Category Archives: reading

Hunter Thompson’s Last Book

hey-rube-hunter-thompson.jpg Hunter Thompson may be gone, but he is definitely not forgotten. His final book, Hey Rube, is a collection of essays from his ESPN column, but don’t be fooled into thinking this is a book strictly about sports. He used his column as a springboard into a great many topics including his political views, ideas on sex, and the creation of the infamous sport “Shotgun Golf”.

Thompson is best known as an author, but digging deeper into his body of work you’ll find that he was a freelancer with major credits–The Nation, Rolling Stone, and a big variety of others. Thompson is what many would consider to be a unreliable flake, an unemployable liability to any editor unfortunate enough to have hired him. Thompson frequently blew deadlines for nation-wide magazines and missed the point of his assignments. His most important book–Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, was the result of a horribly botched freelance gig for a major sports publication. Thompson was assigned to bring back some captions on a race and turned in literally thousands of words in commentary instead. Incidents like these did not keep him from getting work. Amazingly, he kept getting high-paying assignments. Thompson was damn near bulletproof.

He was a force of nature, a contradictory whirlwind of massive hubris and self-doubt. As a survivor in the biz, he is a true hero–he somehow managed to overcome every career-ending disaster and bounce back with even larger assignments. There will be more books by Hunter Thompson to be sure–his estate promises several more collections of unpublished material– but this is the final one he put together under his own steam with intent to publish.

Buy Hey Rube! for $11.20

Magazine: Poets & Writers

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Poets & Writers offers a nice mix of information. You’ll find interviews with poets and fiction writers, the latest news about the publishing industry and a variety of contest information. The magazine recently re-vamped its size–going a little smaller than the standard magazine. (I love the new look, and I have to confess, bought the last issue just because the magazine felt good in my hand!) Published 6 times a year, it is a must have for anyone involved in poetry or fiction writing, and a good mag to browse through for non-fiction writers as well.

Buy now for $19.95

Magazine: Writers’ Journal

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Writers’ Journal is a good resource for both fiction and non-fiction writers. The nice part about the magazine is that it has information that is useful to all levels of writers; from the rank beginner to the more advanced. Selling and publishing are subjects that the mag focuses on, as well as improving one’s writing–something we can all use! There are a bunch of writer’s magazines out there–this is one that I find especially useful for non-fiction writing.

Buy now for $17.97 

 

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This is hands down the best book on writing I have ever, ever read. It’s smart, funny (hillarious really) and is one of those books that you will be very sorry to have end. I wish he’d write another one. Frankly, I’m not a big Stephen King fan, but this book has some of the best advice I have ever seen on the craft. I have a good deal of respect for him after having read this, and it is something I would highly recommend to any writer–new or established. I don’t write fiction and I still got a lot out of it.

Buy Now for $7.99

Six-Word Memoirs

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Smith Magazine sent out a challenge to writers–describe your life in six words or less. The results are collected here in an addictive 240-page book you can literally read in snippets for months on end. Not Quite What I Was Planning is a fascinating collection, and you’ll be trying to compose your own six-word memoirs after reading entries like Chuck Klosterman’s:

“Nobody cared, then they did. Why?”

Or how about the words of Scott Birch? “Most successful accomplishments based on spite.” Yes, the notion for this book sounds totally useless, but just like popcorn you can’t stop once you’ve had a handful. This is one of those ideas that turns you green with envy. Why didn’t we think of this first? The price on this literary indulgence makes it irresistable. Buy five of them and you’ve got a handy gift anytime you need one in a pinch.

Buy for $7.20

Poet’s Market 2008

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While it’s true that the typical Freelance-Zone reader is probably much more in tune with writing articles and other non-poetry work, we’re guessing that just about everybody knows someone who could use this book. In your circle of writer friends, who’s the poet? The 2008 Poet’s Market is a very thoughtful gift, and you might just decide to take a crack at some verse yourself after having a browse through this handy guide. Like any other writer’s market publication advises, it’s best to use this book as jumping off point. Always research your market before submitting! The price on this one is definitely right for gift-giving, even if it’s a present to yourself.

Buy the 2008 Poet’s Market guide for $17.81