The trick is staying a writer."New York Times bestselling author and British Academy Award nominee J. Michael Straczynski knew he wanted to be a writer ever since he was a child. What he didn't know was how to actually become, or stay, a writer. Now, he's giving fellow writers the comprehensive guide he wishes he had all along, personalized tips and techniques that can't be found in any other book on writing.Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer culls from Straczynski's more than thirty years of experience writing for film, television, books, and comics. Designed for writers in any stage of their career, this quirky, insightful and often humorous book provides an inside look at these industries with advice and wisdom covering such topics such as:What fledgling writers need to know to improve and sell their work—and avoid wasting valuable timeTips for experienced writers who want to get to the next levelStaying disciplined when writing is your day jobWhy writers should never wait for inspiration Story-planning strategies that don’t kill your spontaneityExpert techniques for effective, memorable world-buildingHow to get an agent and survive the writer’s journey in more personal relationshipsRevising and editing with precisionWhen and how to reinvent yourself as an artist Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer includes Straczynski’s unique, tried-and-true methodologies that will help storytellers sharpen their work so that it’s polished and ready for publication. Part toolbox and part survival guide, this book will be an indispensable guide throughout your entire writing career, offering fresh and practical insights every step of the way.

    But for beginner foragers who just want to answer the question “Can it eat it?”, most of the books on the subject are dry, dense, and written by mycologists for other mycologists. Frank Hyman to the rescue! How to Forage for Mushrooms without Dying is the book for anyone who walks in the woods and would like to learn how to identify just the 21 edible mushrooms they’re likely to come across. In it, Hyman offers his expert mushroom foraging advice, distilling down the most important information for the reader in colorful, folksy language that’s easy to remember when in the field. Want an easy way to determine if a mushroom is a delicious morel or a toxic false morel? Slice it in half – “if it’s hollow, you can swallow,” Hyman says. With Frank Hyman’s expert advice and easy-to-follow guidelines, readers will be confident in identifying which mushrooms they can safely eat and which ones they should definitely avoid.

    (Diva Dan), grow his passion into a thriving global community (As an adult, he would return to it and, with his partner Daniel Zondervan The Crochet Crowd), reaching 3 million people on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram.Packed with pictures, personality and 15 original patterns, this book will resonate with first-time and experienced crocheters alike. Crocheters will be treated to an exclusive collection of patterns for afghans, scarves, hats, cowls and other items that emphasize the texture, colour and coziness that Mikey has become known for.

    Harry Potter: Crochet Wizardry also includes behind-the-scenes facts and quotes from the films, as well as concept art and film stills to inspire your creativity and relive favorite movie moments. With beautiful full-color photography, step-by-step instructions, and clearly presented charts and schematics, Harry Potter: Crochet Wizardry is the ultimate crocheter’s guide to the Wizarding World.

    Dr. Rick will see you now! Finally, your chance to sit down with the world's foremost Parentamorphosis expert. Each page of this handy guide is like a one-on-one session with the man himself, filled with the strategies, exercises, self-assessments, and good old-fashioned straight-shootin' advice you need to un-become your parents every single day. From making small talk with tollboth operators (don't) to the dangerous lures of lawn care, this collection of bite-sized wisdom fits perfectly in your oversized cargo pants and will have you covered for almost any situation.

    Diana Helmuth offers real advice, opinionated but accessible and based on in-the-field experiences. She wins readers' hearts and trust through a blend of self-deprecating humor and good-natured heckling of both seasoned backpackers and urbanites who romanticize being outdoorsy, plus a helpful dose of the actual advice a novice needs to get started.Featuring illustrations by artist Latasha Dunston, each chapter focuses on a critical topic: gear, food, hygiene, clothing, and more, along with useful checklists and resources. Humorous, philosophical, and practical, How to Suffer Outside teaches casual walkers, hikers, and campers of all stripes how to venture outdoors with confidence.

    It is the culinary representation of the ocean, rivers, and rich fertile loam in and around the coastal South. From the Carolinas to Georgia and Florida, this is where descendants of enslaved Africans came together to make extraordinary food, speaking the African Creole language called Gullah Geechee.In this groundbreaking and beautiful cookbook, Matthew Raiford pays homage to this cuisine that nurtured his family for seven generations. In 2010, Raiford’s Nana handed over the deed to the family farm to him and his sister, and Raiford rose to the occasion, nurturing the farm that his great-great-great grandfather, a freed slave, purchased in 1874. In this collection of heritage and updated recipes, he traces a history of community and family brought together by food.

    

    

    The star of New Orleans Cooking with Kevin Belton heads to multiple parishes found across Louisiana to explore dishes and unique flavor profiles associated with each area of the state. Kevin Belton’s Cookin’ Louisiana has 78 recipes (3 from each episode of the coordinating TV series) along with a generous helping of Kevin’s captivating stories and humor. Recipes include Smoked Meat Loaf with Sweet Glaze, Louisiana Fish on the Half Shell, Cane Syrup Cake, Pumpkin Soup, Fried Alligator Bites, and Shrimp Scampi Risotto.

    Freestyle Cooking charts provide a scaffolding for building a finished dish from what cooks have available, Kitchen Cheat Sheets lend guidance on preparing meats, vegetables, and grains with correct cooking times and temperatures. and stories from Good’s Cooking Circle offer personal experiences and techniques for successfully improvising for delicious results, such as how to combine flavors that work well together or how to use acid to draw out the sweetness in unripened fruit. Readers will feel like they are in the kitchen with a trusted friend or family member who is truly a good cook, delivering valuable information in a friendly, encouraging way. With new kitchen confidence, they’ll be inspired to pull ingredients together, dream up a dish, stir in a little imagination, and watch something delicious take shape.