Write It Right, The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros
Dawn Josephson, Lauren Hidden
Ground Rules Press: Cameo Publications LLC

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Educative read ... Recommended ... 5 stars

A book of 127 text pages, Divided into Acknowledgments, Introduction, Five steps to better writing/editing, Appendices, Epilogue and Index "Write It Right, The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros" is the product of women entrepreneurs Dawn Josephson and Lauren Hidden. The steps to writing and editing your work is presented in five easy to read segments. Filled with graphs, hints, examples, handwritten marginal notes, problems to solve and frequently asked questions the segments are prepared so that readers can easily read one during break, while waiting at the dentist or when working on a particular paper at the office.

Step one is the Warm Up Search for the Occurrence of similar Writing challenges. One key point : Knowing your problems is half the battle seems obvious, but is often overlooked.

Step two Approach the Starting Line Prepare to Edit guides the reader to think like an editor and not like a writer. Ground rules for editing include suggestions for building a personalized editing checklist, scheduling time for the editing phase, detaching from the work, and working on a hard copy. The writers suggest that if you’re too attached to your work, you’ll never edit it effectively.

Step three Run the Race The Editing Process Begins offers suggestions for setting the course for success including putting forth the notion that the more you’re able to focus, the better your editing experience will be.

Step four Hand Off The Baton and Let the Relay Begin puts forth the notion that various surveys report that 70 to 80% of professionals write their materials collaboratively; they get input from others to make sure their writing comes across both professionally and properly.

Step five A Picture Perfect Finish The Final Stretch guides the reader toward crossing the finish line with success.

What to do when you are pressed for time is covered in Appendix A. Appendix B lists How to Sabotage your Self Editing Efforts while Ground Rules of Grammar and Usage are found in Appendix C. Appendix D contains Forms and Checklists.

"Write It Right, The Ground Rules for Self-Editing Like the Pros" is an easily read book sure to become a valuable tool for all who hope to improve their writing whether letters, reports, essays, books or news and magazine articles. I particularly like the format with problems to solve and detailed answers telling how and why particular sentences needed correction. The easily read, breezy method of presentation will hold appeal to those who are bored to tears with academia type grammar texts.

A worthy addition to the writer library shelf, home library and home school library for students to use for improving their writing skills.

I received a trade paperback for review. Found the work to contain many helpful hints and valuable writing information, happy to recommend.

Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books
Dawn Josephson

Ground Rules Press: Cameo Publications LLC

The narrative "Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books" is a work of 161 pages separated into ten chapters designed to guide the reader in preparing a winning Media Kit for their book. Chapter one leads the reader into an understanding of the Media Kit and why it is important for writers to incorporate into their plan for selling books. Chapter two offers hints on how to write dynamic cover letters. In Chapter three the reader will discover how to formulate a captivating Press Release. Chapter four offers hints for writing and use of mock book reviews. The authors bio how-to is covered in Chapter five. Chapter Six instructs in preparing and using a Book Sell Sheet. How to prepare a Catalog Sheet for your book is covered in Chapter seven while the freebies every one wants are discussed in Chapter eight. Chapter nine instructs the reader in how to prepare a dazzling magazine/news article. Chapter ten is the wrap up for the book.

Dawn Josephson who is both an author and marketing - communications expert presents an informative work meant to guide the novice, and not so new writer through the steps needed to prepare promotional piece creation for marketing their own books. Writing used in the book is presented in plain and understandable terms for writers who may be struggling to break into the writing – sales world. The helpful hints offered work equally to promote newsletters, books, all published works.

The, at times tricky, job of preparing a book press kit is presented in a practical, comprehensible approach the reader can use to prepare their own professional, affordable Media Kit. I particularly enjoyed the format used, points, ground rules, frequently asked questions were all presented in clear, understandable language. Offering examples of what to do as well as what not to do when writing cover letters offered in Chapter two were especially informative. Sales do not just happen. Reality is authors, especially those new to the industry, must be willing to promote their own books if they are to be successful. The strategies offered on the pages of "Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books" work equally when preparing your kit for fiction, how-to or real life works.

For this review I received a copy of the book itself, as well as an informative, well-organized media kit. "Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books" is an excellent reference work for new authors as well as being an additional tool for more accomplished writers who like to keep on the cutting edge of timely information. This publication takes a practical, workable approach to understanding, generating, and utilizing a book Media Kit to drive book sales. Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books is a must have for the author office book shelf.

Enjoyed the read, happy to recommend. I do not keep all books I receive for review. This is one that I will.