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Five Star Book Review
by Carolyn Howard-Johnson,
author of The Frugal Book Promoter
Title: Fear of Writing
Subtitle: For Writers and Closet Writers
Author: Milli Thornton
Publisher: Word Nerd Press, 1999
Genre: Nonfiction/Writers/How-To
ISBN: 1591098181
Inspiration in a How-To Book: Milli Thornton to a Writer's Rescue
So, you’re a writer. Maybe you have trouble admitting it at a party. Or to yourself. Maybe you don’t feel like a writer because a bad case of the block has got you. Milli Thornton’s Fear of Writing to the rescue!
There simply is no way a writer can read this book without stumbling over a reflection of themselves somewhere in its pages. No way one could come away from it without improving her image of herself as a writer, without some new ideas to write about and without actually doing some writing.
If you are so blocked that you don’t believe this, Milli Thornton will take care of that. Her exuberance—her pure force of will—will see to it not only that you read Fear of Writing but that you also read it right. That is, you must pause to do the exercises which she calls (aptly) Fertile Material. And if you but think of sitting back on your laurels for having gone this far, her enthusiasm will propel you forward.
This book is not a big book in size. However, it will consume you and consume some time as well. The author advises that you read it during the daytime when you can write, not before bed when your natural tendency to snooze might interfere with your resolve. Be assured, though, nothing will interfere with Milli’s determination. She will make you into an active writer and probably a better writer. All you must do is give her a chance.
Readers will note that I gave this book a five star rating. I believe in rating a book on content. Rating one any other way is rather like judging a book by its cover or by the press on which it was printed. To be sure, this little book could use some sprucing up in its next edition. Please don’t wait to read it until then. Put aside a writer’s natural tendency to stall over formatting or other details and dig in. Milli Thornton’s book is not about the fine art of making a beautiful book, it’s about the special art of vibrant writing—something she knows much about.
Reviewer Carolyn Howard-Johnson is the award-winning author of This is the Place and Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered. Her poems and short stories appear frequently in literary journals and anthologies. Her latest, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to Do What Your Publisher Won't was released in 2004 by Star Publish.
Literary author and instructor for UCLA Extension's Writers' Program, Carolyn was recently awarded the prestigious Women in Arts Award. Her citation marks the first time an author has been honored with this award.
Note from Milli: Not only is Carolyn an accomplished writer, she is a warm and wonderful human being who wishes to pass on her knowledge and experience to help other writers promote their books frugally. If you have a published book—or your first book is due for release—you simply must own a copy of The Frugal Book Promoter.
Return to “Five Star Book Review”
“The Frugal Book Promoter”
by Carolyn Howard-Johnson
For about five cents a day The Frugal Book Promoter: How to do What Your Publisher Won't assures your book the best possible start in life.
Full of nitty gritty how-tos for getting nearly free publicity, Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares her professional experience as well as practical tips gleaned from the successes of her own book campaigns.
It includes everything from guidelines for building a knock-'em-dead mailing list (that will be more effective than any you could buy and will make any book promotion more successful!) to step by step construction of your media kit.
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Carolyn loves to hear referrals. Please tell her Milli at Fear of Writing sent you!
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