Reviewed by Philip Van Heusen for Readers' Favorite

Are you an old hand at writing or a newbie? Either way, Mastering Your Scenes: Your Blueprint for Success by J.A. Cox is a great book for all fiction writers. If you have ever been stuck writing a chapter, this book gives you ideas on how to get back to writing. The author lays out a simple plan to construct your chapters so your writing flows from start to finish. After describing the different types of writers, the author delves into what scenes are and how to sketch them. After you have built the book’s skeleton, you can put flesh on it by following the template. The more real the scene is to you, the more real it will be to your readers. Everyone needs a little push sometimes, and this book will give you the push you need to finish your masterpiece.

If you have been looking for a well-crafted book on making your fictional scenes realistic, Mastering Your Scenes by J.A. Cox is the book you want. The author writes in an easy-to-follow style that will get your writing juices flowing. Each chapter includes the following sections: when, where, how, and practical application. Armed with knowledge about perfecting scenes, you will improve your writing and be pleased with how much better your book seems. Since every story occurs somewhere, learning how to develop and describe the location is vital. American football coach Vince Lombardi started each training season with the simple statement, “Gentlemen, this is a football!” Even seasoned writers must remember the basics; this book is a wonderful primer. I highly recommend this book to all fiction writers.

Reviewed by Grant Leishman for Readers' Favorite

Me and The Times is a thoroughly engaging and fascinating memoir from the pen of Robert W. Stock. Subtitled My Wild Ride from Elevator Operator to New York Times Editor, Columnist, and Change Agent (1967-97), the author presents the details of his life and his many fascinating work encounters through his long career at that paragon of journalistic virtue, The Grey Lady – The New York Times. As a married man with a child at just 19, earning a living for his family was the number one priority for the young Stock and it was through the fortuitous actions of Golda Meir’s sister that he found his first job in a local Bridgeport newspaper. So started a career that would culminate in the role of editor and columnist for the Sunday edition of The New York Times. Through anecdotes and memories of the many stories he covered in his time with the newspaper, the author entertains and enthralls with topics as diverse as covering the petroleum industry when it was in its exploratory heyday, right through to sensitive and relevant topics such as sex for seniors. There will be something here for everyone, especially nostalgia buffs who look back with rose-tinted glasses at the pre-social media and pre-cable news days when the daily newspapers provided the backbone of a citizenry’s information and opinion.

Me and The Times ranks right up there with the most fascinating books I’ve read this year. Having worked as a reporter for a small, bi-weekly newspaper in another life, I fully recognized and appreciated many of the issues and frustrations reporters felt with editors in general. I, like the author, was a notorious user of puns in my copy and could never understand why my editors insisted on removing or rewriting what I thought was incredibly clever wordsmithing. Author Robert W. Stock has led a fascinating and privileged work life as not only an editor and columnist for the most famous newspaper in the world but also at a time when newspapers and their contents were trusted and believed. I’m not sure the same trust and believability can be applied to “news” sources in general today. I agree, as the author points out, that part of the reason for the deep social schisms in society today can be directly laid at the feet of “click-bait” news and the partisanship of various news sources. This memoir is not only about the author’s work life as he is more than willing to delve into all aspects of his childhood as well as his marriages and personal life. This certainly gives the memoir the human touch. The stories and the people he met through his work are a veritable namedrop of many of the most important figures in business, politics, entertainment, and even sports, which no doubt will arouse envy amongst readers. Few books I have read have been as devoid of errors as this one is, clearly validating the author’s main claim to fame; that of being a first-class editor. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

Reviewed by Joe Wisinski for Readers' Favorite

The Complete Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians is a comprehensive manual for writers publishing for the first time and those who have published before but need to learn more before writing their next book. Author Sallie Dawkins is an experienced writer and publisher who leads her readers through all stages of the publishing process. The chapters start with what needs to happen before beginning to write and go through the writing process and to the launching and marketing of books. Dawkins shares much about her writing and publishing journey, including mistakes and what she got right. There is an emphasis on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing platform. The book concludes with a practice publishing project, a glossary of writing terms, a step-by-step guide to self-publishing, a list of publishing resources and estimated self-publishing expenses, and some recommended books. As the title states, Dawkins stresses Christian writing.

I have self-published eleven books, and I wish I could have read this book before publishing my first one. I'm sure I would have saved much time, effort, and frustration if The Complete Beginner's Guide to Self-Publishing for Christians had been available then. The word "complete" in the title is not an exaggeration. Author Sallie Dawkins covers everything writers need to know about writing and self-publishing their books. The legal and financial considerations that Dawkins writes about alone are worth the book's price. They will potentially save new writers from making expensive mistakes that could cost them a lot of money. Whether someone is new to writing and self-publishing or has written and published numerous books, I strongly recommend they read this excellent book. Dawkins is a fine writer and explains her topics in easy-to-understand terms. Whether her readers write Christian or secular material, they will find this book invaluable.

Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

So Good They Call You a Fake by Joshua Lisec is a business and self-help book that offers a comprehensive guide for entrepreneurs, authors, and creatives looking to establish themselves as undisputed authorities in their niches. Lisec presents practical strategies for transforming visibility into monetized success, emphasizing the importance of embracing criticism as a marker of excellence. The book encourages readers to maximize their talents, create impactful products, and leverage attention effectively. Lisec has a great balance of solid practical advice and motivational insights in this highly readable work, empowering readers to take bold steps toward success, no matter the potential flack or criticism they may receive along the way. Nobody likes criticism, or so they say, but Lisec’s unique approach to mindset and motivation teaches valuable skills that also stretch far beyond business and into our daily lives to not take the opinions of others too seriously.

Joshua Lisec's writing is clear and actionable, making complex strategies accessible to a broad audience with a bold, confident narrative that lets you know he practices exactly what he preaches between these pages, and with great success. Lisec's approach to turning criticism into a powerful marketing tool is both innovative and inspiring, with wry humor and amusing anecdotes that make you feel as if you’re being guided by a close personal friend. The book's structured, step-by-step guidance is also well-arranged to refer back to essential advice sections with ease. Overall, So Good They Call You a Fake is a refreshing and empowering take on self-help and success that will certainly motivate others into action, no matter the setbacks they face.

Reviewed by Renee Guill for Readers' Favorite

Self-Promote and Succeed by Julie Broad is a non-fiction business book for indie authors. The author talks about what you want your book to do for you, gives you options to publish your book and explains how to do that. She covers different ways to market your book, like using podcasts or speaking engagements. She discusses the different ways to publish your book, like audio versions. Julie even explains how to use metadata and SEO to sell your books. She has tools to assist on her website, in case you need more help.

I thought that Self-Promote and Succeed by Julie Broad was a real eye-opener. I loved that she said the book should be a tool for us, and we should decide how to use it that way. It was a mind-blowing 'aha' moment for me. Definitely, a game changer. I loved that she shared where to publish and explained the differences between the companies, and none was left out. The chapter summaries were nice and made it easier to remember things. My favorite chapter was the bookstore chapter. Not only did Julie explain how they worked, but she did the math too; another mind-blowing fact. She made metadata sound easy, and, as an introvert, I can't wait to try it. I loved that she has so many ideas to promote a book, for both introverts and extroverts. If you are an indie author or plan on becoming one, this is a must-read.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

What is literary fiction? And what makes it different from memoirs or genre fiction? Literary fiction is something that will stand the course of time; it will make a bold statement and allow the individual reader to grow in his or her experience merely by reading the story. Basically, literary fiction is a complex work of art, something to be savored, studied and analyzed. So, how does one write literary fiction? It must be assumed that any writer can write a good story, but is it literary fiction? Does it have the potential of becoming literary fiction? There are many elements essential in the creation of a good piece of literary fiction. First of all, characterization is important. “The author who wants to create great stories must characterize well.” The characters give the story focus, meaning, direction and so much more. And that, in the art of literary fiction, is what makes it. In effect, “Meaning and purpose are crucial.”

Author William H. Coles’ Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a powerful tool to help writers, both beginners and established, to create their great work of literary fiction. Starting with a discussion and comparison of literary fiction versus memoir or genre fiction, the author proceeds to outline the important elements of a good work of literary fiction. Step-by-step, he leads the reader through the complexities of characterization, narration, dialogue, conflict, point of view and so much more. Using examples from classic literature, each important element is explained and compared to help the reader comprehend the complexities of the story’s structure. This is a must-have guide for all writers. Well written and laid out, this is an interesting read.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Kill Your Characters: Crime Scene Tips for Writers by Steve Rush is an ideal resource for mystery and crime fiction writers and contains crime scene tips that will help authors improve their writing. The book breaks down crime scenes and provides useful information and prompts that take advantage of Rush’s first-hand knowledge derived from years as a detective and forensic investigator. The goal is to empower writers by giving them the information to make their books into page-turners. The book will no doubt allow writers to answer important questions by making available the facts surrounding a character’s death including evidence, weapon, investigation, and suspects. The vivid details, advice, and prompts will help create realistic scenarios that will lend reality to mysteries and crime fiction.

The goal of the book is to help seasoned writers to strengthen their writing skills and allow beginners to break into the mystery genres with vivid and accurate details that will help to establish a credible plot. The book is broken down into key aspects such as the crime scene, investigation, and evidence which will provide useful data and visuals. The book is beneficial whether you are writing cozy mysteries or murder mysteries with facts that will permit your PI (private investigator) or AS (amateur sleuth) to put together a case. These facts show how to place the details in a concept-conflict-climax story structure which allows you to set up the inciting incident, the offender’s identity, and the investigation. Further details include wounds, autopsy reports, and various causes of death.

The book contains writing exercises and prompts that take what you learn from the chapters and apply it to the beginning stages of writing, such as whether the facts support the scene’s integrity, red herrings, and prompts that help set the scene. The book also has fill-in-the-blank worksheets that cover suspects, venue, and cause of death. A time of death table is included that details the stages of body decomposition. These features make this book one of a kind and a must-have for a writer’s shelf. An empowering read, Kill Your Characters is the go-to handbook for writers looking to step into the mystery genres with thorough details that will make writing murder mysteries and crime fiction a breeze.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

Overcoming Writer's Block: The Writer's Guide to Beating the Blank Page by Marcy Pusey reminds us that being a writer is a calling, a passion, and something we writers feel compelled to do. Unfortunately, that’s not always an easy task. We may have an idea for a story, but that blank page or screen in front of us challenges our ability to write a single word, let alone string together multiple sentences that make any sense. How can we overcome this dilemma, the notorious, infamous writer’s block? Writers have shared their thoughts on the subject as well as their experiences, but no one way works for everyone. However, due diligence and perseverance will always pay off, and exploring different possibilities will find the right path that suits each author. Take advice from seasoned authors and learn from the pros. Then try some of their techniques and troubleshoot your block.

Marcy Pusey’s self-help guide, Overcoming Writer’s Block, is a different look at a complex and often debilitating problem that all writers face from time to time. The book shares personal anecdotes as well as advice in this thorough look at the issue. This award-winning author breaks down the problem and addresses it in detail, even scientifically, providing strategies to help writers eliminate the mind freeze that defines writer’s block. The guide suggests how we can individualize our approach to conquering it, removing the block, reigniting our passion, and getting back to what we love most: writing. The approach presented in this book is complete and well-organized, allowing writers to unlock their temporarily frozen inner muse. A unique and informative approach to a real problem.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

What is literary fiction? And what makes it different from memoirs or genre fiction? Literary fiction is something that will stand the course of time; it will make a bold statement and allow the individual reader to grow in his or her experience merely by reading the story. Basically, literary fiction is a complex work of art, something to be savored, studied and analyzed. So, how does one write literary fiction? It must be assumed that any writer can write a good story, but is it literary fiction? Does it have the potential of becoming literary fiction? There are many elements essential in the creation of a good piece of literary fiction. First of all, characterization is important. “The author who wants to create great stories must characterize well.” The characters give the story focus, meaning, direction and so much more. And that, in the art of literary fiction, is what makes it. In effect, “Meaning and purpose are crucial.”

Author William H. Coles’ Creating Literary Stories: A Fiction Writer’s Guide is a powerful tool to help writers, both beginners and established, to create their great work of literary fiction. Starting with a discussion and comparison of literary fiction versus memoir or genre fiction, the author proceeds to outline the important elements of a good work of literary fiction. Step-by-step, he leads the reader through the complexities of characterization, narration, dialogue, conflict, point of view and so much more. Using examples from classic literature, each important element is explained and compared to help the reader comprehend the complexities of the story’s structure. This is a must-have guide for all writers. Well written and laid out, this is an interesting read.

Reviewed by Vincent Dublado for Readers' Favorite

A Wordsmith's Work by Mark R. Weaver, Esq. is an indispensable guide on crisis communications and how to write more effectively. Other than being about crisis communications and effective writing, the book is a compilation of the author’s writings on the subject that include some of his ghostwriting projects. Every chapter provides meaningful tips on how you can sharpen your writing skills, particularly in the business and media sectors. By taking into consideration the attitude that you express through the words and details you select, you effectively drive your main ideas which are to inform, to entertain, and to persuade. Moreover, it delves into the practice of crisis communications and how writers can wield it to share correct and largely unchangeable information quickly.

I am very glad to have the opportunity to review this book. Much of the things on crisis communications that Mark R. Weaver shares are knowledge I never learned in school. I enjoyed reading about the careful planning that goes into writing about this specialized form as well as the dos and don’ts of effective op-eds. I find Weaver’s instructions to be very absorbing, and his examples truly poke you between the eyes as if to say that you must remember them. It can be tricky to engage your readers nowadays considering the plethora of information jostling for attention. Hopefully, this book can help you rise up and take more control of what you write. I consider A Wordsmith’s Work as good writing education for anyone who wants to further hone their wordsmithing skills. With its solid tips and no-nonsense delivery, it is a book worth visiting regularly.