Testimonials
&
Book Reviews
Student Testimonials
Here are some of the unsolicited comments
I received from students attending one or more of this summer's workshops:
"Dear Mike,
Thanks so much for a superb workshop day and to Kitty for the great food.
Nice group of people and your house is a gem. I would call today a perfect
workshop experience."
Shirley Brewer - 2004 MWA Poetry winner (Shirley also signed up for another
workshop)
* * *
"Dear Mike,
I wanted to thank you for the fabulous workshop you gave. You were very
well organized and I greatly appreciated that. Thank you for sharing from
your heart. I am looking forward to reading your book and talking with
you in the future. Please kiss your lovely honey for me and tell her the
food at the workshop was fabulous and beyond my wildest dreams. I made
her crab soup recipe and everything went beautifully until the cap fell
off the pepper! Just imagine the ending to this hot story.
With gratitude,"
Georgia Chantiles-Ruby
* * *
"Good Morning Mike,
I just wanted to thank you for the opportunity to come out to your home
and be part of the incredible workshop that you held for us writers!!
I learned so many things that I had to let them all sink in before I could
begin to process them. I already copied half of your notes...the query
letter that you wrote was an immense help to me too. Such great ideas
and lessons!!
As I was driving home, I thought to myself that I couldn't believe it
was over already. I had anticipated going to your workshop for over a
month, and as slow as it came to arrive, that day flew by. I didn't want
it to be over. Thank you for the great food that you and Kitty set out
for us. You truly have a warm and inviting home and are an inspiration
to the rest of us just starting out.
Thanks you again,"
Cindy Guenzer
* * *
"Mike:
I took your class at Centennial three years ago when I was writing a novel
about manufacturing and accounting. I remember when you asked me to read
a few pages of my manuscript and you said that it wasn't dialogue, it
was a speech. You were a great help.
A few rewrites later I completed the book entitled Who's
Counting? Just wanted to let you know it was published in April
of 2003, received a very prestigious award this year - The Shingo Award
for manufacturing excellence, and I just had my second book released,
entitled Leading Lean. Who's
Counting? has also been translated into Chinese for that market -
and they asked permission and paid for the rights (not much though). So
thanks for your assisatance, Don't know if I would have made it without
your class!"
Jerry Solomon
* * *
"Mike,
I had a wonderful time at your home yesterday. I needed the mental and
communal kick in the ___ that your seminar provided. I also loved the
food and warmth that you and Kitty have. Ever consider starting a bed/book/breakfast
retreat?
Regards,"
Nancy Abramson
* * *
"Mike Sackett's workshop was exactly what I needed in my creative writing endeavors. And it was a lot of fun, a balanced and amazingly thorough treatment of the many topics that novice writers are aching to hear about. Mike's presentation style was informal, energetic and informative. He always encouraged dialogue and imparted a genuine feeling that he was learning as much as teaching. His enthusiasm is contagious. The handouts were very helpful, providing focus and direction on subjects covered in class. Mike's examples from both well-known and obscure works were poignant, entertaining and illustrative of his class topics. Most significant to me personally was the concept Mike conveyed that writing is a craft that can be taught like any trade. That alone was worth the price of admission for the hope that it conveys to someone like myself who is struggling to get it right.
Perhaps the best endorsement I can give is to say that I have signed up for another workshop. I'm sure that I will learn as much or more the second time around."
Arthur Helbig
* * *
"Dear Mike,
I've never known a teacher so inspiring . Your enthusiasm is contagious and your knowledge of writing so wide-ranging that I could easily have been intimidated...but that's not the way you made me feel. Your presentation was so down to earth and your handout material so complete that I actually got it. Since taking your course I finally finished the novel I'd been puttering with for so long. I've even gotten some real interest from publishers. I can't thank you enough, Mike."
Pam S (surname withheld at student's request)
* * *
"Mike,
I felt that your forum was both interesting and informative and I had a great time! You encourage participation, you provide honest feedback (and expect each of us to do the same when we hear the works of our classmates). Please keep me on your mailing list."
Prem Choppala
* * *
"Dear Mike,
Please keep me on your mailing list, and inform me of any other workshops you may be having.... Your fiction writing class was one of the most informative and fun classes I have ever taken.
Sincerely,"
Bob Wetmore
* * *
"Thanks Mike,
It feels great! (...to win 2nd place in MWA's short story contest). Please save a space for me in your next workshop; the check is in the mail."
Marquita (Marquita Friday, Mike's former student and runner-up, 2004 MWA short story competition)
* * *
"Hi Mike,
Things have been a little hectic lately, but I wanted to see if there is still a spot open for your workshop? I'd love to attend.
Hope all is well, and hope to see you soon."
Dave (Ltc. Dave Ridlon, Mike's former student, US Army intelligence officer and veteran of the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. Dave's short story, The Red Sword, was recently published in an anthology of Irish Christmas stories called, Thatch & Holly)
* * *
Mike's reply to Ltc. Ridlon's letter:
Hi Dave,
I'm glad to hear from you. I was concerned about your health. Absolutely, there's a spot for you.
I'll see you at our next workshop.
Mike
* * *
Dear Mike,
Thanks so much for a superb workshop day, and to Kitty for great food.
I also enjoyed the other kitty, Figaro, and meeting your daughter, Meghan.
I love my flamingo and rose tattoos, and have postponed my bedtime so
I can enjoy them a little longer.
Started reading The Striped Lion, which I am thoroughly enjoying, especially
in light of all I learned today. Terrific first chapter - poor Jeff! And
Freeman is such a dirtbag!! Can't wait to read more tomorrow.
Nice group of people, and your house is a gem. No problems getting home
either. I would call today a perfect workshop experience. It will be fun
to try out what I learned, and I'll let you know how it goes. The handouts
are such a good idea. I signed up for another session. Already looking
forward to the September 18 date.
If you need help with MWA Conference 2005, please let me know.
Shirley Brewer
* * *
Mike,
I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for the great workshop yesterday.
It was excellent!! A terrific inspiration to get the creative juices flowing
again. The workshop format is an excellent follow-up to your HCC course.
It really helped me to focus more and pinpoint on some of the areas I
learned during your class, and have since tried to apply with my writing.
Also, please pass along my thanks to Kitty for the coffee spread in the
morning, and the vast and delicious lunch.
It was good to see you. Again, thank you so much.
Dave Ridlon
* * *
I would like to thank you for a thoroughly wonderful day. I left super-saturated, with hundreds of things to revisit. I can't wait to dive into the notes you provided.
My husband is hoping to take a writing seminar sometime
in the next year. Today was a special day for Bonna and I to do something
together, but perhaps Craig and I will come together another time.
Best of luck with everything
Monica
* * *
Mike,
I had a fantastic time at the workshop. I will send you a poem about the day and other remarks soon.
Bonna Nelson
PS I am loving your book. Hard to put down!!
* * *
Mike and Kitty:
Leaving your house and environs almost made me sad,
as the
group texture was so fulfilling. We had food for the soul as well as the
body, so I returned to the classroom invigorated and anxious to use what
I
learned with the children as well as myself.
Thank you. Karen
* * *
Dear Mike,
The Enchanted Day has come and gone but I will certainly be back for another workshop. It was so wonderful.
You so generously shared so much knowledge with us. My husband grabbed your book immediately and now we can fight over it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Dear Kitty,
You are so gracious and never has such a lovely breakfast and lunch been served. The Cream of Crab Soup is second to none.
I love your beautiful historic home. It all fits together.
Love,
Judith Murdoch
* * *
Mike,
Thanks to you and Kitty for being such wonderful hosts. The food was great, the setting was beautiful and the conversation stimulating.
Mike, It is a testament to your humility and generosity that you so openly share your knowledge on writing and publishing. There are few in the business who would do the same; most keeping their well-earned wisdom as a tightly guarded secret...or, at least, an expensive one. You are an inspiration to me, not only to get started on my writing but also on how to keep my ego in check along the way."
Ann Miller
Reviews
for Mike's latest novel, The Striped Lion
"An engrossing, emotionally compelling tale..."
Pam Wallace, Oscar-winning author of Witness
"The Striped Lion is a real page-turner with a great plot and tight literary style."
Jack Hanna, Animal expert and star of nationally-syndicated Jack Hanna's Animal Adventures
"The Striped Lion is more than an awesome read. The author is donating all proceeds from the book's first printing to Partners In Conservation's work saving the mountain gorilla from extinction. Our project is indebted to Mike for his generosity."
Charlene Jendry, Cofounder, Partners In Conservation
"A well-told story that will capture your heart and hold you spellbound."
Lea Thompson, award-winning actress of stage, screen and television
"A great adventure story. It just doesn't get any better than this."
Paul Newman, script writer for 'Tarzan' and 'Lone Ranger' comics
"The Striped Lion is wonderful! I've dedicated my whole life to these magnificent animals and no other story has so captured their essence. My eyes filled with tears as I read the last pages."
'Safari Jane' Tetslaff, big cat trainer and breeder of North America's first tiger-lioness hybrids
"Compelling and gripping. I hope such writing will inspire people to learn more about the real subjects of the book."
Dr. Kathy Quigley, The Siberian Tiger Project
"The Striped Lion is not science fiction! Techniques described in this book are being used today."
Kevin Willis, conservation biologist, The American Zoo and Aquarium Association
"If the gorillas who will benefit from the sale of The Striped Lion could read, they'd agree this is a wonderful, rip-roaring, one-of-a-kind story."
Mary Jo Putney, best-selling author
Honeysuckle Hill Writing Workshop
P.O. Box 5015
Glen Arm, Maryland 21057-0015410 663 0455
.