Martinez Books

Developing Your Writing Voice

Suzette Martinez Standring is more than a helpful, how-do book; it can be the start of a new career for many inspiring writers. She starts her book where all with the understanding that "every morning millions of readers turn the to their favorite newspaper columnist." Writers need an audience, they seek it, crave it and survive upon they support from their audience. The very thought of being in the public eye (or eyes) is what most writers seek and this book teaches a writer gives answers for that goal. Standring moves her readers, step by step, up the hill for "telling the story" and give an opportunity to become a successful columnist writer. She reminds writers that not all start out for recognition as a columnist, but often find themselves at that door in their writing career. What a wonderful opportunity for recognition as a writer while developing readership fans, she reminds the reader. Included in her information is, not only her knowledge but also that of great columnist that have been and/or are in the business. She helps to develop one's "voice" with advice from well-known columnist the late great Art Buchwald. Tell your story, write it to fulfill the editor's wants, and make it the right length. How difficult it is to tell a good story in a short amount of space. Standring takes her readers, as a good teacher does, through those steps, while helping them understand their voice. For example, will you be a humor or life-style columnist metro or religious? Blogging and getting on the radio are all included. She talks money, syndications, ethics and all else it takes. What more could a writer want? Her book is a mandatory read at three universities and it only just came out this year. That will speak for its credibility as a superb and educational columnist read.

The late Luis Martinez Roca was a talent that left us much too soon. The Spanish-born artist would first make a name for himself working on various comic strips and other projects in the UK. We would later begin working on the Warren line of magazines such as Eerie, Creepy, and most notably Vampirella. Roca passed away suddenly in 1998 but left behind a wonderful legacy of beautiful women and fantasy art. Thanks to SQP, Roca's work is being preserved and reaching many new fans.

This collection is represents a marvelous sampling of his pencil work. Roca's style is the very essence of heroic swords & sorcery with larger than life heroes, evil villains, and buxom, gorgeous women. The book has several of Roca's Conan drawings and very few artists outside of Frazetta and maybe Boris were able to capture the power and savagery of Robert E. Howard's barbarian hero the Roca did. Page 10 features perhaps my favorite Conan piece in the book as he squares off against a giant spider to rescue a girl while a wizard lurks menacingly in the background. It's a great piece!

The Art of Roca isn't all about Swords & Sorcery however. As mentioned, this is really a sampling of Roca's art and thus features a diversity of drawings. There are historical drawings drawing on Roman and pirate themes, as well a number of gothic-themed drawings. My favorite is perhaps the group of zombies that are lumbering about under a fog-shrouded moon. There are also several finished pieces that feature samurai, gunslingers, and hard-boiled detectives. The book completes with several pages of nude sketches including one of Roca's favorite subjects, Vampirella. Included are several dominatrix-themed sketches with leather clad women bearing whips and ready for action.

In this book, Roca shows that he had the talent to work in any genre. There's no doubt that he would have gone on to even greater fame had it not been for his untimely passing at the relatively young age of 58. Thankfully his artistic legacy will live on.

Reviewed by Tim Janson

A collection of columns from the past that are both humorous, sometimes thought provoking and sometimes sad. The first time you read through the articles, they are fun. But later as you read through them again, many times they evoke emotions that you never expected. Or sometimes they are more timely the second time around. When I first read them, I hadn't experienced the death of a friend. The second time I had and the column brought tears to my eyes. His other book, Dancing Under the Moon, also brings emotions to the surface. Both books can make you laugh outloud at the antics of his dogs and grandkids. They also make you think about your reactions to similar situations and maybe how you could have reacted in a different manner. But no matter how they affect you, they are always entertaining.

The story will captivate your attention and move you to tears. Once you start reading you will find it very difficult to put down. This is a book that you will want to pass it on to your friends. A great Christmas gift!

This is a delightful historical look at Brooksville's past through photographs. It captures the essence of the town and its people.

This is an excellent collection of Peninsular literary criticism. There are great chapters on Generacion de '98 (by Roberta Johnson) and Post-Franco literature (by Brad Epps).

If this book is really the one I think is, written by the César Vidal, and that comes with a CD of 20 Southern songs, then you can rest assured this a treat for you. Mr. Vidal has a radio program in Spain, late Saturday nights (on Cope radio) where he talks a little about Southern history, its music and cultural roots. But mostly its music. This book is basically what the programme is about: a homage to the great South (God bless it always).

This book is a delicious taste of the South. I read it in one night.

Everyone's favorite sponge stars in this new book. This book is amazing- great for anyone who likes animation. This book was awesome and I recommend it to everyone of any age.

'Cargar la suerte' es una selección rigurosa de los diarios de Antonio Martínez Sarrión. El autor traza una punzante, amena y divertida crónica de los años recientes, sobre todo de los ochenta, que se prestan a la ironía más penetrante, o incluso al humor negro. Por estas páginas asoman los libros, las diversas artes, los protagonistas de la vida cultural y política, la reflexión, la epifanía.

'Cargar la suerte' es un contacto directo, cara a cara, personal y único, con uno de los autores que más huella están dejando en la literatura española contemporánea.

_______________

En español. / IN SPANISH