PETERS, Rick

PERSONAL: Male.

ADDRESSES: Agent—c/o Author Mail, Hearst Books, 888 7th Ave., 13th Fl., New York, NY 10106.

CAREER: Writer and editor. Former editor of Shop-Notes magazine; former editor of Woodsmith magazine. Guest television programs, including Discovery Channel's Home Matters and syndicated House Calls. Technical consultant.

WRITINGS:

(With Ron Hazelton) Ron Hazelton's House Calls: America's Most Requested Home Improvement Projects, Time-Life Books (Alexandria, VA), 1999.

Air Tools: How to Choose, Use, and Maintain Them, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composites, Veneers, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Controlling Dust in the Workshop, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Drills and Drill Presses: How to Choose, Use, and Maintain Them, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Electrical Basics, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Flooring Basics, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Framing Basics, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Plumbing Basics, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2000.

Jointers and Planers: How to Choose, Use, and Maintain Them, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2001.

Woodworker's Hand Tools: An Essential Guide, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2001.

Great Windows & Doors: A Step-by-Step Guide, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2001.

Great Decks & Porches: A Step-by-Step Guide, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2001.

Woodworker's Power Tools: An Essential Guide, Sterling Publishing (New York, NY), 2002.

Building Garden & Patio Furniture, Sunset (Menlo Park, CA), 2002.

Popular Mechanics Moneysmart Makeovers: Bathrooms, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Popular Mechanics Router Fundamentals: The Complete Guide, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2004.

(With others) Sheds and Garages, Sunset (Menlo Park, CA), 2004.

Table Saw Fundamentals, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Kitchens: Moneysmart Makeovers, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2004.

Popular Mechanics Moneysmart Makeovers. Porches, Decks & Patios, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Popular Mechanics Workshop. Scroll Saw Fundamentals: The Complete Guide, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Popular Mechanics Moneysmart Makeovers. Living Spaces, Hearst Books (New York, NY), 2005.

Kitchen Makeovers, Taunton Press, 2005.

Contributor of articles to Popular Woodworking, Today's Homeowner, and This Old House magazine. Also contributor of Web content to American Broadcasting Company's Good Morning America and Lowe's Home Improvement Center Web sites.

SIDELIGHTS: Rick Peters is a longtime writer of do-it-yourself (DYI) books focusing primarily on woodworking and home makeovers. In Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composites, Veneers, for example, the author writes for nonprofessional woodworkers as he provides an illustrated overview of woodworking from tree growth and harvesting to the various characteristics of wood and how to best work with them. In a review for Library Journal, Jonathan Hershey commented, "This particularly attractive book is filled with colorful photographs and illustrations and includes both a glossary and an excellent appendix showing the hazards posed by the sawdust of specific wood species." Controlling Dust in the Workshop shows woodworkers how to control dirty and potentially health-harming dust. Hershey, once again writing in the Library Journal, noted that "Every woodworking collection should include this title."

In Great Decks & Porches: A Step-by-Step Guide Peters discusses how homeowners can develop their own plans for decks and porches and how to follow plans developed by others. Hershey called the book an "outstanding presentation" in Library Journal. Jointers and Planers: How to Choose, Use and Maintain Them describes tools used by many woodworkers and how to properly use and maintain them. As Library Journal contributor Hershey noted, "Peters has done a great job." The author continues his focus on tools in Woodworker's Hand Tools: An Essential Guide, which is written for woodworking purists who prefer hand tools compared to electric tools. Hershey noted in the Library Journal that "this title offers excellent instructions supplemented by a wealth of colorful photos and drawings." Another tool-oriented book by the author is Popular Mechanics Router Fundamentals: The Complete Guide. Peters wrote the book with both the professional and amateur woodworker in mind and discusses everything from picking the proper type of router to the wide variety of accessories for the tool. He also includes four projects that the reader can undertake to learn various techniques. Hershey called the book "one of the best to date" on routers in another review in Library Journal.

Kitchens: Moneysmart Makeovers is part of a series of books by the author focusing on remodeling on a budget and includes an economical makeover for less than $1,000. Library Journal contributor Hershey wrote that the book contains a "wealth of information" and called the effort "probably the most useful book available on the subject." In Popular Mechanics Moneysmart Makeovers: Bathrooms, Peters focuses on the guest and master bathrooms and discusses remodeling them on three different budget levels, which Hershey deemed "an effective approach." Hershey also noted that the book's "clear instructions teach readers how to complete each task."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Library Journal, September 1, 2000, Jonathan Hershey, review of Woodworker's Guide to Wood: Softwoods, Hardwoods, Plywoods, Composites, Veneers, p. 247; March 1, 2001, Jonathan Hershey, review of Controlling Dust in the Workshop, p. 129; June 1, 2001, Jonathan Hershey, review of Great Decks & Porches: A Step-by-Step Guide, p. 210; September 1, 2001, Jonathan Hershey, review of Jointers and Planers: How to Choose, Use and Maintain Them, p. 224; March 1, 2001, Jonathan Hershey, review of Woodworker's Hand Tools: An Essential Guide, p. 136; June 1, 2004, Jonathan Hershey, review of Kitchens: Moneysmart Makeovers, p. 174; September 1, 2004, Jonathan Hershey, review of Popular Mechanics Moneysmart Makeovers: Bathrooms, p. 180; December 1, 2004, Jonathan Hershey, review of Popular Mechanics Router Fundamentals: The Complete Guide, p. 157.

[Sketch reviewed by wife, Cheryl Romano.]