Leaders, business owners or people who want to get things done effectively need strong writing communications skills. This book offers useful insights into how to make your writing more persuasive and memorable. These are the tips, advice points, and examples of an expert communicator. Whether it’s persuading through newspaper “op-eds,” speeches, or even during crisis communications, “A Wordsmith’s Work” will improve the success of your message and enhance the reputation of your chosen messenger.
Author Mark Weaver has counseled thousands of clients all across America. He worked one-on-one with the Great Communicator himself, President Ronald Reagan. NBC News in Charlotte, North Carolina called Weaver "one of the nation's foremost experts in crisis communications." His weapon of choice: powerful words. Words that persuade, inspire, and amuse. That's why Mark Weaver is sought out by corporate leaders, university presidents, and public officials all across America for high-level counsel on how to communicate better.
Weaver’s spot-on use of words that move people and change minds is on display throughout this book. Here are just a few examples:
Describing his early work as a writer for hire:
“The prose was workmanlike and passable for the tasks I was assigned. Some projects were fun to write. Others felt like ten miles of bad road.”
Pointing out the need to have a different viewpoint before writing an op-ed:
“Op-eds advancing the conventional wisdom don’t offer anything interesting to the readers of newspapers. We all agree motherhood is a good thing. Everyone wants to thank our troops for their service. The duck-billed platypus is sadly misunderstood. Thus, op-eds about those topics are less likely to be published.”
Advising readers how to deal with an ambush interview from a TV news crew:
“In old western movies, the good guy wore a white hat and the bad guy wore a black one. This basic narrative is in play during every ambush scenario. It’s important for the principal to remember that it’s not enough to be the good guy; it’s equally important to act like the good guy.”
Lamenting the difficulty of writing:
“Each time a notion pesters me into action and I finally sit down to square off against a menacing blank screen and toothy keyboard, I boldly aspire yet again to the calling of wordsmith. This book chronicles those journeys of composition.”
When you read "A Wordsmith's Work," you'll be moved, persuaded, and you may even laugh out loud. If you're interested in more effective speeches, news media relations, or communications, then this is the book for you.
Perhaps this book and its author’s perspective is best summed up by U.S. Congressman Bill Johnson, who wrote the edition’s forward. Johnson’s key point:
“There’s no more apt term to describe Mark Weaver than what’s reflected in the title of this book — he is truly a ‘wordsmith.’ He’s a master at understanding the cultural, societal, and media influences of the day. He takes that knowledge and crafts a message that cuts through the confusion, so people see the clear truth.”
Praise for "A Wordsmith's Work"
National Fraternal Order of Police President Chuck Canterbury: “While Mark Weaver has used his considerable skills as a wordsmith to defend crime victims and law enforcement officers all across America, the tips and examples in this book can help everyone communicate better."
U.S. Congressman Brad Wenstrup: "This collection of Mark Weaver's work shows his innate ability to capture the art of messaging. By combining logic, facts, and, often, humor, Mark hits home with his audience."
Former Ohio Attorney General Betty Montgomery: “Rich and thoughtful commentary on major issues of the last three decades, this book and its author reflect a depth of experience and thought that make it well worth reading!"
Mark R. Weaver is a communications advisor and media lawyer with three decades of national communications experience. He has extensive experience working with public and private sector clients on crisis communications, executive speech coaching, and media relations. He's counseled business leaders, public officials, and university presidents across America. NBC News in Charlotte, North Carolina called him "one of the nation's foremost experts in crisis communications."
Prior to founding his national consulting firm, Weaver was the Deputy Attorney General of Ohio, where he was responsible for crisis management, strategic counseling, and all communications for an agency with 1,400 employees and 50,000 cases. His past professional assignments include serving as U.S Department of Justice Spokesman, Public Information Director for a Pennsylvania city, and Vice President of a national communications firm in Washington, D.C. He's also served as a felony-level prosecutor, litigating jury trials against sex offenders, rapists, and other dangerous criminals.
In 1993, Weaver wrote, produced and directed the TV special "An American Story," hosted by former President Ronald Reagan. Weaver has earned more than a dozen national awards for his media and communications expertise, including three Telly Awards.
He earned Bachelors and Masters degrees in Public Administration as well as a Juris Doctorate. He's admitted to practice law in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia. In 2004, the University of Akron awarded Mr. Weaver an honorary degree in Applied Politics. Weaver is an adjunct professor at The Ohio State University College of Law, the University of Akron, and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Weaver's op-ed writing has been featured in several major U.S. newspapers and he has been interviewed by every major national media outlet including 60 Minutes, Nightline, ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, MSNBC, CNN, FOX News, NPR, BBC, USA Today, Newsweek, Time, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, and the Associated Press.
He has an active Twitter presence at @MarkRWeaver.
