Books about Writing & Publishing

Contracts Companion for Writers by Tonya Evans-Walls

WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER INSIDE THIS BOOK:
- Key clauses in agency, publishing & collaboration agreements
- What every permission, release and work-made-for-hire agreement should say
- Whether an email, phone call or letter can constitute a valid contract
- When to use an interviewee or model release
- What to do when a good deal goes bad & how to get your rights back
 - What every freelancer should know about their rights
 - The difference between a single song & exclusive songwriting deal
 - The players involved and the process of selling & licensing copyright
- When you need media perils insurance & how to get it

What others are saying about this book!

Contracts Companion for Writers is an amazingly comprehensive, easy-to-understand examination of the contracts most important to writers. From publishing and agency contracts, to collaboration and work-for-hire agreements, to permission requests and release forms - all set out in an appendix and on the handy CD-ROM, Tonya covers everything writers, agents and other industry professionals need to know about creating and closing deals from a position of knowledge and strength.

Of particular value are the key clauses and negotiation points Tonya shares with a professional acumen that only a lawyer experienced in this area can deliver. Her literary law expertise shines through and the information provided is invaluable. This book is well written and indispensable for writers of every level.

Although the information provided will prove of great worth at any point in your drafting and negotiation process, don't wait until after you've signed on the dotted line to read it and don't rely just on your agent or attorney to tell you what you need to know. As the cover suggests, put down the pen and open up this book first. You'll be glad you did!
Dan Poynter, www.parapublishing.com

Contracts Companion for Writers arrived in my office during the week my agent was negotiating the contract for my second book of creative writing exercises. I immediately opened to the chapter on "The Publishing Agreement" and read every single word. My fear of negotiation and legalese was magically and immediately replaced with confidence and knowledge. Contracts Companion is a must-have, "read it before you think you need it" book for all writers.
Bonnie Neubauer, www.BonnieNeubauer.com

The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes by Jack M. Bickham

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Fictional life, according to Jack Bickham, is better than real life. You don't get struck by lightning. You are not subject to random acts of cruelty. Events proceed logically. On the other hand, Bickham says, "In fiction, the best times for the writer--and reader--are when the story's main character is in the worst trouble." Not good if you're a fictional character. The 38 Most Common Fiction Writing Mistakes is as engaging as Bickham wants your fiction to be. It is sharp, focused, funny, and pointed. And it is demanding. Bickham, who has written over 65 novels and several fiction-writing guides, has little patience for wannabes. "Writers write," Bickham says. "Everyone else makes excuses." Bickham's pronouncements are decidedly negative: "Don't Describe Sunsets," advises one chapter; "Don't Write About Wimps"; "Don't Let [Your Characters] Be Windbags"; and "Don't Worry What Your Mother Will Think." But his lessons are positive. Behind each dictum is a terse, entertaining, and utterly well-reasoned examination of why the problem is a problem, and what you can do to expunge it from your prose. --Jane Steinberg

From School Library Journal
YA-- An easy-to-read book full of valuable information for would-be fiction writers. Bickham issues many ``don't'' statements, but says that behind every negative is a positive. He tries to help writers overcome the 1001 reasons that they develop ``blocks'' with common-sense advice. Slim enough to slip into a briefcase or to keep handy next to a typewriter or word processor, this book will remind some of The Elements of Style by Strunk and White.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Beginnings, Middles, & Ends by Nancy Kress

Reviews

"This book is terrific for people who are just starting to try to write. It breaks down every initial stumbling block of the craft into small pieces in ways that are easy for inexperienced writers to understand and model. For more experienced writers, it might be useful to see the mechanical process for things one already understands (even innately). However, this is not a stunningly useful book for writers with more than a little experience."

"John Irving once commented that his experience at writing workshops & conferences taught him things about writing (e.g., voicing) that he would eventually have picked up anyway, but that he saved a lot of time by not having to learn it the hard way. That's the way I feel about Nancy Kress's wonderful Beginnings, Middles and Ends.

First of all -- and this matters -- Kress is a world-class writer of fiction herself. She's famous in the science fiction community, and she deserves to be. So when she, of all people, gives clues about creating good plots, one should listen. She's that marvelous (and rare) combination, a stunning writer who can also teach.

This book uses a very methodical approach, speaking of the different parts of a piece of fiction separately and specifically addressing how they interact. Each chapter really deserves to be read several times, as the attitudes she recommends for writers can solve problems all by themselves. At the end of each chapter is a set of exercises that significantly improve one's ability to interpolate the lessons.

Much of what she says in her book I was beginning to discover on my own, but to see it put into print solidifies and sharpens my view. Personally I was writing several different stories over the time during which I read the book, and I found that it helped instantly. I'm actually stuck on one or two stories right now, and I'm going to dive back into the Kress book to see how she can help me; I know she can."

Recommended Reading

Black Pain: It Just Looks Like We're Not Hurting

Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Black Power masks Black Pain, says Williams, a social worker and founder of a successful public relations firm. Back when black was beautiful, we felt comfortable in our dark skin and 'nappy' hair. Decades later, that sense of pride has morphed into bling that hides the pain of poverty and racism. The result has been depression expressed through violence, addiction, suicide as well as obesity and hypertension. The stoicism blacks are taught in order to not appear weak in the eyes of other black people only leads to denial and isolation. Williams argues persuasively that blacks are not alone. She begins with her own tribulations with depression. From there, she examines how depression is expressed by black men, women and children, and shares the stories of scores of others: rich, poor, successful, incarcerated. This liberal insertion of case reports coupled with a plethora of block quotes can bog down the text. However, Williams is dedicated to convincing her fellow African-Americans that assistance is readily available, whether through counseling, medicine or self-help: [T]here is no need for you to suffer alone or in silence. Help is out there. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review
"Black Pain is just the conversation starter that we need to begin tackling the taboo topic of depression. Out of the discussion comes the healing."- Tavis Smiley, Author, Television Personality and Radio Host

"Black Pain is an immensely readable and down-to-earth book. It will motivate black people who suffer with depression in silence to seek help.  This book shines a bright light on the darkness of despair"- Alvin F. Poussaint, MD, Professor of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

"Black Pain shines a spotlight on the issue, getting the message out that we must identify, understand, and seek the help we need to heal."- Danny Glover, Actor/Activist

"It boldly confronts the reality of our pain head on, flowing like hot lyrics over the perfect beat."- Sean "Diddy" Combs

"Black Pain shows us that it is time that we all talk about our depression and fight with the same vigor that we fight to achieve racial justice."- Charles Ogletree

"Black Pain shows us how to recognize that depression that may be hidden away and deal with it. It pushes us to give a voice to the pain without passing it on to others."- Patti LaBelle

"Terrie dares to bring out what so many have not had the courage to confront, having learned that you can never heal until you expose what hurts you. Black Pain is an opportunity to reach your breakthrough moment."- Rev. Al Sharpton

"The racism, the struggle, the feelings of hopelessness-it hurts like hell. Black Pain shows us why we are dying in the streets."- Jamie Hector, actor, The Wire

"Black Pain takes a candid and in-depth look at depression in black America. The book provides hope to those who battle with the disease and offers an understanding for the friends and loved ones who care for them. I highly recommend this book."- Bishop T.D. Jakes, Senior Pastor, The Potter's House

"The world is full of damaged people inflicting pain upon other damaged people. The time for sweeping issues such as depression under the rug in the African-American community has long since passed. We need to face our demons head on and defeat them so that we can truly appreciate all that life has to offer...This book will serve as an eye-opener to many and an inspiration to all."- Zane, NY Times Bestselling Author of Addicted and NAACP Image Award Winner for Breaking the Cycle