Way Cool
Here’s our list of our favorite resources for writers: books, websites, conferences, workshops, movies, ice cream brands, you name it. If it’s way cool, you’ll find it here!
Printers for those of you wanting to self-publish at reasonable prices. Check these out:
PrintPro Solutions, Cumming,GA: contact Bill Harris–bharris@axessprinting.com
Catawba Publishing Co., Charlotte, NC: contact Anita Shari Peterson–asp@catawbapublishing.com
Colorwise, Roswell, GA: contact Valerie Williams–bestbook@colorwise.com
ColorVision, Edgar, WI: contact Kendra Reemtsma–lucy@colorvisionltd.com
Patterson Printing, Benton Harbor, MI: contact Pamela Thames–pthames@pattersonprinting.com
BookMasters, Inc.; Ashland, OH: contact Barbara–info@bookmasters.com
Sentinel Printing Co., St. Cloud, MN: contact Denise Patton–dpatton@sentinelprinting.com
For other areas of the country, check out Printing Industry Exchange, LLC: (www.printindustry.com). Here you can submit specs and receive quotes from interested printers throughout the country, delivered to your in-box. You will need to become familiar with industry terms, such as paper weights, 4-color process, and trim size to fill out their form.
Books on leading the writing life:
Brande, Dorothea. Becoming a Writer. The classic work on becoming a writer, with
advice on finding your voice.
Goldberg, Natalie. Wild Mind. Tips on writing with an enthusiastic Zen flavor.
Keyes, Ralph. The Courage to Write. Hopefully you won’t need this one. A book-long
discussion of writer’s block, with suggestions for conquering it.
King, Stephen. On Writing. The inspirational story of how King struggled to become a writer, accompanied by useful tips on editing and craft.
Lamott, Anne. Bird by Bird. One of the most popular of books on living the writing life, full of comfort and cheer.
Lerner, Betsy. The Forest for the Trees: An Editor’s Advice to Writers. Excellent and
applicable advice on how to survive the writing life.
Oates, Joyce Carol. The Faith of a Writer. Offers ideas on inspiration, language, and the creative process.
Reeves, Judy. Writing Alone, Writing Together. Advice on working with a local writing group.
Reeves, Judy. A Writer’s Book of Days. A wonderful book, full of ideas and prompts.
Schwalbe, David and Will Shipley. Send: The Essential Guide to Email for Office and
Home. A terrific guide to the digital age.
The best in craft:
Burroway, Janet. Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft. Breaks down every
aspect of writing from the beginning of the writing process through revision, with
exercises and examples.
Burroway, Janet. Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft. Discussions of image,
voice, character, setting, and so on, accompanied by readings.
Chase, Elaine Raco and Anne Wingate. Amateur Detectives: A Writer’s Guide to how Private Citizens Solve Criminal Cases. Great reading for every amateur sleuth.
Dufresne, John. The Lie that Tells a Truth. If you’re going to buy only one book on craft, this is it. Covers everything you need to know from kindling ideas to finishing drafts, accompanied by numerous exercises.
Field, Syd. Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting. How to develop a subject
for the screen, create characters, and build plotlines.
Frey, James N. How to Write a Damn Good Mystery. Step-by-step guide on crafting a
mystery with a spirit of adventure.
Longman’s Dictionary of Poetic Terms. A useful handbook for giving feedback on
poetry including poetic terminology.
Lyle, D.P., MD. Forensics for Dummies. Complete reference to forensic science with
case studies.
Madden, David. Revising Fiction. Easy to navigate, with excerpts from well-known
writers as examples.
Meyer, Michael. Poetry: An Introduction. Contains twenty-eight comprehensive lessons on poetry. A great book for the beginning writer of poetry and a lovely refresher for the seasoned poet.
Strunk, William Jr. and E.B. White. The Elements of Style. The classic on style, as
essential and relevant today as it was when it was written fifty years ago.
Wilson, Keith, MD. Cause of Death: A Writer’s Guide to Death, Murder, and Forensic Medicine. Includes information on autopsies, capital punishment, and ethical issues.
Favorite movie: Stranger than Fiction
And our favorite ice cream? Ben and Jerry’s Heath Bar Crunch!
