Sales Books

Finally a reference book to help book authors figure out who in Hollywood is buying and selling books. It's all the sales information I need to know to get my book into the marketplace. What a great idea! I'm looking forward to the updates.

This book takes over where every other similar book leaves off. Instead of dealing in vague concepts and sales theory, "Hollywood Literary Sales Directory" gives you the facts. It tells you exactly how and where to find the contacts you need to make the sale. It's a must-have for any writer ready to take the next step forward in his or her career.

As a book author, I have found the Hollywood Literary Sales Directory to be a very useful tool in marketing my books to Hollywood. Whether you are published or not, this is a must-have resource book. Eric Dobris

I have a friend (another M.D.) who spent years putting a script together and who tells me this is the book to get! Packed with info. So, I got one and it is packed!

So you want to sell a spec screenplay, but you don't know who's buying what... Without a solid grasp of the marketplace, chances are your script will just languish in a drawer. If you'd rather see it on the big screen, you'll need to do your homework. The beauty of the Hollywood Literary Sales Directory is that Howard Meibach has done the homework for us... He's compiled market data which includes all major script sales through 7/98, and includes logline, genre, writer, purchase price, producer, agent/agency, buyer, & more. The information is cross-referenced 4 different ways for convenient access. For serious screenwriters, this book is as important a marketing tool as the Hollywood Creative Directory!

a very helpful book....more than pays for itself. As a real estate broker and developer, I found some hints and tips that
even I wasn't aware of. GREAT BOOK!!!!

I found the book to be very understandable with a lot of great information. The author obviously has a great deal of knowledge about the topic and conveys it in a very down-to-earth fashion. We have built several homes in our lives and I wish we would have had this book before we began. The book covers every aspect of construction and how to manage each stage. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone even thinking about building a new home, or having someone build one for you. Even if the reader is not planning to do the contracting themselves, it does give them good insight as to what to expect from a quality contractor. Read this book before you build!

The author states that women can contract the building of homes, as well as men. I wasn't sure that I believed that. I've already learned that I'm not good at hammering nails or finishing sheetrock. A still unfinished basement taught me that. But I think the basement will get finished now, with the help of this book. It appears to me that general contracting is a lot like shopping for the best deal with several subcontractors and then organizing them. Who knows how to organize shopping better than a woman?

This book is written in a humorous and concise, step by step, easy to follow manner that anyone can understand. Many sections are helpful not only to individuals building a house, but also to those buying an existing home. The information on financing and qualifying for a loan were very helpful to my daughter and son-in-law before they bought their existing home and they will be using the contractor/sub-contractor info to finish their basement. It is a very helpful book for any homeowner.

Having already built two homes myself I thought I k,new most of the pitfalls but Mr. Lane's book brought back many memories, most unpleasant. Besides going into wonderful detail without techical over load this book covers every subject. Most particularly is that you write down what is to occur at each part and have the sub-contractor sign the aggrement. Number one is "don't change anything agreed upon without a written change order". This proably costs most builders more money than anything during the project life.
This book will get you through the complete process, I call it my tech fact book. It's full of reminders and helpful hints as well as the "step by step basics". I also apreciate his willing ness to be involved if you request his help.
It's obivous to me Lane had "been there done that"

This is one of the best horse books I own. The information in it is just like what I learned when I boarded my horse and took jumper lessons from one of the top competative riders in my area. It covers a broad range of topics and has a much greater depth of information than any other horse book (that I've seen) that covers so many topics. Most importantly, the information is correct. Teaches even stark beginners the very basics but is quite useful even to those with years of experience. Very highly recommneded.

I plan on purchasing this book again! I give riding lessons etc. and find it a great book for young and old to read. My original seems to have disappeared (one of my young students probably coudn't bear parting with it!).I am waiting for the new addition to come out!

The 1999 edition of A Horse Around the House addresses every aspect of horse ownership in a clearly written and beautifully illustrated package. The author is technically correct on the details. Any person who has an interest in horses can learn from this book. It is a must for new, old and potential horse owners.

We found "A Horse Around the House" extrememly useful as new horse owners. All the information you'll need to understand not only the makeup and characteristics of equines is here, along with subtle information about the nuances of horse personalities. We highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about horses.

It is delightful to see the updated return of this compendious and clearly written one-stop shop for the new or experienced horse owner. The book became an almost instant classic upon its initial publication, and Pat Jacobson,a well respected teacher and trainer in the Hudson Valley region, has worked hard to incorporate the myriad advances in horse "housekeeping" that have taken place in the intervening two decades. While probably most useful to the first-time horse owner, the book is still an invaluable quick reference for anyone who does not wish to wade through piles of horse magazines to be reminded of the right treatment for thrush; what to do in hot weather, or the correct proportions of hay to grain. Elegant and humorous illustrations reinforce the readable text.

Over the past year I have read, listened or watched some of the best teaching programs available. And I mean dozens ...! For a program that includes content, presentation and price all in one package this one can't be beat. This program is timeless, unless advertising and marketing takes a turn we can't see just yet. I don't think that will be happening for a while.

I am just begining my business and I bought Drew's book and tapes to help me write my advertisements. Drew's advise is shaping my company message. I make a hockey puck for ice hockey players to practice with when they are off the ice. My old message would have been about how great the pucks were. My advertising theme now is directed at helping hockey players improve their skills. My ads will include advise on shooting, passing and stickhandling. We will become the source for off ice practice and training information. We were already leaning towards this idea but Drew's information really confirmed the value of doing business this way. Drew's tapes have given me a lot of new ideas and I am looking forward to when I can actually start writing my ads.
Pete Dudley, President
High Score Hockey

I have been in advertising for 15 years and I really wasn't expecting to hear something that I did not know. My specialty has been brand building vs. direct response. I am sitting here, head just spinning over the information that I have either never thought of or didn't remember from college. Who would have thought that someone who has advertised for a living for so long
would get so much information and I'm only on tape #3!

There is no fluff, no hype, just pure information and facts. I can't wait to hear the rest. I will be ordering Drew Eric Whitman's next book as soon as I'm done with this one!

I've been listening to tapes for over twenty years and can't think of any that is as jam-packed with useful information.

One of the things that really sets this program apart from others that I've listened to is the fact that Drew doesn't waste your time with a lot of dry theory and fluff. He gets right down to business and delivers an overwhelming amount of practical information in a style that is entertaining and easy to follow. He gives you an overview of the entire field of advertising while at the same time supplying you with the tools and mindset you need to start writing immediately. It's one of the few audiocourses out there that really delivers what it promises -- showing you how to write great customer-focused copy that gets results! I highly recommend this program.

John Prosseda
Durham, North Carolina

The best way I use to measure how good a copywriter is: Did I buy their product? Think about it, if a copywriter can't sell you their own product - how are they going to teach you how to sell your product or service to others? How to Create Power-Packed Ads sits on my computer desk, not on my bookshelf with all my other books - so I can refer to it regularly. Filled full of tips and tricks to improve your copy, and your sales. Great book!

This book is full of excellent advice that is transferable across any industry. There are not complex formulas and 12 steps programs, just a few simple rules to ensure you provide superior service to your customers, your friends and your family. It's really the difference between delivering good work and delivering work that is forever remembered by your clients.

Frankly, I doubt if there are any head-snapping revelations left concerning customer service but I continue to be impressed by recently published books in which their authors offer thought-provoking perspectives, insights, and suggestions worthy of careful consideration. Just as there is a buyer for every house, in publishing there is a buyer for every book. My task as a reviewer is to help those who read my comments to decide whether or not the given book seems to be directly appropriate to her or his own circumstances, needs, and interests. How You Do...What You Do offers a case in point.

Bob Livingston achieves his objective of presenting a comprehensive, cohesive, and cost-effective program that (with appropriate modifications, of course) could be put in place by almost any company, whatever its size and nature may be. I think that his book can also be of substantial value to individuals in sales, especially those who are relatively inexperienced although much of what he shares could serve as "reminders" to sales managers.

Obviously, the best an organization can do to support its sales initiatives (as opposed to its marketing initiatives) is to "free up" its salespersons - as much as possible - from responsibilities that are unrelated to the cultivation, solicitation, and post-sale process. Less time consumed by paperwork means more time available to nourish customer relationships. A company can maintain zero-defect quality control of each product it sells. It can also ensure that there are no foul-ups with order processing, delivery, invoicing, and technical service. An appropriate analogy would be to carrier jet pilots who also depend on an efficient system to provide the information they need, then get them and their planes safely on their way to each target destination. As Livingston explains very well, companies should be customer-centric, indeed customer-driven and develop a culture that recognizes what Peter Drucker observed decades ago: "If you don't have a customer, you don't have a business."

Of course, selling today must take into full account that customers have more choices than ever before, that many (if not most) products are commodities or at least widely viewed that way, and that in general, customers are much better informed than in years past, largely because of immediate access to more and better information, much of it provided by Web sites. (There are several Web sites that direct people to other Web sites. They function as an electronic concierge" and can be quite helpful.) Purchase decisions - including the decision to purchase nothing now or soon - usually involve several people (what Michael Boylan characterizes as a "circle of influence") rather than a single decision-maker, so cultivation strategies must be diversified and "customized" and yet (somehow) coordinated effectively. If you don't think that's tricky, try doing it.

As Livingston fully understands, no sales program or system such as his (or anyone else's) can ever replace a knowledgeable, likeable, principled, and energetic salesperson, nor was it intended to be. On the contrary, it should be viewed as an enabling device that saves a salesperson precious time and energy, improves identification and pre-qualification of prospective customers, and in other ways (to repeat) "frees up" her or him to focus on cultivation and solicitation initiatives.

His book will help those in sales to gain a better understand of what to do...and how to do it. (Those who read between lines will also get some tips on what not to do...and how not to do it.) Livingston's book can also help CEOs and other C-level executives to gain a better understanding of why a customer-centric, indeed customer-driven culture must be established and then sustained.

Those who share my high regard for this book are urged to check out Joseph Michelli's The New Gold Standard: 5 Leadership Principles for Creating a Legendary Customer Experience Courtesy of The Ritz Carlton Hotel Company and two of Leonard Berry's books, On Great Service: A Framework for Action and Discovering the Soul of Service: The Nine Drivers of Sustainable Business Success as well as Creating Customer Evangelists: How Loyal Customers Become a Volunteer Sales Force co-authored by Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba.

One could easily say that Bob's most enduring talent is to naturally motivate and encourage those around him. For those of us who have seen him speak, we have had the luxury of seeing the stories in this book come to life in the most inspiring and thought provocking manner.

You will want to photocopy sections of this book for your staff, bosses and clients alike. You will find yourself coming back to it over and over again. HYDWYD will be your valued asset in engaging those around you in service minded behavior. After all it is about the "how" you do "what" you do...

Bob is clearly the real life depiction of "how you do, what you do!" I can easily endorse Bob and his book without reservation.

I have had the pleasure of reading the book, hearing him present "How you do..What you do, and working with him directly and I can tell you that Bob Livingston is the real deal! The premise of the book extends beyond work and has meaning for your personal life as well. The book lays out in clear terms a pathway for improving "how you do" things, in many ways a lost art (or even value) today. It also provides meaningful examples to emphasize the points. It is fast paced and a must read!

Bob Livingston has a wonderful way of conveying service stories and solutions. He shares his many years of experience and situations from the Corporate World and presents simple solutions that we can all learn from. Every time I have a poor service experience, I wish that there were handouts in Bob's book so that I could share with people how they could learn to improve their level of service. How You Do....What You Do raises an awareness level of service second to none. This is a quick read, that will remain with you always. I highly recommend it.

Jonathan Raban is truly a gifted writer, and he articulates in beautiful and apt prose his keen grasp and feel for the subject matter here to his readers.

Raban's written better books - Old Glory and Badland, to name two - nonetheless, Mr. Heartbreak is an engaging book that is a delight to read. Seeking the singular experience of becoming American, Raban sets up shop in New York City, Guntersville (Alabama), Seattle, and Key West to investigate the newly emigrated and those whose families emigrated generations ago. His observations of people and places are insightful, intriguing and occasionally quite funny.

He is an accomplished observer, capable of peering beyond the surface to uncover what lies beneath. The book's opening, in which Raban describes his sea voyage from Liverpool to New York, is particularly entertaining. So, too, his sojourn in Alabama where he provides gleeful commentary on the irony of a town embracing provincialism whilst stuggling with worldy challenges. I was tempted to award this book 5 stars, but it simply doesn't measure up to other Raban efforts. All the same, it is an excellent selection on anyone's reading list.

Raban's four books written to date on America-Old Glory, Hunting Mr Heartbreak, Badlands and Passage to Juneau-are all elegant and entertaining meditations on America and what it is to be American. Although each book is very different, they all feature the same blend of candid autobiography, careful historical exegesis, vivid description, and wry humour. Each one is a rewarding work, but Hunting Mr Heartbreak is in my view his masterpiece. Each chapter of the book is a self-contained episode in a personal odyssey, which takes as its starting point the voyage made by the immigrants who flocked to the New World from Europe. The book was written over ten years ago and a few parts of it have inevitably lost a little of their resonance, but his exploration of the historical currents underlying American life and of the concept(s) of Americanness itself remains as relevant and perceptive as ever. Raban's skillful interweaving of allegory and analysis, cleverness and comedy, wonder and unease has resulted in a rich and endlessly fascinating book.

Jonathan Raban is, unless I'm missing some unknown genius out there (always a possibility), the best contemporary travel writer out there - hands, anchors, flaps down. I think the main reason for this is that his writing is not MERE travel writing, as such, but is as much introspective as explorative. He allows the places he visits to seep into him and produces narratives that seamlessly mingle inner and outer travel as no other modern writer does. He is also keenly aware - or makes himself keenly aware - of the history of the places he sojourns, such as Guntersville, Alabama, giving his narratives a further layer of texture and depth. Added to all these qualities, he is extremely literate and literary - And yet for all these depths, he is so much fun!

There are not many books which cause me to laugh aloud when reading them; Fielding's Eighteenth Century Classic Tom Jones was the last, if memory serves. But this book did it for me, particularly the one hundred page centrepiece of the book, the chapter "In Our Valley", set in Guntersville, Alabama: His (successful) attempt to "rent" or borrow a dog - the Labrador "Gypsy", his renting a cabin in a neighbourhood called Polecat Alley, imagining himself as a Southern squire if he buys the lakefront property a local real estate dealer is attempting to foist on him etc--Perhaps it's because I myself am a transplanted Englishman living in the South, but these hundred pages were golden to me, and worth as much as the entire book- particularly when Raban notices he's picking up a Southern accent and starting to call himself "Mr. Rayburn" (to be intoned with long-stressed Southern syllables), as the rest of the town has denominated him.

Well, I've gone on enough. Time for me, as Raban puts it, to "flat-mash the gas pedal" and let you readers do the further exploring.

This is an extremely excellent book both full of character and details as it is of a real understanding of the perspectives of the early immigrants. This is a must read book that not only opens up the US as a haven for others but also as a place of great opportunities. It will leave you wanting to read more.

I am watching the I Love Lucy DVD sets right now. I loved to watch the TV show when I was a little kid right up through adulthood. This book is a great help while watching the DVDs. I can look up an episode that I really loved and read more about it. Memories can be stirred up or I can find out more about the show for the first time. My only regret is that the book isn't comprehensive. It deals with the best episodes and not all of them. I would love a book that deals with all the episodes but maybe it would be too big.

This is a really nice look at I Love Lucy. The pictures are great. I just wish they would have been able to include more episodes.

" I LOVE LUCY " WAS 1 OF THE BEST TV SHOWS IN THE 1950'S AND IS THE BEST SHOW EVER." I LOVE LUCY" CLASSIC MOMENTS BOOK IS A MUST FOR ANY "I LOVE LUCY" FAN. IT SHOWS YOU THE CLASSIC MOMENTS IN WHAT THE BEST TV SHOW THAT WAS EVER MADE.LUCILLE BALL AND DESI ARNAZ MADE WHAT THE SHOW WAS,ALSO VIVIAN VANCE AND WILLIAM FRAWLEY WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AS FRED AND ETHEL MERTZ AT 323 E.68TH ST. I FINSHED THIS BOOK AND I TRULY ENJOYED IT.

This is a great book for behind the scenes pictures of the cast and the stage they worked on. I have owned this book for about a year, and come back to look at it all the time. Lucille Ball is my favorite actress, and I just love her to pieces! This book contains photos of their set and everyday life. It also conatains some stories of their lives, so if you are a Lucy fan like me, don't miss this book!

this book is a must have for every LUCY-DESI fan all over the world. it contains beautiful pictures and a lot of information about each episode. it is part of my collection and I see myself coming back to it everytime to look something up.is one of the most complete books I have ever encountered.

This book is by far my favorite of all Erma Bombeck's books. I suspect this book is not as popular as her other writings because it's about kids with cancer, but Bombeck does an amazing job of taking such a heavy subject and finding the bright side of it all.

My son was diagnosed in 1989 at the age of 8 years old with three brain tumors. We were told her would die in surgery and if he did live he would be a vegetable. The doctor was wonderful and he lives and is doing wonderfully! I have been involved deeply with brain tumor suppport now for 11 years. I talk to families at least once a week. This book gives great insight into how the kids feel about their disease and the experience that goes with it. The most important part of this book is the section that the fathter's discuss their feelings. Dads have a very difficult time knowing how to help and "fix" it as they think they must! This chapter is priceless. Good Book, Good Information, Important learning here!

This book is a wonderfully humorous and insightful look into children's experiences with caner. Although it certainly is not a humorous subject, the book really shows the powerful spirit of children and demonstrates the importance of humor in illness. And no matter what they go through, kids are still kids. I read this for the first time in college, and now I am a pediatrician.

Having grown up in an era when "the 'C' word" meant a death sentence, I was taken aback when a friend of mine suggested this little-known work of Erma Bombeck's. Why would a humerous writer tackle such a depressing subject? Kids with cancer? The book was not depressing at all. Sure I cried, but they were tears of joy. I laughed at the antics of some of the kids. I praised the professionals who dedicate their time and money to these kids. Cancer is no longer necessarily a terminal disease. People beat it all the time. I was unaware of this until I read this book, and no one could do it like Erma. I highly recommend this book to anyone, but it is especially uplifting to someone who has a friend or family member with cancer.

Erma Bombeck became renowned by highlighting the amusing aspects of the terrene. She did not usually make what are typically called "jokes"-just offbeat observations. Her columns more often initiated a satisfying smile than a hearty belly laugh. But even on the occasions that she was painfully funny she showed respect for her subjects and her audience. It was the proud acknowledgement that she was one of us that allowed us to chuckle at family life, grocery shopping, housework, and all the other quotidian errands that compose the bulk of our lives. Regardless of the subject she found some aspect that was good for a "laugh with" not a "laugh at."

How about the subject of children battling cancer? The thought of jocularly treating such a topic sounds comparable to the depraved entertainment regurgitated by the likes of Howard Stern. Surely, Erma Bombeck-the avatar of wholesomeness-would never approach such a subject. No, but it approached her. She was asked to write this book, and at first the thought of it repulsed her. Momentarily dropping her guard, she allowed herself to be talked in to attempting this work. We should all be thankful that she caved. The result is a reverent; inspiring read that has had a propitiatory impact on many, many children and adults battling cancer---not to mention legions of us who are blessed with good health.

Treading with great veneration for her subject, she produced a book overflowing with warmth, encouragement, and-as unbelievable as it may seem-tasteful mirth. It stands a proud addition to her rich legacy.

I originally ordered this for my daughter from the library and she loved it so much we bought it. Most projects are one page to its very simple and step by step. I even learned a few things as a father!

But more importantly its great for working on along with your children together.

Janice VanCleave's Chemistry For Every Kid is a must have book for upper elementary/middle school science teachers. The experiments are easy to set up and the kids LOVE them! Janice has tackled tough Chemistry concepts and come up with simple experiments that the kids ACTUALLY understand! I have used the activities in this book numerous times and couldn't recommend this book highly enough. The way I use the activities in this book, along with the others in the series, is set them up as stations and have the kids rotate through them. You will not be disappointed with this purchase and your kids will love you for it.

No handwriting required and no over-the-head scientific explanations. It is clear, simple, and EASY to pull off the shelf and use. I recommend previewing the list of materials for the week to be sure you have the needed items. Substitutions can effect the experiment. I use this with ages 4-10 and they ALL enjoy the experiments. The experiments are simplistic and easy for young children to grasp the idea yet have enough information to get the parents thought process going! A great introduction to chemistry that takes very little time to prep and do. I even use this book as birthday party entertainment! A favorite with us.

My eight year old daughter asked for a chemistry set for her birthday; a real chemistry set; one she could do real experiments with. There are no longer many quality chemistry sets on the market. I guess the safety regulations are too strict; making it unprofitable to sell "real" chemistry sets. I ordered this book. I was concerned I would end up having to mail order supplies, but I made one trip to the grocery store and my daughter was set to work through the book.

The coolest part, to her, was the potential danger inherent with some of the supplies. She worked through six experiments in three days and proudly tells her younger neighborhood girlfriends "Sorry, You can't touch those things. It's too dangerous. It's Chemistry."

The best part for me, the experiments are carefully arranged in a progressive manner so that they start from the simplest and safest activities. She can work through them in order, with supervision, safely building her confidence and skills.

Unlike many books that purport to promote science, but are really just a collection of entertaining activities, this book includes the science concepts behind the wow. So, she really is learning.

My boys are 6 and 7 and they LOVE doing the Science experiments in this book. The items needed are easy to find, usually common household item, but nothing too fancy. It has really changed how they view "science" and it's fun to see them question what they are learning. You can never get the gears cranking at too young an age and this book opens the door to a interesting introduction into the world of science.

A very funny account of the night Jesus was born told from the point of view of the innkeeper. It is a family favorite at our house, and is always a big hit when we read it!!

This is one of the best books ever! Our family has enjoyed this book for years! Sometimes we even act out the parts. It is so entertaining. It started us on a Nicholas Allan kick where we seek out his books. Some are rather irreverent, such as The Queen's Knickers, but all in good fun. Jesus' Christmas Party is the best one.

This charming story gives a realistic spin to how things really might have been out there in Bethlehem. It makes me laugh everytime I read it, and it makes a wonderful skit that our family loves to put on at Christmas time

I love this book. I bought three, two to give away and one to keep. I have it sitting on the coffee table. People pick it up, think it's a cute kid's book and read through it. I can always tell when they get to the end...there is a little sigh and a look of peace! It reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas. That our lives are hectic, just as the inn keepers night was, but he took time to celebrate the baby's birth!

The simple line drawings are accessilble to all. the innkeeper certainly didn't know what he was in for when he let Mary and Joseph use the stable. Despite the bright light and all the interruptions the innkeeper finally gets in the spirit of things. A short, sweet look at the joy everyone had at the birth of a special baby.