WRITING: The Hobby That Pays
  by Gordon Wells

Learn how to become a writer – and get into print!

It’s the ideal hobby for anyone, any age. It costs little… and you could make money at it. You need no special qualifications, just enthusiasm, ‘stickability’ and a love of words.

Start by writing letters to editors – for payment – and move on to other writing fields.

Learn the basics of writing:

Non-fiction books – write about what you know.

Your writing will bring you pleasure, satisfaction and, maybe, financial benefits – it’s a great hobby!

“keeps the advice coming non-stop and bang up to date... all writing fields are covered here in one book”
Mature Times

“packed with tightly written advice for today's writers”
London Writer Circle

“If you are completely new to writing... here is the guide to get you off to a sound start”
Writing Magazine

“its style and presentation make accessing information quick and easy. It signposts the content very clearly with a detailed index and frequent subheadings, and the language is simple and to the point. It could make the difference to... writers who want to break into the market but have little idea of where to start.”
West Sussex Writers' Club

  Begin Guitar 
  by Douglas J Noble

* * * EXTRA LARGE FORMAT * * *

Learn how to play the guitar – acoustic, classical or electric – in simple, step-by-step stages!

  The Right Way to Sing 
  by Linda Marquart

Do you want to sing? Can you imagine yourself actually singing with the vocal freedom and confidence that you've always desired? Or are you the parent of a young singer, or a choral conductor trying to understand the unique challenges that singers confront?

The Right Way to Sing de-mystifies the skill of singing. It exposes many misconceptions about vocal art and performance and replaces them with a tested, systematic programme which leads to a secure, confident and healthy technique. This constructive and painstaking approach will pay immense dividends in pleasure and success.

Here are just a few of the practical questions that this book will answer for you:

What the critics say

"One of the best introductions to the rudiments of singing...refreshingly direct, well written and free from jargon" . . . Choir & Organ magazine

"thorough and extensive...will benefit both novice and seasoned pro...this book is a great place to begin" . . . Lea Salonga, internationally renowned singer

  Begin Sculpture
  by Ronald Unger

Touch it. Feel it. Run your fingers over it. Sculpture is undoubtedly the most sensual art form, but with Begin Sculpture by Ronald Unger, you will discover that it’s also the most accessible. Why?

Unlike watercolours, it’s incredibly cheap to try out (a tub of clay costs £1.99!). Unlike life-drawing, it is very easy to get good results, and FAST.

You’d think it would be enough simply to get an expert to write a comprehensive guide to sculpture - and Begin Sculpture is certainly a highly informed work, as well as being beautifully presented (76 illustrations).

However, Begin Sculpture is also unique in the way it encourages beginners (who are of course capable of having ideas too!) actually to think about sculpture - to explore it - and to express themselves through their creations.

Whether the aspiring sculptor attends classes or prefers to work independently, Ronald Unger has created the most comprehensive and encouraging starting point available.

  Track Down Your Ancestors
  by Estelle Catlett

Family history is big news. So big in fact, that when the government put the 1901 census onto the internet, the website immediately crashed because no one had remotely anticipated the immense number of users keen to log on!

And, family history is getting bigger. Given the masses of information now obtainable via the internet, family history is much more accessible than it’s ever been.

With five major printings already under its belt and its supremely practical approach, Track Down Your Ancestors has always been a great seller for Right Way.

For this relaunch, Estelle Catlett brings in the increasingly important area of internet detective work and has rigorously updated all her advice on how to gain information from the Registries of births, marriages and deaths, the census returns, parish registers, wills and probate records, old newspapers and the National Archives.

"This new edition includes all the vital information as before and incorporates advice on researching on the internet and visiting the National Archives... There is clear advice on obtaining birth, marriage and death certificates and useful pointers on researching census returns, parish registers, wills and probate records... The book includes an introduction to record offices, archives and libraries in other parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland and suggests other possible sources of information... A good collection of useful names and addresses, telephone numbers, websites, hours of opening and, where appropriate, details of costs are listed in an appendix. This is a handy book at a very friendly price that will start new family historians off on the right foot."

Practical Family History

  Craft and Art - The Business
  by Elizabeth White

Would you like to turn your hobby into your livelihood? Do you feel that you can produce desirable home-made products, but yet are unsure of how to market them, present them to the public, and deal with orders, cash flow and business management?

Elizabeth White has been running her own successful craft business for years, as well as judging at craft fairs and for awards. Here she shares the secrets of her success so that you too can sell the articles you create.

Whether you’re a potter, painter, silversmith or stonemason, you need not feel afraid of taking the plunge. The book covers all aspects of setting up and maintaining a thriving craft business - from finding studio space, promotion and advertising, to exhibiting at craft and trade fairs - and clearly explains the often confusing processes involved in running your own business.

  Improve Your Piano Playing
  by Dr John Meffen

The art of good piano playing is not, as many believe, merely a result of one's innate 'musical gift': the only way to improve upon your talent is to practise, and to practise the right way. If you already know the basics, and wish to bring your playing up to a better standard - either for exams, performance, or personal pleasure - then Improve Your Piano Playing will help you do so.

Dr John Meffen here shows you how you can dramatically improve your technique. You can eradicate recurring mistakes, and master the art of workable fingering, expressive touch, phrasing, tone production and pedalling.

The process of learning a new piece is made simple and accurate with Dr Meffen's tried and tested techniques. Also included is an invaluable chapter on the inner workings of the piano which will help you choose the right piano for your needs and ability.

Some reviews of Improve Your Piano Playing

"This book should be a help once you've acquired even a few basic lessons in the past, and offers a guide on the best way to make progress . . . The book will certainly help if you have the motivation. Recommended as a teaching aid - perhaps all piano teachers should have a copy to loan to students."

The Northern Echo

"A delight to read, this book is a real find for both the beginning and the advanced pianist."

Christina Dahl, Associate Professor of Piano, Stony Brook University

"This book is a wonderfully precise guide to help the young pianist develop his or her skills...It will become required reading for my students."

Ileana Fernandez, Director of Piano Studies, Florida Community College, Jacksonville

  The Right Way to Read Music
  by Harry and Michael Baxter

Whether you are learning to play the piano, blow a trumpet, conduct an orchestra, or sing, the essentials of music notation are the same.

This book is a complete approach to musical study, from the first note you read to the beginnings of harmony. It simplifies musical theory into logical steps, clearly written for all including the non-musical. It is also a textbook which prepares you fully for the relevant parts of GCSE Music, or for the theory parts of the exams of the various music boards.

The authors are both experienced music teachers: Harry Baxter studied at the Hochschule für Musik, Berlin and at the Royal Academy of Music in London, while his son Michael graduated from King's College, London University, and the Royal Academy of Music, and now shares his time between teaching at Luton Sixth Form College, Advanced Level examining, composing, and running his own music publishing business.

What the critics say

"if you want to know about music theory we recommend The Right Way To Read Music" . . . Future Music magazine

"a complete approach to musical study" . . . Candis magazine

"a straightforward, no-nonsense introduction to musical notation and theory" . . . BBC Music magazine