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simon

simon has written 588 posts for readersvoice.com

How to Write Stories that Sell by Edward S. Fox

READERSVOICE.COM aims to give a few samples from interesting out of print books. Many of these are forgotten but all of them are as good as anything published recently. This issue features some tips from How to Write Stories that Sell, by Edward S. Fox. This book was written in 1961, and the hardback quoted […]

How to Write Stories that Sell p2

Edward S. Fox said that stories are all about emotion… Mr Fox wrote: The chief purpose of fiction is to arouse emotions in the reader. From the first to the last page, that is your whole reason for writing. Whereas the article writer appeals to the intellect, the fiction writer appeals to the emotions. He […]

How to Write Stories that Sell p3

Other tips from How to Write Stories that Sell, by Edward S. Fox… Mr Fox said to describe a scene through a character’s eyes. This dramatises the setting. He writes: Don’t forget that the reader wants to identify himself with the protagonist; he wants to live the story with the protagonist. He gives an e.g.: […]

A Treasury of Jewish Folklore, 1948.

READERSVOICE.COM aims to give a few samples from excellent out of print books. Sometimes they are forgotten books, yet they’re as good as anything new. Here are some funny gags and jokes from old collections of Jewish humor. Some of these may have been featured before on readersvoice.com, but good jokes are worth retelling. Happy […]

Encyclopedia of Jewish Humor, 1969

Here are some samples from Encyclopedia of Jewish Humor, From Biblical Times to the Modern Age by Henry D. Spalding, Jonathon David Publishers, New York, 1969.  PAPA kissed his wife, as was his custom before leaving for the shop every morning, and then he patted his little boy on the head. “Goodbye, Sollie,” he said, […]

A Treasury of Yiddish Stories, 1955.

Here are some samples from A Treasury of Yiddish Stories, edited by Irving Howe and Eliezer Greenberg, drawings by Ben Shahn. First published 1955, Andre Deutsch, London. Most are short stories but there are some quick gags in the final chapters of the book.   A Hearing Aid. Someone saw a Chelmite writing a letter […]

Tales from the Bagel Lancers, 1967

Here are some Yiddish jokes from Tales from the Bagel Lancers by Gerry Blumenfeld, published 1967, Paperback Library, New York. There are some very good jokes in this book if you can find a copy. The book is: Dedicated with affection to my husband, Harold, who has generously shared my joys, my sorrows, and my […]

The Meanderings of Oswald p1

READERSVOICE.COM aims to collect a few samples from interesting out of print books. The Meanderings of Oswald is a 1943 paperback with a lot of jokes from WW2. This issue quotes from a tattered old volume with three rusted staples left in the front cover, with one staple missing. The author is listed as W.W.W., […]

The Meanderings of Oswald p2

Here are some old gags from The Meanderings of Oswald, published 1943… There was also the learned judge who was travelling in company with an eminent lawyer. An old gentleman fo patriarchal appearance, with whom the lawyer exchanged greetings, got on the bus, and the judge, a very keen teetotaller, whispered to the lawyer: “Who […]

The Meanderings of Oswald p3

More jokes from a WW2 era joke book from New Zealand… The people in the railway train were startled by the entrance of two masked men, one large and the other small, both armed with revolvers. “Throw up your hands,” barked the big man. “We’re going to rob all the men and kiss all the […]