Excerpts from a review of Writing in Retirement by Gail Sweet, creative writing instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, as it appeared in the Nov./Dec. 2006 issue of WORKING WRITER Magazine www.workingwriter1.com

This is a book for the non-rocking-chair set, for those who look at retirement as a time to explore new ideas, challenges, places in the head. In short, this is a book for people who are awake, like the retired people I have taught in creative writing classes for more than a decade.”

“Campbell’s book is strewn with gems from his own 12 years of writing in retirement, as well as wise words from 14 other writers turning their golden years black with printer’s ink.... Campbell’s tone is always breezy, enthusiastic, and yes – sassy. His book is fun to read. You might try poetry to improve your writing skills. Campbell explains how.

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From the ICONOCLAST, a literary publication issue #94 by Philip Wagner, Editor:

A primer full of encouragement, advice, and information for the aspiring or beginning writer and/or poet. Mr. Campbell offers the how-we-did-it experiences of over a dozen people. He also generously shares his own adventures, opinions, and inspirations. The book is strong in the areas of self-publishing and writing commercially for hire/money. Though addressed to retirees, or those about to retire, most of what is presented is applicable to anyone with an as-yet unfulfilled desire to write and be published.

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from Andy Belmas, Stevens Point, WI

I read your book, Writing in Retirement, with great interest. While I'm far from retirement age, I found the content of the book to be quite remarkable. I appreciate your remarks on writing for the market compared to magazine writing. You inspired me to increase my fee for the marketing work I do. I also appreciate that you include poetry and stories as valuable exercises, if not highly profitable in a monetary sense...

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from Jane Osypowski, Campbellsport, WI

I just finished reading WRITING IN RETIREMENT and wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed it. Even though I am a few years away from retiring, I found the book overflowing with useful information. One of my goals for 2007 is to publish a chapbook. Imagine my delight when I got to chapter sixteen and it gave me all of the information that I will need. I was aware of the number of pages in a chapbook and the fact that it had to be produced landscape with columns, but it would have taken much trial and error to figure out margin settings, etc.. You have saved me all of that time by sharing your experiences. I can't imagine anyone not finishing the book without a sense of excitement and ideas for future writing projects. Thank you so much for publishing this valuable resource."

Thanks also for contributing to THE WISCONSIN REGIONAL WRITER. Your most recent article “Tax Tips for Writers” was very interesting and helpful to writers who sell their work. I am one of those poets who will probably never make enough money to put these tips into use. Still, I am sure that you have helped a number of our members and online readers who have not yet read the entire book.

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Reviewed by Ruth Wucherer in the Michigan publication Inky Train News, issue May/June 2007, page 9.

Wisconsin author John L. Campbell and 13 other writers provide valuable advice in a new book titled "Writing In Retirement". The writers are all retirees from different professions. Some of the writers are from Wisconsin.

Campbell says writing poetry improves writing skills. In his own words on page 33, Campbell says, "If you want to improve your writing skills, practice writing poetry. I use the word practice deliberately, because writing, like all forms, takes practice. The benefits of writing poetry creep into creative nonfiction as well as fiction..." In addition to writing poetry, Campbell suggests that writers take writing classes and join writer groups to help improve writing skills.

I interviewed Campbell, who has been retired for twelve years. He said he has made three discoveries, "First, to excel in any of the arts, you have to put in time and pay your dues. Second, all of the arts are somehow related. Sculptors, poets, dancers, choreographers, musicians, along with interior decorators and artists, share similar minds. Writers often paint and painters, write. Third, if YOU have that artistic mentality, (aka interest and/or talent) and put in the necessary time, writing is an art you can learn to craft."

Campbell says writing has been a terrific creative outlet for his energy. He explains, "I've been blessed with good health, and I need a reason each morning to get out of bed and get moving. For me, writing does it."

One profile in the book is on on Ramon A. Klitzke, who was a former law professor at Marquette University Law School in Milwaukee. He published about 50 law articles on intellectual property during this time. Klitzke retired from Marquette in 1993.

In retirement, Klitzke writes short stories frequently about a female private eye, and poetry. He has also won two 3rd place awards for his non-fiction articles in the Wisconsin Regional Writers annual Jade Ring Contest.

Klitzke admits he does not write every day. He is most productive when he feels pressure as when a writing deadline is approaching before a writing class, and when a writers' meeting is pending.

Campbell's book covers a variety of writing formats. These include poetry, family history, memoir, non-fiction, trade, business and industry articles.

I found Chapter 28 especially interesting because it covers handling income and expenses. Campbell discusses various business entities a writer should know about. These include sole proprietor, partnership, LLC (limited liability corporation), S-corporation, and C-corporation. Campbell also mentions some of the forms that have to be filled out for these business entities.

The only criticism I can make is that I feel Campbell should have added more information on his writing experience for the business, technical, and trade publications. He included some information in chapter 12, but could have added more. For example, Campbell could have mentioned that a writer could obtain steady assignments over a long period of time from a trade magazine editor.

Before retiring in 1995 and turning to freelance writing, Campbell spent most of his adult life working in sales and marketing for the foundry industry. He was self-employed for twenty-six years as a manufactures' agent selling for major metal casting producers. During these years, Campbell contributed many technical and business articles to trade and industry related magazines.

Campbell is very qualified to write this book. He has self-published three paperback books: an anthology, a family history, and a memoir titled "It's Hell To Be Average". He has also published four chapbooks, three of poetry, and one short fiction.

I highly recommend "Writing In Retirement" (softcover, 2006, 150 pages, ISBN 1-58909-316-X). The book can be purchased for $17.95 including tax and postage from Cera, Inc., 17800A Caribou Pass, Brookfield, WI 53045-2041. make the check payable to Cera, Inc.

One can also obtain the book on the Internet at www.ebookstand.com/m/johnlcampell, a POD (print-on-demand) publisher in Houston, Texas, which published the book. Actual printing of the book was done in Green Bay, WO. Cera, Inc. is a C-corporation owned by Campbell and his wife.

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Reviewed by Jane Osypowski in The Wisconsin Regional Writer, Volume 56, Number 2, Summer 2007

You don't have to be entering your “golden years” to appreciate Writing in Retirement by John L. Campbell. Like a visit to a hors d’oeuvres table, Campbell offers a taste of various writing genres. How-to chapters run the gamut from “You Can Learn to Write” to “Writing the Family History” to “Non Fiction Writing.” He shares the ins and outs of “Income and Expenses” and “Self-Publishing and Print-On-Demand.” His 6-page chapter, “Publish a Chapbook” gives basic information regarding page set-up and numbering that any do-it-yourselfer can follow.

These informative chapters are interspersed with stories of his and other retired writers’ experiences. His creative acknowledgment, “Like the threads of yarn in an argyle sock that crisscross, intersect and link forming a unique, colorful pattern…” draws the reader in and perfectly describes this interesting and eclectic writing book. You just may go away tempted to try your hand at a new genre; and if you don't have the time to do so right now, maybe you can try it when you retire.

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