Check out a glowing review of the book in the March/April 2006 issue of SCR(I)PT magazine.

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From Amazon.com:

Reading this book again and again, February 16, 2006

Reviewer: Johnny Weyand "Head of Stacks, Widener Library" (Harvard)

Beyond the quality of the writing itself, I personally value a screenwriting book (of which I've read dozens) by how much broader a perspective I gained from reading the work, how many times I've referred to it after an initial reading, and how many notes I've take on it. Iglesias' work ranks high in all three categories for me. His relentless message is the absolute necessity of generating emotions -- any set of emotions -- in a film audience and particularly in the script reader. Being able to write in a way that produces changes in the emotional state of the script reader is what separates a purchasable, directable, and successful film from the opposite.

Throughout Writing for Emotional Impact, the author drives home the need for the writer (you) to produce emotional changes through conscious design of structure, plot, theme, character development, etc. All good screenwriting books deliver the same message to some extent, but the relentless focus of this book on emotional impact has really gotten through to me and I've had concrete, positive results in my writing. Refreshing insights I've taken from this book are the breadth and "families" of possible emotional reader responses, how each might be achieved via writing, the need for a wide variety of emotions in any one script, the point that any emotional response is better than none, and the certainty that writing in order to generate emotions is hardly manipulation, it's what people go to movies for in the first place -- a meaningful emotional experience seldom found in real life. I've had the book maybe three weeks and already it's a little dog-eared.

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One of the best, February 2, 2006

Reviewer: DC (Southern California)

I have several shelves lined with screenwriting books - some invaluable, but many disposable. I was lucky enough to discover this book and it is easily one of the best I've read in the last several years. The information is very insightful, well-detailed and excellently broken down. Definitely worth every penny.

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I took Karl's UCLA course on which the book is based, December 2, 2005

Reviewer: H. Satterfield (LA, CA)

Having already received my MFA from the American Film Institute, I was surprised at how much I learned about screenwriting while taking Karl's class. Karl's class -- or book -- (plus David Freeman's Beyond Structure) would be the two MUST-HAVE courses for any screenwriter, seasoned or not. I've been waiting for the book for over a year. I can't recommend it enough.

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A MUST HAVE BOOK, November 16, 2005

Reviewer: Jeffrey L. Armbruster (Rancho Santa Margarita, CA)

This is a must have book. Why does anyone read a story or go to a movie? To get an emotional kick. Interest equals emotional connection. Period. Read this book to learn how to ehance the emotional impact of your story. Emotion is the bedrock.

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One word: WOW!, October 24, 2005

Reviewer: Lance Perry "Lance" (Concord, MA)

I've waited two years for this book, ever since I attended one of Karl Iglesias's dialogue seminars at the Screenwriting Expo. And boy, I'm not disappointed. I'm not a professional screenwriter like the previous reviewer but I second his thoughts on this incredible book. What an achievement to offer aspiring and advanced writers valuable dramatic techniques not offered in the hundred plus books already on the market. And I've read them all, believe me. I've written 10 scripts so far that haven't gone anywhere, and after reading this book, I know why. The title says it all, especially the subtitle. Everything Mr. Iglesias talks about it is about wowing the reading on every page of your script (or novel--the techniques are valuable for any storyteller). It delivers what it promises: Over 200 dramatic techniques guaranteed to create an emotional response in the reader. Because this is what storytelling is all about--creating a satisfying emotional experience in the reader of your work. If you're still wondering why your work doesn't sell, read this book. It's a winner. I've already bought several copies to give to my writing friends.

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One of the best teachers, October 24, 2005

Reviewer: Guy (Littleton, CO United States)

I saw Karl Iglesias teach at the Screenwriter's Expo last year and he is terrific. His techniques for creating emotion in your writing are incredible. He supports every point with examples from various screenplays that are clear and conscise. And every example is from a different screenplay in a different genre.

I believe Iglesias also teaches at UCLA extensions. If you're serious about being a writer then pick up this book and see his lectures either at UCLA or at the expo. The man is a brilliant teacher.

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A great tool for beginners and pros, October 22, 2005

Reviewer: R. Drew (Canada)

A great follow up to Karl Igelsias' previous book, "The 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters: Insider's Secrets from Hollywood's Top Writers". As a professional screenwriter for over 26 years, I can't recommend it more highly.

The market is flooded with books on screenwriting offering us "secrets" to success, and formulaic solutions, as if screenwriting is a problem to be solved, not a gift to be shared. This new book gets right to the HEART of screenwriting: character and emotion. If you've ever sat through a movie not caring how it ended, it's because you didn't care about the fate of the characters -- you were not emotionally engaged in their story. "Writing for Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, And Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End" shows writers how to make their work strike all honest emotional chords, without manipulating the reader/audience with false sentiment or cheap tricks.

Both scholarly and readable, it guides us to create original characters with the heart and soul to engage us in their lives and their journey through the story of the script YOU will write. Karl Iglesias' ideas are accessible, well expressed and backed up with examples from familiar, popular films. Pros and beginners will find this book information both fresh and inspiring. I did have one big problem with it: I could hardly wait to finish reading it so I could start putting the practical advice offered into practice! Write on!