A Writer's Guide to Magazine Articles for Book Promotion and Profit by Patricia L. Fry is a must have for any writer wanting to learn how to use their magazine articles to promote their books. Patricia doesn't offer a lot of filler information - only the most useful tips and tools to help you succeed at your writing business. Her 30 plus years in the business have provided her with the knowledge of what works and what doesn't and she shares this valuable information in an easy-to-use format. You will refer back to this reference gem over and over again...

A Writer's Guide To Magazine Articles For Book Promotion And Profit is a 66-page compendium of ideas, tools, and inspirations for writers with respect to coming up with saleable magazine article ideas, finding the right magazine for them, writing effective query letters, working with editors, conducting interviews, doing research, locating expertise, actually writing the article, even recycling articles. Practical, effective, easy-to-read, A Writer's Guide To Magazine Articles is highly recommended for aspiring writers seeking to break into print, extrapolating articles into books, crafting news releases, submitting book reviews, and any other aspect of writing articles professionally -- and profitably.

In A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR BOOK PROMOTION AND PROFIT, Patricia Fry provides a candid, insightful resource that any writer targeting magazine writing will find useful. With clarity and knowledge gleaned from over 27 years in the article-writing field, Fry teaches the skills necessary to become a success.

As the Senior Editor for WordWeaving, I receive many excellent writing related resources for review. Yet I found Fry's tool different from other resources for several reasons.

First, although most writers seem aware that reviews are important to publicize their books, A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR BOOK PROMOTION AND PROFIT is the first resource I have seen that directly discusses the advantages of requesting book reviews and what to include in a review request.

Second, I like her tip sections. For example, in the section regarding book reviews, Fry includes the following tip: "Start by building your portfolio of reviews locally. The hometown newspaper is generally eager for news of local authors." Not only is this not a tip I have seen repeated in every book I read about writing, but it also is something that applies to both epublishing and traditional paper publishing.

Finally, Fry also addresses many other extremely relevant topics with a brief, no-nonsense approach that will have writers motivated to begin before turning the last page. And she cautions against many of the same mistakes I see crossing my desk such as not including a social security number.

WordWeaving always looks for fresh articles for publication and is pleased to give authors space to mention their books, yet I see very few authors that take advantage of this unique vehicle for promotion. Therefore, I strongly encourage any author in the epublishing or traditional publishing business to read Fry's A WRITER'S GUIDE TO MAGAZINE ARTICLES FOR BOOK PROMOTION AND PROFIT.

WHEN EVER I START TO READ ONE OF THE JENNIE MCGRADY BOOKS I CAN NOT PUT IT DOWN! I HAVE ALL OF THE BOOKS AND THEY ARE EXCELLENT! I DON'T JUST READ THEM ONCE I KEEP READING THEM OVER AND OVER BECAUSE THEY ARE SO GOOD! EVERY TIME I GO TO THE CHRISTIAN BOOK STORE I HEAD RIGHT OVER TO WHERE THE BOOKS ARE TO SEE IF THERE'S A NEW ONE!

One of Rushford's best books yet! A wonderful tale of an adopted child's search for her mother. Also very gently looks at both sides of the abortion issue along the way, and puts it back into proper perspective without condemning either side. Although written for youth, I recommend it for all women! Like all the other Jenny McGrady series books, this one will keep you guessing to the very exciting end.

I found some of the Jennie McGrady mysteries while in a christian bookstore one day. I bought the first book in the series, and thought that I'd have something to keep me occupied. I couldn't put it down! Patricia kept me on the edge of my seat the entire book, and hasn't let me down yet!

This little book revealed the true personalities and capabilities of one of the most misunderstood mammals on earth. I used to think bats were cute, like mice with wings, until I read The Bat In My Pocket several years ago. The author helps people understand that bats are gentle, intelligent, long-lived and highly beneficial, by telling the tale of the injured bat she rescued and befriended one summer day. The little bat, Sunshine, captured Amanda Lollar's heart and will do the same to yours.

This book really makes a person realize that bats -- for all the bad publicity and myths around them -- are really wonderful creatures with distinct personalities and a lot to offer. Amanda writes a warm story with great detail about bat behavior and her own personal growth. I like that she doesn't sugarcoat the problems she had and that it is apparent keeping bats (and all wildlife, really) is not only unwise (and probably illegal) for the normal person but a difficult and challenging task. If everyone read this book, there would be a lot better understanding of the important role bats play in the environment and why they should be appreciated rather than feared.

I have met Amanda and now consider her a friend. After reading her book, it made me realize how wonderful Amanda is, and inspired me to begin learning even more about bats. In this endeavor, I have began working as a wildlife rescuer and am learning the joys and heartaches of the rehabilitation of these wonderful, gentle, benevolent creatures God has gifted us with. I recommend this book to every teacher, parent, wildlife enthusiast, scout leader, youth minister, or anyone else who has the ability to change the stereotypical image that bats have!!!!

This biography of woman haiku master Chiyo-ni is interwoven
with beautiful translations of her haiku as well as intelligent background material on the form itself. A must-have.

I really enjoyed this beautifully written biography of Chiyo-Ni, as well as the the banquet of her exquisite haiku. In addition, there are many examples of drawings/paintings done of her by her contemporaries. I would highly recommend this book, and have re-read the haiku many times. Chiyo-Ni is truly a master of her art and it is so fortunate that her works have survived for our enjoyment.

Simple and delicious. A treasure. My favorite poem, "clear water / no front / no back" No more needs to be said.

This book is the second volume in the Library of America set on American crime noir. I enjoyed the first volume so much that I decided to read the second one during Christmas break. Once again, the LOA has done a nice job of collecting a fine series of stories. These stories were written during the 1950's and 1960's. The book is nice to look at too; it's covered in red cloth with a cloth bookmark.

The first story is from the demented mind of Jim Thompson. This story, called The Killer Inside Me, is much better than The Grifters, a book by Thompson that I read some time ago. The Grifters seemed to be pretty one-dimensional with respect to its characters. This story is the exact opposite. A deputy sheriff in a Texas city has a terrible secret. He plays dumb on the outside, but inside he is a cunning sociopath. A long simmering resentment leads to a terrible revenge. Bodies quickly stack up as a result. This seems to be the story that Thompson is best known for and it's no surprise why. This is a dark, twisted tale with a grim ending.

Patricia Highsmith wrote a whole series of stories concerning Tom Ripley. The one included here is The Talented Mr. Ripley, probably better known due to the recent film with Matt Damon. This tale isn't as noir as I would have liked, but it still has enough twists and turns to keep anybody in suspense. Ripley is a low class conniver who ingratiates himself into a wealthy family who wants him to go to Italy and bring back their son. Ripley sees the potential for bucks and meets up with the kid and his lady friend. Of course, things take a turn for the worse and the bodies start stacking up. This story was probably my least favorite out of the entire collection.

The next story, Pick-Up, by Charles Willeford, is a depressing tale about two alcoholics who go bump in the night. The story follows the adventures of this alcoholic couple as they attempt suicide, check themselves into a mental hospital, and drink themselves into a stupor. After the female half of the couple dies in another suicide pact, the story switches to a prison tale. The end is somewhat of a twist, but really doesn't impact the story that much, in my opinion. Again, not really noir as noir can be, but still a fine story that can stand by itself.

Down There, by David Goodis, is a wild ride of a tale. Full of suspense and death, this is a great story that deserves to be included here. A family of ne'er-do-wells drags their talented piano-playing brother into their personal problems. The background information on Eddie, the piano player, is phenomenal. The tragedy that has struck him once is bound to repeat itself again. This story has great bit characters that really liven up the background.

The final story, by Chester Himes, is The Real Cool Killers. This is noir on acid: pornographic violence, massive doses of grim reality, and characters you're glad to see get killed. The story is set in Harlem and involves two tough cops named Grave Digger Jones and Coffin Ed Johnson. Someone kills a white guy in Harlem and the cops try and track them down. This story contains one of the funniest descriptions of a person falling off a balcony that I've ever read (and I've read a few, disturbingly enough). The writing has enough similes and metaphors to give Raymond Chandler an apoplectic fit. A cool story that certainly deserves a place in this book.

If you like noir, read these two LOA novels. They are long (together they're almost 2000 pages) but it is definitely worth the effort. These kinds of stories are just a great way to while away some free time and relieve stress.

I gave it 5 stars based on the collection as a whole, rather than each story individually. I enjoyed all of the stories, in that they were a good representation of the genre as a whole, yet they were all stylistically different.

Individually, I would rate the stories in pretty much the order they appear in the book. "The Killer Inside Me" is the most powerful, in my opinion, and is a great indroduction to Jim Thompson if you haven't read his work previously. "The Talented Mr. Ripley" is also excellent, and is a must read for any fan of crime fiction. What I found more interesting was the contrast between the protagonists in the first two novels. Both are cold-hearted killers, but you couldn't find two more different voices. Its a tribute to both Mr. Thompson and Ms. Highsmith that you actually root for these people to get away with their crimes.

The other three novels are good, but they pale in comparison to the first two. "Pick-up" is a good study in a relationship between two alcoholics who know they are alcoholics and are okay with it. It takes awhile for the crime to be committed, but its an interesting journey. I didn't care for the twist ending, but that's just me. "Down There" was interesting to read, if only because it was the basis for a great movie. "The Real Cool Killers" was the only story of the five that I had trouble getting through. I think that was because I didn't really care (or even really believe) that A) a group of street punks would dress in the manner they were described in, or that B) a pair of street detectives would be as violent, feared, and given such free reign as the ones in this novel.

All in all, a good book to add to your collection, if only for the one-two punch of Thompson and Highsmith (by the way, that would be a great name for a law firm).

I usually don't like genre fiction, but this book is a great collection of "Noir" novels. Film buffs will be particularly interested in reading the novel on which "Shoot the Piano Player" was based, as well as the first "Mr. Ripley" novel (much nastier and darker than the recent film). Most highly recommended.

By TT reviewer Briana Lambert [Full review on our website]

The bug that was felt all around Pyrali was the one that bit Reuel Shatar. As governor of Pyrali and the eldest son of his house he is increasingly pressured to produce a male heir. His child will be the next ruler of the Alliance, and as time goes on, the pressure mounts. The only problem is the nasty bug that bit the governor. It's bite has rendered him infertile to the females of his species. Relief comes with the discovery that all is not lost. Reuel can reproduce with earthling females. The aliens have lived on his planet for many years, but are discriminated against and treated very much like inferiors.

Christa Kirklan is an earthling and a tireless supporter for the rights of her species. Outspoken, spunky, and stubborn about her rights, the young teacher has found herself imprisoned for treason when she went too far far with her demands for equal representation for earthlings in the Pyrali government for her fellow humans. She has no idea that the course of her fate will soon be altered.

When Reuel discovers that Christa is his best choice for a mate he is shocked. The woman is nothing like those of his own race. Instead of the demure quiet nature that he is used to, Christa immediately lets him know that she is no pushover. She reluctantly agrees to marry him when it becomes clear that she will be able to help the earthlings with her alliance to the governor. But this marriage is not destined for happily ever after. Reuel and Christa are very different people and they have much to learn from one another. Only by learning how to conform their duty and freedom, can they become a match to last a lifetime.

The Alliance was very unique both in its plotting and detail. Not just a futuristic, there were shades of Regency romance as well. Reuel and Christa were both three-dimensional characters that integrated well with the Pyrali world. Appealing to a wide audience, The Alliance is a standout!

The Alliance is undoubtedly the best futuristic "romance" I have ever read. And I stress the word romance. It's a love story beginning to end on a wonderfully described world with enchanting, believable characters. I can't fault this book for anything. It's a truly fabulous read for those who enjoy futurisitcs and romances alike - the author, Patricia Waddell, has written a beautiful story that will hook any fan of romance. Can't wait to read her again.

This is a great read from Lionhearted, an independent press that puts out wonderful romance novels. If you are a fan of Dara Joy I suggest you also give THE ALLIANCE a try. I think this novel is superior in many ways. The overall quality of the writing was top-noch and kept me turning pages, the complexity and depth of the characters had me hooked from the first meeting, and the romance relationship was never overpowered by sub plots or minor characters, yet the secondary characters add just the right blend to the overall book.
The opening line -- "I have found a suitable female, my lord." -- sets the pace and kept me up all night. It's a real page turner, and a keeper! I found it more sensually hot than any of Dara Joy's books, but without corssing the line into erotica. The love scenes are hot, but not offensive or mechanical. Yes, it is sexy, but the way the story weaves around major issues makes this an unusual read for a romance. It is an insightful, powerful and romantic read set in space that offers us a mirror to current mankind's issues and prejudices against nationalities, social classes, women, moral values, honor and duty,
The hero, Lord Reuel Shatar, needs an heir to keep the House of Shatar from falling into disgrace when next the Shatar's turn to rule comes around. He anticipates marrying another his family has approved of for years and is on the brink of that commitment when he finds he cannot bear a child with one of his own kind, and therefore must find a suitable mate from outside his class and species. His trustworthy, very wise (crafty), elder, finds Reuel a mate, an earthling female in prison for her outspoken views on equality for women and other unfortunates put down by the current House of Shatar. Lord Reuel Shatar is a powerful hero yet he finds he must resort to blackmail to get his reluctant bride into marrage and into bed, something he must do soon to remain a ruling house in The Alliance. They instantly dislike each other, but there is reluctant attraction, and thus the sparks fly. The love scenes (some of the best in the romance genre) ignite, and the two experience many challenges with their new union that keep them at odds. They both learn and grow from their shared experiences, and ultimately unite in a test of their love to save the House of Shatar.
I highly recommend this book.

Story of young lad who sets out on a long journey to bring his father home. His papa remains loyal to the southern cause even though Lee has already surrnedered. When the boy finally finds his Pop,he is not the same man he remembers before the civil war.His pop seems to have more love for his troops than for his own family. This saddens the boy greatly. The only positive thing about this trip was the strange, yet loyal dog he met and named Bigger. If not for this dog the trip would have been all for nothing. This book was very well written,and descriped. Fans of Historical fiction will like this. Those looking for a happy ending may not. 1st. of a 3 part series. I look forward to reading the rest!

This amazing book is about a boy named Tyler. Tyler wants to go and find his father after the Civil War. On his way he meets a dog and he names it Bigger and this dog has a blue eye and one brown eye. After a while Tyler becomes a friend with Bigger.
I liked this book because it had a lot of excitement like when a stone hit Tyler. A boy named Issac threw the stone but you have to read the book to know if they become friends or enemies. The gist of this book is after the Civil War a boy named Tyler was looking for his father who did not come home but when he found his father he was trying to start another war. What I think the author is trying to say is that starting a new war doesn't change the old one.

I have read Bigger over a million times. It deserves every award it has earned and more. I have found the book to be the most interesting historical fiction book on the market. Patricia Calvert wrote THE BEST book anyone could buy.

Speaking as a non-cook who is forever looking for short cuts, this collection of recipes using Campbell's soups is ideal--and although the idea of using canned soup as a primary ingredient may cause some to roll their eyes in gastronomic superiority, the recipes in this particular collection are both easy and surprisingly successful.

The book breaks down into seven sections: appetizers and snacks, soups and stews, main dishes (with sections for poultry, beef, pork, lamb, veal, fish and seafood, and eggs and cheese) side dishes, and "Campbell's Classics." Recipes range from the extremely simple to the slightly more complicated but still extremely accesible, and few will be intimidated.

While some of the recipes harken back to the sort of thing your mother might have stepped into the kitchen to whip up as a quick meal for the kids, there are also quite a few more sophistocated recipes with international flair designed for modern tastes, including several with an Asian tone. While I doubt these dishes will ever compete with truly made-from-scratch cooking, they are surprisingly successful, quite a bit of fun to make, and offer a result that most will enjoy--particularly when you open the cabinet and are at a bit of a loss as to what to cook for that unexpected guest.

My youngest daughter owns this book and loaned it to me, I'm an experienced 'scratch' cook and this book has amazed me with it's simplicity, the recipes are easy enough for novices and presentable enough to fix for company. I highly recommend it to new brides, college kids, experienced cooks and gourmets - you just can't lose and the presentation is wonderful. Just ordered 4 for gifts. If you have an up coming wedding to buy for, add this inside a lovely covered casserole dish and the bride will thank you forever.

My teen age boys love to use this book. It is simple, they can fix meals they like, and it is a good way to start them cooking on their own.

This is a thorough retelling and discussion of a very complex person. Bosworth does a good job of drawing on interviews with people who knew Diane Arbus, and the reader does a get a vivid sense of what the burgeoning photography community was like in the 1960s. One concern I have is that this is very mucha re-telling of a life, not really an in-depth analysis. There is a certain lack of introspection about this, and the book fades off and becomes more episodic toward the end. I can't quite decide if that is intentional--an attempt to show a life coming apart at the seams--or just some final exaustion with the subject.

If you study the following two books you likely will realize that Diane Arbus was a genius: "An Aperture Monograph" and "Diane Arbus: Magazine Work." If you've ever tried to be a good photographer, even as a total amateur, you will appreciate her genius even more.

Bravo to Patricia Bosworth for interviewing so many people who are gone now! The following people who knew Diane or who studied her work while she was alive made comments to Bosworth shortly before *they* died: Andy Warhol, Lisette Model, Garry Winogrand, John Putnam (art director of Mad magazine for many years), Bernard Malamud (a friend of Diane's brother Howard Nemerov) and Irving Mansfield (immortalized in an Arbus print as an insecure, greedy man letting his sleazebag wife Jacqueline Susann sit on his bare thighs).

Ever heard of Gail Sheehy, author of the 1970s classic "Passages" that all women pursuing careers in social work and medicine used to read? She's still alive, and you can read in Ms. Bosworth's biography about her encounters with Diane before she (Gail) became famous for "Passages."

Bosworth presents eyewitness testimony about Diane's clinical depression along with medical records. But Bosworth wisely declines to speculate on why the depression persisted for so long or why Diane refused to take lithium shortly after it hit the market in 1970. (Come to think of it, Bosworth omitted that "lithium" detail from the book but divulged it in an interview she did with Popular Photography magazine for their December 1984 issue.)

I'm glad Bosworth annoyed people by presenting evidence but no insight. Here's the only insight she could have provided, and it would have annoyed readers even more. The insightful truth is that Diane was very depressed because her talent made her very lonely. Something inside her drove her constantly to approach new people even though they might have refused her offer for a photograph. Sometimes Diane herself decided after a lot of talking that the person would make a bad photograph. She told one reject (as you can read in the Bosworth book): "I'd never get you without your mask on."

But Diane, with her remarkable curiosity and empathy, just had to keep finding new people. How could she possibly have maintained a close relationship with anybody, even nice guy Allan Arbus (father of her children), when so many fascinating people lurked outside her home? Ergo, you get loneliness and depression.

That doesn't mean another photographer alive today can use genius as an excuse for clinical depression. You can't possibly have that genius because you're living in an age of the Internet when we all can "surf" the way Diane did on foot 35 years ago. What about the other legendary female photographers who were Diane's competitors during the pre-Internet era? Dorothea Lange, Imogen Cummingham, Margaret Bourke White, etc.? None of them committed suicide or did stupid things, and the careers of them all were much longer than Diane's. Even Lisette Model, to whom Diane wrote a suicide note, kept teaching photography until she was 75. So these women didn't use male chauvinism as an excuse to screw up. Neither did Diane. Diane's genius is her excuse for doing everything she did.

I'll close with two observations on Diane. The first you will find in the Bosworth book: "Nobody had such an enlarged sense of reality."

And here's one that's not in the Bosworth book. It's from Richard Lamparski, a writer whose name turns up many times in newspaper databases because he specializes in "whatever happened to" books and columns about actors of the 1950s. You've never heard of Jean Peters, Richard Webb aka Captain Midnight or Anthony Steel? Neither have most people before they read Richard Lamparski. He ain't wealthy as you can imagine. He may or may not have met Diane (his name is absent from the Bosworth bio), but he evidently knew who she was when she was alive. He put the following epigraph at the beginning of his annual catalog of has-been actors in 1972:

"To Diane Arbus (1923 - 1971), who did so much to enlarge the standards of her art and the consciousness of us all."

Diane Arbus was the child of immigrant parents, and grew up exploring her potential set against the backdrop of the 50's, 60's and 70's. Her husband, actor Allan Arbus was also an artist looking for his potential. Hers in photography, his in acting.

If there is a down side to the book, it is that it is pretty well factual, with very good and close sources, but the book starts to fade when the author explores Diane's later years. Was this woman, born into a family where depression had been discovered in her mother really depressed because of a failed marriage? The author opines to the affirmative. Or was it something more? The book only gives us a glimpse of Allan's troubled reaction to her depression.

I believe a more indepth study into the soul of this woman would have shown dramatically the tragedy of her death. Set in the time period, our society was not cognizant or nor able to recognize signals in mental depression. There are many examples in the book of how Diane was attempting to overcome the demons.

All in all, I found the book interesting and well written.

While the first book in this series, "A Charmed Life", was an inspirational book, Trish offers a book on the workings of "Being Magick". She offers a book on thinking about what you will do and then realizing the outcome.

In this book "50 Practices for Enchanted Living" is the outline for her work. She describes: "these concepts provide a sound foundation on which to build any spiritual practice".

There is a lot of "thinking" material in this book. I would liken this book to what you would be given if you were going past the basics of your chosen spiritual path with a good teacher to guide you. Knowing the basics is good, knowing what to do with them is even better. But to learn why is knowledge.

Part One of this book explores who you are, why did you come to where you are now and what you are going to do with what you have. It is a collection of activities planned to give you further insight into yourself.

Part Two is about the path you choose. Who are you going to be and how will you get there. Why do you want to choose a path. Again, more thinking, more activities geared at making you consider what you are doing and why.

She touches on the paths of Healer, Teacher, Warrior and Visionary. While it is not necessary to be one of these, some are called to these paths. All are separate paths on a spiritual journey, and all to be considered when we chose who we may want to be. Trish examines each of these paths and offers a guide to thinking on each of them and what they could mean in our life.

And all of these relate back to her 50 Practices for Enchanted Living".

I found this an interesting read, filled with good thinking material. It is not often that a book offers material to think on. The material is well chosen and worked masterfully.

If you are happy just being a practitioner of whatever path you have chosen, then this book will probably not interest you. If you are hearing that calling to be the most you can be, then this book might offer you a place to start looking within yourself to help understand that calling and where you might be going.

Telesco has written one of the few books I've found that treats me like someone who has an understanding of the craft and is ready to move on. So many books waste space covering Wicca 101 that they're not worth buying. This one assumes I already know what I'm doing and am ready to move forward.

One of the main reasons I bought it was b/c it's a a looser guide and not a strict "how to" book. It builds on my basic knowledge and never talks down to me. Not as much fun as Telesco's "bad witch" book, but certainly a worth addition to any witch's library regardless of where you find yourself on the path.

This is a good book for those of us who like to think, and it's a book for the more advanced practitioners of magick. It makes you think about the different paths you might want to take, but at the end you mught choose none of them.

There is nothing more to be said about this book that other reviewers haven't said. Also I wouldn't recommend the book "A Charmed Life" by the same author.