Title: Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery
Subtitle: Things You’ll Never Learn From Your Plastic Surgeon
Author Name: Lois W. Stern
Publisher Name: Infinity Publishing Company
Note: Two editions available:
Genre: Self-help – Health and Beauty
ISBN: 074143220X (Text only edition)
ISBN: 0741460548 (Text edition with Interactive back-of-book CD)
Synopsis:
From the bedroom to the boardroom, over one hundred women share refreshingly candid stories of how cosmetic surgery has impacted their lives. Through memoir, journalism and research, this book explores provocative themes such as post-surgery sexuality, amorous feelings toward one's plastic surgeon, ambivalences, misperceptions and more. Reaching beyond the typical tell-all book, this author brings the anecdotal into sharp focus by using her finely honed humor, interviews with respected professionals and cutting edge research to deliver content as rich in entertainment as in authenticity.
The text for this edition with an interactive CD is identical to that described in the synopsis for the text only edition ISBN: 074143220X . (See description above) This edition supplements the text with a user-friendly back-of-book CD, a cleverly designed index, but much, much more. This CD provides printable forms (helpful checklists, quizzes, lists of questions, structured guidance and resources) to supplement the major themes within the book, additional published articles by this author, as well as audio and video meet-the-author segments.
Reviewed by Judith Shapiro, nurse practitioner
This is the best book EVER on women and Cosmetic Surgery, and I have read many! It is both refreshing and amazingly honest. I was blown away by Chapter 5 (Utter Humiliation) where Stern explores her feelings of sexual attraction toward her plastic surgeon. I wasn’t surprised that this event occurs, but I must applaud this author’s willingness to explore her experience with such candor. As a whole, this book is thoughtful and insightful, yet written in such a readable, charming manner. You can read Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery on many levels. The quality of its research is impressive, as is obvious from the resources noted in her footnotes. But Stern’s research simply serves as a backdrop to the wonderful anecdotes and personal stories she shares, taken from both her personal journal and the many candid interviews she has conducted with other women. Finally, do not overlook the checklists, quizzes and self-assessment tools at the back of the book. They provide accurate, practical guidance for any woman considering cosmetic surgery. I work along side a highly regarded plastic surgeon and have been recommending this book to his patients. They come back and thank me.
Sex, Lies, and Cosmetic Surgery should be read by husbands or ‘significant others’ who either question the need for cosmetic enhancement or are confronted by some of the emotionally driven issues that emanate from it. Often these circumstances require total understanding when the post-surgical patient emerges with both psychological and physical changes. Author, Lois Stern, discusses all aspect of this sensitive subject in a light-hearted, yet sincere tone, for everyone seeking or affected by surgical enhancement of physical appearance.
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Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery has also been the subject of a number of blogs including.
FitBeautiful Magazine By Nancy Welker : http://fitbeautifulmagazine.presspublisher.us/issue/october-preview/article/sex-lies-cosmetic-surgery
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
This blog, #TheNewBookReview, is "new" because it eschews #bookbigotry. It lets readers, reviewers, authors, and publishers expand the exposure of their favorite reviews, FREE. Info for submissions is in the "Send Me Your Fav Book Review" circle icon in the right column below. Find resources to help your career using the mini search engine below. #TheNewBookReview is a multi-award-winning blog including a MastersInEnglish.org recommendation.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Monday, January 3, 2011
Expert on Self-Help Hones In on Handling Grief
Title – Losing Your Only
Author – Dr Debi Yohn
Author's website link - http://www.theinternationalpsychologist.com/
Genre or category – Self help, memoir, grieving
In "Losing Your Only" Dr. Debi Yohn, a Counseling Psychologist, has shared her journey as a parent that lost an only child. Her healing lessons, her joys, her mistakes and her sadness. Debi is a southern story teller who uses her stories to remind us of the joys of parenting and the joy of loving.
Levi was bigger than life bringing joy to all that knew him in his short 20 year life. In his passing, he continues a connection with all that knew him. There is jet vapor from his existence. Debi teaches that death is part of life and she reminds us of the power of love even after death.
A Comment From Dr Debi Yohn About Losing Your Only
My current book, Losing Your Only is written to the Parents or Loved Ones that have lost an only child. This book is written from my own personal experience. When my only child was killed in a car accident, my life took a different path. I was living in Shanghai China. He was going to college in USA. In my grief, I discovered that my purpose is to motivate, and support parents and all clients live to their life potential. Losing a child is horrific, losing an only child brings it up a notch. So what do we do with that kind of experience? We have decisions to make. We can live or we can die with the child. I decided not only to live, but to thrive.
Main Topics Covered in Losing Your Only
Chapter One: The REAL Journey Begins
Chapter Two: A Word on Spirituality
Chapter Three: The Reality of the Loss
Chapter Four: Experiencing the Grief
Chapter Five: Adjusting
Chapter Six: Living in Your New Reality
Chapter Seven: The Parental Partnership
Chapter Eight: Filling the Void
Chapter Nine: Life Lessons
A Generation of Only Children—a Global Perspective
About Dr Debi Yohn
Dr. Debi Yohn is an international psychologist, author and speaker with 32 years experience living and working on 3 continents. Her work has taken her to Saudi Arabia for 7 years and Shanghai, China for 8 years. While in Shanghai, she founded “Lifeline Shanghai” a “911” service to help English speakers in need. She currently lives fulltime in Huatulco, Mexico and travels the world working with her clients, writing and managing her diversified business and charitable interests. To read Dr Debi’s full bio, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/12/02/dr-debi-yohn-biography/
Other Books:
College Students: 29 Winning Strategies for Success
Parenting College Students: 27 Winning Strategies for Success
Relationships in College: 26 Winning Strategies for Success
Leadership in College: 25 Winning Strategies for Success (Co-Author)
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Author – Dr Debi Yohn
Author's website link - http://www.theinternationalpsychologist.com/
Genre or category – Self help, memoir, grieving
In "Losing Your Only" Dr. Debi Yohn, a Counseling Psychologist, has shared her journey as a parent that lost an only child. Her healing lessons, her joys, her mistakes and her sadness. Debi is a southern story teller who uses her stories to remind us of the joys of parenting and the joy of loving.
Levi was bigger than life bringing joy to all that knew him in his short 20 year life. In his passing, he continues a connection with all that knew him. There is jet vapor from his existence. Debi teaches that death is part of life and she reminds us of the power of love even after death.
A Comment From Dr Debi Yohn About Losing Your Only
My current book, Losing Your Only is written to the Parents or Loved Ones that have lost an only child. This book is written from my own personal experience. When my only child was killed in a car accident, my life took a different path. I was living in Shanghai China. He was going to college in USA. In my grief, I discovered that my purpose is to motivate, and support parents and all clients live to their life potential. Losing a child is horrific, losing an only child brings it up a notch. So what do we do with that kind of experience? We have decisions to make. We can live or we can die with the child. I decided not only to live, but to thrive.
Main Topics Covered in Losing Your Only
Chapter One: The REAL Journey Begins
Chapter Two: A Word on Spirituality
Chapter Three: The Reality of the Loss
Chapter Four: Experiencing the Grief
Chapter Five: Adjusting
Chapter Six: Living in Your New Reality
Chapter Seven: The Parental Partnership
Chapter Eight: Filling the Void
Chapter Nine: Life Lessons
A Generation of Only Children—a Global Perspective
About Dr Debi Yohn
Dr. Debi Yohn is an international psychologist, author and speaker with 32 years experience living and working on 3 continents. Her work has taken her to Saudi Arabia for 7 years and Shanghai, China for 8 years. While in Shanghai, she founded “Lifeline Shanghai” a “911” service to help English speakers in need. She currently lives fulltime in Huatulco, Mexico and travels the world working with her clients, writing and managing her diversified business and charitable interests. To read Dr Debi’s full bio, visit http://bookpromotionservices.com/2010/12/02/dr-debi-yohn-biography/
Other Books:
College Students: 29 Winning Strategies for Success
Parenting College Students: 27 Winning Strategies for Success
Relationships in College: 26 Winning Strategies for Success
Leadership in College: 25 Winning Strategies for Success (Co-Author)
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Recommendations for Those Who Love English
Just popping in to tell you there are two new books I'm oh-so-ready to read. One is The English Is Coming! How One Language is Sweeping the World by Leslie Dunton-Downer. The other is Slam Dunks and No-Brainers: Language in Your Life, the Media, Business, Politics, and, Like, Whatever by Leslie Savan. Reviews of these books may be coming in this blog, but I couldn't wait to tell you about these discoveries. Use the widgets at the left to order them--easily.
Now, for a couple of books I've read that I can highly recommend: It was the best of sentences, It was the worst of sentences and Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies by
June Casagrande. The girl can make learning more about writing fun!
And for a quick read--one you can put into a brief case and read in snippets--try my Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips: The Ultimate Frugal Booklet for Avoiding Word Trippers and
Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Now, for a couple of books I've read that I can highly recommend: It was the best of sentences, It was the worst of sentences and Grammar Snobs are Great Big Meanies by
June Casagrande. The girl can make learning more about writing fun!
And for a quick read--one you can put into a brief case and read in snippets--try my Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips: The Ultimate Frugal Booklet for Avoiding Word Trippers and
Crafting Gatekeeper-Perfect Copy.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Friday, December 31, 2010
Gift of Success to Start the New Year
Are you giving New Years gifts this year? Why not give the gift of success this year? Frugal and Focused Tweeting is for anyone in business, especially anyone who has been ignoring Twitter.
Here is a review from reviewing guru Mayra Calvani, author of the Slippery Art of Book Reviewing.
Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers isn’t only for retailers. I requested a review copy because, as an author, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to promote and market my books. I have to say, I was not disappointed with Johnson’s book.
In an engaging style and simple, straightforward language, the author explains what Twitter is all about, and how to use it effectively in a marketing campaign. There are hundreds of Twitter applications out there, and the whole thing can get pretty confusing, especially for a beginner, so what is most helpful about this book is that the author separates the essential ones from the ones that should be avoided.
From the basics of how to set up an account, to how to integrate Twitter into your other social media, to building your list of followers, to attracting new followers, to much, much more, Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers will take your Twitter marketing efforts to the next stage.
The book also includes sample Tweets and critiques, a list of applications (those that work and those that should be avoided), as well as a glossary of important technical Twitter terms.
I would recommend this book to authors who are new to Twitter, and also to those authors who, like myself, are familiar with the basics but would like to take their tweeting to a higher, more focused and effective level. If you don’t quite ‘get’ what Twitter is all about, your doubts will be clarified after reading this little crash course on the art of tweeting.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Here is a review from reviewing guru Mayra Calvani, author of the Slippery Art of Book Reviewing.
Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers isn’t only for retailers. I requested a review copy because, as an author, I’m always on the lookout for new ways to promote and market my books. I have to say, I was not disappointed with Johnson’s book.
In an engaging style and simple, straightforward language, the author explains what Twitter is all about, and how to use it effectively in a marketing campaign. There are hundreds of Twitter applications out there, and the whole thing can get pretty confusing, especially for a beginner, so what is most helpful about this book is that the author separates the essential ones from the ones that should be avoided.
From the basics of how to set up an account, to how to integrate Twitter into your other social media, to building your list of followers, to attracting new followers, to much, much more, Frugal and Focused Tweeting for Retailers will take your Twitter marketing efforts to the next stage.
The book also includes sample Tweets and critiques, a list of applications (those that work and those that should be avoided), as well as a glossary of important technical Twitter terms.
I would recommend this book to authors who are new to Twitter, and also to those authors who, like myself, are familiar with the basics but would like to take their tweeting to a higher, more focused and effective level. If you don’t quite ‘get’ what Twitter is all about, your doubts will be clarified after reading this little crash course on the art of tweeting.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Karen DeGroot Carter Explores Tolerance, Race and Grief
Title: One Sister's Song
By Karen DeGroot Carter
Author Web Site: http://www.karendegrootcarter.com/
Mini Synopsis
Audrey Conarroe, a biracial woman, never planned to move back to her small, predominantly white, hometown in western New York. But when she was named guardian to her teenage nephew, she had no choice but to do just that. Eight months later, Audrey prepares to sell her sister’s old farmhouse when a series of discoveries forces her to rethink everything she’s ever assumed about love, race, and respect.
One Sister's Song explores challenges faced by individuals and families of mixed-race heritage as well as single parenting, grief recovery, and the Underground Railroad.
For other book and film suggestions on the topic of tolerance go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com/tolerance_and_utah_link.htm
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
By Karen DeGroot Carter
Author Web Site: http://www.karendegrootcarter.com/
Mini Synopsis
Audrey Conarroe, a biracial woman, never planned to move back to her small, predominantly white, hometown in western New York. But when she was named guardian to her teenage nephew, she had no choice but to do just that. Eight months later, Audrey prepares to sell her sister’s old farmhouse when a series of discoveries forces her to rethink everything she’s ever assumed about love, race, and respect.
One Sister's Song explores challenges faced by individuals and families of mixed-race heritage as well as single parenting, grief recovery, and the Underground Railroad.
For other book and film suggestions on the topic of tolerance go to www.howtodoitfrugally.com/tolerance_and_utah_link.htm
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Monday, December 27, 2010
Kirkus Discoveries Reviews Young Adult How-To
Title: Useful Information for Everyday Living
Subtitle: Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger
ISBN: 978-1-4520-7380-4 (hc)
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Author: Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN
Author’s website: http://www.michelesfakianos.com/,
Genre: Young Adult Non-fiction; Self-help
Reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries
Editor Review (reviewed on November 18, 2010)
Simple, straightforward wisdom for everyday living geared toward young adults.
Sfakianos decries today's lack of basic education in helping young adults navigate and manage aspects of day-to-day life. As children grow, observing their parents performing daily chores—things such as how to do laundry, how to sew on a button and simple rules of etiquette—are usually parceled out and taught as the occasion or need arises. But this book, though certainly not comprehensive, as the author admits, goes beyond basic instruction, informing the reader on subjects such as how to rent an apartment, how to manage finances, the basics of buying a car, even tips on how to nurture a healthy relationship. The organization is simple and the writing is concise; each chapter covers a separate topic and most of the information is given in direct, unembellished, bullet points. Sfakianos shares short, personal stories that give the book a light, relatable touch. A sprinkling of humor adds much and leaves the reader wanting more; when it comes to gifts, "duct tape is not considered wrapping paper," and for closet organization, "Keep floors free of clutter. Stack items on shelves carefully...Make sure you can close the door!" Sfakianos is smart to note that her book is not intended to substitute for professional counsel and warns that some of the information may not be up-to-date. Though most of the advice is practical and doable, the reader might balk at the extensive cleaning suggestions that include "dust wall coverings every two weeks" and "wash curtains (if machine washable) once a month." Though the advice is almost always clear, there is one notable exception in a discussion involving food preparation; a chart listing safe temperature ranges for specific food items does not explain that these temperatures are not cooking temperatures, but are internal temperatures measured by using a meat thermometer.
A helpful, well-written resource and a great gift for those who have just flown the coop.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Subtitle: Everything I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger
ISBN: 978-1-4520-7380-4 (hc)
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Author: Michele Sfakianos, RN, BSN
Author’s website: http://www.michelesfakianos.com/,
Genre: Young Adult Non-fiction; Self-help
Reviewed by Kirkus Discoveries
Editor Review (reviewed on November 18, 2010)
Simple, straightforward wisdom for everyday living geared toward young adults.
Sfakianos decries today's lack of basic education in helping young adults navigate and manage aspects of day-to-day life. As children grow, observing their parents performing daily chores—things such as how to do laundry, how to sew on a button and simple rules of etiquette—are usually parceled out and taught as the occasion or need arises. But this book, though certainly not comprehensive, as the author admits, goes beyond basic instruction, informing the reader on subjects such as how to rent an apartment, how to manage finances, the basics of buying a car, even tips on how to nurture a healthy relationship. The organization is simple and the writing is concise; each chapter covers a separate topic and most of the information is given in direct, unembellished, bullet points. Sfakianos shares short, personal stories that give the book a light, relatable touch. A sprinkling of humor adds much and leaves the reader wanting more; when it comes to gifts, "duct tape is not considered wrapping paper," and for closet organization, "Keep floors free of clutter. Stack items on shelves carefully...Make sure you can close the door!" Sfakianos is smart to note that her book is not intended to substitute for professional counsel and warns that some of the information may not be up-to-date. Though most of the advice is practical and doable, the reader might balk at the extensive cleaning suggestions that include "dust wall coverings every two weeks" and "wash curtains (if machine washable) once a month." Though the advice is almost always clear, there is one notable exception in a discussion involving food preparation; a chart listing safe temperature ranges for specific food items does not explain that these temperatures are not cooking temperatures, but are internal temperatures measured by using a meat thermometer.
A helpful, well-written resource and a great gift for those who have just flown the coop.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've read. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by genre, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the search engine handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using this little green retweet widget :
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Writing Columns for the Love of It or Supporting Your Habit
The Art of Column Writing
By Suzette Martinez Standring
ISBN 9781933338261
Marion Street Press
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I love writing columns. It’s one way I can share. I can’t help liking to do that. It must be the teacher in me (or vice versa) because I love teaching, too. Practically speaking though, many writers are columnists because they need to pay the bills while they write books.
Some don’t even know that’s what why they’re doing it. They came to write columns long after they started writing in other genres. Though I have heard columnists say that the paychecks aren’t big enough, I’ve never heard one of them claim that they don’t like getting paid.
Having said that, some write columns for no pay, or rather—more accurately—in trade for a byline, a good credit line that includes the writer’s Web site address, and (if they are also good negotiators) a little ad or image of their book’s cover or the logo of the writing-related service they provide that also pays the bills while they support their writing habits. Those not-quite-so lucrative writing habits may range from poetry to the writing of novels, and may well include several of those less practical pursuits all at once.
That isn’t to negate the skill it takes to write a good column. In fact, learning to write a great column can lead to better writing of about anything, to say nothing of fatter and fatter paychecks.
Therefore, I was glad to see Suzette Martinez Standring’s book The Art of Column Writing. It includes “insider secrets” from the likes of Art Buchwald, Tim Bete, and Arianna Huffington, but it also gives a writer the basics necessary to succeed.
One of my favorites is Standring’s chapter on “Elements of a Pulitzer Prize Winning Column.” As a past president of NSNC, Standring has access to the best of advice from the best of columnists, and some of the ideas in this chapter are from Keith Woods who spoke on the subject at the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Many are ideas he gleaned as he judged entries for the big “P” prize.
My very favorite chapter, though, is on copyright. I like it because my students and clients worry about it—sometimes to excess. This chapter will put many writing minds at ease, give them some guidelines so they feel more comfortable with both quotations and research. Pay special attention to her entry, number seven on page sixty-three.
So, if you are a writer without an itch to be a columnist, should you read this book? I think so . . .If you were my student, I’d want you to make a very good case why you shouldn’t. Like maybe you have already reached the top of your game. You are Dave Barry, Walter Brasch or Suzette Standring.
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Originally published at MyShelf.com.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
By Suzette Martinez Standring
ISBN 9781933338261
Marion Street Press
Reviewed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
I love writing columns. It’s one way I can share. I can’t help liking to do that. It must be the teacher in me (or vice versa) because I love teaching, too. Practically speaking though, many writers are columnists because they need to pay the bills while they write books.
Some don’t even know that’s what why they’re doing it. They came to write columns long after they started writing in other genres. Though I have heard columnists say that the paychecks aren’t big enough, I’ve never heard one of them claim that they don’t like getting paid.
Having said that, some write columns for no pay, or rather—more accurately—in trade for a byline, a good credit line that includes the writer’s Web site address, and (if they are also good negotiators) a little ad or image of their book’s cover or the logo of the writing-related service they provide that also pays the bills while they support their writing habits. Those not-quite-so lucrative writing habits may range from poetry to the writing of novels, and may well include several of those less practical pursuits all at once.
That isn’t to negate the skill it takes to write a good column. In fact, learning to write a great column can lead to better writing of about anything, to say nothing of fatter and fatter paychecks.
Therefore, I was glad to see Suzette Martinez Standring’s book The Art of Column Writing. It includes “insider secrets” from the likes of Art Buchwald, Tim Bete, and Arianna Huffington, but it also gives a writer the basics necessary to succeed.
One of my favorites is Standring’s chapter on “Elements of a Pulitzer Prize Winning Column.” As a past president of NSNC, Standring has access to the best of advice from the best of columnists, and some of the ideas in this chapter are from Keith Woods who spoke on the subject at the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. Many are ideas he gleaned as he judged entries for the big “P” prize.
My very favorite chapter, though, is on copyright. I like it because my students and clients worry about it—sometimes to excess. This chapter will put many writing minds at ease, give them some guidelines so they feel more comfortable with both quotations and research. Pay special attention to her entry, number seven on page sixty-three.
So, if you are a writer without an itch to be a columnist, should you read this book? I think so . . .If you were my student, I’d want you to make a very good case why you shouldn’t. Like maybe you have already reached the top of your game. You are Dave Barry, Walter Brasch or Suzette Standring.
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Originally published at MyShelf.com.
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The New Book Review is blogged by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of the multi award-winning HowToDoItFrugally series of books for writers. It is a free service offered to those who want to encourage the reading of books they love. That includes authors who want to share their favorite reviews, reviewers who'd like to see their reviews get more exposure, and readers who want to shout out praise of books they've loved. Please see submission guidelines on the left of this page. Reviews and essays are indexed by author names, reviewer names, and review sites. Writers will find the index handy for gleaning the names of small publishers. Find other writer-related blogs at Sharing with Writers and The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor. As a courtesy to the author, please tweet and retweet this post using the widget below:
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