Jon Samsel

Writing For Interactive Media is a revised and updated version of the highly successful, Interactive Writer’s Handbook. Writing For Interactive Media offers a vital introduction to the key skills and concepts every writer needs to master the emerging craft of interactive writing. Authors Jon Samsel and Darryl Wimberley explore the entire gamut of multimedia activity, elucidating the basics of interactive storytelling as well as the intricacies of writing hypertext, gaming applications, and corporate training programs. They show how to plan and structure interactive ideas, write and design compelling characters and multiform plots, create design proposals and interactive screenplays, understand the mechanics of hypertext fiction and online narratives, and write informational and educational multimedia.

Included are interviews with leading visionaries Greg Roach, Neal Stephenson, and Michael Joyce, and an exclusive look behind the scenes of such popular interactive creations as MGM’s Paul Is Dead, The X-Files, and the role-playing saga Myst. Sample documents, proposals, and scripts are also provided, as well as expert tips for networking, negotiation, and sidestepping the most common mistakes when writing interactive documents.

• Publisher: Allworth Press
• Pub. Date: December 2003
• ISBN-13: 9781581150056
• 324pp

Universities/Colleges Utilizing Writing For Interactive Media as a Textbook

Partial List

1. UCLA
2. Georgia Tech
3. UC Irvine
4. George Washington University
5. San Francisco State University
6. University of Cambridge
7. UMASS
8. Duquesne University
9. John Hopkins University
10. Loyola Marymount University - Los Angeles
11. Boston University
12. Florida State University
13. So. Illinois University
14. Ball State University
15. Mesa Collage
16. Arizona State University
17. Lange Community College
18. Long Beach State University
19. U.S. International Univerity - San Diego
20. University of Advancing Computer Technology
21. Wayne State University
22. Simi Valley Adult School
23. Collin County Community College
24. Master Institute
25. Drexel University
26. Indiana University
27. Cal Lutheran University
28. Texas Tech University
29. University of California at Riverside
30. University College, Cork, Ireland
31. New York University

Reviews

“This book gives writers all the tools they’ll ever need to create tomorrow’s stories today.”

- Douglas Gayeton, writer/director, Sony Imagesoft game, Johnny Mnemonic

“Samsel and Wimberley understand interactive multimedia project development
better than anybody I know. In this fascinating book, they make a
complex subject simple and easy to understand, and provide practical
advice on writing and design that can be applied to real projects.”

-Kenneth Lee, President and CEO, Objective Reality, Inc.

“The definitive book that merges story with technology. Mandatory
for creative writers to understand the mechanisms of digital media and
essential for technologists to understand the applications of
storytelling.”

-Lynn Isenberg, Producer, I Love You to Death and The Funeral Planner

“Interactive writing is a whole new ball game when it comes to
production. Even though I don’t consider myself a writer, I found the
book to be extremely helpful in kicking off our multimedia department.
I learned to create a design document that helped to sell the
interactive training idea to my company and now we¹ve been producing
CD’s for the last two years.”

-Brigette Callahan, Creative Director, Amiable Technologies, Inc.

“Samsel and Wimberley immersed themselves in a humbling, often hallucinatory
creative process and have managed to extract a series of lucid
guidelines that will help anyone about to take the plunge.”

-Michael Kaplan, Creator, Paul Is Dead

“An indispensable reference that paradoxically helps writers focus
and expand the creative process. A rare book and touchstone for
brainstorming.”

-Larry Kay, President, Toonsmiths

Table of Contents

The Interactive Writer’s Handbook is the first book of its kind to teach you everything you need to know about the emerging craft of interactive writing; from character and story issues to compensation and design paradigms. Learn how to create documents such as design proposals, interactive screenplays, and flow modules that will meet the rigid standards of colleagues and industry professionals. The book includes sample proposals, pages from actual interactive screenplays, a step-by-step breakdown of the interactive writer contract, a glossary of terms, interviews with leading interactive writer/designers such as Raymond Benson (Dark Seed II, Ultima VII, Are You Afraid of the Dark?), Douglas Gayeton (Johnny Mnemonic), Larry Kay (Muppets Treasure Island, Freddi Fish), Michele Em (Return to Zork), Carolyn Miller (Toy Story Animated Storybook), Terry Borst (Wing Commanader III & IV), and much more!

• Publisher: Carronade Group
• Pub. Date: January 1996
• ISBN-13: 9781885452030
• 166pp

Reviews

“Groundbreaking text…an enormous value to writers”
- Norman Weinstein
Computer Press Assoc.

“An entertaining book on how to crash the multimedia party…a welcome how-to book”
- Andy Marx
Inter@ctive Week

“If you’re trying to make the jump from linear to interactive writing…this book provides in depth material”
- New Media Magazine

Table of Contents

	Preface
	Introduction
Ch. 1	The Digital Frontier
Ch. 2	The Documents
Ch. 3	Smart Stories and Design Structure
Ch. 4	Story Dynamics: The Spine Comes to Life
Ch. 5	The Anatomy of Character
Ch. 6	Toward an Interactive Aesthetic
Ch. 7	The Art of the Deal
	Appendix
	Interactive Samples
	More Interviews
	Writer’s Guild Contracts
	Writing Resources
	Subterfuge Sample Pages
	Glossary
	Index

Dead Ahead is a dynamic business guide that defines and helps resolve the key challenges that all companies face as the Web becomes an integral part of doing business.

Lucidly written text details innovative ways to facilitate consumer behavior on the Web; create a game plan that fits business needs; resolve leadership, organization, and budgetary isles for Web strategies; establish a brand, gauge competition, internationalize Web presence; and invest in the right technology to succeed.

Reviews

“Dead Ahead articulates the challenges every company faces as the Web becomes a more integral part of doing business. The lessons Windham provides are based on real-world experience and will add value at every stage of a company’s Internet strategy.”

— Tony Winders, President, Interactive Agency, Inc.

“Dead Ahead asks the right questions . . . . When Web-focused
start-ups are saying ‘Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!’ can any
company afford not to learn the new rules of business?”

— Ned Hoyt, President and Founder, iOwn.com

“Dead Ahead is an invaluable strategy guide for executive managers
across all business sectors and a blueprint for competing in the New
World arena. A fresh and fast-paced read for today’s dynamic business
environment.”

— Chris Sinton, Director, Cisco Connection Online

“I’d like to smack this book on the side of the head of every CEO
who thinks the Internet is only about collateral distribution, banner
ads, fancy graphics, or online sales. Businesses have to realize that
the playing field is not only leveled by the Internet, but that it’s going
to favor those who’s entire company fully understands and embraces it.
Dead Ahead has identified the iceberg and has shouted the warning. . .
. Will your company be able to maneuver in time?”

— Anthony Sanchez, Senior Manager, Internet Programs and Development, Oracle Support Services

“This book provides a clear vision of what is required of business
leaders facing the Web dilemma head on. Windham’s seminal analysis of
the six new rules of business is both informative and extremely
valuable. A fresh, intelligent survival manual.”

— Barry Peters, Director of Marketing, ONSALE

“This easy-to-read, easy-to-understand guide should be on every
executive’s 1999 reading list. Regardless of industry, knowledge of how
to move the enterprise into the Internet economy is critical. Dead
Ahead is an indispensable reference.”

— Pamela Roberts, Senior Director, E-Business, Symantec Corporation

“Windham is an authority in what is the new culture of business.
Dead Ahead is more than a good read it’s an indispensable road map for
developing an effective Web business strategy. Ignore her advice at
your peril.”

— Charles Austin, President, Austin Digital Media Consulting

“Windham’s insight on the importance of first mover advantage is
right on target. This fact means that existing businesses must not only
move to the Web, but they must do it quickly if they hope to take
advantage of this discontinuous innovation. This book clearly explains
how companies can move forward successfully in this new environment.”

—David Perry, CEO and Founder, Chemdex, Inc

ISBN: 1581150334

ISBN-13: 9781581150339

Format: Hardcover, 260pp

Publisher: Allworth Communications

Pub. Date: November 2003

How To Write Books That Sell is part marketing guide, part writing manual, part inspirational handbook, this is an invaluable companion for writers of all genres. It provides every author - whether novice or pro - with successful strategies for creating and moving a book idea from proposal to published page in today’s competitive book business. Also provided are practical and heartening insights from such bestselling authors as John Grisham, Tom Clancy, Garrison Keillor, Jean Auel, Stephen King, and many others.

For writers of all styles and backgrounds, students and teachers of writing and journalism, and anyone interested in the world of publishing. How to Write Books That Sell provides inspiration and skills for turning any budding project into a profitable adventure.

Hardcover: 205 pages
Publisher: Allworth Press; 2nd edition (March 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581150067
ISBN-13: 978-1581150063
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches

How To Write Articles That Sell is a practical and inspirational handbook that will guide aspiring writers as well as seasoned pros through the mysteries of researching, writing, and selling freelance articles for magazines, newspapers, and Internet zines. With explicit examples and an easy-to-understand writing style, L. Perry Wilbur and Jon Samsel help writers to realize their inherent power for creative expression by showing how to transform bright ideas into saleable articles.

Covering how to pick a topic, tailor articles to a particular market, create a winning query letter, work with an editor, combine text with the right photographs, sidebars, and graphics, and break into emerging markets on the Internet and World Wide Web, this book is a unique and timeless resource for writers of all ages and levels of experience.

Hardcover: 211 pages
Publisher: Allworth Press; 2nd edition (May 1999)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1581150148
ISBN-13: 978-1581150148
Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.7 inches

Editor / Contributing Author

The Multimedia Directory - Editions 1-7, Interactive Music Handbook, Going Global: Multimedia Marketing and Distribution 1994-1996 Edition sponsored by the Multimedia Development Group, and the Interactive Publisher’s Handbook.