Georgia Writers Association

The Little Red Book of Wisdom

Mark DeMoss

Thomas Nelson, 2007, $16.99

167pp

In this aptly-described book, Mark DeMoss, successful Atlanta public relations executive, builds on wisdom learned from his successful insurance-company founder father, Arthur DeMoss, and adds life lessons of his own. Underlain with a strong Christian faith, this guide to success in living and business conveys powerful advice to those just starting out, as well as those who need a refresher course.

De Moss specializes in public relations for Christian organizations, and he uses biblical quotes, especially from the Book of Proverbs, to punch up both “wisdom for your personal life” and “wisdom for your professional life.” He relates lessons learned from his own experiences: for instance, what selling encyclopedias door-to-door in the summer heat—his first job after high school—taught him about perseverance, salesmanship, and the rewards of doing what he was most afraid to do.

He radiates confidence and love for his work. “I submit that no one, anywhere, ever, is exempt from PR duty,” he claims. “What about the considerable PR I execute simply by paying my bills, having my teeth cleaned, playing golf, going for physicals, loving my wife and kids, and being a son? In one fiscal year, my life endorses or rejects a lengthy list of companies, organizations, people, philosophies, and beliefs for which I’ll never see a dime.”

One of the lessons DeMoss learned is that sometimes people buy because of the salesman rather than the product. Writers—even fiction writers-- would do well to heed this advice. You never can tell who might want to buy your book.

In this season for “dads and grads,” this book would be a good gift.

Anne Lovett, a Georgia native, began her writing career with a humor column for her high school newspaper, hoping to write science fiction. She was educated at Emory and Georgia Tech, receiving a Ph.D. in natural products chemistry. She helped to found a manufacturing and technical supplies company now doing business nationwide and eventually made her way back to writing, though not science fiction. A member of Georgia Writers, Georgia Romance Writers, AWP and Rosemary Daniell’s Zona Rosa Alpha Babes, her short fiction has appeared in