Rating: 
Summary: Excellent for aspiring writers!
Review: If you are interested in becoming a published romance writer, this is the best book I have read on the topic. Julie Beard is an excellent writer, so I knew this had to be a great book. Her advice is simple to understand and to-the-point. She gets right down to what is important and what isn't. The format of the book makes it fun to read, and the expert advice offered from other superb writers is helpful and informative. After reading The Complete Idiot's Guide, I felt inspired and motivated, and I still use it as a running workbook for my manuscript. She touches on just about everything I have thought about, from plot development to how to negotiate a contract. I applaud her ability to explain what sells and what doesn't, yet encourage writers to push the limits of what is currently popular. Even if your goal is to publish in another genre, The Complete Idiot's Guide gives great overall advice concerning characterization, dialogue, voice, conflict...all of the important aspects of creating memorable fiction. This is a wonderful book, and I recommend it to anyone interested in writing fiction. Thanks Julie!
Rating:
Summary: You Don't have to be an Idiot
Review: In all sincerity you don't have to be an idiot to benefit from Ms Beard's advice but even if you were you would be able to write a very publishable romance by following the simple steps outlined in this book.
She covers all the points pertinent to good writing in general from characterization to plot points, dialogue to Point of View and does it by ever pointing to the way well known authors use these devices. She singles out certain authors for each type of device for the would be author to read and study to see how it is done.
Ms Beard's sense of humor sparks through out the book and makes the learning that much easier and more fun. I found the book a delight and though I have many similar more high brow ones, this has fast become one of my favorites. I highly recommend it to novice or seasoned writers or those wishing to switch genres.
Rating:
Summary: Great for all levels!
Review: Julie Beard does a great job going through the step-by-step of romance writing and publishing! Whether you've just thought about writing, or already have three or four unpublished novels in the back of your closet, there's something here for you!
Rating:
Summary: Great for writers and readers of romances alike
Review: Make sure you read this book when you plan to write a romance, possibly before you even start. Julie Beard covers all aspects of the subject and keeps her tone light and encouraging. She also includes great references to publishers, resource books and organizations.She mentions so many other authors that all have something unique to contribute, that I would have liked an alphabetical list and maybe their specialty and of course where they are mentioned in the book. But even if you don't want to write a romance novel, you learn a great deal about why they are so fascinating, what their basic structure is and what separates the good ones from the rest.
Rating:
Summary: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published
Review: Terrific! When I first read this book I'd just finished the first draft of my first novel, and while I was pleasantly surprised at parts of my work, whole sections of it were just plain sucky. I had no idea why some things worked and others didn't. I started by reading Chapter 14, Polish Until It Shines, and found the advice on using your strengths to fix your problems especially helpful. After being mesmerized by this chapter, I went back to page 1 and read the whole book. Golden nuggets were everywhere!
Rating:
Summary: This Book is Wonderful!
Review: The Comlete idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published is a perfect starter book! It guides you from initial concept all the way through the publishing process. It's clear, consistent, effective and the information is offered in short blurbs. It outlines all sorts of genres, hero/heroine traits, virtually everything you need to guide you through getting starting, writing, reviewing and rewriting, searching the market, publishing and marketing. It's really a great book.
Rating:
Summary: This Book is Wonderful!
Review: The Comlete idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published is a perfect starter book! It guides you from initial concept all the way through the publishing process. It's clear, consistent, effective and the information is offered in short blurbs. It outlines all sorts of genres, hero/heroine traits, virtually everything you need to guide you through getting starting, writing, reviewing and rewriting, searching the market, publishing and marketing. It's really a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Great guide no matter what your skill level!
Review: This book is everything I expected it to be, and more. It's a step by step guide starting with your idea for your book, all the way up to what happens when you have 10 novels published and are on the New York Times bestsellers' list. There is a comprehensive section for each important aspect of writing a novel (characters, plotting, finding an agent, etc.). No matter what your skill level, this book will help you!
Rating:
Summary: Great guide no matter what your skill level!
Review: This book is everything I expected it to be, and more. It's a step by step guide starting with your idea for your book, all the way up to what happens when you have 10 novels published and are on the New York Times bestsellers' list. There is a comprehensive section for each important aspect of writing a novel (characters, plotting, finding an agent, etc.). No matter what your skill level, this book will help you!
Rating:
Summary: A MUST HAVE
Review: This book is fantastic! If you just have the idea that you might like to write a romance novel but aren't sure if you can do it or aren't sure how to do it - then this is the book for you! It's so easy to read with an outline form and layman's terms. It taught me many things I didn't know about the industry. It even gives you a list of publishers. This book and some of your old paperbacks are really all the reference you need to know how to do your basic writing. I would gladly spend my money on this book again.
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