BKWRGDIN.RVW   970221
 
"The Writer's Guide to the Internet", Dawn Groves, 1997, 1-887902-13-9,
U$18.95/C$25.95
%A   Dawn Groves dawng@skycat.com
%C   8536 SW St. Helens Drive, Wilsonville, OR   97070
%D   1997
%G   1-887902-13-9
%I   Franklin, Beedle & Associates
%O   U$18.95/C$25.95 +1-503-682-7668 http://www.fbeedle.com
%P   248
%T   "The Writer's Guide to the Internet"
 
OK, everyone has, or needs, a guide to the Internet, but if this book is to be
a writer's guide, we need to know the purpose for which a writer wants to use
the Internet.  There are multiple answers in Groves' work.  Not clearly
delineated, perhaps, but generally falling into the categories of research,
online publication, and marketing.
 
Because of my background, research is my first thought in regard to the net. 
Groves covers the basics briefly, but emphasizing those tools of most interest
to writers.  She adds a few topics, such as email interviews, which are not
dealt with in other works.  However, the overall coverage of Internet
applications and resources is quite terse.  References to some of the better
Internet guides would have been helpful.
 
The sections dealing with online publication are succinct, helpful, and very
useful.  This topic has a substantial place in the book.  In spite of the
restrictions of space, the material easily stands, with whole texts dedicated
solely to establishing an Internet presence.  For newcomers who are not
involved with establishing their own Internet server, this is an excellent
introduction.
 
Marketing and contacts are discussed briefly.  Some professional associations
are listed but, overall, the book seems to deal with this relatively important
topic somewhat distantly, and without feeling.
 
Writers who already use the Internet will know most of this, although there are
some useful and specific points for everyone.  For the writer coming to the net
for the first time, a very useful work.
 
copyright Robert M. Slade, 1997   BKWRGDIN.RVW   970221
 
======================
roberts@decus.ca           rslade@vcn.bc.ca           rslade@vanisl.decus.ca
  "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do
   nothing."  - Edmund Burke       http://www2.gdi.net/~padgett/trial.htm