Carolyn's Top Ten Book Picks for Writers

Ta da!! Here they are. My top ten choices for writers.

Every one of these books will inspire writers to do bigger and better things with their publishing careers. You'll find a little of everything here. From books on speaking better (which is my number one way to promote a book by the way--one I mention in The Frugal Book Promoter) to perfecting your understanding of grammar and style.

You'll find my top ten choices for mainstream reading at MyShelf.com. You'll also find my Noble (Not Nobel!) Awards there.

Top Ten Best Books for Writers



Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies by June Casagrande

Art of Assessment by Magdalena Ball

Speak with Passion by Pam Gilbreath Kelly (because an authors' best path to promotion is speaking!)

Speak Up! & Succeed by Nance Rosen (see above)

Sister Bernadette's Barking Dog by Kitty Burns Florey (grammar and diagramming)

The Describer's Dictionary by David Grambs

Rereadings by Anne Fadiman

Your First Novel by Ann Rittenberg and Laura Whitcomb

The Writer's Journey by Christopher Vogler

Grassroots Marketing for Authors and Publishers by Shel Horowitz (e-book)
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Carolyn is the author of The Frugal Book Promoter, winner of USA News Best Book award and the Irwin Award, and The Frugal Editor, also a USA Book News Best Book in its category. Learn more at my temporary website, www.AuthorsDen.com/CarolynHowardJohnson.

Trade Secrets for Stitchers

Needlepoint Trade Secrets
Janet M. Perry
ISBN:978-1-4196-6533-2

Reviewed by Michelle Hufford

In her introduction to Needlepoint Trade Secrets, Janet Perry states, ". . . even though I've been stitching for over 30 years, I still discover ways to make my stitching better, learn a new stitch, or rediscover something from times past." On her website, www.napaneedlepoint.com, Janet bills herself first and foremost as a teacher. She wrote the original edition of Needlepoint Trade Secrets in the interest of sharing her discoveries.

And does she ever!

Janet offers fantastic tips on everything from where to find design ideas (your favorite lifestyle magazine is a great place to start!), to color choices (a good color wheel is invaluable), to how to finish your completed canvas easily and inexpensively.

As a 30-plus-year stitcher myself, I must admit that the most daunting question I face with a completed canvas is, "OK, now what do I do with this?" Most stitchers will tell you that their UFO pile is as large as it is because of the expense of finishing. Janet's terrific suggestions include everything from how to beat the high cost of custom framing, to innovative uses for those gorgeous belt canvases.

Although there is a lot in Needlepoint Trade Secrets, Janet's breezy
style makes this 122-page book an easy read. Its short, bullet-filled
chapters make this a fast read. The revised edition's small size (the
original book was 8-1/2 by 11) makes it ideal to keep in your
stitching bag.

Do those ever-changing airline rules make you unsure whether or not you'll be able to stitch on a plane? No problem! With Needlepoint Trade Secrets at hand, you can read about our favorite obsession when you're 50,000 feet up. Be sure to have a pen and plenty of Post-Its handy! You'll need them to mark your favorite tips for easy future reference.
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The reviewer is Michelle Hufford, owner Come to the Point! in San Rafael, California. Janet M. Perry blogs at
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com.

New Release: Travel with a Purpose

Title: ALONG THE TEMPLAR TRAIL: Seven Million Steps for Peace
Author: Brandon Wilson
Paperback/Hardcover: 328 pages with 42 photos and maps
Publisher: Pilgrim's Tales, Inc.
Publish date: January 1, 2008
(now available to pre-order from Amazon.com)
ISBN: 9780977053681 9780977053698
Website:
Genre: Travel / Mind, Body, Spirit

Quotations from Richard Bangs and M. K. Gandhi

“[Along the Templar Trail is]A vivid and eye-opening blend of history, adventure, religion, mysticism and modern conflict. Brandon Wilson has crafted an exquisite chronicle of an obsessive journey where we are compelled to come to terms with the consequences of good intentions and bad politics. We cannot resist being swept along with the fervor of this quest. Wilson writes with extraordinary clarity, lyricism, sensitivity and grace. It is simply one of the most remarkable adventure stories of our time, and one that proves that with the right combination of character and determination great things can be done, and the eyes of the world can be opened.” ~ Richard Bangs, world-adventurer, author/host of the PBS television series Richard Bangs' Adventures With Purpose, co-founder Mountain Travel Sobek


"A fascinating testimony of faith and gumption that inspired two men to take seven million steps for peace. A must read…" ~ Arun Gandhi, president, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, University of Rochester, NY
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This book is coming in January 2008. It is avaialble for pre-order on Amazon now.
Visit: http://www.PilgrimsTales.com for excerpts, photos, movies, interviews and more.

Inspiration Through the Divine

Title: Miracle: the novel
Author: M.L. Bushman
Genre: Inspirational fiction
ISBN: 978-1-934340-55-4/1-934340-55-3
Rating: Five cups (highest possible)
Publisher: Jigsaw Press

Reviewed by Lettetia @ Coffee Time Romance

Carol Flannigan lost her fiancé through a suspicious accident. He was trampled to death by the horse he took so much pride in. Or was he really? Carol has lost faith with God, life, and with everything else in her life. Her father’s ranch is failing and teetering on the edge of bankruptcy, and all she can think of is ending it all. Rory Flannigan lost one of the very best horsemen when he lost his future son-in-law to a senseless accident. He has been praying for a miracle to help them find out what happened to Chase and to help his daughter overcome the numbing grief and suspicion clouding the ranch.

Micah Divine is a heavenly being on his latest mission. Overseen by Gabriel, he first encounters Carol when she flings herself off a cliff, only to be caught by Micah. He is not quite sure what to make of the human form and vocabulary, but one thing is certain; there is a killer at the Flannigan ranch. Kerry Penfield is in charge of the horses now that Chase is dead. Caught by Rory and Micah whipping a valuable stallion, he shows a vicious streak. When Micah shows him what a true “horse whisperer” really is, Kerry is reassigned to work as a plain ranch hand. Resentful, he is full of secrets and plans; is he responsible for the death of Chase? He is the only witness after all.

Micah, Carol, Rory and the hands all have their suspicions about the death of Chase, but it will take divine intervention to bring them healing and resolution. While Micah is becoming more adept at the nuances of human form, he is also on the trail of a killer. Will he discover who the villain is in time, or will someone else have to die first?

M.L. Bushman captures the essence of a spiritual being, flaws and all, with an impressive flair. Micah is indeed “Divine” and a much needed healing presence in the lives of so many wounded souls. The storyline kept a steady pace, with plenty of intrigue and tension to keep this reader turning pages to finish the story. Riveting, realistic, fascinating, witty and emotional; all of these add up to a whale of a tale that I will re-read again and again. Bravo, Ms. Bushman, Miracle is truly one of a kind!
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Lettetia
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance

Ever Felt You Were Dreaming the Truth?

When She Sleeps
By Leora Krygier
Published by Toby Press
Author's Website

Excerpted from the Library Journal

“This novel... uses the dualities of light and dark, dreaming and waking, and East and West to remarkable ends. The horror and disruption of war, never discussed directly, are instead made evident in the actions and interactions of the characters. A good literary look at the Vietnam War, this brings together the Vietnamese and the American perspective through the lens of divided families.”
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Library Journal reviews

Highway Hypodermics: Travel Nursing Explained

Title: Highway Hypodermics: Travel Nursing 2007
Author: Epstein LaRue, Rn, Bs
Paperback: 372 pages
Publisher: Star Publish
Publised Date: January 1, 2007
ISBN-10: 1932993657
Author Website: www.epsteinlarue.com
Author E-mail: epi@epsteinlarue.com


So you think you might want to become a travel nurse, but you don't know the first thing about how to do it?

Epstein La Rue RN, BS, Travel Nurse will take you through all of the necessary steps in her latest book. Highway Hypodermics Travel Nursing 2007 explains it all in an easy to read fashion.

This book takes you inside travel nursing from many different vantage points and gives you the pros and cons of travel nursing, including how to home school your child while you travel. It is a terrific resource for all travel nurses.

Highway Hypodermics Travel Nursing 2007 is a terrific resource for anyone considering travel nursing. Ms. LaRue even takes you inside the travel agency to explain the roles of the admin. staff.

Most of the top travel nursing agencies are critiqued quite honestly and fairly, and the perks and the pitfalls of travel nursing explained with finesse and a great sense of humor.

A multitude of travel nurses share their stories and experiences as well. This book covers it all from A to Z. It is a MUST read for anyone thinking about becoming a travel nurse.
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Reviewed by Kathy Quan RN, BSN, PHN, author of THE EVERYTHING NEW NURSE BOOK and THE EVERYTHING GUIDE TO CAREERS IN HEALTH CARE, both published through Adams Media. She is also the author of articles published in About Nursing and is the guide for About Nursing, a New York Times Company. Used by permission.

For Authors: On Covers, Queries, Spacing, Agents and More

From Christy's Bookshelf at Midwest Review

The Frugal Editor
By Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Red Engine Press
Branson, MO
ISBN 9780978515874
$18.95

Reviewed by Christy Tillery French for Midwest Book Review


As the literary market continues to tighten its proverbial belt, today's writer must assume more of the responsibilities surrounding book publishing than ever before. No longer can a writer depend on a publisher or agent to accept a manuscript in need of editing, and submitting a manuscript that isn't as near perfect as possible will, in all probability, result in rejection. To the rescue comes acclaimed author Carolyn Howard-Johnson with The Frugal Editor, the latest in her How to Do It Frugally series.

This little gem is a must-have for any writer, published or not, bestselling or unknown. Filled with valuable tips, The Frugal Editor touches on all aspects of self-editing, such as how to spot common grammatical errors, from superfluous adverbs to confusing dangling participles, as well as how to organize the workspace, format the manuscript, and use Word's tools to the fullest. Also included are sample query and cover letters, and pointers on correcting intrusive taglines, when to use an ellipsis, and correct spacing, to name a few. The book takes the reader step-by-step through the editing process, from rough draft to galley. No questions are left unanswered, no topics left uncovered. This generous writer goes so far as to recommend resources through other books and websites, with plenty of advice from agents and editors.

The Frugal Editor is one of those reference books every writer should have by their computer for constant use and study. Highly recommended.