Don't even think of writing a book proposal without reading this book. Jeff Herman gives you everything you need to know. Buy this book and Michael Larsen's "How to Write a Book Proposal" and you will not get turned down...

This book gives excellent examples, with quick and concise advice on getting a proposal written. I sold my first nonfiction book, "In the Saddle: Exploits of the 5th Georgia Cavalry During the Civil War" in 1999 using "Write The Perfect Book Proposal." And last month I used it to prepare a proposal for my second book "Rebels, Saints & Sinners: Savannah Personalities of the Past." Yet, as useful as "How To Write A Perfect Book Proposal" is, I would also recommend reading one or two others to help flesh out more detail where Herman and Adams are somewhat vague. In this game the more knowledge you have, the better your chances of success.

I bought this book on writing proposals at the suggestion of my literary agent who told me my proposal for my first book *really* needed help. I studied the examples in the book and the suggestions in the text and re-wrote my proposal, using what I had learned. Six weeks later, my agent called to tell me she had four offers on my book. The information here is excellent, clear, and easy to translate to suit your own book. It will stimulate your thinking about your proposal in new ways. I frequently recommend it to people in my classes and workshops who ask for advice about how to get published. ~~Joan Mazza, author of DREAM BACK YOUR LIFE; DREAMING YOUR REAL SELF; WHO'S CRAZY ANYWAY?; and 3 books in The Guided Journal Series with Writer's Digest Books.

Legends of the Delaware Indians and Picture Writing is beautifully amplified by Deborah Nichol's introduction and brief biography of Richard C. Adams(1864-1921), a self educated Delaware (Lenape) Indian who devoted 25 years of his life to the furtherance of causes of the many trialed Delaware tribe. The Legends are part of his scholarly and historical legacy. The tales teach homilies on desirable attributes such as pride, courage, promise-keeping, modesty and courtesy as well as courting customs, gambling games, and other pastimes. The picture writing and photographs enrich and complement the text as do the appendices of Lenape translations of several of the legends by Lucy Parks Blalock and Nora Thompson Deane. Legends Of The Delaware Indians And Picture Writing is a very valuable text both because of the enriched script of the tales but also because of the complex, condensed history of the persecutions suffered by the Delawares detailed in the introduction. The cover illustration gracing Legends of the Delaware Indians is a color painting reproduction of Delaware Women by Ruth Blalock Jones.

Nancy Lorraine, Reviewer

Open City consistently publishes great stories, poems, essays, and artwork. I look forward to each issue, because each one is so different, and because this magazine continues to be vital and relevant, esp. because many literary magazines are so staid and dull....

I am the founder and artistic director of a community theater group, Green Room Players, that has been in existence since 1993 in Franklin County, Massachusetts, and have directed musicals each year, including Babes in Arms, Snoopy! , A Wonderful Life, Barnum, South Pacific, and Grease.

Of all the books I have read on musical theater production, Staging Musical Theatre by Dr. Elaine Novak (with contributions from her daughter, Deborah Novak, an actress of stage, TV and film) has been by far the most helpful to me. It is written in simple and easy-to-comprehend language, and covers practically every aspect of theater production.

In a very organized and straightforward manner, the Novaks have discussed selecting the musical; analyzing the book, lyrics and score; interpreting the musical; holding auditions; casting; rehearsals; blocking; and polishing. Included are specimen time tables that are very helpful to a beginning director. There are also suggestions for exercises, games and improvisations to get actors acquainted with each other and with the director. The book also addresses potential problems -- such as kissing, slapping, asides, the vocal solos, curtain calls, pit dress, and even duties of the offstage crew -- and rounds out its invaluable stock of information with scenes for practice, an appendix containing lists and descriptions of well-known musicals and various types of musicals, an extensive bibliography on any aspect of play production, and a 6-page glossary of theatrical terms.

I strongly recommend Staging Musical Theatre as a textbook for beginning and prerequisite courses in academic programs in theater. I also highly recommend it for all who are involved with play production -- especially amateur, community, and school theater directors, producers, choreographers, and actors.

Ruby L. Agnir, M.A. Founding and Artistic Director GREEN ROOM PLAYERS 55 Cleveland St. Greenfield, MA 01301 e-mail: rubyleah@juno.com webpage: www.agnir.net/greenroom

Ms. Adams has spun an intricate little yarn that just might be plausible. I mean, the folks I come across in Jesus Creek seem just odd enough to be real, or maybe her storytelling weaves me in that closely. At any rate this is a fine little whodunit with just the right air of creepiness that again I think, Could it be? This ain't blood and guts and hatchets and forensics... this is ole Reb Gassler, finishing his pecan pie, beginning a cigarette and just kinda having a talk with the good Doctor. Or is he? Oooooooo.

Having read all of Deborah's other books, I had some idea of what to expect and was NOT disappointed. The characters in the present and the past were both animated and interesting. They were funny while still being realistic. Whatever subject Deobrah is enthused about at the moment (This time it was genealogy.) always comes through in her books. When she was into endurance riding, the book was horsey. Now she traces the ancestors of Jesse James-and gives some websites to start you tracing your own family. The only criticism I have is that the plot was a little light and plagued with coincedences, but youll never notice that while you're reading it. Just go with the flow and enjoy!

I believe that this was one of the greatest art books. This outstanding book displayed 59 of Hopper's greatest paintings with awesome detail and spectacular quotes. It not only showed the different ways Hopper defined and looked at life, but I could feel like I was the artist. Not only did the paintings create a perspective of life most people don't look at, but I could relate to his points of view.

I read mysteries for fun. I don't read them to hear about heavy societal issues, i.e., domestic violence. I've read all of the other Jesus Creek books except for one and have enjoyed them; except for this one. Ms. Adams handles the domestic violence issue well, but in my opinion, it just doesn't belong in light, amusing stories of Jesus Creek.

It isn't often that an author can handle a heavy issue like domestic violence with taste, much less with humor. However Deborah Adams has done just that in "All The Hungry Mothers". This is a fast-paced, funny, yet tragic, story that I could barely put down. Excellent read.

After being pretty impressed with recent Agatha first book nominees, I've been venturing back into some of the older nominees. This book, a nominee in 1991, wasn't very impressive. The story is set in a B&B in a small town in Tennessee. Far too much of the book is about the B&B and small town life. Such mystery as there is only gets rolling in the second half of the book. It seemed to me that the author's real agenda was to write about life in her town and the mystery was an afterthought.

Bottom-line: Not sure what this book did to earn a nomination and not surprised the series hasn't gone on to further critical acclaim. There's better southern small town mystery out there (Margaret Maron, Carolyn Hart and others).

Kate Yancy works at her brother's inn taking care of all the duties that her brother, the sometimes mayor and sometimes hotelier, can't be bothered to do. And "bothered" is just he word to describe how Kate feels about the events in her life. Not least of these events is the swarm of reporters that has descended upon the town of Jesus Creek to cover the disappearance of a mentally unstable rich girl. The girl checked into Kate's hotel one night and soon disappeared from her locked room. When the girl's parents hire a psychic to help them, the local religious figure, Brother B., runs around talking about the dangers of dealing with demons. After a séance, the psychic announces that he knows where the body will be found. To give away any more of the plot would be to give away too much of the story, but I can say safely that before all is said and done, very few people will turn out to be what they seemed, and murder will be done. Author Deborah Adams handles herself quite adeptly in her first outing, though it should be said that the ending is a too abrupt. Her characters are well-drawn and engaging, and she does a wonderful job of sharing the town with us. For mystery readers who like their mysteries cozy, "All the Great Pretenders" is recommended reading.

A serial killer is coming to Jesus Creek, Tennessee. While all the residents are getting ready for the big St. Patrick's Day celebration, fear is stalking the town. I enjoyed the first two books about Jesus Creek a bit more than this one. Seems like the author was stretching a little farther to come up with a plausible plot. Was not a mystery that kept me up late trying to finish it.