Writer Ferrets: Chasing the Muse

Publishers Weekly

Bach stumbled in the first two volumes of his new series of fables (Air Ferrets Aloft and Rescue Ferrets at Sea), but this effort recaptures some of the sense of wonder that made Jonathan Livingston Seagull a runaway bestseller. The protagonists are a pair of aspiring writers, Budgeron Ferret and his mate, Danielle, who are keen to climb the literary ladder. Budgeron, despite bouts of writer's block, has high hopes after selling a few short stories to some low-level magazines, and he hits it big when he publishes a series of novels for young ferrets (called kits). Meanwhile, Danielle pens a controversial romance "for the fun of it," which quickly becomes a bestseller. Much of the second half of the novel deals with the book tour that Danielle and Budgeron undertake together after becoming a successful literary couple. As hackneyed as the plot sounds, Bach's love of animals and reverence for the creative process keep the novel from becoming overly mawkish and sentimental; the icing on the cake is some tongue-in-cheek insight into the publishing process. The book also features crisp plotting, which was missing from the first two volumes of The Ferret Chronicles, and Bach's decision to avoid dwelling on the differences between the human world and his imagined ferret equivalent helps keep the prose economical. This is a lovable, entertaining story, which will tug at the heartstrings of even the most jaded. (Oct.) Forecast: Two more volumes of the ferret series will be released later this year. Interest may slacken as their novelty value wanes, but Writer Ferrets, at least, should benefit from positive word of mouth. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Children's Literature

In the third installment of the "Ferret Chronicles," Bach introduces readers to the experiences of two first-time authors, Budgeron and Danielle Ferret, a pair of hard-working, fun-loving ferrets. This fascinating book not only looks at the trials and tribulations they face as writers in a highly competitive market, but it also explores important concepts, such as finding your own voice as a writer, persevering and believing in your own writing abilities, and pursuing your dreams despite roadblocks. Although Budgeron has moderate success as a children's author of animal fables, he yearns to write the great American literary novel. Unfortunately, he struggles mightily with this task and has trouble overcoming distractions and persistent writer's block. His wife, on the other hand, spins out a page-turner that ends up causing quite a stir in the publishing world. After confronting his muse—a dragon he later affectionately calls Cinnamon—Budgeron learns how to have fun and discovers his true writing voice. Fame and fortune eventually find their way to the Ferret's ranch in Colorado, and as a result, the writing duo embarks on an exciting eighteen-city book tour, where they sign books, hob knob with publishing executives, and learn how their books affect the lives of their readers. Children and parents will enjoy the charming characters, as well as the real-life struggles the ferrets encounter on their road to success. This resource is perfect for aspiring young writers who are interested in learning more about the writing process and book publishing. 2002, Scribner,
— Debra Briatico

Library Journal

As part of a longstanding series, Bach's book here introduces Budgeron and Danielle, two married writer ferrets in conflict: she writes best sellers, he is striving to craft the great ferret novel. Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews

Third and best in Bach’s Ferret Chronicles, following Air Ferrets Aloft (2002), with two more volumes promised—this year. vWhile the earlier installments were inspirational fables with ferrets as humans, neither was as focused as Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Bach’s 1972 bestseller. This time out, the plot will attract more adult readers, largely thanks to Bach’s revelations about the publishing game. In the beginning, Antonius Ferret tells us, all ferrets were given individual gifts—and one ferret was given the power to show visions, once he learned to write from the heart and touch the souls of kits as yet unborn. Handsome, golden-furred Budgeron Ferret works on a literary epic in his attic with a white silk scarf about his neck. His black mask forms a crisp W around his eyes—for Writer? With violet ink and a goose-feather quill, he begins Where Ferrets Walk, a swashbuckler featuring Count Urbain de Rothskit, that still has him in writer’s block on paragraph one. Even so, he’s published some genre short stories and a slow-selling novel—all typed. But his best work gets death notices. Meanwhile, his new bride Danielle, a pawicurist who hears all sorts of stories at work, decides to write and finds herself raptly fashioning the adventures of Veronique, the naughty but insouciant vixen. Then Budgeron sells a quickie, Bevo the Hummingbird, makes a killing that allows them to move to Colorado and buy a ranch. After six rejections, Danielle’s Miss Mischief sells to Ferret House Press, Budgeron’s publisher. Despair for Budg until Danielle suggests using the dragon as his bodyguard and muse, telling him, "Have fun. Don’t think. Don’t care." He bats out Bevo and the Bee Bandits in a week. Bigstars, they go on a book tour, and then inspiration hits: he’ll write Bevo Meets the Count. And snippets of Bachian wisdom rain down.

Pale Fire for preteens and teens.