Writers' Journal Free Book Giveaway Winners

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November 30, 2011 Winners

Don’t Write Like You Talk: A Smart Girl’s Guide to Practical Writing and Editing by Catharine Bramkamp. This book includes a wide array of writing advice put in common language for the aspiring writer. Information on writing newsletters, blogs, and books. 3L Publishing; 111 pp; PB; ISBN 978-0-615-32887-4; $14.95.

Sherman Bernard Combs Jr ~ Jonesboro, LA

Screenwriting in the Land of OZ: The Wizard on Writing, Living, and Making It in Hollywood written by Richard Krevolin. This award-winning screenwriter, playwright, and writing instructor shows the reader how to turn good ideas into great stories, and great stories into compelling scripts. Adams Media; ISBN 978-1-4405-0640-6; $14.95.

Randy Boone ~ Kunkletown, PA

July 31, 2011 Winners

Clear and Simple as the Truth: Writing Classic Prose, Second Edition written by Francis-Noël and Mark Turner. The authors reveal why college writing classes that focus on rules fail. They present writing as an intellectual activity, not a passive application of verbal skills. Princeton University Press; ISBN 978-0-691-14743-7; $19.95.

Jacqueline Oxendine ~ Woodbridge, VA

A Kite in the Wind: Fiction Writers on Their Craft edited by Andrea Barrett and Peter Turchi. Twenty contributors demonstrate the nuances of fiction, revealing why it’s so challenging to write and so enticing to read. Trinity University Press; ISBN 978-1-59534-072-6; $19.95.

Heather Brewer ~ Penfield, IL

June 30, 2011 Winners

Sol Stein’s Reference Book for Writers: Quick Solutions, Smart Techniques for Fiction and Nonfiction Professionals and Beginners by Sol Stein. The author offers a wealth of tips, tricks, and savvy advice to writers from college students to experienced novelists, editors, publishers, and writing teachers. St. Martin’s Griffen Original; ISBN 978-0-312-55095-0, $14.99.

Chelsea Steinborn ~ Minneapolis, MN

Write a Marketable Children’s Book in 7 Weeks by Shirley Raye Redmond and Jennifer McKerley. The published authors have taken note of everything writers need to know about writing and marketing children’s books and put it all into one book. Langdon Street Press; ISBN 978-1-934938-95-9, $14.95.

Amy Woytovich ~ Harrisburg, PA

May 31, 2011 Winners

A Writer’s Book of Days: A Spirited Companion and Lively Muse for the Writing Life, Revised Edition by Judy Reeves. The author provides tips and habits for finding time and creating space, insight into blocks, ways to find images and inspiration, advice on working in writing groups, and suggestions, quips, and trivia from accomplished practitioners. New World Library; ISBN 978-1-57731-936-8, $16.95.

Poppy White ~ Laurel, MS

2009 Six-Issue Back Issue Set of WRITERS’ Journal. A complete six-issue set of all 2009 issues. Some highlights include: promoting your book; the truth about agents; Internet journalism; reusing materials; visionary fiction; interviewing; affiliate marketing; writing biography; green writing; synopses; memoir writing; copywriting; anthology marketing; and book signings.

Christina Plante ~ West Palm Beach, FL

April 30, 2011 Winners

Mastering Creative Anxiety: 24 Lessons for Writers, Painters, Musicians, & Actors from America’s Foremost Creativity Coach by Eric Maisel. This book offers practical insights and proven techniques for overcoming the challenges and fears that permeate the creative process. Maisel shares strategies for stress management, how to work despite bruised egos, day jobs, and other frustrations. New World Library; ISBN 978-1-57731-932-0; $14.95.

Ari Kalfus ~ Palmetto Bay, FL

What’s the Story?: Try Your Hand at Fiction and Learn the Art of Writing by Isaias Zelkowicz. The author gives readers a cast of characters and then asks them to invent a story. These casts can be used by an author, a teacher for the classroom, or as a game for writers’ groups. Each cast is accompanied by an illustration to be used as a starting point and to stimulate the writer. University Press of America; ISBN 978-0-7618-5276-6; $16.99.

Arlene Quam ~ Brooten, MN

March 31, 2011 Winners

How to Be a Writer: Building Your Creative Skills through Practice and Play by Barbara Baig. This book shows professional writers, would-be professional writers, or anyone who wants to improve their everyday writing abilities how to build their skills by way of practice. Writer’s Digest Books; 272 pp. PB; ISBN 978-1-58297-805-5; $16.99

James Sybrant ~ Prairie Grove, AR

Living Write: The Secret to Inviting Your Craft into Your Daily Life by Kelly L. Stone. Writers can learn the psychological exercises and day-to-day techniques that will reverse negative writing habits and train their brain for writing success. Adams Media; 207 pp. PB; ISBN 978-1-4405-0624-6; $16.95

Berta Diaz ~ Union City, NJ

February 28, 2011 Winners

A one-year subscription to WRITERS' Journal magazine.

Brenda Kezar ~ Grand Forks, ND

OK: The Improbable Story of America’s Greatest Word by Allan Metcalf. This renowned writer on language, traces the evolution of America’s most popular word. (Oxford) 210 pp. HC; ISBN 978-0-19-537793-4; $18.95

Ed Lucas ~ Sacramento, CA

January 31, 2011 Winners

The CIA World Factbook 2009 by the Central Intelligence Agency. Statistics about the geography, population, government, economy, communication, defense, and transportation of every country, making it a valuable resource for students, journalists, and writers. This is the 2009 edition, yet it has a lot of information that is still applicable. (Skyhorse Publishing) 831 pp. PB; ISBN 978-1-60239-282-3; $12.95.

Edward Lucas ~ Sacramento, CA

Naked, Drunk, and Writing: Shed Your Inhibitions and Craft a Compelling Memoir or Personal Essay by Adair Lara. This instructive and refreshingly irreverent guide shows aspiring writers how to cast off self-doubt and become skilled storytellers. Ten Speed Press; 248 pp. PB; ISBN 978-1-58008-480-2; $14.99.

Darian Skipper ~ Daingerfield, TX

December 31, 2010 Winners

A Primer for Beginning Authors: What You Don’t Know that You Don’t Know by Kris Tualla. Although not an in-depth treatment of novel writing, Tualla does present all aspects of writing from a story’s inception to the marketing of the finished product. A wonderful novice writer’s read. (Goodnight Publishing) 95 pp. PB; ISBN 978-1-450527316; $7.95.

Melinda Seaman ~ Los Alamitos, CA

Trail Writer’s Guide by Cinny Green, Illustrated by Maureen Burdock. Green uses her experiences while hiking to embellish her writing. This book is a journal and a writing textbook. Her uncanny ability tie her adventures to her writing will have readers—hikers or not—mimicking this unusual combination. (Western Edge Press) 155 pp. PB; ISBN 978-1-889921-50-1; $16.95.

Rebecca Jean Bayens ~ Denver, CO

November 30, 2010 Winners

The Creative Life: True Tales of Inspiration by Julia Cameron. Cameron offers readers a look at her own creative process and how artists struggle to stay motivated and keep their inspiration flowing. Tarcher/Penguin, ISBN 978-1-58542-824-3, $23.95.

Meegan Carr ~ Water Valley, KY

Short Cuts: A Guide to Oaths, Ring Tones, Ransom Notes, Famous Last Words, and Other Forms of Minimalist Communication by Alexander and Nicholas Humez and Rob Flynn. A history of delightful gems showing how humans have always had a tendency to communicate in the briefest way possible, maximizing time while minimizing effort. Oxford University Press, Inc, ISBN 978-0-19-538913-5, $19.95.

Arianna Hawkins ~ Ponder, TX

October 31, 2010 Winners

Hemingway: So Far from Simple by Donald F. Bouchard. This in-depth study of the twentieth century icon shows that there is still a great deal in Hemingway’s work that deserves serious critical reflection. Prometheus Books, ISBN 978-1-59102-756-0, $19.00.

Cindy Fox ~ Shevlin, MN

The Writing Warrior: Discovering the Courage to Free Your True Voice by Laraine Herring. The author identifies the bad habits that stifle creativity and gives us confidence in the potential of ourselves both as people and as artists. Shambhala Publications, Inc. ISBN 978-1-59030-796-0, $14.95.

Katina Mooneyham ~ Bremen, OH

September 30, 2010 Winners

The Face in the Mirror: Writers Reflect on Their Dreams of Youth and the Reality of Ageedited by Victoria Zackheim. Reflective essays of various writers on who they were and wanted to be. They explore the person they expected to become or perhaps desperately wanted to be, and the person they are today.(Prometheus Books) 278 pp. HC; ISBN 978-1-59102-752-2| $25.00

Linda Litterell ~ Sand Springs, OK

Publish Your Nonfiction Book: Strategies for Learning the Industry, Selling Your Book, and Building a Successful Career by Sharlene Martin and Anthony Flacco. The authors give readers an insider’s understanding of what the publishing industry is really like and how to navigate it successfully in order to ensure a long-term career. Writer’s Digest Books, ISBN 978-1-58297-578-8| $17.99.

Lauriel Allen ~ Lynn Haven, FL

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

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

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