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Index Interviews: Sarah Lovett I Can Feel the Words Making the Light Go On When the Deal is Done Return to This Issue's Index Return to Homepage Subscribe
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Reviews of Writing Books20 Master Plots by Ronald B. TobiasWriter's Digest Books, January, 2003Trade Paperback, 236 pages ISBN: 1582972397 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Many of the best novels contain plot elements that have been
used thousands and thousands of times before. This book
explains twenty effective plots and provides tips and checklists
for writing the best possible story using each different plot.
Twenty major plot themes, such as quests, adventures, revenge,
underdog,
forbidden love and sacrifice are explained thoroughly in the book.
Each plot is explained in a single chapter which analysis
the plot and offers examples and suggestions for what works and
what does not.
Author Ronald B. Tobias has compiled an excellent collection of solid plot ideas and suggestions for would-be authors. The book helps writers get sense of what each different plot looks and feels like. Writers can then use this knowledge when writing their own novels and stories. By combining aspects of the plots provided by Tobias with their own unique story ideas, characters and themes, authors will have a good chance of crafting a compelling tale. Highly recommended. 2003 Guide to Literary Agents edited by Rachel VaterWriter's Digest Books, November, 2002Trade Paperback, 393 pages ISBN: 1582971463 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
This annual guide provides detailed listings for literary
agents and script agents. Over 600 listings are included
and each listing provides contact information, contract
terms, recent sales, manuscript needs, conferences the
agent plans to attend and tips for authors and screenwriters.
The book also includes sections containing listings for
publicists and writing conferences. The book also provides
a helpful section for writers who want to learn more about
agents, what they do and how to find the right agent.
Interviews with individual agents which are scattered throughout
the book help give writers a close-up look at a particular
agency or agent. Handy icons allow readers to quickly
identify agents that charge fees, agents that are actively
seeking new clients and agent listings that have changes
since last year's edition.
This guide will be very helpful to the author or writer with a finished screenplay or novel looking for an agent to help them move towards publication. The guide also contains indexes which help one quickly locate agents that are looking for a specific genre, such as science fiction, so the author or screenwriter can focus on the appropriate listings in the book. This book will greatly assist the unrepresented author or screenwriter in his or her search for an agent. Highly recommended. Publicize Your Book by Jacqueline DevalPerigee, April, 2003Trade Paperback, 320 pages ISBN: 0399528636 Ordering information: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk 
Publicize Your Book provides information
for authors looking to
get media coverage for their books. Jacqueline Deval helps
writers learn what to expect from their publishers
in the way of promotion, what options are available
to them, how publicity works and how to develop
their own publicity campaigns.
Some of the coverage in the book includes developing
press kits, media appeal, collaborating with in-house
publicists, hiring a freelance publicist, pitching talk shows,
book tours, interviewing, book signings and internet
publicity. The book also contains the finer details on
publicity like how to take an author photo and where
to use it, how to correspond with book reviewers and
how to pack for your book tour.
Jacqueline Deval, the publisher of Hearst Books, has been a director of publicity for several publishing houses including William Morrow, Villard and Doubleday. Deval also wrote the novel Reckless Appetites and appeared on the Today show and Good Morning America to discuss the book. Because Deval has worn the shoes of the publicist, the author and the publisher she is very familiar with how book publishing and book publicity works. She shares her expertise here with authors so that they can understand the complexities and timeliness of media and publicity and how they relate to book publishing. Deval doesn't hold back and novice authors will be both surprised and enlightened by what they read. Armed with this knowledge they will be able to develop creative campaign ideas of their own. The book will be helpful for both self-published authors and midlist authors who are looking to boost their sales. Highly recommended. Return to Book Reviews Index ** More information on writing-related books can be found in the Writer's Bookstore. |