The Successful Writer's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles

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Summary: a reference book to be used over and over.
Review: Book Review by Maryanne Raphael, Writers World THE SUCCESSFUL WRITER'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING MAGAZINE ARTICLES By Eva Shaw Ph.D., Published by Rodgers & Nelsen, Publishing Co., Loveland, Colorado The author of over 35 published books and over 1000 magazine articles, Eva Shaw knows the business of writing, loves it and enthusiastically shares it. In THE SUCCESSFUL WRITER'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING MAGAZINE ARTICLES, she helps writers create exciting openings and develop a marketable, interesting style. She guides them from initial idea to printed article. This book contains the latest on current and future trends with advice on how to profit from them.. She devotes chapters to setting goals, querying, reading a magazine you want to write for, outlining with her delightful bubble method , doing meaningful research, and marketing yourself and your work. The combination of the personal and the technical makes compelling reading. The reader comes away from this book feeling empowered to write. Eva Shaw reminds us that this is the age of information and writers are needed to lead the way with inspirational, informative material. THE SUCCESSFUL WRITER'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING MAGAZINE ARTICLES is a reference book to be used over and over. by Maryanne Raphael, Writers World email: [e-mail]

Rating:
Summary: Can't take advice on writing from someone who can't write
Review: Even after reading previous reviews about the sloppiness of this book, I purchased it anyway because the reviewers found the content very helpful. But when I opened the book, I couldn't get past page 10-- no matter what gems of wisdom lay within, the mass of typos and incoherence make it impossible to justify finding those gems. The fact alone that Dr. Shaw has managed to sell thousands of articles convinces me that I can break into this field. The reviews at the front of the book laud her enthusiastic teaching style, which she may very well have in person, but on the page she just stinks. Even her examples of "queries that sold" contained weak and redundant sentences, such as "Please consider this topic, and thank you for your consideration." Wha? There are so many books on this topic, I recommend skipping this one. Any good advice is probably found elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Can't take advice on writing from someone who can't write
Review: Even after reading previous reviews about the sloppiness of this book, I purchased it anyway because the reviewers found the content very helpful. But when I opened the book, I couldn't get past page 10-- no matter what gems of wisdom lay within, the mass of typos and incoherence make it impossible to justify finding those gems. The fact alone that Dr. Shaw has managed to sell thousands of articles convinces me that I can break into this field. The reviews at the front of the book laud her enthusiastic teaching style, which she may very well have in person, but on the page she just stinks. Even her examples of "queries that sold" contained weak and redundant sentences, such as "Please consider this topic, and thank you for your consideration." Wha? There are so many books on this topic, I recommend skipping this one. Any good advice is probably found elsewhere.

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Summary: I will be a successful writer ! Thanks Eva!
Review: I just finished reading The Successful Writer's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles. I love the way Eva Shaw describes everything and gives hints and tips. This book gave me the confidence and direction that I needed. I believe that I can do this! I now have the information I need to get started, and I am motivated!

Rating:
Summary: inspiring despite poor organization and sloppy writing
Review: I wanted to like this book. I really wanted to like this book. Eva Shaw has written good books; as an example, check out "Writing the Nonfiction Book". That one was tight, polished, and useful. The Successful Writer's Guide to... I can't even finish typing the title; the book is just that bad. The content is in the book, but so inaccessible. Dr. Shaw knows her business, and her approach to success will likely work for the aspiring writer. The sad reality is that this book makes the reader work for every bit of useful information, and not in the way that is productively challenging. Rather, the book presents constant obstacles in the form of comma splices, sentence fragments, and incoherent verbal trips around the block that had this reader constantly going back to the chapter title and headings to find orientation. This book reads as though Dr. Shaw typed it in a stream-of-consciousness drive to finish it over a weekend. To think that an editor saw this book before publication strains credulity and insults the editorial profession. Another reviewer wrote that these liabilities are inexcusable in a book about writing, and I agree wholeheartedly.

Eva Shaw knows how to write. She also knows how to be successful in the writing business. Readers new to her books would benefit from reading one other than this as an introduction to her work. The Successful Writer's Guide to Publishing Magazine Articles proves the thesis that anyone can succeed at writing and get published, but uses itself as its own shoddy proof of the low barriers to entry in the business.

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Summary: Must Reading for Aspiring Writers
Review: I've taken two of Eva's online writing courses, and this book is like having her with me all the time. Besides being an easy read, it's jam-packed with information and encouragement. While other writing books I've purchased have found their way to library book sales, this one will retain a spot on my shelf for those two reasons. If you're serious about writing but don't know where to begin or lack the confidence in your talent, then this is the book for you.

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Summary: Great info if you can get past the somewhat sloppy editing
Review: Others have noted the sloppy editing, and I agree. But the info here is invaluable for someone who already know how to write for magazines, but needs to be more savvy with the marketing.

As a freelance journalist I can assure you that she tells you like it is. The key is to know thy markets and to be savvy about your skills, and Eva Shaw gives good suggestions on both topics.

I have followed her advice and it has definitely improved my sales.

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Summary: Excellent book for writers at all levels
Review: Publishing magazine articles and seeing your name in the byline can be a lot of fun, but to be successful you must also treat it as a business. Many books today examine the writing aspects of submitting articles to magazines, but few really look at the business side of the process. Dr. Eva Shaw covers these business topics in a way that blends them into the writing process. Finding article ideas, analyzing the publications, contacting editors, writing the query, doing the research and submitting the articles are all discussed in a common sense, pragmatic way. This is a "must have" book for any writer's bookshelf.

Joseph Berke-- Freelance Writer/Photographer/Seminar and Workshop Instructor

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Summary: Treat yourself to a mini college course
Review: This book is a must for anyone intersting in writing magazine articles and selling them. Dr. Shaw writes as if she is sitting down and talking to you directly. She goes over magazine writing terminology,ie; blitz, fillers, spec. She also advises timelines for submissions, how to approach an editor, how to gracefully handle a rejection by submitting another idea. Thre is a breakdown of different types of articles, query writing musts, and research tips and reference guides. The author does not however lure you into believing that this is an easy job. She constantly stresses that persistence and organization is the key to writing and publishing successul articles. I took Dr. Shaw's on-line magazine writing class and having this book is like an on-going class where one is constantly getting personal instruction.

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Summary: This book is a powerful addition to any writer's library.
Review: Wondering where to start to write and get published? "THE SUCCESSFUL WRITER'S GUIDE TO PUBLISHING MAGAZINE ARTICLES" provides answers in a concise easy-to-read format. Into this small book Eva Shaw, Ph.D., writer, teacher and lecturer, has packed twenty years of expertise and enthusiasm. She presents fresh and invigorating ideas. Are you an experienced writer struggling with drafts, submissions, rejects and contracts? This book offers a systematic business approach to every aspect of the writing craft from topic to publishing. It's quickly evident that Dr. Shaw understands people, loves writing and keeps up with trends. Her book evokes the same excitement for writing that one experiences in her lectures.