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.

Reviewed by Jon Michael Miller for Readers' Favorite

Screenwriting for Storytellers: How to Take Your Story from Idea to Script by SherLann D. Moore is a must-read manual for anyone who wants to convert their novel, novella, or short story to the silver screen. If you think this transformation is a simple process, you have a surprise in store. Moore provides a step-by-step guide to margins, page numbers, fonts, camera directions and moves on to character development, sluglines, dialogue, transitions, fade-ins and outs, dissolves, cut-tos, dissolve tos, montages, flashbacks - everything you need to know about the format of a screenplay. She moves on to the hard part, converting your story into a film, which usually requires significant word-cutting to make it “lean, simple, and relevant.” To make her point she provides many examples, including her prize-winning screenplay in its entirety: Stronger When She’s Broken.

As someone who has attempted to convert several of my novels to script form, I wish I had found Moore’s book before I started. I thought, oh, this should be simple enough. But it’s a whole new ballgame. She provides some important advice such as investing in a software program that formats your script automatically, reading lots of scripts in your genre, and how to overcome writer’s block (she includes physical exercises) - all useful to any writer. She gives you an actual assignment of writing a screenplay with you as the main character, and - hugely important - she tells you how to pitch your book in what is called a “pitch deck.” She even gives you quizzes to see if you are paying attention! There is space for notetaking too. Before you try going it alone to convert your novel to a movie, be sure to pick up a copy of Screenwriting for Storytellers by SherLann D. Moore. I sure wish I had.

Reviewed by Daniel D Staats for Readers' Favorite

We are surrounded by bias. Everyone has a degree of prejudice, and their bias often comes out in their writing. Because bias can be hidden or disguised, Erik Bean has written Bias Is All Around You. Erik has developed the KLEMP method to assess the degree of bias in any given situation. Knowing a person’s bias can help us vet the usefulness of their writing. We must stop accepting what the media shoves at us at face value. It is high time we vet the information, throw away much of it, retain the little that seems true with the least amount of bias, and just what is worth sharing. Proper critical thinking cannot be rushed. Sharing information without thoroughly vetting it is irresponsible, risky, and wrong. The stakes are high, so we need to be sure what we share, read, and believe is valid.

Thinking critically is what Erik Bean wants you to do to vet the media. He wants his readers to have the skills and tools to properly vet the information that bombards you daily. In Bias Is All Around You: A Handbook for Inspecting Social Media & News Stories, Erik has taken a complex concept and boiled it down to easy-to-use steps. With his KLEMP method and his myriad of questions found in the book, there is no excuse for anyone not being able to critically discern the value of any report. Erik’s style of writing is informative and concise. He desires to teach others how to analyze data so they can feel confident sharing information with others.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

When I decided to read Breakthrough by Todd Mitchell, it was because I am one of those writers who has been stuck in what I call a “Go? No!’ state of creativity for the past five years. It feels crummy. So, when Mitchell’s subtitle indicated his book would help me overcome doubt, fear, and resistance so I could once again be my ultimate creative self, I couldn’t wait to read it. Did it work? Well, let’s say it WILL work if I can stop letting my ego, my need to achieve, and my constant comparison of myself to others interfere. But those concepts are only the beginning of what Mitchell explores to help us get out of our creative ruts. 
Breakthrough is one of those books that I couldn’t help but stop every so often to jot down notes. Section after section, I identified things I’ve been doing and thoughts I’ve been having that have held me back for too long. Perhaps the most important concept was the one that should become my mantra: “Stop trying to create things and focus on being creative.”

Ah! That reminds me of what we hear about mindfulness, i.e. living, being in the moment. There are other concepts that, as a writer, I need to remember, like becoming a silent but conscious observer. The stories I might like to write are all around me, as well as deep within me, but “Rather than constantly trying to control my story (and blaming myself for not getting it right), I [must] remind myself that I’m discovering my story as it’s written.” That statement screamed at me, as did so many. But is Breakthrough only for writers? Not at all. Whatever your creative discipline, if doubt, fear, and more are holding your creativity in limbo, you need to read this book. Todd Mitchell writes with such sincerity. He bares his soul. What he suggests comes from his own experience of living on a treadmill that is always seeking new heights, failing, and feeling unhappy. Whatever setbacks we are having now with our creative aspirations, Mitchell has had them too.  

I suppose, if you were pressed for time and wanted quick advice, you could just go to the end of Breakthrough and check out Mitchell’s 13-step program, his short exploration of the various types of meditation, and his brilliant collection of mantras. But you’d miss out on fully understanding why “maybe success isn’t the antidote to failure that people might think it is” and that “creative success is doing what you love and loving what you do.” Don’t shortchange yourself. Read Breakthrough all the way through. Jot down thoughts that jump out at you, and keep this wonderful book in a spot close to where you create. It’s inspiring and motivating.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

“Writing for me is my spirituality. It’s how I deal with my problems and face the world.” I can certainly relate to that sentiment. It’s the writing that drives me forward each day. But there are hurdles along the way: procrastination and the so-called menace of writer’s block. These hurdles can be overcome, however, and all of us who aspire to be great and prolific writers can do just that. Imagine writing a novel every few weeks, or even every few days. Sounds a bit overwhelming? Well, it doesn’t have to be. And writing fast doesn’t have to affect the quality of your work.

Intrigued? I certainly was when I picked up M.L. Ronn’s book, Be a Writing Machine: Write Faster Smarter, Beat Writer’s Block, and Be Prolific. Packed with all kinds of interesting anecdotes from the author’s personal experience, and a well-planned, well-plotted (no pun intended) outline on how to become what he describes as a ‘writing machine.’ Part autobiographical, part reflections on lessons learned, this is not only a useful guide to enhance one’s writing prospects, but it’s also an interesting read. As well as the author’s anecdotes, there are quite a few interesting quotes from other writers. Each chapter is detailed and full of useful tips and profound and enduring advice. The chapters conclude with concise summaries. As well as covering such topics as creativity, problem-solving, productivity, writing skills, and an entire section on writing fiction, there is a very useful section on marketing and promotion, something every writer is forced to contend with. Overall, this book is both interesting and informative.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

“Nothing attracts a crowd like a crowd.” The same can be said about reviews; not just book reviews, but any kind of review. Reviews are the means of converting customers into buyers. And the more reviews you have, the more likely Amazon will boost its ratings of your book and send more buyer traffic your way. Even bad reviews are good reviews. Why? Well, think of it. Would you trust a product, book, or anything else for that matter, that only received raving 5-star reviews? Remember: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” So, how does an author get more reviews on Amazon? Well, first of all, the author must be aware of Amazon’s community guidelines. Avoid the idea of review swapping, as this has gone awry over the past few years with people taking advantage of the potential it offered, often leaving poor, useless reviews, like, “This is a good book.”

Dale L. Roberts’ guidebook, Amazon Reviews for Books: How to Get Book Reviews on Amazon, has a lot of useful insight into book reviewing on Amazon business. Award-winning and a self-published author, Dale knows how important reviews can be for the success of one’s books. His book leads the reader through the process, beginning with a good introduction to the importance of reviews. He also presents the Amazon guidelines and policies which are important to know when actively seeking reviews. He also presents some options for seeking reviews and what to look for in a potential online book reviewer. The book is clearly laid out and an excellent resource for all authors, new and established.

Reviewed by Tammy Ruggles for Readers' Favorite

Self-Publish & Succeed: The No Boring Books Way to Writing a Non-Fiction Book that Sells by Julie Broad is the perfect cheerleader and guide to start or finish the book that is crucial to you, your brand, or career. This compact, succinct book brims with information on how to self-publish your non-fiction book. Whether it's a how-to or your brand's life story, Broad's inside information will give you the tools and boost you need to succeed. Some of the topics covered are overcoming procrastination, how to avoid writing a boring book, how to find a good editor, a one-page secret that could turn your book around and generate a mountain of leads and sales, speed writing, how and where to market, how to change lives with your book, write for the reader and not yourself, and lots more. This author gives you the keys to unlocking your potential, your future, and your business; making sure that your non-fiction book is, above all, fun.

Broad has crafted a book that needs to be in front of anyone who's even thought about writing a non-fiction book. Some writers have a natural talent for it, and some need a book to boost their business or career, but all writers need the information contained in Broad's book. Even experienced writers can use a refresher course, some new ideas, or some motivation. A book can open new revenue streams for you, and reach different audiences or customers. The author puts forth her No Boring Books approach to publishing, and it's information you can refer to again and again. I love Broad's motto that non-fiction books don't have to be boring. The best ones never are. Non-fiction can be just as moving, thoughtful, and inspiring as a fiction novel. I also like the way the author gets into the nuts-and-bolts of writing non-fiction, the publication process, which changes with the times, and you the reader or potential writer can change right along with it. Also interesting are the real-life success stories she profiles. Broad also shows you what not to do, which is just as important. Read Julie Broad's Self-Publish & Succeed from cover to cover, and you will hit the ground running with your non-fiction book.

Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite

Story Power: Secrets to Creating, Crafting, and Telling Memorable Stories by Kate Farrell is an ideal resource to help craft your own story. This how-to guide delves into the art of storytelling and encourages others to share their individual stories. The art of telling stories is highlighted to show the importance of how we as humans relate to stories. This book is for anyone in need of telling a good story, whether for your business presentation, communication, sharing, or writing. This book shares various advice, techniques, and exercises that will help inspire, teach, and guide. This will guide you towards discovering your authentic style of storytelling, thanks to the wisdom and advice shared by twenty writers. Woven throughout are examples and prompts along with tips for telling your story, creating your personal branding story. Also included are organizers, seven steps to storytelling, and personal stories.

Kate Farrell creates a female-driving resource to guide women to find their own stories. The resource stems from the desire humans have to tell their personal stories and comes from the idea that our narratives have therapeutic potential. While serving as a writing guide, it also acts as a reminder to be true to ourselves and honest about where we've been and what we have done in our lives. This unique resource is from the perspective that believes in the power of telling our true stories (significantly seen in the #MeToo movement) and delves into the meaningful connections that humans make. Telling unforgettable stories will feel easy after reading the advice various contributors give in this book. Each contributor shares their secrets for how they tell memorable tales. Stories define us, and Story Power embodies the power storytelling has to help everyone discover themselves and better the ways they communicate with others. Story Power is a well-organized book with chapters broken down into popular themes, storytelling delivery, and the rich heritage of folklore. Farrell has organized the book via tools to help navigate the resource with creating, crafting, telling, and exercises. This resource encourages the importance of developing your style and how to tailor your content and structure to fit your delivery and style.

The seven steps to storytelling provide comfort in how you tell your own story by allowing you to feel confident in it. The advice includes tips such as using the idea of a journey to create the narrative arc, exercises such as character benchmarks, exercises for family folklore, encouragement to write even for those that don't believe they can, and understanding legacies that are negative and positive. Discover how to tell your story in Story Power, which acts as a guide for finding your voice as a storyteller through the advice, prompts, and tips shared by incredible contributors.

Reviewed by Emily-Jane Hills Orford for Readers' Favorite

There’s a well-repeated phrase, “You can’t judge a book by its cover.” While in many ways that saying is true, it can also be said that you can’t choose a book without its cover and, more significantly, its title. When have you ever been attracted to a cover-less, title-less book? What usually draws you first to pick up a book, to see if it’s something you want to read? The title, of course, and the author. If he/she is well known, it may attract more attention from potential readers. So, you’ve finished writing your book, and you are stumped as to what title to use. You may or may not have some ideas, but you want to make sure your ideas suit. Or, perhaps there’s a better option to consider. Did you know that some great books were once duds because their titles were ineffective? Once the titles were changed, these books soared in ratings. So, what can you do to find that perfect title the first time? Where can you turn for potential title ideas?

Scott Lorenz’s Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book is an excellent guide to help you find that perfect title, the one that will pull in more potential readers. Quite simply put, as the author says in his introduction: “Your book needs to stand out from the competition.” And, he has the means to show you how. As the author continues to point out, your book is all about discoverability. What does that mean? Well, if no one knows it’s there on the market, no one’s going to pick it up to read it. And that’s where this book comes in handy to help you choose the right title to increase your book’s discoverability. It boils down to keywords: effective choices and mastering the emotional words that attract. Book Title Generator is well organized with key examples from a wide range of authors and a thorough process to make sure all your books are well titled. A great resource for every author.