Writers' Journal Free Book Giveaway Winners

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August 31, 2010 Winners

1001 Words You Need to Know and Use: An A-Z of Effective Vocabulary by Martin H. Manser. The author takes readers through the most important vocabulary to use in job applications, presentations, CVs, proposals, essays, reports, or any situation in which one needs to be as articulate and professional as possible. Oxford, 176 pp. PB, ISBN 978-0-19-956005-9| $11.95

Frances Rooks ~ Stuart, FL

It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences by June Casagrande. This book focuses on the fundamental elements of great writing: how to structure ideas, how to emphasize what’s important, how to cut the bull, and how to serve the reader. Ten Speed Press, 240 pp. PB, ISBN 978-1-58008-740-7| $14.00

Ruth Wucherer ~ Milwaukee, WI

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July 31, 2010 Winners

Dollars and Sense for Writers: A Guide to Managing Your Writing Business by Linda Mickey. There is more to a writer than just being creative. For writers who want to sell their wares, this handbook will guide them from contract to marketing to sales with business practices for writers. Finish Off Press, ISBN 978-0-615-27306-8, $14.05

Mary Anne Wright ~ Cornelia, GA

Writers and Their Notebooks edited by Diana M. Raab. This compilation of comments from published writers may have you reassessing the value of a personal journal. Keepers of important information or a poetic moment, a character sketch or a memorable quote, notebooks can help writers put an edge on their skills. University of South Carolina Press, ISBN 978-1-57003-866-2, $21.95.

Edie Koch ~ Lockport, NY

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June 30, 2010 Winners

A Better Pencil: Readers, Writers, and the Digital Revolution by Dennis Baron. The author looks at the fascinating history of writing implements and communication technology. He looks at our relationship with computers and the Internet, how the digital revolution has impacted reading and writing practices, and the tools of the digital age: e-mail, the Web, and social networking. Oxford, ISBN 978-0-19-538844-2, $24.95.

Yaphet Jones ~ Cincinnati, OH

Thinking Write: The Secret to Freeing Your Creative Mind by Kelly L. Stone. Learning how to use the subconscious mind to tap into the creative process is a breakthrough. Professional counselor Kelly L. Stone teaches readers how to use the power of the subconscious mind to get the most out of the writing process. Includes a CD with guided meditations to help writers. Adams Media, ISBN 978-1-60550-132-1, $16.95

Holly Jones ~ Beaverton, OR

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May 31, 2010 Winners

Endangered Words: A Collection of Rare Gems for Book Lovers by Simon Hertnon. Filled with words to be treasured for their elegant precision, Endangered Words will inspire writers, entertain readers, and provide an unusual resource for anyone with an appetite for the fun and unusual side of the English language. Skyhorse Publishing, Inc., ISBN 978-1-60239-712-5, $12.95.

Leah Cooper ~ Akron, OH

How to Write Fast Under Pressure by Philip Vassallo. Writing effectively, efficiently, and quickly for work is tough. This book gives readers an easy, efficient, and confidence-building process for keeping up and being productive, even when faced with the most daunting of work-related writing challenges. AMACO, ISBN 978-0-8144-1485-9, $18.95.

Carla Marvin ~ Fredericksburg, VA

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April 30, 2010 Winners

Now Write! Nonfiction: Memoir, Journalism, and Creative Nonfiction Exercises from Today’s Best Writers and Teachers by Sherry Ellis. Dozens of successful authors each write about a specific writing topic and how it worked for them. Then that author gives the reader a writing exercise that will improve writing skills. Tarcher/Penguin, ISBN 978-1-58542-758-1, $14.95.

David Fishel ~ Greenwood, IN

Publishing for Profit: Successful Bottom-Line Management for Book Publishers, Fourth Edition by Thomas Woll. This book is an instrumental resource for first-time publishers and those working to adapt in times of transition. Chicago Review Press, ISBN 978-1-55652-997-9, $24.95.

Rita Ford ~ Autryville, NC

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March 31, 2010 Winners

The Call of the Writer’s Craft: Writing and Selling the Book Within by Tom Bird. The author encourages readers to release the Divine Writer Within (DWW) to achieve publishing success. A revealing discussion of seventeen steps to successful writing focuses on the inner strengths of the writer. (Adams Media) 240 pp. PB, ISBN 978-1-59869-854-1 | $12.95.

Pamela Potter ~ Boynton Beach, FL

Don’t Sabotage Your Submission: Insider Information from a Career Manuscript Editor to Save Your Manuscript from Turning up D.O.A. by Chris Roerden. This is a revised edition of Don’t Murder Your Mystery with more excerpts and positive examples of effective techniques. Includes expanded resources for writers, a guide to better usage, and coverage of interior dialogue. (BellaRosa Books) 301 pp. PB, ISBN 978-1-933523-31-6 | $17.95.

Brooke Simpson ~ Atlanta, GA

February 28, 2010 Winners

Is Life Like This? A Guide to Writing Your First Novel in Six Months by John Dufresne. This book is a smart, detailed guide for aspiring novelists who have been daunted by the challenges and potential pitfalls of the writing process. Through encouragement and exercises on character and plot development, setting, and narrative architecture, the author helps writers create great fiction. (W.W. Norton & Company) 310 pp. HC, ISBN 9780393065411| $26.95

Priscilla Enamorado ~ Revere, MA

Write Like Hemingway: Writing Lessons You Can Learn From the Master by R. Andrew Wilson, Ph.D. The author provides readers with the opportunity to learn exactly how they can effectively incorporate Hemingway’s techniques into their own writing. (Adams Media) 256 pp. HC, ISBN 9781598698961 | $16.95

Heather Schick ~ Wapakoneta, OH

January 31, 2010 Winners

Booklife: Strategies and Survival Tips for the 21st Century Writer by Jeff Vandermeer. In an era when authors are expected to do more to promote their own work, this book steers readers through the bewildering options. The new media, networking, branding, and persistence are just a few topics addressed. (Tachyon) 326 pp. PB, ISBN 9781892391902 | $14.95

Anthony Cheng ~ New York, NY

So You Think You Can Spell? Killer Quizzes for the Incurably Competitive and Overly Confident by David Grambs and Ellen S. Levine. Grab your pencil and take the challenge with more than 200 tests and quizzes. Most people are good spellers; using these tests will make them better. (Perigee) 275 pp. PB, ISBN 9780399535284 | $13.95

TC McClenning ~ Talking Rock, GA

December 31, 2009 Winners

Break Into Fiction: 11 Steps to Building a Story That Sells by Mary Buckham and Dianna Love. The authors use four popular motion pictures as examples to show authors how to create character-driven plots. Coupling the plot with a great beginning, dialogue, and ending, readers will discover the perfect formula for a saleable novel. (Adams Media) 234 pp. PB, ISBN 978-1-60550-015-7 | $14.95

Erica Houston ~ Kenosha, WI

Sylvia Plath: A Biography by Connie Ann Kirk. A concise, thorough, well-written biography of the poet and novelist Sylvia Plath. (Prometheus Books) 159 pp. PB, ISBN 978-1-59102-709-6 | $16.98

Sue Randall ~ Maple Grove, MN

November 30, 2009 Winners

The 30-Second Commute; A Nonfiction Comedy about Writing and Working from Home by Stephanie Dickison. Humor, underlying cautions, reality checks, and advice highlight this delightful look into the life of a freelance writer. (ECW Press) 192 pp. PB, ISBN 978-1-55022-837-3 | $19.97

Susan Kuchta ~ Bear Creek Twp, PA

The WRITERS’ Journal Guide to the Writing Life edited by Christopher L. Buono. An insightful look at the writing life through numerous articles published in the WRITERS’ Journal magazine. The writing life, mechanics of writing, types of writing, and how to market your material aspects of writing are presented to the reader as a guide to success. (WRITERS’ Journal Books) 192 pp. PB, ISBN 0-9678106-0-2 | $14.95

Michael Garbarz ~ Bartlett, IL

October 31, 2009 Winners

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Power Words by Scott Snair, Ph.D. Whether writing a query letter to an editor or offering a synopsis of your latest book, Power Words will help you create an effective presentation. This book provides forceful—not pushy—words and phrases that give punch to a pitch. Alpha Books, ISBN: 9781592578436, 218 pp. PB $14.95

Regina West ~ Valley Head, AL

Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina L. Brooks. Brooks if the founder of Serendipity Literary Agency and brings with her more than a decade of experience in the YA genre. This books guides authors in developing a writing style, constructing plots, submitting manuscripts and getting published. Sourcebooks, Inc., ISBN: 9781402226618, 175 pp. PB $14.99

Arianna Hawkins ~ Ponder, TX

September 31, 2009 Winners

Deal a Story by Sue Viders. Not a book, but a deck of 101 creativity cards that will aid every writer when confronted with writer’s block. Writers can mix and match characters, genres, plots and more to help create and inspire good writing. Created by author and writing teacher Sue Viders. (Robert D. Reed Publishers) www.rdrpublishers.com $19.95 + S/H

Georgetta Buggs ~ Smackover, AR

Origins of the Specious—Myths and Misconceptions of the English Language by Patricia T. O’Conner and Stewart Kellerman. An educational, trivia filled book about the English language. A lighthearted, fun-filled discussion of our fickle, capricious language. (Random House) 270 pp. PB 978-1-4000-6660-5| $22.00

Brooke Simpson ~ Atlanta, GA

August 31, 2009 Winners

The Artful Nuance—A Refined Guide to Imperfectly Understood Words in the English Language by Rod L. Evans, PhD. This book includes 500 confusing, imperfectly understood, or peculiar distinctions in the English language. From technical definitions (herb and spice) to subtleties in connotation (bum, hobo, and tramp), each entry distinguishes between two or more words that are commonly confused. (Perigee) 209 pp. PB 978-0-399-53482-9 | $13.95

Meg Eden ~ Gambrills, MD

Thanks, But This Isn’t for Us—A (Sort of) Compassionate Guide to Why Your Writing is Being Rejected by Jessica Page Morrell. The author outlines the mistakes writers repeatedly make, and what they should be doing to catch an editor’s eye. Resources, exercises, tips, and examples make this an educational handbook for writers who experience rejection. (Tarcher/Penguin) 358 pp. PB 978-1-58542-721-5 | $16.95

James Briggs ~ Rexburg, ID

July 31, 2009 Winners

Curiosities of Literature—A Feast for Book Lovers by John Sutherland. The Author gives lovers of literature a whole new perspective with this book. He tests readers' knowledge and enlightens them with this informative, trivia-filled, light read. (Skyhorse Publishing) 273 pp. HC 978-1-60239-371-4 | $22.95

Dalton Love Gentry ~ St Joseph, MO

Tarot for Writers by Corrine Kenner. More than just a fortunetelling device, tarot cards are also an excellent tool for writing and creative thinking. The author details a wide range of techniques for writing with the cards. (Llewellyn) 366 pp. PB 978-0-7387-1457-8 | $19.95

Jennifer Depo ~ Chazy, NY

June 30, 2009 Winners

This Year You Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley. Mosley shares “all the knowledge I have about writing and rewriting, fiction” in this practical guide that includes all the tools and tips any writer needs to complete a novel in just one year. Topics include: the mechanics of writing believable dialogue and creating intriguing characters and plotlines. (Little, Brown and Company) 128 pp. PB 978-0-316-06549-8 | $9.99

Christina Plante ~ West Palm Beach, FL

Ordinary Genius—A Guide for the Poet Within by Kim Addonizio. This book is designed to spark the creative spirit in both beginners and seasoned writers. The book is a starting point for individual art-making rather than a straightforward how-to. The suggestions, exercises, and examples, along with the thorough appendices of online poetry resources and recommended reading that appear at the end of the book leave room for personal experimentation and can be adapted to suit the needs of all writers. (W. W. Norton & Company) 311 pp. PB 978-0-393-33416-6 | $16.95

Cynthia Marotteck ~ Cottage Grove, MN

May 31, 2009 Winners

Christian Writers' Market Guide 2008—The Essential Reference Tool for the Christian Writer by Sally E. Stuart. This is the 2008 market guide. Although a year old, it contains many resources for Christian writers and markets that may still be active. We suggest writers always check a market for its latest guidelines. Here is the information for the 2009 edition of the Christian Writers' Market Guide: (WaterBrook Press) 547 pp. PB 978-0-30744-643-5 | $34.99

Stephanie Crist ~ Janesville, WI

A Time to Write—More than 100 Professional Writers Reveal How to Fit Writing into Your Busy Lifestyle by Kelly L. Stone. This is one of the few books that show writers exactly how to work: How to schedule time. How to set and reach writing goals. How to balance the demands of paying bills and manage the family while writing. How to go from a no-name to a household name. (Adams Media) 246 pp. PB 978-1-59869-438-3 | $12.95

Ginny Gallagher ~ Ashford, AL

April 30, 2009 Winner

A one-year subscription to WRITERS' Journal magazine.

Frances McCord ~ Painesville, OH