23 Nov

Posted at 07:57h in Reviews by

A Journey into the Craft: My Review of The Poets & Writers Complete Guide to Being a Writer As a writer, I have often found myself wandering through a maze of advice, tips, and strategies, each one promising to lead to the elusive treasure of literary success. When I stumbled upon The Poets & Writers Complete Guide to Being a Writer by Kevin Larimer and Mary Gannon, I felt a flicker of hope—the very notion that there exists a definitive source to illuminate the dark corners of the writing...

27 Oct

Posted at 18:20h in Reviews by

Review of The Successful Novelist: A Lifetime of Lessons About Writing and Publishing by David Morrell When I first picked up The Successful Novelist, I was intrigued by David Morrell's reputation as the father of Rambo and a seasoned author with over fifty years in the publishing world. Writing has always felt like both magic and mystery to me; it’s a daunting endeavor that many dream of but few truly understand. David Morrell’s ability to demystify the process felt like just what I needed. This book promised not only...

06 Oct

Posted at 17:04h in Reviews by

Getting It Published: A Guide for Scholars and Anyone Else Serious about Serious Books – A Personal Reflection As a book blogger and an academic writer, I was excited to dive into the third edition of Getting It Published by William Germano. It’s not often a book piques your interest like this, especially in the realm of scholarly publishing, a world teeming with complexities and nuances. Germano, a seasoned professor and author, has spent decades unraveling this web, and his insights felt like a warm invitation into the arcane...

07 Sep

Posted at 09:07h in Reviews by

Navigating the Scholarly Seas: A Personal Review of the APA Publication Manual (7th Edition) When I first opened the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 7th Edition, I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me. As a student navigating the tumultuous waters of academic writing, I remembered how I once grappled with improperly formatted citations and the anxiety that accompanied course papers. This manual, authored by the American Psychological Association, beckoned like a lifebuoy, promising clarity, precision, and an ethical foundation for scholarly communication. This latest edition...

24 Aug

Posted at 01:54h in Reviews by

Book Review: Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft by Janet Burroway As a budding writer constantly on the hunt for guidance, Janet Burroway's Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft piqued my interest for its reputation as a staple in the creative writing world. This updated tenth edition, part of the Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing series, promised not just the foundational principles of narrative craft but a fresh perspective, complete with new prompts and contemporary examples. Little did I know, this book would not only...

23 Aug

Posted at 16:53h in Reviews by

Book Review: Cover to Cover: What First-Time Authors Need to Know about Editing by Kristina Stanley As a book blogger, I'm sometimes tasked with diving into the nitty-gritty of a title's themes, character arcs, and plot points. But what about the behind-the-scenes of authoring itself? Cover to Cover caught my attention because, let’s be honest, it’s not every day you stumble upon a book that's quite literally saying, "Hey, beginner authors, let’s prevent you from embarrassing yourself!" Authored by Kristina Stanley, a veteran editor with a sharp wit and...

21 Aug

Posted at 01:33h in Reviews by

Finding Clarity in Chaos: A Review of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition As a fledgling writer wading through the tumultuous waters of creativity and self-doubt, I often find myself yearning for a guiding light to make sense of my scribbles. Enter Renni Browne and Dave King's Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print. The moment I flipped open the pages filled with practical wisdom, I was hooked. There’s something inherently comforting about tapping into the insights of experienced editors who have helped craft...

19 Aug

Posted at 14:04h in Reviews by

Review: Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and … by Kate McKean As a writer navigating the choppy waters of publishing—especially in the midst of querying—I was drawn to Kate McKean’s Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and … like a moth to a flame. McKean’s no-nonsense, authentic style feels like a warm chat over coffee with an old friend who’s been through the trenches and comes out the other side gripping the secrets of the trade. Having years of experience as a literary agent...

17 Aug

Posted at 07:14h in Reviews by

How Not to Write a Novel: Laughing Through the Literary Minefield As an aspiring novelist, I often find myself knee-deep in various writing guides, searching for that elusive secret to success. It was during one of those moments of desperate scrolling that "How Not to Write a Novel: 200 Classic Mistakes and How to Avoid Them" by Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman caught my eye. With a title that was both humorous and intriguingly candid, I couldn't resist picking it up. From the very first page, it became clear that...

08 Aug

Posted at 15:26h in Reviews by

Review of The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition by Jane Friedman When the idea of turning my passion for writing into a sustainable career began to take root, I felt an intoxicating mix of excitement and apprehension. How do writers navigate this complex world of publishing? Enter Jane Friedman: an industry expert and beacon for aspiring writers, whose latest edition of The Business of Being a Writer is exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Friedman's approach to writing is incredibly refreshing; she respects the art form while...