I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Ron Pacer takes readers on a journey to discover the ways in which you can tap into your inner creativity and bring your imagination to life in his book “Unlock Your Creativity: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Inspiration and Developing Your Imagination”.
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The Synopsis
Unlock Your Creativity: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Inspiration and Developing Your Imagination is an essential handbook for anyone looking to tap into their inner creativity and bring their imagination to life.
You will learn:
✓How to explore new environments and experiences, keep a journal or idea notebook, learn from other creative individuals, and use prompts and exercises to stimulate creativity.
✓The essential skills for developing the imagination, such as learning to think outside the box, using the power of visualization, practicing brainstorming and free association, and experimenting with different mediums and techniques.
✓How to overcome creative blocks, including understanding and identifying the causes, using mindfulness and relaxation techniques, seeking feedback and support from others, and taking time for self-care and rejuvenation.
Whether you are an artist, writer, teenager, adult, or simply someone looking to unleash their creative potential, Unlock Your Creativity: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Inspiration and Developing Your Imagination is the ultimate guide to unlocking your full creative potential and achieving personal growth.
The Review
This is a quick yet well-developed read. The author does a remarkable job of capturing the essential lessons and tools that someone would need in order to find that creative spark just waiting to be lit. The way the author writes is great here, as it speaks to everyone and not just the select few established writers in the world through technical terms and practices. Instead, the generality of the author’s writing allows for broad approaches that keep it light and fun, yet impactful all at once.
The passion for which the author writes and the emphasis on imagination’s role in the creative process were what really stuck out to me about this book. The lessons that are taught and the guide itself are built upon the idea of the reader’s imagination is the playground of sorts that helps creativity thrive and grow, and that has always been the case for me as a writer, so getting to see this concept come to life on the pages of this book were great to see.
The Verdict
Informative, imaginative, and engaging, author Ron Pacer’s “Unlock Your Creativity” is a must-read nonfiction book and guide on creativity and creative development. The knowledge and information gained through this book are equally measured against the passion and heart for which the book was written, and the emphasis on imagination highlights the power that creativity has in all aspects of life. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Melanie Faith showcases to readers the path and means of taking their story from the writing phase to the publication phase in her book “From Promising to Published”.
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The Synopsis
You’ve been writing and honing your craft for months or years and are curious about seeking publication for your latest project. Perhaps you wonder about the next steps in the process. Look no further!
This book has a little something for every writer interested in expanding their audience and sharing their writing with readers, from pre-writing and writing your drafts to choosing your market and the writing life before, during, and after publication.
Topics covered include:
The Lovely Littles: Breaking into Literary Magazines
The Spinning Spider: Keeping Track of your Brainchildren
Options, You’ve Got ’em: Traditional, Indie/Small, University Press, or Self-Publishing
Two Streams with One Stone: To Simultaneously Submit or Not
Monetize it! Part One: All about the Benjamins; Monetize it! Part Two: Risk and a Swimming Metaphor
The Myth of the Fancy-Pants Tools
The Art of Writing the Author Bio
Paradox Meets Passion: Writer vs. Author
The Slam-Bam Reply: Now in Two Painful Varieties; Creative Noodling
F.U.N
and so much more!
The Review
This was such a thoughtful and meaningful read. Authors and aspiring writers will absolutely love this book. The author’s writing style was very pointed and personable, allowing the reader to feel more like they were in a conversation and less like they were being preached to. This friendly and relatable approach to the subject allows readers to connect more to the author’s message, and the lessons found within.
I absolutely loved the amount of information the author was able to fit into this book. From the process of crafting an author bio and finding a target audience, to more thoughtful approaches such as making multiple submissions and finding a literary magazine to be featured in, as well as the differences between an author and a writer, this book does an incredible job of not only drawing the reader in but finding the right balance of inspiration and education.
The Verdict
Honest, thought-provoking, and engaging, author Melanie Faith’s “From Promising to Published” is a must-read guide and reference book on the publishing process for authors. The knowledge the reader is able to glean from this book and the writing style will allow readers to return to this book time and time again and keeps authors invested in learning the process of getting their work published in a cohesive way. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Melanie Faith is a night-owl writer and editor who moves through the daytime world with her camera. She’s an introvert who likes to wear many hats, too, including as a poet, photographer, professor, and tutor. She’s been a doodler for years but just recently started to share her perfectly imperfect doodles. She loves to write about historical settings in poetry and prose, and this fall she taught both a Leaping Worlds class for historical fiction and time-travel writers as well as a university class about publishing. She especially enjoys creating nonfiction craft books that assist fellow authors on their writing paths, including books packed with tips about writing flash fiction and poetry. Her latest published craft books are: Photography for Writers, guides for teaching online and writing a research book respectively, and From Promising to Published: A Multi-Genre, Insider’s Guide to the Publication Process (all from Vine Leaves Press). Read more about her books, classes, and arts projects at https://melaniedfaith.com.
Join WOW as we celebrate the launch of Melanie Faith’s blog tour of From Promising to Publishing. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book
Visit Angie’s blog and read her review of From Promising to Published by Melanie Faith. She hosts a giveaway and also interviews author Melanie Faith about her book.
Hello everyone! My name is Anthony Avina, and I am the owner and operator of Cosmic Writing Studios, a custom writing experience on Etsy and my own website. Are you looking for the perfect gift for your child, parent, or significant other? Are you an author searching for a way of organizing and keeping your cast of characters listed and written down? Do you perhaps need editing, proofreading, or promotional services for your up-and-coming book? Perhaps you have an upcoming book launch and are in need of some ad space to promote it?
Then look no further than Cosmic Writing Studios. Through my shop, you can find the best customizable products for that special someone in your life, as well as the best writing services to help with your upcoming book release. With competitive pricing that is sure to help with your launch, there is something for everyone here at my store. If you shop now through Etsy, you can get 20% off all purchases. So shop now to grab your next great writing service or gift today!
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Robert Kelsey takes readers on a journey of discovery to learn the craft and skills needed to write the book you’ve always wanted to write in his book, “Writing Well for Work and Pleasure”.
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The Synopsis
The New Writer’s Guide to Producing Fearless Content
Everyone has that fabled “book in them” but not everyone has the talent to write it. Right? Wrong. Great writing’s not a talent. It’s a craft. It can be taught and learnt, affording everyone the confidence to express themselves in words.
Writing Well for Work & Pleasureteaches you how to start your writing project and how to keep going. It deconstructs the elements of writing – creating a step-by-step process for generating content that’s ready for publication. With tips on style, eloquence and finding your voice, it also teaches you how to write for different audiences, including professionals, the public, students, customers and even your opponents. And it helps writers talk to editors, publishers and other industry insiders.
This book is for professionals and academics wanting to write that book; ambitious executives needing to write a white paper to accelerate their careers; managers being asked to write articles for publication; artisans and hobbyists with skills to convey; idealists and polemicists wanting to inspire and agitate; and anyone wanting to write well in order to improve their communications skills.
The Review
This was such a well-developed and inspiring read for writers and aspiring writers everywhere. The author did a fantastic job breaking down both the various types and styles of writing, as well as the process of writing in general. As a writer and reviewer who has always believed in the old adage that everyone has a story waiting to be told, it was great to see the author explore the path towards an educated and practiced way of making this a reality.
The research and development the author poured into this book were equally matched with the personal and charismatic way the author wrote the book. The balance of inspiring messages to encourage writers with the study and work that goes into understanding what writing entails is masterfully written here. I like the idea of taking the time to find the right path to finding a person’s writing outlet, for each format and style varies and will suit a person depending on their needs.
The Verdict
Engaging, thought-provoking, and truly inspiring, author Robert Kelsey’s “Writing Well For Work and Pleasure” is a must-read nonfiction book for writing. The eloquent way the author broke down the writing process, from writing styles and the different types of a writer’s audience to the specifics in content structure and writing practices, really made the book feel critical to an author and writer’s understanding of the craft. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Robert Kelsey is a bestselling author, a former magazine editor and journalist and a PR professional who’s worked for some of the world’s most prestigious organizations: helping them convert their expertise and knowledge into fantastic content. He’s also taught scores of young trainees how to write compelling copy.
John Wilkes is a new non-fiction publishing company targeting new authors (society, culture, history, politics, biography, business). This is our first book – also meant as an aid for new authors.
Writing permeates every aspect of modern life and is an essential skill regardless of profession and interest. Even businesses cannot survive without good writing at their core and it is a vital part of effective online and print marketing and promotions. Teaching writing to children whether it is a report or technical writing or creative writing has a number of key benefits for their healthy development and prosperous future. Among other things, excellent writing skills mean they will learn to express themselves, consume more reading material and perform better in most academic parameters.
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Atmosphere Dictates All
Writing is considered a challenging prospect by children especially if they are younger than middle grade because it seems complex and they might have trouble retaining good vocabulary or expressing themselves. As a parent, you need to identify issues (also ruling out the chance of dyslexia or other learning disorders) and solve them in imaginative and interesting ways. Create a safe space for the child to practice their writing like a desk or a spare room and incorporate inspiring décor ideas like scrabble tiles or framed quotes.
Next, buy them books on subjects they like such as sports or stories. As you build up their reading skills, ask them to jot down new words they have learned in a separate notebook. You can also test them on the meaning and uses of these words using colorful flashcards. Never underestimate the value of consistent practice as it often counts more than simply talent in a particular area.
Switch The Tables
One of the key aspects of being a great writer is the shifting of perspectives. Skilled writers can write for a variety of audiences to suit each and every purpose. Teaching tone and style is therefore very important. Encourage your child to imagine various scenarios and how writing would differ in all of them and help them to find examples online or in print as well. For example; writing a news report is different from someone writing a story and that is different from someone trying to sell you an item.
To Each His Own
Each child has their own favorite type of writing to read and therefore write. Is your child interested in keeping a journal or scrapbooking? Do they prefer to write travel logs? Do they like tales of fantastical lands and beasts? Encourage them to practice the kind of writing that makes their heart sing. When they are able to get a starting point this way, they’ll be more conducive to doing school work for types of writing they perhaps don’t enjoy as much such as reports or work assignments.
Equip Your Child
Make sure you have purchased all the equipment your child needs to become a formidable writer in their own right. Pencils, books, practice books, a desk, etc all matter and impart a sense of purpose. Furthermore, if you’ve consistently observed your child struggles with words and sentence formation and will benefit from English tuition, then that is a worthwhile investment. Not to mention good tutors can also be hired online with ease! You can also take them to libraries and bookshops and build up the reading habit which is in fact the greatest teacher when it comes to becoming a better writer.
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Listening Helps
Listening to audiobooks or documentaries and even podcasts is a great way to better your writing. Listening translates into better sentence structure and formation when you sit down to write. Encourage your child to listen to educational and interesting material when they are playing outside, going for a walk, simply want to lie down, or are doing anything generally unproductive. This will add to their passive learning and impact their writing in the long run.
Templates And Tests
Writing is a skill like any other and part of developing it in children is periodic testing. Look up tests online you can either use as they are, or tailor to your requirements and have your children take those tests on weekends and so on. Make sure they are short and creative so they don’t add to the school workload each child has to undertake. You can come up with story prompts or even templates and give them to your children to work from. Seeing available examples and starting points always helps with writer’s block.
To make your child keen to practice their writing more, you can even consider starting a blog or something similar from where you and he/she can track how well you are progressing. Not to mention it is brilliant motivation to keep writing and improving.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
Author Mark Leslie Lefebvre shares inspirations and strategies to expand an author’s reach and install longterm success in the book “Wide for the Win: Strategies to Sell Globally Via Multiple Platforms and Forge Your Own Path to Success”.
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The Synopsis
Are you looking for ways to stop being dependent upon only Amazon for your author earnings income?
Are you hoping to expand and grow your sales on multiple platforms in global territories?
Do you need strategies to help you get started NOW in terms of creating a successful “publish wide” author plan?
Would you like to increase and optimize your sales on Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, Google Play and more?
Then WIDE FOR THE WIN is the book for you.
Based on knowledge derived from decades of working within the publishing and bookselling landscape, Mark Leslie Lefebvre has compiled those learnings and in depth discussions, interviews, and insights shared from represenatives from the major publishing platforms along with tips, strategies, and pathways to success from hundreds of authors who have already discovered the thrill of forging their own unique pathways to success.
If you’re looking for a magic bullet, you’ve come to the wrong place. But if you’re looking for ideas, inspiration, and strategies for planning out your own long terms success as an author selling globally on multiple platforms, then you’re in luck.
WIDE FOR THE WIN prepares you not only with a fundamental understanding of the mindset required for long-term writing and publishing success, but also insights and proven processes that allow you to take full control of your intellectual property’s earning potential and reach more of the right readers for your work than ever before.
The Review
This was such a well-written and engaging read. The perfect reference and guide for any aspiring authors out there who are hoping to get a handle on the new directions that self-publishing and the electronic book era have brought, the author does an excellent job of balancing conversational tones that make up the majority of this book and the research that is evident in every chapter.
The thing that stood out to me immediately was the way the author delved into so many different facets of publishing in today’s market. From the exclusivity benefits and negative effects of Kindle exclusive releases to the discoverability of box sets for those who are seeking to release a series of books at once, this book has something for everyone. What is perfect about this book is that authors who have specific questions or concerns about their work and publishing can find something to help in here, with each chapter and section marked carefully to help pinpoint and allow the reader to find each detail carefully.
The Verdict
A remarkable, educational, and thought-provoking non-fiction read for readers and aspiring authors alike, author Mark Leslie Lefebvre’s “Wide for the Win” is a must-read book of 2021. The perfect tool and reference book for those who are hoping to crack into the complex world of self-publishing and marketing their work, this book will allow readers to weave their way through this complex market with finesse and knowledge that few are able to grasp within their first year or two in the market. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
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About the Author
Mark Leslie Lefebvre has been writing since he was thirteen years old and discovered his mother’s Underwood typewriter collecting dust in a closet. He started submitting his work for publication at the age of fifteen and had his first story published in 1992, the same year he graduated from university.
Under the name Mark Leslie, he has published more than a dozen full length books. He pens a series of non-fiction paranormal explorations for Dundurn, Canada’s largest independent publisher. He also writes fiction (typically thrillers and horror) and has edits fiction anthologies, most recently as a regular editor for the WMG Publishing Fiction River anthology series.
The very same year, Mark saw his first short story in print he started working in to book industry as a part-time bookseller, and was bitten by the book-selling bug. He has worked in virtually every type of bookstore (independent, chain, large-format, online, academic and digital). He has thrived on innovation, particularly related to digital publishing, and enjoys interacting with the various people who make the book industry so dynamic.
Between 2011 and 2017, Mark worked at the Director of Self-Publishing and Author Relations for Kobo where he was the driving force behind the creation of Kobo Writing Life, a free and easy to use author/small-publisher friendly platform designed to publish directly to Kobo’s global catalog in 190 countries. By the end of 2016, Kobo Writing Life established itself as the #1 single source of weekly global unit sales for Kobo and, in primarily English language territories, responsible for 1 in every 4 eBooks sold.
Mark has spoken professionally in the United States and Canada, in the UK and across Europe, specializing in advances in digital publishing and the vast and incredible opportunities that exist for writers and publishers.
Los Angeles, CA – May 27, 2021 – Save the Cat!, the world’s leading storytelling method, has teamed up with Netflix, the world’s leading streaming entertainment service, to co-produce a series of edutainment videos designed to provide tools to the next generation anime creators in helping them find and develop their stories.
Leading anime and manga connoisseur, Akidearest, talks about the Save the Cat! “Fun and Games” story beat
“Save the Cat! Goes Anime” takes the 15 story beats coined by screenwriting guru and best-selling author of Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder, to break down the most popular anime stories ever told—from The Seven Deadly Sins, A Whisker Away, and Devilman Crybaby to Beastars—all through the lens of the biggest influencer names in anime, including anime and manga connoisseur, Akidearest, side by side with Save the Cat! expert instructor, Cory Milles.
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The premier episode of “Save the Cat! Goes Anime” is now live on the Netflix Anime Youtube channel.
“We couldn’t be happier to work with Netflix! No matter if you’re a fan of anime or want to write a script of your own, everyone creating and evaluating stories can now work from the same language,” says BJ Markel, co-owner of Save the Cat! and copy editor of the Save the Cat! books.
“There is a rich tradition in anime that draws on a thousand years of Japanese storytelling and craft. We’re excited to welcome Akidearest and Cory Milles to our growing Netflix Anime Channel to help put creative tools in the hands of a new generation of storytellers to help them bring their stories to life,” states Rob Pereyda, Head of Anime, Editorial & Publishing at Netflix.
“The Netflix Anime team is at the forefront of driving innovation. We are honored to work with their team to help guide the next generation of writers and producers in creating content,” adds Jason Kolinsky, co-owner of Save the Cat!, and co-writer and producer of “Save the Cat! Goes Anime.”
Save the Cat!® is the world’s bestselling story methodology introduced by screenwriter Blake Snyder in 2005 with his first book, Save the Cat!. Snyder’s acclaimed ideas, methods, and software have provided thousands of writers with the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels.
I don’t usually come on here to write personal updates, and I want to start changing that. Tomorrow I will have at least two if not more reviews going live, but for today I just wanted to share this small post to announce my new YouTube channel, Author Anthony Avina.
My first new video is now live on my website, and in it I start a brand new series of vlogs where I share my writing behind the scenes of each new book project. I hope you enjoy it!
I received a free copy of this course in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
In a unique and exciting new chapter for my website, I am honored today to share with you my official review of the online writing course, Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet. First I will share with you a quick course outline and what you can expect, and then I will share with you my thoughts on the course overall. I want to thank the amazing team at Save the Cat!, for including me in this amazing tour. I was honored to learn and experience this course myself, and look forward to seeing what other courses you have to offer. I also would like to thank the amazing team at Women on Writing Blog Tours for always including me in their tours, and for giving me a chance to experience this amazing course for myself. Now, let’s get into what this course is all about.
First, what is Save the Cat!®?
Save the Cat! provides writers the resources they need to develop their screenplays and novels based on a series of best-selling books, primarily written by Blake Snyder (1957- 2009). Blake’s method is based on 10 distinctive genres and his 15 story beats (the Blake Snyder Beat Sheet). Our books, workshops, story structure software, apps, and story coaching teach you everything you need to unlock the fundamentals and mechanics of plot and character transformation.
About the Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet Online Course
This course is designed for writers to turn their idea into a movie or novel. This learn-at-your-own-pace online class helps you develop the 15 key “beats” or “plot points” of your story. Strung together, in the right order, these 15 beats make up the blueprint to a successful screenplay or novel.
You’ll Turn an Idea into a Story by Learning to…
• Create a solid beat sheet that will serve as the road map, and “backbone” of your story
• Identify and know the key components of your story genre • Learn the clichés of your genre so that you can break them like an artist
• Plot your hero’s journey and “transformation” • Troubleshoot your story idea for viability
• Write a compelling logline or elevator pitch
This Course Is for Those Who…
• Want to troubleshoot an existing story
• Have so many great ideas and struggle to choose “the one”
• Are ready to write but not sure how to start
• Are determined to finish a half-written story
• Want to learn
This Course Includes…
• Over 3 hours and 17 minutes of original video production
Introducing Save the Cat!®Story Cards, consisting of Save the Cat! Beat Cards and Save the Cat! Scene Cards, all designed to outline and develop your story.
Save the Cat! Beat Cards
Crack your story from the “Opening Image” to the “Final Image.” Save the Cat!® Beat Cards provide writers with the 15 key plot points to map out your script or novel. Every set contains 15 individual index cards with helpful explanations of each beat to form the foundation of your story.
Save the Cat! Scene Cards
Every scene of your story needs to communicate “place,” “basic action,” “emotional transformation,” and “outcome.” The Save the Cat!® Scene Cards help writers nail the purpose of every scene. Each set of cards contains 40 color-coded cards broken down by act, with 10 extra cards because we know you’ll need them.
This was such an engaging and powerful course for aspiring writers out there. Originally developed by Blake Snyder for screenwriters, the Save the Cat! tool has become an educational and remarkable thing for aspiring writers in all genres and formats. This latest course does a great job of highlighting the 15 beats that a writer should hit with their story. While I won’t share what each beat entails and what goes into them, writers can expect to learn about:
Opening Image
Theme Stated
Set-Up
Catalyst
Debate
Break Into Two
B Story
Fun and Games
Midpoint
Bad Guys Close In
All is Lost
Dark Night of the Soul
Break Into Three
Finale
Final Image
The course also delves into everything from loglines and titles to the various genres that can help formulate the beats one needs for their story. The course itself was not only easy to follow and educational, but course instructor Jennifer Zhang does a remarkable job of clearly lining out the steps one needs to take to capture these beats through a series of lectures that really keep those taking this course invested, making for a one of a kind learning experience.
The Verdict
A must-have course for any aspiring writers out there, Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet is a brilliant writing course that will dramatically change how you approach future writing projects. Whether you are looking for a way to help craft the perfect screenplay or perhaps are just looking for a way to outline your next great novel, this is a course that will help you gain the confidence and knowledge that your story is flowing smoothly. If you haven’t yet, be sure to sign up for this amazing course today!
Rating: 10/10
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Blog Tour Dates
February 22nd @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us today over at our blog, where we launch another blog tour for Save the Cat! We talk about their online course and their story cards, interview the Save the Cat team, and host a special giveaway you don’t want to miss.
Guest writer, Stephanie Anne, reviews the Save the Cat! Cracking the Beat Sheet course and Save the Cat! Story Cards on Nicole’s blog World of My Imagination.
Author Anthony Avina's Blog 