Authors Books

Here is the clarion call to a true life that
glorifies God. Put the lies of culture aside
and learn the real truth.. and live it!!

The fact Pastor John Piper in some of his books, "Don't Waste Your Life" and "A Hunger for God" quoted Law in this book several times intrigued me to read it personally. As I went through the chapters, however, it is clear to me and will become clear to the readers as well that Law sounds eerily close to a Roman Catholic minus the devotions to the rituals. Despite many deep, excellent, stinging, uncomfortable, soul-searching reflections and illustrations on the Christian life contrasted against the futility of a self-centered life that I believe are profitable for Christians, particularly to defy the preaching of prosperity gospel that seems to "prosper" more than the true gospel, sadly Law embraces the fatally erroneous doctrine of justification by works. In his view, Christians need to practice the principles of piety, self-denial, generosity, meekness, simplicity of life and all the Bible, particularly the New Testament teaches, the best they can in order to be saved that sounds all too familiarly popish. What he mostly brings up from the Bible is the wonderful teachings of Christ. There is no mention of poverty of spirit, dependence on God's grace to live a sanctified life or to desire to live for him to begin with, let alone the cross, justification by faith, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance of the saints.

Well, the immediate questions that arise are of course, aren't Christians saved already, and that they are saved by grace on the basis of the finished atoning death and resurrection of Christ on the cross, and not by works? How does one know that he has done his best? What is the standard? Whose standard is it to use to determine whether one has done his best, man's or God's? If it is man's standard, which one? The Pope's? How can we be so sure if it is his standard to be used, not someone else's? If it is God's, where is it in the Bible that says God commands us to do the best we can and not rely on him for everything without excluding our responsibilities? Where is it in the Bible that God's standard says we are saved as long as we do the best we can? This is unquestionably deadly because in the end, it points to the perfectionist demand of the law where no one can meet, which is warned against by the Apostle Paul in his epistles, particularly to the Romans and Galatians. The meat of what Law talks about is all about doing and there is no mention of child-like dependence and trusting on God's grace in Christ through the Holy Spirit to enable us to follow what Law, in some cases, biblically and exquisitely exhorts to embrace and practice. To properly describe what Law offers here is a mixture of rich food and poison. The rich food is his biblical heart-piercing warnings, rebukes, reflections, illustrations and encouragements, specifically about prayer, fasting, simplicity, modesty, generosity, humility and self-denial that I must admit are too good, too important, and too bitter-sweet, eye-opening of an exposure and remedy to my own weaknesses to be overlooked as well as too precious to be neglected in practice. The poison is his constant insistence of justification by works. For the fullest benefit to be reaped, enjoy the rich food. Let it purify our souls and reform our lives, but spit the poison out. Instead, embrace and enjoy the even richer food of justification in Christ alone, by grace alone, through faith alone, and to the glory of God alone for these are the fountain that enables all true piety.

If you're looking for a challenge in your spiritual walk - this is the book for you. Law's classic book was the transforming resource in the lives of the Wesley brothers as well as abolitionist William Wilberforce - just as it changed their lives, this book will not leave you the same!

I've read an abridged and edited version for the modern reader by John Meister (158 pages) - but it wasn't enough - I had to order the small type 317 page version! This is not an easy read - on the difficulty scale of 1 - 10, this would be a solid 9. I wouldn't suggest this book to anyone in high school or even college - Law deals with real world issues and a little seasoning in life is necessary to get the full effect of his challenge. This is a perfect book for the Christian man who wants more than a Purpose Driven Life, the man looking for a profound, insightful, and challenging read that will deeply impact the core of his being!

You can find these books online. The longer version is a Vintage Spiritual Classics edition and retails for around $13.00. Rare will be the person that will want this book - but if you're the one, don't pass this one up! I give this my highest endorsement and recommendation.

Law deals directly with the concept of devotion to God - and asks some difficult questions about where man places his true devotion in life - in the things of this world, or in the Kingdom of Heaven? Law argues that a wise and reasonable man will wholly devote himself to the things of the Lord for they are far superior to the temporal and worthless things of this world. In fact, Law says that a lack of this devotion is a clear indicator of gross ignorance! The book gives several practical elements necessary for a devoted life including prayer, study, humility and confession. But it is not the elements about which Law writes, it is the manner in which he presents them to the reader that makes this book so exceptional - Law raises the bar and challenges the follower of Christ to live an exemplary life, a life worthy of their calling, a life comparable to the great saints who have walked before us or even to angels who minister above us!

wow - what an inspirational, hard-hitting, right on read this has been. I'm still in the process of reading it but I already love it. This should be required reading for all Christians. Then perhaps the church would live differently than the world and perhaps we'd have less scandal.

So far I can see that there needs to be a balance. One could easily tend towards legalism and a justification by self-works type of mentality. Perhaps he'll cover in later chapters how it's the Spirit of God that now creates the will to do differently and also empowers us to do so as we allow him to lead us in all areas of our lives.

But as long as one is aware of this work of the Spirit in a believer's life, then this book can do nothing but stimulate one to self-reflection and love and good works.

This book should be read by every Christian that can get it. It was a tremendously insightful and humbling book that opened my eyes to the hypocrisy in my own life as well as the church in general. The Christian church in America and I am guessing much of the Industrialized and wealthy west[yes, I am a member of that group] have fallen so far from the devotion and holiness that God requires that it is a shock to see what was the actual New Testament norm just 270+ years ago, let alone at the time of the writing of the New Testament. This was a very easy to read book, compared to say Spurgeon or Calvin. Extremely convicting personally. Would recc. to anyone who see themselves as sinners and wants to know what they should do. Includes excellent examples and is written as a practical guide, though not a how-to book[remember, was written over 270+ yrs. ago, before self-help books where invented;)]Found out about this book from a Word Pictures Program on the subject at their video's are also highly recc. for those seeking to glorify God and enjoy him for eternity[mans chief end]
Sincerely,
Wayne Borngesser

Joyce Meyer spoke to my soul throughout this book and it changed my life for the better. It has relieved me of my anxiety and taught me to trust in the One who made me.

Upon reading this book as part of my Church's Women's Ministry "Book of the Month", I was well-pleased with the basic approach, simplistic illustrations, and personal sharing of a well-loved personality. Mrs. Meyers is commended for "making plain" the challenges of life and how we contribute to the absence of joy that hinders the Christian walk. When placed before us for honest review, the examples, suggestions and advice call for change and/or the acquiring of new perspectives on "things" and one's response to "things" that occur. The book is recommended for group study and as a companion to Christian self-help programs.

I enjoy the cd so much, I have passed it around to others. I think that in todays world we lose sight of what is important. What is important is that we enjoy life because that's what God wants for each of us. Joyce explains in great depth and makes God your every day friend and companion, not just for Sundays. The cd's are inspirational and when I am feeling a little low they always pick me up. As always, Joyce is very gifted at putting God's word to work in your every day life. I would highly reccommend these cd's if joy and peace is what you want your life to be.

This is an excellent book. Joyce Meyer made it so simple and easy to understand. She used her own personal experiences which makes you feel that her recommendations are realistic and effective.You can totally relate to this book.I highly recommend this book.

This book was a wonderful help to me. It's written simply so the important concepts can really sink in. She uses a lot of Scripture which is something I appreciate. I don't think a non-Christian would gain much from this book, but I would recommend it for any Christian.

Ivan Turgenev (1818-1883) is one of Russia's greatest authors. Turgenev was a pro-Western author who portrays a vanished Russia of serfdom and
rural landowners. Tsar Alexander II liberated the serfs in 1861. It is reputed that the tsar took this action based on his reading of these sketches.
The book is divided into twenty-five sketches portraying peasant life. Along the way we meet such characters as:
Chertopkhanov who loves his beautiful, spirited horse Malek Adel. When the horse is stolen the old landowner journeys across the steppes seeking to find the majestic creature. This tale will break your heart. Turgenev is good at describing animals and the joy of awaiting a day of hunting.
We meet the Hamlet of the Shchigrovsky who falls in love with a beautiful gypsy serf. Turgenev believed the statoc social structure in Russia needed to be changed for the better. He did not live to see the Russian Revolution living most of his life as an exile in France.
Death is a story of how several Russians met their deaths. Stoicism is a characteristic we see in this harrowing and sad tale.
Singers takes us to a village drinking den where we witness a raucous singing contest among serfs.
Someone who does not hunt may believe that this classic will be boring. How wrong! The book is written with lyrical descriptions of nature in all seasons of the rural year. We almost wish we could join the unnamed narrator as he journeys from his estate meeting the men and women of Russia. Turgenev is a poetic author who wells deserves a revival of popularity.

It's taken me until now to get to Sketches From A Hunter's Album. Now I have finished it and now I am grieving. It will stay in my nonlending collection so I can savor it even after the surprise has gone. It's like losing a friend.

Turgenev calls these 'sketches' rather than stories. It's a good distinction. More story writers should concentrate on their sketch pads. The sketches are of places and people in the rural south of Russia in the 1840s. Each is strung thematically on Turgenev's wandrings through the countryside while hunting for game birds. Each begins with a mention that he was hunting in a certain place. He goes into lovely thoughtful and surprising descriptions of the woods or marsh, the sky, the smells, the sounds, the light. Even in translation, these are exquisite. He speaks of shifting light shining through the leaves onto the forest floor, or unbreatheable noonday heat, or changing skies at the advent of a storm, a dawn, or a sunset; he calls up moments from your own life that you thought could not be shared with anyone who wasn't there and he makes you relive those moments as if he had been there with you.

For anyone who has spent time out of doors, these little Aldo Leopold nature essays standing alone would be reason enough to read the 'Sketches', but these are just hors d'œuvre to his descriptions of the persons he meets while hunting. When sketching people, Turgenev does gracefully what Dickens tried to do and did clumsily; that is, he describes the physical characteristics of a person and gives you a fully formed description of their character as well, and he does this without sounding forced and without showing himself. (And you will burst out laughing at the sudden recognition that, indeed, someone does look 'like a root vegetable'.)

"Sketches" was published twice in Turgenev's lifetime and in the second edition he added to it. In the earlier sketches, Turgenev brings a character to life in a description; the character may speak a few words, and disappear from the scene, as people do in real life, leaving the reader to speculate what became of him. Yet, Turgenev has given us enough insight into the character that we think we know what probably happened next, and so the story is complete. These are elegant Aristotelian constructs with the action taking place offstage, and, oh elegance! with the final action taking place in the reader's imagination after the story has ended. If my description leaves you wondering, read them! (Would that I could spur you to act as Turgenev spurs his readers to think. Ah, but it's too much... .) This is what Turgenev does. He starts you thinking, but requires you to complete the story. In the later sketches Turgenev is just as deft in his descriptions, but perhaps to satisfy the market or his editors he adopts a more plot driven model. These later contributions can more truly be called stories rather than sketches. They are equally well-crafted, but they demand less of the reader. Curiously, they give us less as well.

The hunter's travels theme gives the collection an interrelatedness, almost like a picaresque novel. As in Huckleberry Finn or Don Quixote, neither the author nor the protagonist directly express opinions, but as stories accumulate the reader acquires the author's strong politicized view. We meet the aristocrats and peasants of rural Russia. The serf-holding system had been 'liberalized' in the early 19th century, but it is revealed as the unnamed slavery it was. Landlords control peasants' rights to marry; they name the persons to fill regional conscription quotas; they assign agricultural and residential alotments; and thoughtless and uncaring aristocrats use these powers carelessly or maliciously to destroy lives. Liberal aristocrats fare no better than traditional feudalists, as Turgenev details social reformers' well-meaning disasters which beggar both for the peasants and the bumbling aristocrats who direct them.

America often forgets that its civil war was part of a European pandemic of peasant revolts driven by the extended logic of the Enlightenment. As masters and slaves in the United States were struggling with the immorality of a divine order handed down from a prior age, the masters and servants in Europe did the same. The 1840s, 50s, and 60s were tumultuous times in central and eastern Europe. Turgenev, arrested and exiled in 1852 because of the 'Sketches', has an historical place akin to the American abolitionists of the same day, however, unlike Harriet Beecher Stowe, Turgenev draws his characters in three dimensions with humanity, with love and understanding even when he does not forgive them their moral failings. The 'Sketches' would be an interesting book to teach alongside Huckleberry Finn.

Turgenev effectively invents a new form -- the literary sketch -- to impart a new kind of content. What is brilliant about these sketches which are in part nature meditation and in part biographical sketch is how Turgenev allows each character to speak for themselves. As a result we feel like we are hearing something we have never heard before -- the natural voice of the people. By allowing people to speak for themselves Turgenev gives us a truer and more genuine idea of how people -- serf and gentry -- really think and relate. Each sketch begins with a detailed description of the natural surroundings he is walking through and these descriptions give us insight into Turgenev's cast of mind which is infintely receptive, and discerning, even romantic and delicate at times as when he describes staring up through the forest canopy and imagining he is staring up at the world from beneath a vast body of water. These magnficent introductions set the mood for the character sketch to come. When he meets a serf it is as if he is merely continuing his communion with nature for the serfs live at one with the land. When he meets one of the gentry, however, and passes time in their company he feels removed from the natural settings and people he so values. It is a fascinating and very subtle technique but Turgenev makes the landowners seem like unnatural creatures who are disturbing the natural order. Though he is one of the gentry himself Turgenev hunts with the serfs , he values their company and conversation, and he values what they know. He knows them as individuals not just as serfs and so we too come to know them as individuals, each with their own personality and ideas about life and story to tell. Since we know these sketches are from real life we listen more carefully to them than we would if they were mere inventions; real life has a resonance that fiction does not. Given the choice of spending the day with a either serf or a landowner Turgenev would choose the serf. The serfs have not received an education and their opinions are often shaped by superstition, and yet it is these very superstitions that make them such colorful characters, the gentry may be educated but they are full of self-importance and affectations and see everything through the limited scope of their own self-interest which is merely another form of ignorance. Turgenev's most effective weapon is not bitter invective but irony. He never comes out and says serfdom is bad because the landowners are in some cases such vile creatures that there is no need to. By simply quoting them and describing their manners and actions Turgenev allows the landowners to do a fine job at condemning themselves.

The most profound sketch to my mind is "Yermolay and the Millers Wife" which relates the harsh treatment doled out to a beautiful serf woman merely because she wants to get married, and a close second is "Bezhin Lea" about a group of boys telling ghost stories around a fire as they tend a herd of horses grazing at night. The former sketch pefectly conveys what absolute power the landowners have over every aspect of the serfs life and the latter sketch perfectly conveys how the serfs pass down their own particular brand of wisdom from one generation to the next. Perhaps the most famous sketch however is "Khor and Kalinych" which juxtaposes two kinds of serfs--one resigned to his lot and the other who despite his status as serf finds his own kind of freedom by wandering the countryside. "Kasyan and the Beautiful Lands" is perhaps the most unusual story as it presents a sage-like man who speaks as though he were a living oracle. Deprived of education the serfs remain in thrall not only to the landowners but to ignorance as well; nonetheless there is a beauty and tragic grace in the voices of these serfs that remains in memory long after you have read these sketches. The sketches are complex and layered enough to invite you back to them again and again.

The biggest joy of the sketches is their casualness. Nothing is ever overly stated or stated in black and white but everything nonetheless appears clear as day. It seems at times as if Turgenev is the only enlightened soul in Russia and yet he is absolutely civil even when with a pernicious landowner because he innately knows what is right and he trusts that we know as well. Turgenev reminds me of Thoreau in his devotions which are equally divided between nature and the forwarding of liberal ideas. Though Pushkin and Lermontov both came before him Turgenev was the first Russian writer to achieve fame outside of Russia. Fathers and Sons is considered his masterpiece but these sketches stand as something unique in all of literature.

There was a moment, long back, when you lay in the dry, brown grass on Blueberry Hill, listening to the whispering wind on a bright September day. A catbird mewed off in the little green woods down by the tracks. A rabbit thumped once or twice; a white sea gull soared over your head in the brilliant blue sky that held promise of a crisp New England fall to come. The gull headed out to sea, that dark blue Atlantic lying just beyond the old seaside mansions of Boston executives, already boarded up for the season. Your thoughts flew off with the gull, to life beyond that little town on a rocky peninsula, but the clear light, the smell of the sea, the tiny mewing of a catbird--these stayed with you forever. Fifty years later, it's all gone except the sea. A writer tries to catch the world around him (her). The best create word-portraits that preserve the past into the future.

Turgenev caught the Russian countryside south of Moscow as it was in the 1840s, when serfdom still ruled, and hunters could roam properties at will. His lyrical descriptions of nature, in my opinion, have never been surpassed; on every page, you feel as if you were there. Your head fills with the beauties he saw, you cannot remain untouched. Turgenev wrote of the enduring peasantry warts and all, no simplistic pictures for him, and he lambasted the vanity or predatory nature of the landlord class. SKETCHES FROM A HUNTER'S ALBUM is just that, only a series of separate pictures composed around the author's trips through the countryside to hunt. Religion and poetry suffuse the pages along with insightful portraits of many individuals. "Bezhin Lea", "Kasyan from the Beautiful Lands" and "Bailiff" will impress you with their psychological excellence along with the beauty of their descriptions. "Singers" has to be one of the most powerful stories of music ever told. "The Living Relic" reminded me of India in its acceptance of human fate, though it is certainly a Russian tale of those times. Almost every story is a masterpiece by itself. In short, in all my readings throughout my life, I can scarcely recall a more beautiful book than this. I recently re-read it. It is ridiculous to give it five stars. If Russian literature contained only this book, it would already be world-renowned. Read some of my other reviews---you'll see I don't say this lightly.

Simply, one of the greatest book ever written. Turgenev's style is wonderfully evocative, and yet it has not an ounce of sentimentalism: its depictions of natural landscapes are incredibly lucid, almost detached, in a sense; today, we could say his writing has a "zen-like" clarity. His human character are little parts of this whole, but Turgenev's panteism has nothing of the desperate, ferociously ironic pessimism of, say, Thomas Hardy; his vision is perfectly impartial, and yet sympathetic: each of his characters appears in his fundamental, intact dignity of human being. I'm not myself a starry-eyed dreamer: but reading this book, with its wonderfully easy and aimless wanderings, is like psychoterapy; you can't get out of it but feeling calmly hyper-oxygenated, as it were; you can't read this book but thinking that this man, Turgenev, mysteriously understood what it is like to be fellow sharers of this strange place, Earth, and of this strange thing, life. If something like "occidental buddhism" does exist, this book is a lesson in it.

I enjoyed this book so much I bought it as a gift for family members. Wonderful book of poetry and I highly recommend it.

Mr. Rex Alford has written a collection of exquisitely crafted poems. This book of poetry should be a Must read for any poet.
The book is alive with wisdom & reflection. I would highly recommmend this book to anyone who enjoys poetry as an art form.
This is a book of style and poetic craftmanship to be savored by the lucky reader.

I first met the author through his posting of some of these poems on an internet forum. I was so pleased to have the opportunity to have this book, and I was not disappointed. It is full of beautiful love poems, and very meaningful. Mr. Alford writes from the heart, and with great skill.

I am so pleased to own a copy of Mr. Alford's, Songs of Sorrow. As an aspiring poet myself, I can appreciate the musical quality of his style. Intricate impressions take shape and dance when this work is read aloud. Mr. Alford's intimate words are brought to the page and yet, the reader rediscovers the trials of their own lives.

This poet gives sorrow a song and the reader a voice in which to sing.

I am so pleased to own a copy of Mr. Alford's, Songs of Sorrow. As an aspiring poet myself, I can appreciate the musical quality of his style. Intricate impressions take shape and dance when this work is read aloud. Mr. Alford's intimate words are brought to the page and yet, the reader rediscovers the trials of their own lives.

This poet gives sorrow a song and the reader a voice in which to sing.

these unknown authors have found a way to look at the wolrd in a way i have never seen before, and although i will never truely be able to understand their vision i am luck to have been able to see just a small part of it.

these unknown authors have found a way to look at the wolrd in a way i have never seen before, and although i will never truely be able to understand their vision i am luck to have been able to see just a small part of it.

most enlightning book of poetry i've ever read in my life. it speaks of the hardships an up and coming poet goes through. A must read for all poetry fans

From Zachary Dempster's abstract visuals, Alex Gang's subtle humor, James Leon Suffern's and Matthew Moon's vocal wordslinging, Jen Makholm's postmodernist word play, John Kersey's storytelling, Matt Levy's linguistic brillance, and the duel poetic geniuses of Janaka Stucky and Scott Creney, this is one of the best collections of young poets to grace the American stage.

My brain split like a fresh apple the first time I read this book. This book, a grenade; a bird soaring westward over the graves of dead poet laureates, its wings' flapping roar like the sound of communication breaking down. A must for your musty shelf. Get your hands on it. I swear.

Stars deserves ongoing mention as an extraordinary collection of science fiction inspired by the music of folk singer Janis Ian. Janis invited respected authors in the genre to contribute works influenced by her songs: the result is an unexpected, wonderful collection of original stories - based on her music, but no prior familiarity with Ian is required in order to enjoy these varied tales.

Having heard some of Janis Ians work I thought it interesting that people would be so drawn to her lyrics to write stories about them. I bought the book not knowing what to expect and have been thrilled with what I read. I really think it was worth every penny and made sitting on the beach in Hawaii recently even better than I ever thought it could be!

I have never been much of a fan of SciFi, nor a reader of short stories. I am, however a fan of Janis Ians Music. So buying this book was a must for me.
However, I felt it would be very easy to be dissapointed with what other writers did with the songs I love so much. I need not have worried. The stories are all very different in how I see the songs, but often add interesting insights that I would never have thought of.
Most of the stories have a strong moral base, and provoke thought about the world we live in.
I enjoyed this book from cover to cover......and can't wait to explore the writing of the various authors.
Favourite Story......"EJ-ES", based on "Jesse", buttomorrow, could be another one!!!
Mike Andrew.......New Zealand

The list of authors is exemplary. The list of songs is exemplary. That Janis Ian and Mike Resnick could bring together authors of this stature, meld them to the songs, and come up with 30 astonishing stories based on those songs, is more than I can handle! I read it cover to cover, and plan to read it again and again. Robert Silverberg's "Legends" was pretty terrific, but it didn't sit on the cutting edge. It was too safe. This is the closest thing to "Dangerous Visions" I've found. A "Dangerous Visions" for my own generation!

A wonderful combination of the best-Mike Resnick-amazing sci-fi writer and Janis Ian who's illustrious career keeps expanding,have combined their talents.This is a real treat and not to be missed.An excellent anthology for the well seasoned sci-fi reader as well as the novice.

This book covers many aspects of writing, such as copyright, writing contests, agents, contracts, writing courses, how to keep out of legal trouble with your writing, what to do if you've sold something to an editor who won't pay up and much more. It is a tool to help a writer make it through the hazards of writing and the many pitfalls that wait for the unwary. The book also includes sample contracts for you to check out. It's a great reference book for every writer to have. I keep it handy where I can use it all the time.

A great book for a new author! I found this book very informative, enlightening but scary, realizing all the mistakes I have already made- myself but acknowledging some of the good decisions I've made as well. Nevertheless, it's better to know at the beginning of my journey than much later. If only I had read this book first! Thanks for the much needed info.

Jenna Glatzer and lawyer Daniel Steven have combined forces in THE STREET SMART WRITER and given any writer a valuable resource.

Too many writers have gone innocently down the wrong path with a scam literary agent or publishing house and lived to regret their choice. Follow the wise counsel in these pages and you will protect yourself from disappointment and you will save yourself a lot of money and grief.

"We want to believe that people have good intentions."

If you're not familiar with Jenna Glatzer then you really need this book because you're obviously not as internet/writer savvy as you need to be. Jenna is the owner of AbsoluteWrite.com, a writer friendly site. She's also the author of Make a Real Living as a Freelance Writer and one of my favourites, Outwitting Writer's Block. Not only does she write for writers but the last year she wrote an authorized biography for Celine Dion: For Keeps. This working writer has a knack for sharing her experience with others. In this publication she has joined forces with Daniel Steven, a writer and publishing lawyer.

This is definitely a must-have guide for writers, especially the writer who dabbles in many areas. It's not only about what to avoid but doing it better. The Street-Smart Writer is divided into 17 chapters with an appendix of additional forms tacked on the end. Chapter breakdown:

1 - Agents & Managers (spotting sharks)
2 - Agents & Managers (finding a good one)
3 - Paying to Publish (vanity and subsidy presses)
4 - What to do if you've been screwed
5 - Trouble Spots in Book Contracts
6 - After Publication Rip-offs for Book Authors
7 - Vanity Poetry Contests
8 - Deceptive Contests for Novelists, Short Story Writers, Screen writers & others
9 - Crash Course in Copyright
10 - Special Screw-over for Screenwriters
11 - Monstrous Magazines & E-zines
12 - Dealing with Deadbeats
13 - Costly Courses & Shady Seminars
14 - How to Know When They're really using You
15 - Spotting False Credentials
16 - Protecting Yourself from Threats & Lawsuits
17 - "They Stole My Idea!" and other things not to worry about.

One of the things I appreciated about the Street-Smart Writer was its ability to explain instead of tell. Like the "big bucks" you make at vanity presses: -Let's say you managed to sell a hundred copies through bookstores. How much would you earn on a 250-page paperback book printed as cheaply as possible with a retail price of $20? About $240. Which means if you paid a print-on-demand company to publish your book and didn't even spend a dime to have it edited or promoted, you still wouldn't even have recouped your initial investment, let alone made any profit from your hard work.- To finish off Street-Smart provides a commercial publisher arrangement for you to compare. An eye opener for anyone thinking they can make big(ger) bucks by doing it themselves.

Many sample letters appear throughout and to help you decipher any forms the appendix provides examples of: Literary Agent Agreement, Interview Release, Permissions Agreement, Contributors Agreement, Trade Publishing Agreement, Film Option & Literary Purchase Agreement. These are not meant to be substitute agreements but to give you some background information when you're cool and collected because you know your stomach is going to be in knots when the real thing comes.

There's so much in this book for the eclectic writer. But any writer can learn from all these areas and apply it to their own work. Jenna Glatzer's usual comedic style, logic and blunt truth delivers the cold hard facts about the writing world. In layman's terms she explains away the idiots of the industry's scam tactics by teaching readers how to read between the lines. It's not meant to be a scare tactic but to make you an informed writer and it accomplishes its task. Reviewed by M. E. Wood.

While the entire book is fantastic, and offers an insider's look into the world of freelance writing and authoring books, I have to say I found Chapter 5: Trouble Spots In Book Contracts to be the best part of the book. It delves into trouble areas that can hurt the author, and how to maneuver around them. Finally, the appendix of forms is priceless: sample literary agent agreement, interview release form, permissions agreement, contributor's agreement, trade publishing agreement, and film option agreement.

Jackie Curtis was a close friend of the guy who ran the James Dean Gallery. It was through him and my interest in James Dean and the link to Jackie Curtis through the line in 'Walk On The Wild Side, that I decided to find out more about him and the lifestyle of those around him, Andy Warhol and the era. I wasn't disappointed. The five stars rating is based on me getting what I wanted. It is an easy read. A series of short anecdotal interviews with those who knew this person well. It is open and honest. The accompanying DVD is well-produced and brings to life the book itself. Fascinating.

Jackie Curtis was great - this book and DVD are a rich history of one of Warhols' Drag superstars - the smartest one of them all

I finished: Superstar in a Housedress, as well as watching the DVD. Thank you Mr. Highberger for providing a most interesting and sincere look into Jackie Curtis.


The format was so nice, to hear from so many people who were close to this incredible person really gave me a better idea of who Jackie was and how she lived. I have had the opportunity, as a transsexual entertainer, to travel the country and meet many transgendered performers. They obviously do not get the press or opportunity they deserve. This book is a fitting tribute to a person who helped shape todays theater and bring attention to gender expression.

Jackie was obviously a genius who in many ways helped to shape the character of what we know Broadway play to be, and from the off off Broadway level. He/she lived the street life and was a very real person, on a real level facing the challenges life on that level brings regardless of the day to day persona she would take on.

The book/CD focuses on commentary from her friends and aqauintences and whether from a gay/trans or straight perspective, Jackie Curtis was the epitome of living life as one's own self and creating from the most sincere inner feelings in the face of great odds. Many exerpts of her plays, notes and writings are included to give the reader a more intimate view of Jackie and the person within the personna, whether that be Jackie, James Dean or some other form of self expression.

Obviously she can be an inspiration to those who strive for individuality and to leave a positive mark through their works regardless of her tragic finality.
I would highly recommend viewing this documentary and reading the book as well for anyone interested in life, humor, love, tragedy and the very real Star that Jackie Curtis was.

If, like me, you ran across the book 'Superstar in a Housedress' while looking for the documentary of the same name, it may have taken you a few minutes to figure out that buying the book is, apparently, the only way to get the DVD.

Yes, this is the full, ninety-plus minute release of the DVD available for rent from Netflix and other rental venues. How the choice was made to market the film as a "companion piece" to the book, without (as far as I can tell) releasing it as a stand-alone purchase, I dunno. I hope it will be released separately in the future, since the current marketing format, I'd think, would tend to lessen its circulation to a wider audience.

Not that there's anything wrong with the book: it's a compendium of reminiscences by people who were close to Jackie. Some of the material repeats what's in the film, and some fills in gaps in backstory that 90 minutes can't provide, such as details on the life and death of the remarkable (and remarkably messed-up) Andrea Feldman. Still, a nice chunky paperback book of commentary in a boxed DVD set might have been a better way to sell the package, which is truly a good one. It's just that the DVD overrides the book in its excellence. There's no good reason why the book needed to be published in hardcover; it's really liner notes for the DVD.

And then there's the strange, spooky, *sealed* envelope that the DVD itself comes in. Glued furtively into the back of the book, there's a lengthy disclaimer proclaiming in no uncertain terms that you MUST NOT OPEN THE PACKAGE ("Simply return the sealed package.") if you think that the DVD might in any number of (enumerated) ways ruin your life. Talk about user-friendly!

But the good news is -- once you get over the fear, and open the potentially-deadly "package", you find that after all it's just an ordinary DVD, and a great one, at that. Densely packed with interviews, historical stills, film clips, and even a fair amount of very early videotape, this documentary is a detailed and very loving portrait of one of the most defiant gender-bending artists in the history of gender-bending and the stage itself.

The past several years have seen the release of the Paul Morrisey/Andy Warhol films on DVD, and that's brought these previously hard-to-get-at movies to a new audience. This in turn has increased curiosity about the Warhol scene in the 60's, 70's, and later; and that period is increasingly interesting, as civilization lurches inexorably (or so it seems) toward a dessicated, triple-filtered, don't-drink, don't-smoke cultural puritanism.

What was going on in New York in the 50's, 60's, and 70's transformed the American culture. A whole lot of the sexual freedom that we have today, whether it's embraced or bemoaned by whatever faction, comes from the crazy explosion that was the 60's and 70's. There's no shortage of information on the cultural revolution that happened then, but there's also no end to what can be added to it. This story about Jackie Curtis is no small addition.

As a smart kid escaping the wilds of Connecticut who started hustling the streets in NY at 16, I knew a number of the people in this film peripherally, and for the most part they were the people who informed my perception of what life was all about. There was a communality, and a total lack of hierarchy (but for a few bitchfests) and everyone was welcome; I think, in retrospect, that this was what the hippieness of the 60's led to: a kind of a hybrid of the rejection of popular culture with the co-opting of it. At the time, the most visible manifestation of pre-packaged pop culture that could be harvested was the Hollywood star system of the 30's and 40's. Jackie Curtis was hip to this, but also added a Dada-style twist to it. Warhol became the catalyst, but what 'Superstar in a Housedress' demonstrates is that he couldn't have done the things that he (or rather, Paul Morrisey, working under his aegis) did without girls like Jackie, Candy Darling, or Holly Woodlawn (whom, I have to say, is looking absolutely GREAT in this doc, and QUITE the polished lady.)

This is an absolutely essential documentary for those interested in the period, its quirks, and its consequences. But moreso, it's a great tribute to the unbridled, mad creativity of Jackie Curtis, who should never be forgotten. Hopefully, this DVD (and its companion piece, the book) will help assure that.

Also -- at the time of this writing, the book and DVD are pretty consistently available from housing_works_bookstore @ Amazon at a cheap price. Housing Works supports homeless people affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City, so purchasing from them is a win-win thing. They got my order to me very quickly and in perfect condition, so what could I do? I ordered another one from them right away. Somebody's getting it for Christmas. Don't know who yet. Somebody who will have been REAL good this year!

Seriously, though -- if you're interested in the history of the NY art scene in the period, this is very much worth buying.

That's a quote used in the movie. And now one of my top 3 favorite quotes to be used forever after.

There was so much to like about this person and movie. Jackie was a phenomenal character. She/he was iconic in the strongest sense of the word. Total belief in herself and her plan (mad though it was at times) and such charisma that all around her believed in her and themselves as much as she did. She altered paradigms.

This particular subculture fascinates me to no end and it is covered well in this DVD. It's classic David and Goliath except David's gotta push it by wearing a dress. I couldn't respect that in-your-faceness more if I tried. I wish I could better convey what I mean. And it's not a movie about sexual preferences. No agenda is forced on you in any way. It's just completely unique.

The fact that this is a documentary and these things really happened and these people really did exist as they did, simply adds to the magic of this movie. Of course, many of those people are still with us and told their tales within. And most of them are extremely interesting as well. It covers more than just Jackie. The world Jackie became famous in is explored in depth as well.

Just as a comparison, it is like the Grateful Dead shows. Nothing like this will ever happen in this way ever again - nothing this new, different, odd, and perfect just for what it was, and it's tragic if you think you may have wanted to be part of it in some way, witness it, but didn't. And if you did, you're breathing the rare air.

I believe that a well written short story is easy to imagine but difficult to capture. Mr. O'Hara, however, seems to capture different moments and ideas in his short stories with effortless flair. His writing is both sparse and ornate--which is just the way I like my stories. His words took me to places that were magical and raw. Reading The Swan also made me want to visit the Sacremento Valley immediately.

Mr. O'Hara has given us such a gift with this book. I will read it again and again. I am honored to have it in my collection.

lavish Lines/luscious Lies

The Swan: Tales of the Sacramento Valley is the debut book of Andrew F. O'Hara, a former patrolman and current editor of the online magazine, The Jimston Journal www.jimstonjournal.com. Mr. O' Hara's book is a collection of short stories and from past experiences, any collection of short stories that I've read with the exception of Carol Riley Cain's Ghosts, Spooks and Spirits of South Texas, have been rather dismal or uninspiring to say the least. But this little 140-paged book was a welcomed change.
The Swan, as mentioned before, is a diverse range of short stories. From humorous yarns about a nagging wife to a patrolman who's losing his sanity and resorting to alcohol for some solace, there is something here that caters to everyone's taste.
There's a mantra that has been around for many years now and that is, "never judge a book by its cover." Well when one glances upon the cover of The Swan, they are greeted with an image of a swan with its wings poised in the air as it glides along the shimmering waters of some anonymous pond or lake. This image of pleasantry does somehow go hand-in-hand with the stories of this book as they are beautifully written. Every tale was unique and written in a fresh approach but what was really distinctive was the method in which the author was able to breathe new life into each character. From start to finish, one has a vivid picture in their mind of the character's actions in all the compositions. My favourites are "A Poet's Song" and "An Act of Cowardice" because these contain, in my opinion, the strongest characters of the entire collection. In "A Poet's Song", an old husband and poet, has to listen to the nagging of his wife as she no longer likes to see him writing poetry. Her biting words or comments ring in the ears of the reader and you cannot help but feel pity for the old man. The main character in, "An Act of Cowardice", is a World War II vet who feels guilty about a deed he did in his past and although anyone in his position would've done the same if they were in his position, his feeling of guilt resonates with the reader. Another talent that O'Hara possesses is a certain richness in his descriptions. For those of you who may never get a chance to visit the Sacramento Valley or indeed the US, Andrew paints a scenic picture of the location in which each tale is set in. It's these attributes that make Tales of The Sacramento Valley a worthwhile addition to your bookshelf.
If you're remotely interested in compiling a book of short stories, then The Swan is a must read as O'Hara expertly displays how it's done. With splendid characterisation, picturesque descriptions, and excellent stories, this should be on everyone's "to buy" list and would make a great gift at Christmas to pass away the winter blues.

Aidan Lucid
www.iol.ie/~thelucidreview

Andy O'Hara is a storyteller who understands the value of a good story, well told. And that is what you'll find in The Swan - a collection of very good stories, very well told by a writer who understands that a whispered word can pack more punch than a raised voice. These are stories of love and death (and really what else is there worth writing about?). They are not easy stories and they are, perhaps, uneven (which is just another way of saying you'll have your favorites). They are written with a gentleness of spirit that some might call old-fashioned. So be it. I just call it good writing.

This 2007 revised edition is a collection of wonderful provoking short stories. Each as engaging as the one before. The descriptions of the small towns made me feel that I was in each place; seeing and feeling the scenery, people and even the stars.
I could not put it down. My only disappointment was that there was not another story and I had to close the book with its beautiful cover.

This is the new Swan, the 2007 Edition with feathers all bright white, fluffed and ready to lull and captivate you at the same time. Andy O'Hara has improved on the un-improvable this time around. The weave is tight, but so smoothly done the stories blend into each other, carrying two common themes to fruition by the turn of the last page. The fun is how Andy has taken the reader on a swing through his beloved Sacramento Valley. He describes obscure towns giving us a mental picture along with the smell of the dust, the fields, the eucalyptus groves and more. The stories, Andy claims, are fiction, but I would bet most have been drawn from his own experiences. A great read and a great buy, one I will enjoy over and over again...J.B. Bergstad

In Tales of Dirt, Danger and Darkness, Paul Steward shows us the intensity, the peril, the exhilaration of subterranean exploration. These tales will thrill, amuse, and frighten--in other words, they do exactly what good stories are supposed to do, entertain and inform.

This book is a must-read for cavers and non-cavers alike, and for adventurers in general (including the armchair variety).

Paul Jay Steward's novel of short stories, "Tales of Dirt, Danger, and Darkness," is a variety show of caving macabre. The author is your host as he appears throughout the book as if to say, "Welcome to my nightmare." Every page is filled with wry commentary and twisted wit as Paul guides you through caving anecdotes and tales that will make you paranoid enough to avoid the dark recesses of your own garage. This book not only held my interest, it also gave me the creeps and made me laugh out loud. I heartily recommend this one.

Although not a caver myself, I certainly have enjoyed the beauty of caves. They have always seemed to have a life of their own, but now, after reading this collection of stories, I see dark and terrifying things in every corner (which is not a bad thing since I love a good horror tale).

These stories truly reach out and grab your heart and give it a good twist. No matter what your views were on caves before, wonderful or scary...you won't walk away from this book and see them the same ever again.

Mr. Steward's book should come with a sticker like a sign I once saw at a cave entrance. "WARNING, ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!"

I once enjoyed going into caves. Now I think I'll just be content with the IDEA of going into caves.

Seriously, Paul Steward's stories are intriguing and scary. In fact, the next time I'm with friends at a late-night campfire I'm going to pull out Paul's book and read the one about the two guys who make the mistake of trying to convince a landowner to let them explore a cave on his property...

If you think you like caves, you need to read this book. There are some things you should know...

Outrageous, bizarre and funny, Paul Steward's book, TALES OF DIRT, DANGER AND DARKNESS, transports the reader into realms of terror not often visited. The horrors of the cave world, presented as entrapment and death, remind the reader that, in darkness, the mind is precariously perched between fantasy and reality and between good and evil. The terror of being accountable to the devil is there because of human greed and the desire for fame and power. And Steward often approaches the episodes in this book with subtle humor. We all have our spiritual dark sides, so clearly presented in this book. An electrifying collection of original short stories, and an excellent read!