Reviews of Writing Books
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry by Nikki Moustaki
Alpha Books, March, 2001.Trade Paperback, 338 pages.
ISBN: 0028641418
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
This book for poets contains
advice for writing poetry, as well as
exercises, resources and information
about how to get published.
One reason this book is helpful for beginners
is that each chapter covers a different kind of poetry
and how to approach the writing for that type of poem.
There are sections covering imagery,
metaphors, repetition, rhyme schemes,
narrative poetry, love poems, persona
poems, sonnets, haiku, metrical poetry
poetry journal and poetry slams.
Other sections cover poetry workshops,
conferences, colonies, graduate schools,
submitting poems and poetry appreciation. The book
also includes a helpful chapter which
provides answers to frequently asked
questions.
Exercises are also provided in each
chapter for poets to practice their craft
and try out what they have learned.
The book features special icons
throughout the text which highlight
important tips, anecdotes,
definitions and famous quotes.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Poetry
is a great introduction
to poetry writing for novices which compiles
a large amount of information into a clear,
concise format.
Guide to Literary Agents 2001 Edited by Donya Dickerson
Writer's Digest Books, January, 2001.Trade Paperback, 388 pages.
ISBN: 1582970114
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
Each year, this writer's guide to
literary agents contains more
valuable articles and tips, plus
detailed listings for literary agencies
and agents. A new section in this year's
edition is an independent publicist's
section which contains articles about
book publicity and listings containing
information for a dozen publicity
companies.
The book includes
two sections for agent listings,
one for non-fee charging agencies and one
for fee-charging agencies.
Each agency listing includes contact
information, a list of member agents,
a list of recent book sales, the types
of work the agency represents, terms
and advice. In the fee-charging
section, the listings also include information
about the agency's fees.
Special indexes in the book help you
quickly find agents for a specific
genre or a specific region. Other resources
in the Guide to Literary Agents
include a section with information
about writer's conferences, a glossary and
information about additional reference resources.
This useful yearly guide is a must-have for writers seeking
representation for a book or screenplay.
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Return to the July 2001 issue of The IWJ.
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