#427 ~ The Pocket Book of Proofreading

The Pocket Book of Proofreading: A guide to freelance proofreading & copy-editing: A Guide to Freelance Proofreading and Copy-editing by William Critchley

My rating: 4 of 5 stars








Useful guide for anybody interested in proof reading.

Personally, I purchased a copy to help in editing my n work in the future as well as doing some work for others.

I keep it to hand on my desk for easy reference.


Product Details

Available HERE as a Kindle Download (£5.51) the paperback version is £12.20. 

262 pages
First English Books (2013)
Non-fiction, Essential Reading, Reference, Writing


Errors/Bug Bears

None noted


Happy reading

Hugs

Kay

#384 ~ Of Mice and Men: York Notes

Of Mice and Men: York Notes for GCSE by Martin Stephen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars





It's simple no nonsense advise to help you go from a C grade to B or above.

It's all about manipulating and massaging the way you write to get the better grade, given of course that you actually understood it in the first place.

For what it's worth, and only in my humble opinion, essential reading if you are studying OMAM at GCSE level to give you a bit of a leg up.

I decided that the Kindle version was good enough for my purposes, but there could be a valid argument to having an actual hard copy book for this too - it really depends on what you feel more comfortable with when studying.

I like the fact that I can highlight relevant bits, and obviously it's cheaper than the little sticky note markers ..... incidentally, I used a ton of them in my actual OMAM book just marking the salient points for Curley's Wife ready for my controlled assessment!

I gave this 4 stars, as in reality it could have gone a little deeper to explain how to go about bagging an A* in greater depth.

You can purchase a copy HERE.

Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#383 ~ Of Mice and Men

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

My rating: 5 of 5 stars







I have to admit to this book being my Nemesis, it was the book that put me off all those years ago doing 'O' Level English Literature ... and it has been the book that I've hated the most since that tender age of 16.

Quite by chance earlier this year I had a discussion with my Daughter about the standard of GCSE teaching, and Examination. She said it was hard and I maintained that it was easy - so a challenge from her ensued and I before I knew it I'd been signed up to take my GCSE English as a very immature student!

You can therefore imagine my horror when it was revealed in a big TAH DAH!!!! moment by the Tutor that this book was going to form one of my Controlled Assessment pieces - oh crikey, I was dreading it.

I'm happy to report though that not only has the standard tuition improved vastly since my long ago days at School, but having read it about four or five times now, and gone over every nuance with the Tutor .... I've actually come to appreciate the standard of writing. Steinbeck was certainly on his 'A' game when he wrote it. I was also to astonished it wasn't the tome akin to War and Peace I had remembered, but a Novella.

I hate to admit this but a big fat 5 Stars from me, and a recommendation to try it again if you only studied it as a child all those years ago.

As for the exam, the course work is proving to be challenging, but I am determined to get an A* grade ... maybe that this a dim hope, but I won't be let down by lack of work to prove to my scoffing Daughter that there is life in the old girl yet. I'm also putting Grapes of Wrath and other Steinbeck on my WTR list!


Product Details:

Seriously, give this book a go, and don't be like me and let childhood prejudice get in the way of enjoying a true classic.  Also, take the challenge and up date your Qualifications if you have time, it's proving really enjoyable.

If you fancy giving this Classic a go, then you can purchase it HERE.


Errors/Bug Bears:

Unsurprisingly, there were none.



I will update John Steinbeck on my Authors page, but it might be in a few days time, as I am currently converting that to a list.ly file for ease of use - it seems to be working out really well for the Reviewed and Waiting for Review Lists.

Whilst I think about it, I am also in the process of setting up a wordpress blog for the Toodles Book Club, as it is more user friendly for book blogs, and you can get list.ly and other really cool book blog specific plug ins.  It won't be going live for a good while yet though.


Happy reading.

Hugs

Kay

#373 - Writers' & Artists' Yearbook 2013

The Writers' and Artists' Yearbook 2013 by www.writersandartists.co.uk

My rating: 4 of 5 stars













I think that the number of Reviews' for this publication speak for themselves - the good points and bad points being upheld in equal measure as far as I am concerned.

One would hope that they have reached this edition without the relevant details being fully updated each time, but as this is my first time of purchase that remains to be seen I guess.

For the short time I have had this reference work, it has given me some valuable help, therefore 4 stars from me.

I believe that the 2014 edition has now been published, which is ever the problem with these kinds of books.

I purchased my copy from Amazon HERE if you are interested.

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download at Amazon

Valerie Hurry

Writer's Bounty:  Funding, Publishing and Writing Resources for The Literary Writer

Kindle Store > Books > Non-Fiction> Reference > Writers' Resources

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

For a change today I thought I would feature a resource for writers':

Do you need to get serious  about publishing and advancing your literary career?

With Writer’s Bounty: Funding, Publishing, and Writing Resources for the Literary Writer you’ll receive a 240-page Kindle book that includes:

• Fellowships and Residencies - Competitive fellowships and residencies to advance your competency and writing career.
• Recognized Competitions - Book Prizes, awards, contests, and other competitions. 
• General Writers’ Associations - Training, advice, and mentoring for all types of writers. 
• Specialized Writers’ Associations - Network with writers and publishers specializing in your writing format or genre.
• Arts Councils in the United States and Canada - Access grants, workshops, conferences, space, and arts calendar.
• Articles on Writing and Publishing - Learn from writing and publishing article archives. 
• Literary Journals, Magazines, and Presses - Submit to 350+ admired publishers of fiction, poetry, and creative non-fiction.
• Literary Journal and Magazine Rankings - Highly ranked journals (works selected for influential anthologies).
• Writing Prompts and Exercises - Never be without a compelling idea.
• Special Populations - Resources for minority, veteran, and women writers.
• Reference Resources - Online reference resources and miscellanea helpful to writers.

Obviously, this isn't a book for a lot of people, but for budding Authors' or Writers' it should prove really useful.

I've downloaded my free Kindle file, and you can get yours HERE.

Happy reading.

Kay

#385 - 99 Prompts for Romance Writers

99 Prompts for Romance Writers

Beth Jones

Kindle Store > Books > Non-Fiction > Reference > Writing 

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing New Author the Blog*

Description:

Even the best writers occasionally struggle to find the right words for their stories. Sometimes a plot doesn't seem to move along as quickly as it should or a story just doesn't seem to work "right." Maybe you're having a difficult time figuring out what your character should say next. Maybe you're having a difficult time creating characters at all.

Regardless of how far along you are in your story, 99 Prompts for Romance Writers offers just that: 99 short prompts to get you thinking, exploring, and, most of all, writing.

Product Details:

Another one that I managed to pick up as a free Kindle download (and featured as a Daily Selection on the Blog) in July 2013.

At the time of writing this post, it's available HERE at a listed price of 77p (free for Prime Members).

105 pages in length.

Reference Book for Writing Prompts

~~~~~~~~~~

Summary/thoughts:

Having quickly read through it, I can see that this will be an enormously useful tool to use.   Lots of contemporary prompts, but a few that could also be considered historical prompts, or indeed, used as such.

Even some of the contemporary prompts could be adjusted.

I was little disappointed that there were a couple of mistakes that I noticed whilst reading it.  However, as I didn't have my notebook to hand, I failed to make a full note of them.

It was so quick to read, that I will go back shortly and take a note of them to add to the Errors/Bug Bears section.

Rating:

Obviously, this is only going to be useful if you are already a writer, or wish to start writing.  However, that having been said, it would prove useful fodder for some short stories in particular.

3 Stars

* * *

Errors/Bug Bears:

There were a few - please bear with me whilst I re-read it at a later date to add them.


Hugs

Kay

My Daily Selection for Free Kindle Download

99 Prompts for Romance Writers

Beth Jones

Kindle Store > Books > Non-Fiction > Reference > Writing

Indie Writer (Self-published)

*Introducing a New Author to the Blog*

Well, almost I missed yesterday as we were too busy putting some colour and personality into our Sitting Room .... we moved a year ago, and apart from add new Sofas and Plantation Shutters it was just cream, cream and cream.  I felt like I was living in somebody's house ... so now it's a big dose of our personality stamped on it.  Still more to do, I ordered the curtain material last night, and there is some furniture to either paint or strip and stain (depending on if it's Guy or I you speak to .... I like painted : He likes stained and waxed wood)!!

I digress, back to the pick for today.  Every now and again a non-fiction title appeals:

Even the best writers occasionally struggle to find the right words for their stories. Sometimes a plot doesn't seem to move along as quickly as it should or a story just doesn't seem to work "right." Maybe you're having a difficult time figuring out what your character should say next. Maybe you're having a difficult time creating characters at all.

Regardless of how far along you are in your story, 99 Prompts for Romance Writers offers just that: 99 short prompts to get you thinking, exploring, and, most of all, writing.

Obviously, I realise that this probably won't appeal to all, but there are a lot of Bloggers/Writers, or indeed, considering giving it a go'ers out there, that might find this useful.  

I think I may well bring it forward in my "Slush Mountain" Reading Pile, and see if I can get some inspiration to use on my own novel.  I'm not sure how long it will be available for free download, so get yours by clicking HERE.  I've already got my copy, fingers crossed I can get to it some times this year, the books keep coming and Review work for Authors/Publishers has to take precedence.

On Amazon today my rating is (>) 3,517. I suppose that I'm still heading in the right direction, but very slowly now. I would love to get to the top 1,000 Reviewers' some day ....... so if you find the Daily Kindle Downloads info useful please go over to my Reviews on Amazon and leave me some positive feedback  on some of my reviews (which helps my rating, and will earn you my grateful thanks).

Hugs

Kay

#354 - Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success ~ Mark Coker

Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success ~ Mark Coker

• Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Reference > Writing > Business Finance
• Indie Writer (Self-published)

Description:

Learn the 29 best practices of the best selling self-published ebook authors.

This updated 2013 edition of The Secrets to Ebook Publishing Success has already helped tens of thousands of self-published ebook authors publish more professionally.

This ebook is a must-read for every writer, author, publisher and literary agent. Whether you're considering publishing a book for the first time, or you're a long-time veteran, this book will help you take your self-publishing to the next level.

Includes a comprehensive glossary of e-publishing terms. No technical experience necessary!

Product Details:

Another free download available HERE.

167 pages in length.

Other relevant and connected titles by Mark are The Smashwords Style Guide for free download HERE; and The Smashwords Book Marketing Guide available for free download HERE.

* * * * *

Summary:

It's not the first time that I've read a Mark Coker's publication, I quite often refer to my Smashwords Style Guide (don't be fooled it's not just relevant to Smashwords), and therefore I was quite excited to find the time to read this one.

Not just one off reads, they are useful over and over again to bone up.  Full of words of wisdom, tips and tricks and examples of how his information has been successfully applied by others, his work is a must for anyone looking to publish, market and sell ebooks.  

As the Founder of Smashwords, he has proved he knows what he's talking about.  

I was particularly interested to see that he mentioned Shayne Parkinson, who has successfully managed to increase sales by offering the first in the series (Sentence of Marriage) as a free download in hooking the reader in to buy the remainder of the series.  That is in fact what happened when I read it.

He also mentioned Ruth Ann Nordin as somebody who offered An Inconvenient Marriage for free download, and the fact that some reads didn't like it, but others liked her work enough to actively seek out and pay for other titles she'd written.  It's a long time ago now, but I think I was particularly kind about her book, but saw something in her that has made me purchase some of here other titles.

After reading his book, I now feel totally vindicated about banging on endlessly about cover images ..... get a good one and it will help to generate interest from somebody who has never read anything by you before!!

Rating:

On the basis that I started it quite late in the evening and then couldn't put it down until the early hours - always hard to believe for a non-fiction book - plus the wisdom and insight to be gained I gave it a the full big Five-O ... it can be useful even if you don't use, or never intend to use Smashwords.  Highly recommended.

Errors/Bug Bears:

None, as this was an excellently delivered and executed product.  Kudos Mr Coker.

Hugs

Kay