Soap opera has become the most popular form of radio and television drama and now constitutes the biggest market for modern day dramatists. For the new writer, as well as those experienced in other genres, this book reveals how Soap works. As well as covering the specifics of Soap writing, Chris Curry guides the writer through the uniquely collaborative process from storylining to finished script. 'A clear, honest, practical and funny guide to soap writing' - Valerie Windsor.

The pure luxury of soaps made with coconut butter, almond oil, aloe vera, oatmeal, and green tea is one of life’s little pleasures. And with the help of Anne-Marie Faiola, author of Soap Crafting and Milk Soaps, it’s easy to make luscious, all-natural soaps right in your own kitchen. This collection of 32 recipes ranges from simple castile bars to intricate swirls, embeds, and marbled and layered looks. Begin with a combination of skin-nourishing oils and then add blueberry puree, dandelion-infused water, almond milk, coffee grounds, mango and avocado butters, black tea, or other delicious ingredients — and then scent your soap with pure essential oils. Step-by-step photography guides you through every stage of cold-process soapmaking.

Soap operas have captured loyal, often lifelong viewers since the first American daytime serial debuted in 1949. In this collection of 29 new and five classic essays and recollections, authors and soap opera insiders delve into the passion for television melodrama that compels viewers to "tune in tomorrow." The contributors include iconic soap star Thorsten Kaye, journalist Leigh Montville, authors Elinor Lipman and Ann Hood, and editors of Soaps in Depth magazine. They explore the soap phenomenon from a range of perspectives and consider the appeal of a venerable genre in which, as novelist Jacquelyn Mitchard observes, "everyone's life was more depressing than mine."

A no-nonsense, direct down-the-lens look at the television industry written from the point of view of a television drama producer who's been there, done it, fought some battles and won the odd award. Written in an engaging, anecdotal tone, Writing for Television provides advice on: - Getting an agent - The type of writer television's looking for - The tool kit a television writer needs - The writer/script editor relationship - How to structure a storyline - How to write good treatments and outlinesPacked full of useful insights, links and information, the book includes interviews with successful television writers working today, pointers on how to work collaboratively in the industry and how to make good contacts with the people who can further your career. 'Yvonne delivers a practical, accessible, no-nonsense guide to the world of writing for popular TV' - Mal Young, Producer, writer and former BBC Controller of Drama Series 'A very comprehensive and informative book on TV script writing. Yvonne covers every conceivable point that will help writers wanting to break into writing for the small screen, whilst at the same time creating a very accessible read' - Tony McHale, Sanctuary Films

Forget everything you've heard about the daytime soap opera going the way of the old Betamax tapes that were used to record them. The style and influence of the afternoon serial resonate in every existing dramatic entertainment and reality show, as the soaps continue to engross and entertain millions of viewers around the world every single day. In Afternoon Delight: Why Soaps Still Matter, author and veteran soap expert Carolyn Hinsey brings a unique passion and perspective to the genre, having covered daytime television for more than twenty years. In this enthralling new work, she shares all the dirt, dish, and drama that make soaps great from what happens on-set to what makes it on-air, from backstage drama to back room dealings, and all the sensational soapy scandal from the daytime bedroom to the network boardroom.Filled with fascinating anecdotes, celebrity contributions, insider analyses, and a true fan's perspective; Afternoon Delight: Why Soaps Still Matter vividly makes the case that daily dramas still serve up a delicious dish of programming with a purpose. Where are we now? The #1 soap "The Young and the Restless," currently has over 4 million viewers every day (take that, Jon Stewart!). "As The World Turns" went off the air in Sept. 2010 with a higher rating than "Mad Men." Clearly, there is enormous interest in the still-surviving daytime soaps and a desire for them to thrive for another 50 years. Soap operas have blazed a trail across television that continues to be relevant in our homes and in our lives to this day; to millions of loyal viewers there is no doubt that you can still find plenty of love in the afternoon!

The soap opera, one of U.S. television's longest-running and most influential formats, is on the brink. Declining ratings have been attributed to an increasing number of women working outside the home and to an intensifying competition for viewers' attention from cable and the Internet. Yet, soaps' influence has expanded, with serial narratives becoming commonplace on most prime time TV programs. The Survival of Soap Opera investigates the causes of their dwindling popularity, describes their impact on TV and new media culture, and gleans lessons from their complex history for twenty-first-century media industries. The book contains contributions from established soap scholars such as Robert C. Allen, Louise Spence, Nancy Baym, and Horace Newcomb, along with essays and interviews by emerging scholars, fans and Web site moderators, and soap opera producers, writers, and actors from ABC's General Hospital, CBS's The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, and other shows. This diverse group of voices seeks to intervene in the discussion about the fate of soap operas at a critical juncture, and speaks to longtime soap viewers, television studies scholars, and media professionals alike.