The beauty of a good club

I don't know about you, but when I was younger and far more impressionable, I got sucked into a few of those music-a-month clubs (back when they were only selling cassette tapes). There was something endless about those little fliers, those pressing requests to select another damn tape (Depeche Mode...or Wham, the choice was agonizing!) or else they would send you something of their own choosing, like Neil Diamond's greatest hits (as an 80's teen, this was like death to me). After awhile, I always quit--usually after I had been sent to collections because, without having read the fine print, I didn't know that I was legally bound to buy a new one every month or they'd charge me anyway!

The reason I tell you that sad story is not to ward you off all mail-order clubs, but for contrast. In my wiser, adult years I did join a mail-order club that has benefitted me immensely--The Writer's Digest Book Club. There's no hard sell, you only have to buy a few books after they send you a bunch for a ridiculously low price. And as many writers know, there is nothing like having a collection of valuable writing books on your shelf to turn to in a pinch (or perhaps carry in a back pocket).

As you probably guessed, this post is slightly self-serving, too. My book Make a Scene is the book club selection for Writer's Digest book club members right now. Not only that--it's the fancy hardcover edition, which I have to tell you, is be-yoo-tiful.

Seriously. That bathroom-tile photo does not do it justice.

Plus it has me ever so enigmatic author photo in the back :)

Its beauty (or handsomeness if you prefer a male-sounding designation, and believe me--it swings both ways) is all due to the talent of Claudean Wheeler of F& W Publications' design team. I get compliments on the cover all the time.

If you're not already a member, and have any interest in joining, I recommend it. I can look over at my shelf right now and count more than 10 of my all-time most turned to writing books. They are almost all Writer's Digest books. It's the main reason I sought them out as my publisher--I wanted to be where the best writing guides are.

JPR