ENDORSEMENTS
Bruce
has guided me through the process of discovering the techniques
I need so that others may feel the power and magic of my stories--while
also allowing those stories to be truly mine.
--Scott
Adams, martial artist, adventurer, consultant
When
I entered college, I had always been told I had a gift for
writing. But Bruce helped me hone and refine that gift
to the point that I have been able to make a living as a writer
in Hollywood for the last thirteen years. I owe my career
to Bruce and continue to learn from him to this day.
--Michael
Ajakwe, Jr., Emmy-Award winning tv producer, award-winning playwright,
screenwriter
Because
of Bruce's genius at mentoring writers of all skills
levels, I've been inspired, motivated, and encouraged to keep
writing, to keep improving, and to keep dreaming. Bruce
has the ability to pierce right to the heart of what works or
doesn't work about a piece; and his sensitivity, experience and
comprehensive understanding of the publishing world make
him a treasure for any aspiring writer.
--Doris
Anita Anderson, author of Tackling
Tough Choices: Discussion Starting Skits for Teenagers
Many
years ago Bruce McAllister helped and encouraged me with my first
literary and journalistic efforts. Now, six books and hundreds
of magazine articles later, I know I can still call Bruce for
writing advice. Whatever my problems are, he's a master
at providing practical, insightful analysis and clear-eyed solutions.
--Ron
Arias, author of White's
Rules, Moving Target , Five Against the Sea and The
Road to Tamazunchale
Bruce
was my coach, mentor and guide in the successful quest
for publication of my first book and has since matched me
with the right national publicist during that book's second
phase of marketing. He plays many roles for clients,
all of them served by his vast knowledge of the complicated world
of the book business.
--Betty
Auchard, author of Dancing
in My Nightgown
Bruce
is an excellent, not to mention brilliant, writing coach. I
was a member of his writer's group for non-fiction writers for
two years and with his insightful help and encouragement produced
a 60,000 word manuscript! Bruce possesses a remarkable
gift for teaching and a contagious enthusiasm for the craft.
--Linda
J. Berard, graduate theology student
Bruce
McAllister is both a talented creative writer and a perceptive
mentor who has a gift for extracting creativity from writers.
--Roger
Burgraff, Ph.D., author of Deadly
Promise
Bruce's
teaching transcends the system. His inspiration elevates
everyone around him. If you're dabbling in screenwriting,
curious about movie structure and mythology, or even ready to
tackle the industry, his wisdom is an invaluable toolbox.
--Ronnie
Christensen, film and TV writer--Passengers,
High Stakes, others
When
I first began working with Bruce, I had nothing but a rough manuscript
and a great idea. Bruce immediately understood my vision
and worked closely to shape and mold it in the direction it needed
to go to get published. He was very knowledgeable of and
supportive during the entire process, all while being straight
forward and honest about what I needed to know. I feared
that, even with his help, it would be quite a long time until
my manuscript attracted a publisher. Under Bruce's expert
guidance, I found my publisher in under 100 days. I could
not have done it without him. I look forward to working
with him on my next project.
--M.
Guyle Crispin, author of Holocaust:
A Q&A Guide to Help Young Adults Really Understand the Holocaust
Bruce
is a rare find-a truly knowledgeable teacher of the craft and
a first-rate writer himself whose keen perception and guidance
of the work in progress always raises it to the next level. My
luck was to find a writing coach who so selflessly gives his
time and energy to his writers, allowing everyone to feel they
can achieve their personal best.
--Lesley
Downie, YA writer
Bruce
simply knows everything about the craft of writing and what it
takes to sell a book, and has an intuitive way of coaching writers
to find the true potential in their manuscripts.
--Alethea
Eason, author of Hungry and
short stories in anthologies and magazines
Bruce
McAllister is a writer. That's important - because he knows
about stories that float like wayward strands of DNA waiting
to be whole, knows about writing and rewriting, and knows the
business of submitting and waiting. He writes, he publishes,
and most fortunately for people like me, he coaches. Bruce
can read what I have written, see the whole of it, and help me
then make the story be what it truly needs to be. He encourages,
but doesn't patronize. He is that true coach who is with
me during the exciting and painful process of revision, and who
celebrates with me when the story is done. He is as happy
for me when an acceptance finally comes as he is when his own
stories are published. Don't tell him I said this, but
he is worth twice as much as I pay him; I truly wouldn't want
to be on this journey without him.
--Laura
Evans, writer, "curriculum support teacher”
I
spent over a year working with another writing consultant trying
to get published--with zero results. I was ready to give
up on my project when I met Bruce. He helped me get my
manuscript ready for a publisher and then connected me with one. I
couldn't ask for anything more.
--Rocky
Fino, author of Will
Cook for Sex and Will
Mix for Sex
When
a major New York agent returned the manuscript for my book, Dear
Kilroy,
saying that he'd tried his best to place it with the editors
he knew, but to no avail, I approached Bruce. As we reshaped
the book and got query letters ready to send out, Bruce was my
editor, mentor and coach, but also my friend who encouraged me
to hold on to my dream. In the end, with his help, I received
three publishing offers, and the book is now in its second printing.
--Nora
Vitz Harrison, author of Dear
Kilroy: A Dog to Guide Us -- www.dearkilroy.com
Bruce
has exactly the knowledge and expertise you'd expect in a professional
writing coach, but what makes him better than others is his intuition.
He has the uncanny ability to look at a piece of my writing with
more insight into what it's really about than I have as the author. The
result, of course, is that, though I've been writing professionally
for thirty years, under his guidance I am becoming a better writer.
--Paul
Hellweg, author of The
American Heritage Student Thesaurus, American Heritage Children's
Thesaurus, The Insomniac's Dictionary,
and short stories in national magazines
Bruce
not only understands writing, he understands the psyche
of the writer. After just an hour with Bruce, I realized
why I have to write, and what.
--Debra-Lynn
Hook, McClatchy-Tribune columnist
and author of Bringing
Up Mommy
Thank
goodness for good writing coaches! I've been with Bruce
now for over a year and he has taken my writing to new heights,
places I didn't think I'd ever reach. All the advice
I got from previous writing groups and aspiring writers failed
to do what Bruce has done.
--John
Irvin, teacher, author of the website John's
Life in Thailand
Although
daily journalism was my paycheck, I dreamed of writing fiction. That
dream would not have become reality without Bruce's help. With
his encouragement, I am able to stop agonizing and have
fun writing rough drafts. When I'm ready for the next step, I
use Bruce's craft tips to polish my drafts into stories
worth sharing.
--Donna
Kennedy, PhD, Mythological Studies
Bruce
McAllister has been my writing coach and mentor-not to mention
friend--for the past eight years. During this time he helped
me to get a non-fiction book proposal I'd been working on in
stellar shape to present to publishers and also to get started
on a high-concept mystery novel that is close to my heart. He's
proofread, edited, and critiqued my work, pinpointing the strengths
and weaknesses in my writing, and has encouraged me to follow
my dream of becoming a writer. Because of him, I'm in the
process of completing the final draft of that mystery novel.
--Lori
Levan, writer
If
you wish to get published, really desire it, and are willing
to do the hard work this entails, Bruce will help you realize
your goals. He did so for me.
--Jack
Lopez, author of In
the Break and Snapping
Lines
Bruce
doesn't just teach you how to write; he helps you discover why you
write. I'm a better storyteller, a better editor and a
better writer because
of his help. I've got the tools I need to succeed and a
deeper understanding of the reasons for writing in the first
place. It's the best help I've ever received.
--Brad
Munson, screenwriter, novelist, columnist, author of Inside
Men in Black II, The Mad Throne and Rain, Pasadena,
CA
Bruce
is a master at gently, yet very honestly, shepherding his writers'
projects through to completion while helping those writers be
the best they can possibly be.
--Gianni-Amber
North, filmmaker, Affected: The
Aids Project
Trust
Bruce's genius as a writing consultant! He has been my
book and screenplay coach and consultant for three years now
and has helped me with my scripts, synopses, query letters and
books (and even helped me avoid legal pitfalls with a script
option).
--Laura
Pasten, D.V.M., author of The
Tarantula Whisperer and Sneakers
Bruce
has been a mainstay for me while I was writing my memoir, Dancing
Mama. His
honest critiques, suggestions for improvement and positive reinforcement
truly kept me going.
--Julianna
Richmond, author of Dancing
Mama
If
it were not for Bruce's highly informative workshops
and his invaluable one-on-one coaching, I wouldn't be published
today. He's the best!
--Carol
L. Sayles, author Turn
the Turtle Rightside
Bruce
has been my coach, teacher and mentor for over four years, and
I value his sage advice and keen eye more than any other writing
professional's. His guidance accomplishes the impossible-with
a balance of simultaneous “cut to the chase” feedback
and positive encouragement that keeps me believing in myself
as a writer.
--Linda
E. Savage, Ph.D., author of Reclaiming
Goddess Sexuality: The Power of the Feminine Way
Bruce
McAllister is that rare individual when it comes to helping writers
realize their personal vision. Bruce's natural powers of empathy
allow him to enter into another writer's work and bring a fresh
perspective and approach. Rather than push his own ideas, he
helps a writer see more clearly their own ideas. And his experience
in the publishing industry helps a writer navigate all the minefields
one encounters along the way. Working with Bruce is very much
a journey of the spirit - he helps one grow both as a writer
and, more importantly, as a person.
--Richard
Snodgrass, author of There's
Something in the Back Yard
Bruce
McAllister has been marvelous for my writing in every way. He
is simultaneously coach, editor, agent, and cheerleading squad.
My two years working with him took my work through several quantum
leaps and got me into more than one great MFA program in poetry. I
most appreciate his rigor and intuition, his quick wit and
remarkable eye and ear.
--Theresa
Smith, student, MFA program in creative writing, Purdue University
In
Bruce over the past year I have found the coach,
mentor and ally to help me refine my writing, prepare my manuscript
for publication, and both generate and polish a synopsis, author's
bio and other material for my web site and other promotional
efforts. He has given me personal, ongoing support with
quick responses, great flexibility and honest, up-front communication
about costs. Never once were my needs put on hold. Bruce provides
a comprehensive service that helps me stay focused and on track
toward what I wish to achieve.
--C.
R. Swainward, author of Zyzzack
Breakthrough - The Beginning
A
mentor, by definition, guides, reveals and develops. This
has certainly been my experience. I have learned that birthing
a novel is a spiritual, emotional, and physical undertaking. Bruce
has taken me to a new level of maturity and helped me polish
skills I didn't know I had.
--John
Vanden Heuvel, real estate agent
Through
his coaching and counseling sessions and workshops, Bruce gives
new and established writers incentive and provides creative ideas
that make their work both motivated and marketable.
--Herb
Williams, newspaper columnist and author of Writing
Across the Curriculum and Anywhere Else
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