Midwest Book Review
Peggi Ridgway's Romancing In The Personal Ads: How To Find Your Partner In The Classifieds takes a lighthearted, sometime humorous approach (including cartoons), and is the best of the books currently available on the subject of personal ads (including on-line ads and internet forums). Romancing In The Personal Ads regales the reader with insight and renews their hope that they can still meet the man or woman of their dreams. Romancing In The Personal Ads is the place to look for sensible tips in finding one's soul mate. Romancing In The Personal Ads will connect the reader (through carefully researched ads) with their heart's desires. In its own whimsical way, Romancing In The Personal Ads is a reminder that there's plenty of room for humor and happiness -- if you know how to look for it in your daily newspaper or computer connection. Included is a helpful glossary of abbreviations and jargon used in personal ads. Of special value are the numerous safety tips throughout, including a special chapter devoted specifically to keeping safe when responding to personal ads. Highly recommended!

Extraordinary Togetherness: A Woman's Guide to Love, Sex and Intimacy
This 1999 book by Rodale Press refers directly to Romancing in the Personal Ads and quotes author Peggi Ridgway extensively in its chapter titled "Personal Ads."

The Mining Company web review by Brenda Ross, Dating Advice Guide
". . . a mini instruction course on how to showcase your strong points and possibly find your dreamboat! Includes 'six common advertising blunders' and a great glossy of personal ad abbreviations."

Wisconsin Bookwatch, James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
"...takes a lighthearted, sometimes humorous approach and is the best of the books currently available on the subject...regales the reader with insight and renews the hope that they can still meet the man or woman of their dreams."

Dr. Randi Ettner, clinical psychologist and author of Confessions of a Gender Bender
"What a treasure...Peggi Ridgway provides singles with a safe and successful way to find a partner. This innovative book offers a fresh look at a delightful option for navigating the often treacherous relationship waters."

Dr. Riki Robbins, author of Negotiating Love & The Empowered Woman
"If you're going to run a personal ad, this is a book you can't afford to miss. In a simple, easy-to-read format, it tells you everything you need to know to meet that special someone - and continue the relationship after that."

Jim Cox, Midwest Book Review
What a treasure...Peggi Ridgway provides singles with a safe and successful way to find a partner. This innovative book offers a fresh look at a delightful option for navigating the often treacherous relationship waters. (Dr. Randi Ettner, Clinical psychologist and author of Confessions of a Gender Defender) If you're going to run a personal ad, this is a book you can't afford to miss. In a imple, easy-to-read format, Peggi Ridgway tells you everything you need to know to meet that special someone-and continue the relationship after that. (Dr. Riki Robbins, author of Negotiating Love / Ballantine and The Empowered Woman) This book is the best of the books currently available on the subject of personal ads, including on-line ads and Internet forums. It's the place to look for sensible tips in finding one's soul mate.

Book Description
A must-have handy guide to Do's and Don'ts (and how to stay safe and sane) while writing and answering personal ads online and in print. Includes sample ads, responses, phone tips, where to advertise, meeting and dating tips and personal stories with a sprinkling of humor throughout.

From the Publisher
This book was one of three national finalists in the Small Press Book Awards competition in 1997. It's held its position as a solid, comprehensive guide for personal ads.

From the Author
"You have so much more control when you use personal ads," says Peggi Ridgway, author of this book on personal ads. "And you encounter so many more possibilities - it's not like going to a bar or a party, where you just have to take potluck. When you follow the guidelines, personal ads can be truly safe - and fun."

From the Back Cover
Get ready! This book will shower you with insight and renew the hope that you can still meet the man or woman of your dreams. If you're looking for sensible tips for finding your soul mate, here they are. Romancing will connect you, through carefully researched ads, with your heart's desires. In its own whimsical way, it will remind you that's plenty of room for humor and happiness! Here's to your success in Romancing.

About the Author
Peggi Ridgway is a free lance writer with nearly 200 articles and several books published. She writes regularly for client newsletters and online publications.

Excerpted from Romancing in the Personal Ads : How to Find Your Partner in the Classifieds by Peggi Ridgway. Copyright © 1996. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved
If there is one major advantage to advertising in the personals, it's that you set the rules. By managing the ad process in a common sense manner and pre-thinking some of the possible results, you can maintain a reasonable degree of control. You lay out the guidelines, whether you're advertising in the newspaper, a magazine or on-line. Happily, what comes back to you generally represents a good number of the requirements you listed in your ad. Avoid sexy, romantic adjectives. "Make love on my furry bear rug by the fireplace" or "champagne and mood music" represent many people's fantasies and need not occupy valuable ad space. (When writing an ad), state a special interest you'd like in the other person. Describe your work or business in a word or two. Be honest and brief about your physical attributes. Keep the ad "light" (it's too early for marriage shopping and why scare them away?)