heavy on practical stuff--these three steps to pull yourself out of a funk. These five steps to bolster your confidence. Try one of these six things when you're suffering from writer's block. In contrast, "The Writer's Survival Guide" is rather "soft," or abstract. Yet this in no way prevents it from being helpful!

This book covers issues I haven't seen dealt with anywhere else. Where else can you find out how your friends are likely to react--good and bad--when you get your book published, and how to cope with that? If writing is still a roller coaster ride for you, rife with depressions and difficulties and confusions, then you owe it to yourself to read a copy of this book. If you still aren't sure whether you want to be a writer, or under what terms (full time? Weekends? The occasional weeknight?), then this book should be able to help you find your answer.

The writing is rich and evocative; it would be difficult to read it and not connect with what the author is telling you. Abstract concepts are conveyed in ways that apply to your everyday life and work. Ms. Simon provides interesting and surprising insights into our feelings and actions. She also takes into account both the heavily dedicated die-hard writers, and the "weekend warriors"--something that few writers do. The book is presented in a conversational and friendly tone that makes it easy for you to absorb its lessons.

So if you're still debating whether or not to be a writer; if you aren't sure how to handle the emotional rollercoaster that writing can be; or if you're having problems sitting down to write, this book could help. If you aren't sure what sort of education you need to be a writer; if you don't even know where to start; if you aren't sure how to handle criticism; or you think you've contracted that ill known as "writer's block"--this book might help. If you worry about rejection slips and wonder what success would be like, Ms. Simon can fill you in on the details.

I feel as though I should walk out on the street, find an aspiring writer, hand them my copy of the book, and make sure they read it. Right now.

An excellent book for writers in the revision stage. It's not comprehensive but it does a great job of covering 12 specific issues, in a very concise manner with good examples.

Unlike the grand majority of "How to Write" books that have crossed my desk over the years, Carroll Dale Short's little book is not only immensely useful but also a true pleasure to read. A Writer's Tool Kit contains practical suggestions and guidelines that will aid the student writer, and experienced writers will find themselves charmed by the observations of a learned (but not pretentious) author. My recommendation is to always Keep this one within arm's reach!

Choosing words for a sentence that will build to a paragraph that has meaning and interest for others is a craft. We are all apprentices in this trade when we commit to that first sentence. Carroll Dale Short has given us a 'tool kit' to improve these skills. This is a clearly written guide to a dozen ideas every writer should consider while working their craft. Short's primary focus is narrative writing, storytelling, usually fiction, but also the background, human interest story that goes beyond mere facts. Writers of expositional, fact-based reports, not stories, will also benefit from these tools if only by being reminded that the goal should always be to give the reader information in a straightforward manner. We might want to keep in mind John Gardner's (The Art of Fiction) quoted advice: "The meaning of a sentence should be as obvious as a grizzly bear in a well-lighted kitchen". This tool kit comes with a lot of examples from a variety of writers: Using 'transitions' to advance your prose in a coherent way; avoiding the vagueness of abstractions; using fewer words to make sentences more effective; tips on writing dialogue; avoiding redundancy and cliche's, etc. I think some of the best advice Short passes on is to re-read your material frequently (I suggest reading it aloud) as if you were reading it for the first time. Writing is not just a skill, it is a habit. So, commit to it, Nike-style. And trust your instincts. If a particular sentence or paragraph or concept keeps blocking your progress, consider that it may simply be unnecessary, a non sequitur, a dead-end. These are all good ideas for the writer, whatever their focus, as well as the serious reader who appreciates accomplished writing.

"There are a ton of hard-and-fast rules about writing, but you won't find any of them in this book," says Carroll Dale Short, author of A Writer's Tool Kit. What you will find, however, is entertaining, insightful and eminently practical advice to writers of any age crafted around 12 basic principles, or "tools."

This is not a book about grammar. Rather, it's a book designed to engage both experienced and less-experienced writers, pointing the way to a more finely honed craft. Short gives example after example of dismal or marginal writing transformed into something refreshing and clear, as well as examples of good writing illustrating techniques used successfully by some of our best authors.

Throughout, Short writes with a uniquely cheerful and supportive voice. He dedicates his book to a favorite teacher, and readers are very likely to feel a similar attachment to Short after finishing this neatly packaged, 174-page paperback.

--Joanna Virkler, Charlotte (N.C.) Leader-News

Carroll Short's A Writer's Tool Kit: 12 Proven Ways You Can Make Your Writing Stronger - Today! is an immensely useful, accessible, and practical guide for beginning and experienced writers alike. Chapters cover a variety of ways to trim down and spice up one's grammar and prose, from pruning excess pronouns to using narrative sequence to make a story flow better, to bringing spoken dialogue to zest-filled life. Filled with examples and just plain solid advice, A Writer's Tool Kit is invaluable reading for all writers striving to improve their personal or professional wordsmithing abilities!

A new publishing medium comes around only once every five centuries or so, and it's no wonder people are confused by the Internet. Gary Gach investigates the new world of publishing on the Net and provides great literary finds and useful information for established writers, beginners, and all lovers of words

Writers.net ups the ante in printed guides to the Net. Neophyte writers in cyberspace will find it as valuable as magellan found his compass. Experienced voyagers can use it to find whole continents they never knew existed

Finally, all the information in one easily-accessible place! Gach has delivered an invaluable resource for writers, whether you're a Net newbie or an e-zine publisher. Any writer considering publishing on-line needs to read this.

Writers.net is probably the most "reader-friendly" of all the specialized Internet guides on the market; each of the nineteen chapters of Writers.net is devoted to a particular genre of writing. Writers of mysteries, romances, science fiction, screenplays, and other styles need not burrow through endless pages to get to the sections that interest them most--each chapter is well-structured and organized to give the writer the resources s/he needs before logging onto the Internet and searching blindly for a paying e-publication or research database.

Gach catalogs URLs by the gigabyte, offering links to poetry and fiction mega-link lists, authors' and agents' homepages, research resources, and more. Most URLs listed are followed by a brief description of the site, while some chapters have the look of a printed "bookmark" file from a writer's web browser.

All writers will especially want to study the book's final chapter, which is devoted to Internet censorship and copyright issues, a sticky subject for writers on and off the computer. URLs and descriptions of the more affluent writers' unions and leagues are profiled here, as is information essential to any writer confused about her/his rights.

As with any printed directory of Websites, there is no guarantee that every URL listed in Gach's book will still be valid once you bring Writers.net home from the bookstore (this book is three years old, mind you). To combat the ever-changing climate of the Internet, Gach maintains a Webpage of book updates on his personal homepage, where one may find additions, URL changes, and even a sample chapter from the book.

Gary Gach has written the essential guide for using the World Wide Web to further a writing career. Because anyone can publish on the Web, writers can use the Internet to promote and publish their work as well as for research. Gach's book tells how to use your computer connections to get published online or in print in any of several genres, and there are dozen of ideas that will enrich a writers soul, mind, and pocketbook. It is an essential tool for computer-literate writers. --Mason West

This is very well written book that explains the writing and publishing process in simple and easy to understand language. Mr. Wolfe do not want his reders to have the misconception that publishing a cook book is an easy process. But at the same time he helps you understand the process step by step, and encourages you evey step of the way. One of the best books I have read on publishing.

Write a bestseller! Mr. Wolfe is an author of four cookbooks, this includes at least one bestseller. Follow his lead. Write your own cookbook to preserve your favorite recipes, raise money for your club, or to make your own bestselling cookbook. Step-by-step instructions guide you through every step, from selecting what kind of cookbook to make, designing the cover, what illusrations to use, assembling the recipes, to the distribution and promotion. And much more.

J. Kevin "Doc" Wolfe is the author of three cookbooks, host of a radio food show, and a lecturer and consultant on cooking.

Mr. Wolfe firmly believes that cookbook writing should be first-rate. It is a given, he says, that you must provide your audience with excellent recipes. But beyond that, what really makes a cookbook special is when you as author put "something of yourself in your recipes."

He has certainly followed his own advice in creating this how-to on cookbook writing. A breezy, personal tone spices up his writing, making this guide as entertaining as it is informative.

The following topics are covered thoroughly in You Can Write a Cookbook: the purpose of a cookbook, types of cookbooks, the ingredients of a good cookbook, how to write a recipe, finding a theme for your cookbook, organizing the recipes in your cookbook, creating an appealing layout for your cookbook, selling your book to a publisher, going the self-publishing route, and promoting your book. There is an excellent index and multiple appendices, including: recommended books, promotion, media etiquette, media connections, and a glossary of publishing terms.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who has ever thought of writing a cookbook for any reason, whether as a fundraiser for your local church or civic group or with the hope of becoming the next Julia Child. Cooking hobbyists like myself, who gleefully putter about devising their own recipes, will find this book very useful, too. After reading Mr. Wolfe's advice, I have gotten a lot better about recording the exact measurements of the various ingredients of my grand experiments--a big help when you are trying to figure out what worked and what didn't in a new recipe. In addition, I believe this book will intrigue people who, though having no desire to write cookbook themselves, get a lot of pleasure out of reading and using them. They may be very interested to hear the many careful steps involved in the creation of their favorite cookbooks.

What a great help this is! You Can Write A Cookbook is a resource for writers that can be utilized by many organizations. So often women's clubs and charities publish cookbooks with little to attract buyers. Using the suggestions in Wolfe's book can mean a real "Book" rather than just a collection of recipes. It offers the opportunity to present an appealing offering, likely to be in demand.

I have been considering writing a cookbook for a while. I read this book, and now believe I can do it.

Despite the fact that a lot of the information is common knowledge. I think I actually needed to read that I needed to, for example, index in a certain way.

The information on how to approach publishers is priceless.

If you are considering in writing your own cookbook, then pick up this book first. It is a must-have!

I was a student at the university where Ms. Blum taught while she was pregnant. Working in the book business, I stumbled upon an advertisement for this title in the publishers' catalog. (Of all catalogs to accidentally be placed in my mailbox, of all the pages the catalog could have opened to when it fell out of my mailbox, and of all the things that usually distract me from noticing a name I found familiar - it's a wonder all the pieces fell in place.) Anyway, I immediately ordered the book - if for no other reason than for the fact that it intertwined with my personal history with the university and the Pennsylvania towns she writes about. But I think the book is more than a piece of history. Her words are fluid and poetic. I gobbled up the chapters as if it were chocolate-y fiction, sneaking it in between breaks at work. It speaks to me as a woman, as a "non-traditional" worshipper of religious faith, and as someone who hopes to have her own children someday. I would, and have, recommended this memoir to many people.

I read Ms. Blum's book for a Sociology class. I actually started reading it before hand on the recommendation of a friend. I must say that this book is amazing. Ir gives you a view of gay life away from the normal booze drugs and sex. Also Ms. Blum is extremely witty. She is brutally honest about her pregnancy and the troubles it caused her! She also talks in DEPTH about the birth of her daughter. Though I thought some of the sex scenes were too graphic other than that I thought this book to be an amazing read!

I hope my review isn't seen as less credible because of this, but I know Louise, her wife, and their amazing daughter. She attended a summer camp where I was a counselor and I have to say that she's the most self-actualized individual I have ever known. She's an amazing person, due in no small part to what her moms have gone through in bringing her into the world. :)

I'd been wanting to read this book for quite a while once I realized it was out there. I was amazed at how this slim volume brought such a myriad of emotions to the surface. One minute I was laughing, the next minute I was so sad, then I was angry and militant, then disgusted at the evil of some people, then comforted by the love that Connie and Louise obviously share. It's a great book...with a wonderful, frank, conversational style that doesn't hide the facts, but doesn't spare the rich details. You feel like you are right there with them. The dialogue is honest and fleshed out very well. No small wonder, considering Louise's writing abilities!

Whether you are gay or straight, consider reading this book. It will help you understand how hard it is to be gay and how wonderful it is as well. And hopefully, it might make you see that it doesn't matter what sexual orientation parents have...just that they truly love and want their children. :)

Louise Blum has given us a book that will make you laugh at the outrageous behavior of "decent" people, will make you cry for her struggle to be accepted on her own terms, make you ache with her yearning and cheer for her triumph. Whether you love women or men, the love story touches your heart. But mostly, this book is glaringly honest and doesn't shy from truth on any front. I loved it!

I picked up this book while wondering aimlessly through the aisle at the local library. I thought it would be something to pass the time. Needless the say, the book draws you in, makes you laugh, cry and get angry, all while thinking to yourself "I've been there before". I truly enjoyed the book and would gladly recommend it to all women, whether you are a lesbian or not.

Fantastic! Susan Merson is an inspiration as an actress and a writer. Reading this book is like having a personal coach who will get you up off the couch to performing your story up on a stage. Go read this book and then just go do it!

Not only does YOUR NAME HERE give you the "how-to" to write and design a solo performance, it serves as a companion for the writer who seeks inspiration.

Ms Merson gives practical advice and help based on her own successes. The skills she teaches are the right notes at the right time. Given the economics of theater today, this guide's timing is perfect.

This is a great book. If you have any interest in telling your story or doing a one person show on any story you may have in mind, this is the book to get. Ms. Merson knows just how to help trigger inspiration and action.

This book was insightful, informative and inspirational. The author's personal and professional wisdom clearly shines through. I've already passed it along to several of my colleagues. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who reaches in to reach out!

A MEANINGFUL SUMMARY OF THE LIFE OF ST. ANTONY. MUCH TO CONTEMPLATE. MUCH TO ADMIRE.

If you are searching for spirituality, this record of Saint Antony's life provides fascinating detail of living daily within the framework of a world ruled by the Prince of the Air. Written within 25 years of the Nicene Creed, this perspective lends to observing the powerful foundation upon which orthodoxy (and heresy) was built, that is, the up-close interaction with both God and His enemies. Thus, his life is not recorded chronologically, but through the narrative telling of encounter

after encounter. These encounters begin when Antony was left alone in the world with his sister as an early adult. From the very start, Antony's spiritual journey delved into what is now taboo for many Christians: spiritual warfare. Seeking the devil out on his own terms, Antony refused to give into temptation and immediately became a target for attack. The end of his career as a hermit brought forth powerful prayer, wisdom, and - thanks to Life of Antony - considerable fame. Virtually unknown today, Antony remains a largely untapped resource.

I was captivated when I first read the Life of St. Antony, most likely written by the staunchly Orthodox church father Athanasius (I say 'probably' because some scholars doubt that Athanasius wrote it, however I noticed many similarities between 'Life of Antony' and 'On the Incarnation'). The book reads like a novel at times, telling of Antony's battles with demons, and his traveling farther into the desert to avoid publicity and temptation. There is also an interesting segment when Antony lives by a mountain and a cool stream, and animals are eating his small amount of grain. He gently grabs the animals and asks them why they bother him when he does not bother them? They returned no more after that. We are also told of Antony's journey into Alexandria after persecutions broke out there. Antony himself desperately wanted to be martyred, but instead he offered encouragement and consolation to those who were going to be killed. One individual whose martyrdom is mentioned is Peter, the Bishop of Alexandria at that time. Near the end of the book, Antony returns again to Alexandria, this time to dispel rumors that he is an Arian (a heretical group of the early 4th century which denied the full divinity of the Son). Athanasius makes it clear that Antony was a Nicaean.

The rest of the work could be described as a kind of a monastic manual, with particular emphasis on fighting demons. Athanasius records Antony's struggles, and tells his readers how to recognize and fight the devil. Throughout the story, the power of the sign of the cross is stressed, and we are urged to sign our houses and ourselves in order to repel evil. Near the very end, Antony debates various Greek philosophers regarding the Cross and the Incarnation. Antony, despite being uneducated, holds his own with the men, and they leave having learned something.

Antony is the vehicle for many miracles, but those who sought help are always told to give the glory to God, because Antony himself really did nothing. Antony is the picture of Biblical humility and self-denial. The life of Antony is a powerful example to all Christians. My church history professor said that if you only have time to read one book from the Patristic period, `Life of Antony' should be that book. I couldn't agree more: the Life of Antony is a spiritual classic.

One wonders if the work did not leave its readers breathless in the 4th century the way it does today, but given its popularity, I suspect so. The initial shock comes simply from the true details of the story, that a simple man in his thirties withdrew from the normal course of urban life to live a radical, mystical life of encounters with the good and evil sides of the divine.

Anthony withdrew to the desert, living on bread and prayer. There he was attacked and tempted by physical manifestations of demons that did everything from make gold coins materialize in front of him to physically beat him. As a result of his prayer life and unique habits, he came to the attention of the wider public. Two Greek philosophers sought him out and witnessed a possession, to which he replied, "Let's see you cast those out with your syllogisms." Likewise, he received a letter from the Emperor, which he greeted with equal disinterest (though less disdain) as Diogenes.

The only room the work leaves for suspicions is when one considers whether or not Athanasius might have been using it as a polemical tool. Anthony's fervor for Trinitarian theology and opposition to the Arians (of which he has a vision of a take-over of the empire, making one wonder if Athanasius didn't imagine Arians where Anthony was envisioning barbarians) could have been taken straight from Athanasius' theological writings. There are moments where one wonders if Athanasius is reporter or rhetorician.

Nonetheless, that vague suspicion gets lost under the sheer surprise of the story of this cryptic life. There is no doubt that Athanasius and his listeners took the story at face value. To the modern, post-enlightenment writer you must either reject it as mythical as buy into it as historical. And the immediate consequence is that one wonders what one is missing out on. No sermon on fasting could make you want to fast more. No seminar on prayer could make you more likely to do it. Anthony's life does today exactly what it did for the early church: inspire a radical alternative that is mysteriously beyond criticism.

This book is a great all around resource for anyone who wants to learn more about writing and illustrating children's books. The answers to your questions are here.

I knew that there was a lot to learn when trying to get my first children's book published and I couldn't have found a more complete source in one book. There are pointers and advice given by many published authors. There is a market section where all the publishing houses are listed along with their contact information, what types of books they publish, web addresses, submission requirements and any other relevant information for each specific company. This is an invaluable book for any aspiring children's author.

The ultimate guide to getting your manuscripts and illustrations for the children's market published is back with over 1,000 editors, agents and art directors. Contract terms, tips for breaking in, current needs for both fiction and nonfiction and contact info for writers and illustrators give you the edge in actively pursue your career in the industry.

Everyone can benefit from the articles jam-packed into this year's edition. All aspects of the business are covered, with topics such as:

* The Business of Writing & Illustrating
* Can an Unagented, Unknown Writer Get Published? Editors Sound Off
* Get Noticed: An Illustrator's Guide to Self-promotion
* Writing Through Rejection
* Money Matters: Payment for Authors and Illustrators

Writers and illustrators new to the publishing world will not only enjoy the articles but also the in-depth interviews with newcomers to children's publishing. And no matter what your experience, there are over 200 pages of market listings to help you seek out the right opportunity for you. Writer's Digest Books updates this guide every year to bring you the very latest information every children's writer and illustrator needs to stay ahead of the publishing game.

No more excuses! This is your one and only resource for seeking out markets for your work. Everything you need to get published, including publishing house listings, magazines, greeting cards, contests and more, is right at your fingertips.

I'm a children's book editor, and run a web site called "The Purple Crayon," where I review this book in detail. Here are some excerpts from that review:

Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market has established itself as an inexpensive "yellow pages" of children's publishing for authors and illustrators in the United States.... This year's edition seems to me to be at least as good as its predecessors.

As usual, the core of CWIM is the Markets section, which includes listings of publishers of books, magazines, greeting cards/puzzles/games, and plays, with a special sub-category for young writers and illustrators. The Book Publishers part is just over 100 pages long, as it was last year, with short profiles of 9 "insiders" (writers, illustrators, editors) interspersed throughout. This year, a sub-section of Canadian and International book publishers has been added.... The magazine section is also quite sizable.

Before the Markets section come 19 articles, of which the first four--"Just Getting Started?", "How to Use This Book...," "Before Your First Sale," and "The Business of Writing and Illustrating"--appear every year. The remaining articles cover a wide variety of subjects, such as writing query letters, how to deal with rejection, whether unknown and unagented authors can get published, and self-promotion for illustrators. Two I particularly enjoyed--though everyone will have their own favorites--were "Writing Through Rejections: Advice from Jane Yolen & Vivian Van Velde," and "When Size Matters: The Synopsis...."

After the Markets section come a variety of materials in the Resources: listings of agents and art reps; organizations, conferences, and workshops; book, magazine, and web resources; a glossary; and a useful index to the publisher listings, which enables you to find publishers by age level or subject.

Comments: As I have said before about CWIM (this quotation actually appeared on the cover of their 2003 edition): "You need a market guide with detailed information you can't find elsewhere. This book is the best available." CWIM remains the leading market guide for children's writers and illustrators with the 2004 edition. All active US children's writers and illustrators should get this guide, and should strongly consider buying a new edition every year. Yes, you could gather much of the information you'll find in it on your own, through diligent searches online, phone calls, and guideline and catalog requests to publishers. But the time spent doing that is time lost from your real work.