Reviews of Writing Books
Page Two of TwoVariety Guide to Film Festivals by Steven Gaydos
Perigee, October 1998.Trade Paperback, 199 pages.
ISBN: 0399524428
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
Film festivals are crucial to those in the movie
business. Film festivals provide looks at up and
coming movie makers, networking with movie
professionals and insight into developments in
the industry. Variety has created a book that
lists over 400 film festivals worldwide including all the
major and minor festivals. The book contains articles
on the history of film festivals, how festivals
can help make a film, the success of
Indie films and how to start a film festival.
The film festival listings include contact
information (with email and website addresses),
geographical location and dates. Many of the
listings also contain an in-depth summary of
the festival detailing its significance, history
and future plans.
Filmmakers, movie fans and screenwriters will
want to have this concise and comprehensive guide to film
festivals handy when they start
making their travel plans for next year.
The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference by the editors of Writer's Digest Books
Writer's Digest Books, September 1998.Hardcover, 277 pages.
ISBN: 0898798663
Ordering information:
Amazon.com.
This reference for writers of fantasy short stories
and novels provides a wide range of
reference information on fantasy topics including
fantasy creatures such as elves, dwarves
and dragons, and details on medieval lifestyles,
castles and weapons. The book begins with an
inspirational introduction by bestselling fantasy
author Terry Brooks, and includes chapters on
fantasy subjects including fantasy cultures, world
cultures, magic, witchcraft, pagan rituals, fantasy
races, mythical creatures, dress and costume, armor,
weapons and the anatomy of a castle. Each section
provides details on the subject, illustrations
and definition of common terms. For example,
the chapter entitled Arms, Armor and Armies
contains detailed listings of different types of
weapons such as halberds, polearms and a variety
of swords; detailed looks at armor including mail,
breastplate, shields and a variety of helmets with diagrams
including a front and back illustration of knight which
identifies the different types of armor;
and a look at different fighting forces such as the crusaders, the federatti
and Viking warriors.
The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference provides detailed information on elements common to fantasy novels that until now could not be found in a single source. A valuable reference for the fantasy writer which can save hours come research time.
The Writer's Handbook 1999 edited by Sylvia K. Burack
The Writer, Inc., October 1998.Hardcover, 898 pages.
ISBN: 0871161842
Ordering information:
Amazon.com
The Writer's Handbook contains market
listings, articles on
the craft of writing and interviews with
popular and successful authors such as
Elmore Leonard, P.D. James and Joyce Christmas. Articles
in this edition cover a wide range subjects
including general fiction, genre fiction,
nonfiction, poetry, playwriting, editing
and marketing. The articles are written by
experts including bestselling authors
Erica Jong, Poul Anderson and Sidney Sheldon.
The market listings include numerous publications
and book publishers as well as other types of markets
such as newspaper op-ed sections, and markets for
play manuscripts. Also included are listings for
writing organizations, writers' conferences, literary
prize offers, state arts councils and literary agents.
A glossary in the book defines writing-related terms
such as slush pile, tear sheet and over-the-transom.
Editor Sylvia K. Burack, who is also Editor and Publisher of The Writer magazine, has again collected an outstanding selection of articles and interviews which will be of great interest to anyone trying to make it as a writer in today's difficult market. An indispensible resource which no writer should be without.
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