Editorial Review

The world is divided into two types of people: those who wince when they seethe words Read more

Reviews (58)

Took two weeks to get here
Shipping took way too long to get here, almost 14 days. They probably could have chosen a better option to send it, but didn't.

Fast & Pragmatic Rules for the Busy Writer
It's not just for reporters.If you write letters, memos, reports, updates, briefs, and the like, this book will make you a more competent and confident writer.
Insufficient but requisite!
If you write or publish regularly, you'll need to devise addendums to the AP Guide. A short list might evolve into your own style guide, since the AP may not cover abbreviations you commonly use, for example. But this guide is indispensible prior to (or in lieu of) having your own guide (a monstrous task). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    2. Handbooks, manuals, etc    3. Journalism    4. Journalistic Writing    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Libel and slander    7. Media & the Law    8. Reference    9. Research And Report Writing    10. Style manuals    11. United States    12. Writing Skills    13. Communications law    14. USA    15. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (6)

Great Resource forSchool Paper in WV
I ordered the handbook when our school decided to begin a school newspaper. I have not had to search for any other resource. This book has everything you might need. It begins with hands-on practical approaches to choosing a staff and things to consider before beginning the paper.It is followed by actual ideas that can be used to produce a true journalistic setting from which to publish the paper. There are many pages that can be reproduced.The book gives ideas for monthly columns as well as ideas for feature stories. It even has a page to reproduce "press badges" for the staff.Our sixth graders produce our school paper but this book would be good for any start-up or established paper.

A must have resource for any school newspaper
"Kids in print" is an excellent resource.The book is well organized and offers several tips on starting a school newspaper.There are also several "organizational" sheets that can be copied to help students stay on track while interviewing people and writing stories.

Very helpful
This book helped our school start its newspaper. The format is easy to follow and the information is useful and practical. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    2. Education / Secondary    3. Language Arts & Disciplines / Journalism    4. Education    5. Journalism    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Media Studies - Print Media    8. Organization & management of education    9. Secondary    10. Students & Student Life   

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    2. Journalism    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Media & the Law    7. Communications law    8. Press & journalism    9. USA    10. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (7)

Writing for Magazines
I thought the author of the book is very direct on how to write for magazines. In addition the book is inspiring.

Cheryl knows her stuff
I took a workshop that Cheryl taught a few weeks ago, and she really knows her stuff.I left highly motivated.Definitely pick up this book!

Covers everything for beginning writers
I found this book to be extremely helpful & appreciate the way the author so obviously cares about helping the reader to be successful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    3. Feature writing    4. Journalism    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Literary Criticism    7. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (4)

Another book with inflated amazon.com reviews
This book isn't terrible, but it's hardly authoritative.It's a straight rehashing of the basics of newswriting, no doubt taken mostly from journalism textbooks.The advice isn't bad, but it's given with little flair, and the writing examples (from the author's own clips) are dull and uninspiring. Write, Edit, Revise and Rewrite...
...The golden rule of writing. This book is short, sweet and to the point, easily read and digested. The title explains exactly what you get. If you're an aspiring magazine writer, get it.

A little powerhouse full of great instruction for writers!
I picked this little (113 page book) up at the library and thought it might be of passing interest.I never thought such a little book could be packed with so much great information!I started out reading this book with a little post-it note pad next to me, figuring I would put a couple little notes on a few interesting pages, make some notes, then be done with the book. Well, now the book has a million little post-it notes in it and I think it's time to buy my own copy!Here arefew chapter headings: Getting started (generating ideas & focusing on the subject), gathering information (fact vs. opinion, observation, interview, etc.), writing the effective article lead ...there are 10 useful chapters in all.They are written clearly and to the point -- no fluff here to fill in pages.One truly useful item in the book is a sample query letter (for an article). This is a great little book! Now I think I'll buy my own copy -- maybe you should too! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Journalism    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Reference    10. Writing Skills    11. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (1)

Essential resource for freelancers
The "Writer's Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing" takes information from a wide variety of highly successful freelance writers and edits it together into a seamless instructional manual. It starts off with a discussion of finding ideas that addresses more than inspiration--it delves into methods to find topics that will sell. "Querying" and "Finding Markets" teach you to pick markets for your work and get assignments from them. "Selling Reprints and Rewrites" and "Business and Rights-Related Issues" help you to understand what your work is worth to whom, and how to make sure it remains worth as much as possible to you.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. Feature writing    5. Journalism    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Publishing industry    10. Writing skills   

Reviews (6)

If you're a serious journalist, this book is a must.
This is the bible of broadcast news writing. Well organized. I'm a 25 year veteran of broadcast news and I still find information in this book that improves my writing and reporting.

Broadcast newswriting for the professional
Merv Block was himself a newswriter. He wrote for Cronkite and others; his experience is unquestioned. can't live without it!
Ten years ago, I had the privilege of taking introductory radio writing from Mr. Block while earning my master's degree in journalism at Columbia University.If memory serves, Mr. Block also revisited my spring semesterradio news course as a guest editor and instructor.He was a tough andfair instructor -- one of the many highlights of my year at 116th andBroadway.Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Broadcast journalism    3. Careers / Job Opportunities    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    5. Composition & Creative Writing - Nonfiction    6. Journalism    7. Performing Arts    8. Performing Arts/Dance    9. Report writing    10. Style manuals    11. Television - General    12. Television - Reference    13. Television Journalism    14. Media studies    15. Radio & television industry    16. Reference / General    17. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (2)

Must Read
A lifetime of Punchers Players Punks and Prophets is undoubtedly a great collection of essays written by one of the most insightful and prophetic sports writers of our time.Ralph Wiley did a great service to sports enthusiasts publishing this collection.I'm glad to have read this book and advise others to do the same.God bless you Ralph.

Great Book
Wiley, Ralph.Classic Wiley.Hyperion: USA, 2005
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Subjects:  1. Boxing    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    3. Essays    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Sports & Recreation / General   

Subjects:  1. 1989-    2. American Journalism    3. Government - U.S. Government    4. Journalism    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Mass Communication Media And Politics    7. Mass media    8. Media Studies    9. Political aspects    10. Politics - Current Events    11. Politics and government    12. Politics/International Relations    13. Press and politics    14. United States    15. POLITICS & GOVERNMENT    16. Political Science / General    17. Press & journalism    18. Publishing industry    19. USA   

Reviews (3)

The Answer to Beginner Grammarians' Nightmares
This guide wittily walks its readers through the rules of English grammar, breaks down every principle, identifies the most common mistakes among writers and gives excellent insight on how to fix these errors.The last 37 pages (the Topical Guide to Grammar and Word Use) simply list every misconception or fallacy regarding word and punctuation misuse and give quick explanations on how to correct these frequent blunders.This book is an absolutely must for any undergraduate student and I recommend it to even the most professional grammarians.It should be considered beginner grammarians' Bible.

Great Grammar Guide for Everyone
This a great guide for all journalists or anyone who wants to use proper grammar and punctuation. This textbook is owned by every student in the journalism school where the two authors teach, which is where I first picked up this book. I've been working in PR for the last four years and have it sitting on my desk for reference whenever I want to know the proper use of underway vs. under way or bad vs. badly or some other frequently misused words and punctuation.

A great, clear, easy guide to grammar rules,tricks and info.
This book changed my life! I took a class in college from tbe author andthis was the textbook. I have been in advertising and marketing for thepast 12 years and I use this book all the time. It's so easy to use and theinfo is really clear.Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Communication    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. English language    5. Grammar    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Industries - Media & Communications Industries    8. Journalism    9. Language    10. Language Arts & Disciplines    11. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    12. Linguistics    13. Mass media    14. Media Studies    15. Style manuals    16. Business & Economics / Industries / Media & Communications Industries    17. Grammar, syntax, linguistic structure    18. Rhetoric    19. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (11)

Best guide yet
First off, I've never taken a writing course in my life, so even though I feel I have some great ideas I have struggled with how to put them together. This book has really helped start to change that. I've gone through over half of Damon Knight's exercises and already I start to feel some of the barriers in my mind start to give. I don't know if I'll ever become a writer of fiction, however, this book certainly opens you up to the right path.
Almost Typical.
First let me say the author has some excellent advice about using and staying out of the way of your unconscious thought processes. Amen! Brother Knight. Here's a useful analogy: Let's say your brain is your FM radio. The conscious part can deal with one station at a time. The unconscious part deals with all the stations simultaneously. So get-over the idea that you know what's happening. You dont. Otherwise the book is the same stuff contained in every other how-to-write book, and it's written better than many of the others. Something none of the how-to-write books address is taste. Editors and publishers buy what they like, readers buy what they like, and critics give a hooray! to books they like. One man's treasure is another man's trash.

Useful and inspiring
I'll say right off that I don't agree with everything proposed in this book, but even when I disagree, at least I was thinking about something that I had overlooked in my writing.That said, I didn't disagree with much.I didn't do any of the exercises - yet, but I will.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. Fiction    5. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    6. Short story    7. Technique    8. Language Arts & Disciplines / Authorship    9. Novels, other prose & writers   

Editorial Review

Don't overlook the Read more

Reviews (4)

Best book on writing...
Pound for pound, this may be the best book on, about, or for aspiring writers.
On Writing Short Stories
There is no recipe for the perfect short story.Prose discusses the short story as written by the best and includes examples of the work of each. The reader then has a quick reference to better understand the style of each writer and his/her contribution to the history of the short story.

Lessons to take to heart
"On Writing Short Stories" is a masterful introduction to the craft of short stories.Editor Tom Bailey (an accomplished writer himself) has compiled some of the best essays by well-known authors that not only serve as inspiration but also as a fine learning tool for young writers.Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. Creative Writing    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Reference    9. Short Story    10. Technique    11. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    12. Literature/English | Writing | Creative Writing    13. Rhetoric    14. Writing & editing guides   

Reviews (14)

...Horsemen Pass By...
Cast a cold eye on life on death; horsemen pass by. That's an epitaph. Was it Yeats, or just one he suggested in a poem? How does it apply to Blundell's book? Just this: Here is the one and only worthwhile book ever written for writers. I know, because I that's how I earn my living. Blundell is the best bar none. Throw all the others out. Unless, of course you're another wound-licker who thinks he wants to "learn" to write, in which case, horsemen pass by, and bring on the clowns!

Unique, Refreshing approach!
There is a voice in this book, and you can just HEARthis guy as he admonishes writers and drills into their heads the step-by step guide to reporting and writing. The tone is firm with a direct approach to feature writing as the author is adamant that, "reporting and writing can NOT be divorced." Writing as critical thinking
One of the biggest mistakes young reporters make is viewing reporting and writing as separate exercises, one following the other. Bill Blundell rightly sees them as one process. Good reporting begets good writing. It begins with critical thinking about your subject, which if done properly brings strong focus and organization to your story. In 20 years as a newspaper reporter and editor I've not run across a more practical, common sense approach to writing than that offered by the Art & Craft of Feature Writing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    3. Feature Article Writing    4. Feature writing    5. General    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Journalism    8. Reference    9. Technical writing    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Journalism    11. Literary studies: general   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. American prose literature    3. Awards    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    5. Essays    6. Journalism    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Literary Collections    9. Literature: Classics    10. United States    11. Collections & anthologies of various literary forms    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Journalism   

Reviews (19)

This author is the epitome of witty
Even if you're not interested in journalism - if all that you're looking for is a fun read - then pick up this book. He takes examples of good work and explains why it's good, as well as poor work and points out the deficiencies in a way this is both entertaining and enlightening. I don't agree with all of his opinions, but I very much enjoyed the book nonetheless.

Good Resource
As a college journalism minor, I found a lot of information in this book.
How to avoid an attack of The Elongated Yellow Fruit
"The Associated Press Guide to News Writing" makes more points in 136 pages than do most writing books four times the size. One would expect no less from a master news editor like Rene Chappon. The formula Cappon follows is to write a very brief explanation of a problem; an example of the problem; a sentence dissecting the example; a rewriting of the problem sentence; and a summary of the topic. The result is almost always memorable. Consider this typical section on The Elegant Variation (capitalized words below are italicized in the original):Read more

Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Careers - General    3. Careers / Job Opportunities    4. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    5. Editing & Proofreading    6. Journalism    7. Journalism (General)    8. Language    9. Language Arts & Disciplines    10. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    11. Writing Skills   

Reviews (2)

An IntegratedGuide to Creating Short Stories
When I first saw this book in a Berkeley bookstore, I almost didn't pick it up because of its subtitle: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing Short Fiction. Sounded too formulaic. In retrospect, I'm glad I stood there to read the author's preface and introduction.
Solid and engrossing
Face it - there are hundreds of how-to-write-anything books. So why read Shaping The Story? Because it's the equivalent of a seasoned pro walking you through the genesis and development of a single story - Baechtel leads you by the hand (unobtrusively), leavening the instruction with student examples, and well-known and lesser-know stories by wonderful short story writers. I particularly liked the interplay between the author's comments and the students. You can tell that these techniques have been 'road tested' in the classroom. Excellent for the serious beginning writer, with plenty for more experienced writers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    2. Short Story    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    5. Authorship    6. Technique    7. English Composition    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Language   

Reviews (8)

Lively, bite-sized nuggets
I'm not sure what I was expecting with this book, but I had a great time reading it. Although its short sections and chapters made it easy to find a stopping place, its lively presentation and accompanying graphics made it hard for me to put down.
Plenty to appreciate
Comic fans, science fiction buffs and graphic novel writers alike will find a fine how-to book by a leading comic book writer in WRITING FOR COMICS WITH PETER DAVID. His writing prompts, stories, and humor is something different, outlining the basics of character and plot development, pacing, and sound effects in a manner beginners will find most accessible. Add memoirs and anecdotes of his life as a comic/graphic novel writer and you'll find plenty to appreciate, even if you don't pick up a pen to try your own hand.
The best introductory text out there for comic writing but...
This is the best introductory text out there for comic book writing, but...
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Comic books, strips, etc.    3. Comics & Cartoons    4. Composition & Creative Writing - General    5. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    6. Creative Writing    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    10. Art techniques & principles    11. Comic book & cartoon art    12. Creative writing guides    13. English   

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Academic    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. English Composition    5. General    6. Journalism    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Reference    10. Sports (General)    11. Advice on careers & achieving success    12. Language Arts & Disciplines / Journalism    13. Press & journalism   

Editorial Review

"A foolish consistency," Emerson insisted, "is the hobgoblin of little minds." That may well be, but editors have enough reasons to reject your work; don't let sloppy inconsistencies be one of them. Read more

Reviews (11)

Don't buy this.
This is a book which will tell you that using "data" as a plural is "stilted and deservedly obscure". This book essentially surveys the current mis-use of language and writes it down for all to follow. I expect they would have to issue a new version every year to keep up with the drift, which I suppose would be a good money-maker for the publisher.

Superb - for fiction writers, too!
_ Say it as simply as possible.
I would expect the world's leading daily newspaper to produce a pretty decent style guide and I was not disappointed with this edition.Having always worked in the design side of publishing, where it is necessary to be much more familiar with words and language than other areas of print design, I've collected a few style guides over the years.This manual and the one from The Economist I have found the most interesting.
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Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - General    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    4. Editing & Proofreading    5. Handbooks & Manuals    6. Handbooks, manuals, etc    7. Journalism    8. Printing    9. Reference    10. Research And Report Writing    11. Style manuals    12. Writing Skills    13. Creative writing guides    14. Reference / Handbooks & Manuals    15. Reference works   

Reviews (3)

good but not specific to short stories
I wanted a book to show me the difference in technique between a short story and novel length. This book didn't help me. If you want an overall view of how to write, this book is simple and arranged well, but I'm not sure why the title empahsis is on short story.

Good Quick Reference Guide
Schaum's guide is a good quick reference guide in the same sense a good gourmet cookbook may serve as a quick reference guide for getting a creative meal started. It is helpful in recalling key incredients and in just what portions and in what order they should be presented but as far as a guide to inspire, I must report this guide is NOT!Sadly, what is needed is a chapter entitled, "Ideas!!! And how to put form to them."
This book is a gem
Over the past few months I have collected and read many books on creative writing with a slant towards the art and technique of fiction. All the while I write and read everyday improving my writing and improving my understanding. I can certainly recommend many books that I have recently read and studied and I must say that this book has a welcome place in my library.All of the books on fiction that I have are highly geared toward the novel.I had been struggling to write just one short story with the knowledge and experience imparted from other books.Things just didn't fit.I bought this book with three others not expecting anything special.I started with the book and a page and a half of short story.By the time I finished reading the first chapter, everything was so clear that I put the book down, and, with surprising success, finishedmy short story.It only took a matter of hours.I am a page and a half into another story told entirely from the omniscient point of view.I would also like to say that many of the books I have include a pre-amble or first section on the struggle of writing well.I have found many of these depressing even when I am shining with hope.The first chapter of this book approaches the subject of writers struggle with interspersed anecdotes of hope and quotes about the struggle and joy of writing from famous writers.If you buy this book for only one reason, let it be the first chapter.It is truly original.The rest of the book goes on to talk about many of the common elements in general creative writing that can be found in any collection.This book freed my style and showed me that I can use un-common technique to make an engaging story of less than 5,000 words.Read more

Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Newspapers/Magazines    3. Curricula    4. Essays    5. Literary Collections    6. Literary Criticism    7. Reference    8. Short story    9. Technique    10. Language Arts & Disciplines / Composition & Creative Writing    11. Rhetoric    12. Writing & editing guides