Creative writing Books

Book SynopsisTHE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER PICKED BY THE SUNDAY TIMES, GUARDIAN, INDEPENDENT, IRISH TIMES, SPECTATOR, TLS, NEW STATESMAN, MAIL ON SUNDAY, I PAPER, PROSPECT, REVEW31 AND EVENING STANDARD AS A BOOK OF 2021 'A masterclass from a warm and engagingly enthusiastic companion' Guardian Summer Reading Picks 2021 ‘This book is a delight, and it’s about delight too. How necessary, at our particular moment’ Tessa Hadley ________________ From the New York Times-bestselling, Booker Prize-winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo and Tenth of December comes a literary master class on what makes great stories work and what they can tell us about ourselves - and our world today. For the last twenty years, George Saunders has been teaching a class on the Russian short story to his MFA students at Syracuse University. In A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, he shares a version of that class with us, offering some of what he and his students have discovered together over the years. Paired with iconic short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy, and Gogol, the seven essays in this book are intended for anyone interested in how fiction works and why it’s more relevant than ever in these turbulent times. In his introduction, Saunders writes, “We’re going to enter seven fastidiously constructed scale models of the world, made for a specific purpose that our time maybe doesn’t fully endorse but that these writers accepted implicitly as the aim of art—namely, to ask the big questions, questions like, How are we supposed to be living down here? What were we put here to accomplish? What should we value? What is truth, anyway, and how might we recognize it?” He approaches the stories technically yet accessibly, and through them explains how narrative functions; why we stay immersed in a story and why we resist it; and the bedrock virtues a writer must foster. The process of writing, Saunders reminds us, is a technical craft, but also a way of training oneself to see the world with new openness and curiosity. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is a deep exploration not just of how great writing works but of how the mind itself works while reading, and of how the reading and writing of stories make genuine connection possible.Trade ReviewA wonderful book … This book is a delight … I love the warmth with which he writes about this teaching, and agree wholeheartedly … All this makes Saunders’s book very different from just another “how to” creative writing manual, or just another critical essay … One of the pleasures of this book is feeling his own thinking move backwards and forwards, between the writer dissecting practice and the reader entering in through the spell of the words, to dwell inside the story -- Tessa Hadley * Guardian *Saunders is such a wise and amiable teacher ... A page-turner -- Robert WebbLuminously perceptive * Guardian *A masterclass in how to be human ... unfailingly, often thrillingly illuminating … Published any time, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain would be a joyous reminder that fiction is “the most effective mode of mind-to-mind communication ever devised”. Published now, it feels like vital and civilising corrective to the pretend certainties of public life – and, increasingly, of our personal lives too * Telegraph *It will stay with you and transform how you read story by story, sentence by sentence * The Times, Best Paperbacks of 2022 *One of the most accurate and beautiful depictions of what it is like to be inside the mind of a writer that I’ve ever read * New York Times *The Russian greats truly shine in this account; but Saunders is the real star. His way of expressing himself is simultaneously supremely intellectual and jovially down-to-earth. It’s rare to read a book and love it so much that you think it’s simply perfect. A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is that book -- Viv Groskop * Spectator *Joins a long tradition of using Russian literature as a guide to life … Practical and playful … it also probes exactly how narrative techniques make us more alert, attentive and sympathetic in reading books and the world around us * i news *By the end Saunders is wondering if there is indeed any point in writing at all. I won’t spoil his conclusion. Suffice to say, the hairs on the back of my neck were alert * The Times *Suffused with wry humour … Not an academic interpretation, but a reader’s companion. I was pleasurably absorbed from start to finish * Evening Standard *The Booker-winning author of Lincoln in the Bardo considers the art of fiction through seven classic Russian short stories by Chekhov, Turgenev, Tolstoy and Gogol * Guardian, 2021 in Books *The combination of Saunders’s piercing mind and the Russian subjects being Anton Chekhov, Ivan Turgenev, Leo Tolstoy and Nikolai Gogol promises to be a highbrow treat for fans of literature, and a book offering deep insights into storytelling and how narrative functions * Independent, The books to look out for in 2021 *A literary masterclass * Evening Standard, A look ahead to the best new books in 2021 *But the real star of A Swim isn't Chekhov or Turgenev or Tolstoy or Gogol - it's Saunders himself ... This book will quite simply make you a better, more observant and more understanding reader * Big Issue *Part intro to Russian literature, part musings on craft, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain is all pleasure * Financial Times *A worship song to writers and readers * O, The Oprah Magazine *His warmth, enthusiasm and homespun metaphors – all part of that “writerly charm” – banish any sense of the chilly, mechanistic Fiction Lab ... Gleefully overshoots its brief as a technical manual or how-to guide … A Swim in a Pond in the Rain generates more fun, more wit, more sympathetic sense, than we have any right to hope for from a 400-page critical study * Arts Desk *There should be more books like this -- Sameer Rahim * Prospect Podcast *A masterclass from a warm and engagingly enthusiastic companion * Guardian, 50 hottest new books everyone should read *A masterclass in short fiction by one of the finest teachers alive… It is a joyously civilised primer on how to write – and live – better * Daily Telegraph *Warm, playful and acutely perceptive -- Ian Leslie * New Statesman, Books of the Year *Not just astute, humane lit crit but an inspirational manifesto for the art of fiction -- Boyd Tonkin * Spectator, Books of the Year *A masterclass in writing … a real treat -- Naomi Alderman * Spectator, Books of the Year *[I] loved George Saunders’s A Swim in a Pond in the Rain … Genial, generous and illuminating ... He is a great teacher as well as a great practitioner, and makes you see more * Times Literary Supplement, Books of the Year 2021 *A tin of caviar sort of a book … Saunders guides, prods, nudges, urges you to disagree … It will stay with you and transform how you read story by story, sentence by sentence * Sunday Times, 24 best fiction books 2021 *Delightful as well as an engaging work-out for the brain. Just the thing for a New Year’s read * i paper *In clear, fresh, often humorous language, Saunders reveals the various sleights of hand involved in their construction, while never trying to flatten their essential genius. A gem -- Craig Brown * Mail on Sunday *Joyful and playful, a book full of wisdom, one to drink in slowly * Independent (Online), The 20 Best Books of 2021 *An eagle-eyed breakdown of short stories by four great Russian writers * Prospect, Best books of 2021 *Saunders is warm and vivacious company, funny and even-handed and increasingly wise … This book is an enthralling delve into life and its narration – for people interested in how fiction works, it’s like breathing oxygen * Revew31, Books of the Year 2021 *

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Book SynopsisProvides an entertaining blueprint to all the elements of characterization - from initial inspiration to realization - with special insights into the power of secrets and contradictions, the embodiment of roles, managing the "tyranny of motive," and mastering crucial techniques required for memorable dialogue and unforgettable scenes.Trade ReviewPraise for The Art of Character"David Corbett has written a wise, inspiring love letter to all the imaginary creatures inside our minds—so we might conjure them whole on the page. I predict that massively underscored copies of The Art of Character will rest close at hand on writers’ desks for many years to come."—Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild and Torch“David Corbett has combined his unique talents as a gifted writer and an extraordinary teacher to create a superb resource on character development. Deftly crafted and impeccably researched, The Art of Character is a thoughtful and insightful book that is immensely readable and practical. Suitable for beginners to best-selling authors, The Art of Character should be on every serious writer's shelf next to Strunk and White's The Elements of Style, Anne Lamott's Bird by Bird, and Stephen King's On Writing. Highly recommended.”—Sheldon Siegel, New York Times Best Selling Author of Perfect Alibi and Incriminating Evidence“I once made the mistake of writing a story with David Corbett. The man smoked me. He can delineate the character and personality of an accordion on three strokes. I didn't even know accordions had character. Imagine what he can do with people. This act of generosity and wisdom from a very good writer will help anyone who is staring at a blank page, any day, any time. Highly recommended.”—Luis Alberto Urrea, author of Queen of America and The Hummingbird’s Daughter“Corbett’s The Art of Character is no "how to" book or "writing by numbers" manual. It is an artful testament to the writers’ credo – that a story is only as affecting and meaningful as the characters who tell it – that writing, essentially, is character. The Art of Character is a writer’s bible that will lead to your character’s soul. Corbett writes with the grace and authority of a seasoned professional, but offers much more than the usual inventory of method and strategy. With clarity and compassion, he gets to the very thing that lies deep within us, that longing we share to discover that one distinct and authentic voice. The Art of Character is itself a work of art, an indispensable resource for writers of any genre, and a pedagogical tool for teachers of writing at any level.”—Elizabeth Brundage, author of A Stranger Like You and The Doctor’s Wife."Well-delivered character development - an issue that can so easily intimidate a writer - is crucial to the richness of the narrative, because characters are not simply at the heart of the story - they are the story. David Corbett's The Art of Character offers a deep inquiry into the creation of character for the novice writer, with valuable nuggets of wisdom for the seasoned storyteller. If you are a writer, it should be on your desk."—Jacqueline Winspear, New York Times Bestselling Author of Elegy for Eddie and Maisie Dobbs"Corbett shares his secrets for making characters come to life on the page, from presenting their back stories and motivations to crafting memorable dialogue and great scenes that flesh out characters and move the plot forward at a compelling, tension-fueled pace. Corbett has a clear and elegant style that’s easy for would-be writers to absorb..”—The Writer Magazine, selected as one of the Top 13 Writing Guides of 2013 “Both inspiring and practical, The Art of Character belongs on every writer’s shelf. David Corbett brilliantly illustrates those elusive tools writers need to breathe life into their characters with greater confidence and deeper insight.”—Cara Black, bestselling author of Murder at the Lanterne Rouge"David Corbett's The Art of Character belongs on every writer's shelf beside Elizabeth George's Write Away and Stephen King's On Writing. An invaluable resource for both the novice and the experienced novelist, it's as much fun to read as a great novel."—Deborah Crombie, author of No Mark Upon Her"David Corbett is a guy who knows his business. Reading this book, I learned things I didn't know and was reminded of ones I did. I recommend The Art of Character to every writer, at any level."—S. J. Rozan, award-winning author of Ghost Hero“Indispensable. Few are the writer’s guides that are written as beautifully, cogently, and intelligently as a well-wrought novel (or a well-rendered character) itself. This is one of those books.”—Megan Abbott, Edgar Award-Winning author of The End of Everything and Dare Me "The topic of character development begins and ends with David Corbett’s The Art of Character. This is the book on the subject, destined to stand among the writings of John Gardner, Joseph Campbell, and the others of that select few whose work is fundamental to understanding the craft of storytelling."—Craig Clevenger, author of The Contortionist’s Handbook"It is rare to find the deep philosophical questions of literature (and life) met with such straight-forward and inspiring instruction. But David Corbett is that writer, and The Art of Character is that book."—Robert Mailer Anderson, author Boonville “David Corbett, himself a master crafter of riveting and remarkable narratives, delivers up in this highly readable guide, a smorgasbord of smart examples of memorable characters from literature and popular culture, to create an addictive and helpful primer on this most central of narrative ingredients. Clear-headed and confident, Corbett takes us through the steps in a manner that resists formula while at the same time demystifying a process that has likely daunted every writer since Homer.”—Robin Hemley, author of Turning Life into Fiction “This fine book is about as thorough an examination of character and what it means in all sorts of imaginative writing as you're likely to find anywhere. A terrific starting place for those who wish to sharpen or enhance their skill at making sharp, believable, meaningful characters, it also has practical uses that go far beyond the ordinary creative writing text. This is an exploration of the phenomenon of character -- in as wide a variety of fiction and drama as there is. It will help any writer create and sustain human beings who make you forget you're reading, who are alive, who are worthy of our attention and sympathy.”—Robert Bausch, author of Out of Season “Writers—pay attention! The Art of Character is a tremendously useful and important book. David Corbett delivers in-depth analysis and practical wisdom on every page.”—Sam Barry, author of Write That Book Already! The Tough Love You Need to Get Published Now “Character is the beating heart of fiction and with The Art of Character novelist David Corbett has written a clear, in-depth, and highly entertaining exploration of how to create remarkable characters. This an essential guide to students of the writer’s craft at all levels.”—Mark Haskell Smith, author of Baked

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Book SynopsisA STYLE GUIDE BY STEALTH - HOW ANYONE CAN WRITE WELL (AND FULLY ENJOY GOOD WRITING)''Joe Moran is a wonderfully sharp writer, calm, precise and quietly comical'' Craig BrownAdvanced maths has no practical use, and is understood by few. A symphony can be enjoyed, but created only by a genius. Good writing, however, can be written (and read) by anyone if we give it the gift of our time.Enter universally praised historian Professor Joe Moran. From the Bible and Shakespeare to Orwell and Diana Athill, First You Write a Sentence.show us how the most ordinary words can be turned into verbal constellations, sharing:- The tools of the trade; from typewriters to texting and the impact this has on the craft- Writing and the senses; how to make the world visible and touchable- How to find the ideal word, build a sentence, and construct a paragraphGood writing can ignite the hearts and minds of readers, help us notice tTrade ReviewJoe Moran has a genius for turning the prosaic poetic -- Peter HennessyThoughtful reflections on how to write well -- John Mullan * Guardian Review *Joe Moran is the most perceptive and original observer of British life that we have -- Matthew EngelMoran has fast become Britain's foremost explorer and explainer of the disregarded -- Juliet Gardiner, author of 'Wartime: Britain 1939-1945'Moran is a wonderful, witty writer, and here he surpasses himself -- Marcus Berkmann (on Shrinking Violets) * Daily Mail *Compelling . . . There's plenty in Moran's book to delight grammar and language nerds -- Daniel Hahn * The Spectator *Humane and witty . . . as a primer in generous and lively writing, First You Write a Sentence is blithe and convincing * New York Times *Exquisite...Moran's own sentences are so deliciously epigrammatic that I considered giving up chocolate in favour of re-reading his book...He is more mentor than instructor -- Irina Dumitrescu * TLS *

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Book Synopsis A special 10th anniversary edition of Roy Peter Clark''s bestselling guide to writing, featuring five bonus tools. Ten years ago, Roy Peter Clark, America''s most influential writing teacher, whittled down almost thirty years of experience in journalism, writing, and teaching into a series of fifty short essays on different aspects of writing. In the past decade, Writing Tools has become a classic guidebook for novices and experts alike and remains one of the best loved books on writing available. Organized into four sections, Nuts and Bolts, Special Effects, Blueprints for Stories, and Useful Habits, Writing Tools is infused with more than 200 examples from journalism and literature. This new edition includes five brand new, never-before-shared tools. Accessible, entertaining, inspiring, and above all, useful for every type of writer, from high school student to novelist, Writing Tools is essential reading.Trade ReviewWrtiers will be inspired

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Book Synopsis'After a number of years teaching writing courses and appearing at writers' conferences, I began to see that creating a process book utilising one of my novels as an example of each step of my process might prove useful to people who are interested in novel writing or in how this individual writer approaches the complicated task of putting together a British crime novel.'As the author of twenty-four novels, Elizabeth George is one of the most successful - and prolific - novelists today. In Mastering the Process, George offers a master class in the art and science of crafting a novel, sharing her wealth of experience with would-be novelists, and with crime fiction fans. Using her actual work to illustrate the various steps of novel writing that she explores in this book, she illustrates her points about plotting, characterisation and technique with great clarity and generosity.Drawing from her personal photos, early notes, character analyses, and rough drafts for every stage of her novel Careless in Red, George offers us an intimate look at the procedures she follows, from researching location to imagining plot to creating characters to the actual writing and revision processes themselves. At the same time, she gives invaluable advice for writers about what has worked for her - and what hasn't. Mastering the Process provides writers with practical, prescriptive, and achievable tools for creating a novel, editing a novel, and problem solving when in the midst of a novel, from a master storyteller at the top of her game.Elizabeth George has taught creative writing both nationally and internationally for over thirty years and is the author of Write Away, described as 'one novelist's approach to fiction and the writing life'.Trade ReviewBrimming with insight and advice, Mastering the Process deserves to become a classic on the craft of writing * SD Sykes, author of The Bone Fire (a Publishers Weekly Book of the Year) *Packed with tips on how to craft a novel * My Weekly *In this unusual and immersive book Elizabeth George generously shares the wealth of knowledge and experience she has gained from the creation of her hugely loved crime novels. There are nuggets here that will prove invaluable to fiction writers of any genre * Rachel Hore, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Love Child *What a gift! Elizabeth George unites two of her greatest strengths - the keen insight of a master storyteller along with the soul of a teacher in her new book, Mastering the Process. What a rare treat for any writer, or any fan of George's work, a smart, thoughtful, approachable book on the writing process, on her writing process, as she generously shares her step-by-step method that has made her one of the most beloved writers of our time. -- Gail Tsukiyama, author of The Samurai's Garden and A Hundred FlowersThrough the years I've been lucky enough to watch Elizabeth George at work, to learn from her as she makes her way through her complex and beloved novels . . . Now in this fascinating, instructive book anyone who is interested in writing and process can learn from the master herself: all of us are in luck. -- Jane Hamilton, author of A Map of the WorldNo one writing today is a better craftsman of fiction than Elizabeth George. When she offers to tell you the mysteries of the writing process as she does in Mastering the Process, we should sit up and pay attention. This book is revealing and charming by turns, and anyone interested in how the magic works will want to read it. -- Terry Brooks, author of The Sword of ShannaraThis is not only a useful guide to Elizabeth George's writing methods, but an intimate and generous look into the mind of one of our greatest mystery writers. Detailed and optimistic. You will love it. -- T. Jefferson Parker, author of The Last Good GuyI have never before read a book about writing that is so thorough, thoughtful, and most of all, helpful. -- Lisa See, author of The Island of Sea WomenAn up-close and personal class in writing a novel. -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book SynopsisA world of dewAnd within every dewdropA world of struggle The iconic three-line haiku form is increasingly popular today as people embrace its simplicity and grace—and its connections to the Japanese ethos of mindfulness and minimalism. Say more with fewer words.This practical guide by poet and teacher Bruce Ross shows you how to capture a fleeting moment, like painting a picture with words, and how to give voice to your innermost thoughts, feelings, and observations. You don't have to be a practiced poet or writer to write your own haiku, and this book shows you how.In this book, aspiring poets will find: Accessible, easy-to-replicate examples and writing prompts A foreword that looks at the state of haiku today as the form continues to expand worldwide An introduction to related Japanese haiku forms such as tanka, haiga, renga, haibun, and senryu A listing of international journals and online resources Do you want to tell a story? Give haibun a try. Maybe you want to express a fleeting feeling? A tanka is the perfect vehicle. Are you more visual than verbal? Then a haiga, or illustrated haiku, is the ideal match. Finally, a renga is perfect as a group project or to create with friends, passing a poem around, adding line after line, and seeing what your group effort amounts to.Ross walks readers through the history and form of haiku, before laying out what sets each Japanese poetic form apart. Then it's time to turn to your notebook and start drafting some verse of your own!

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Book SynopsisSuper engaging and accessible' PIERS TORDAYEmpowers children to be creative, perseverant and write independently' TEACH PRIMARYA must-have book for any young writer' JANE CONSIDINEAn imaginative and affordable resource' CLASS READSIf you're looking for emergency literacy help in a handy, pocket-sized book, then Write Like a Ninja is perfect for you. Crammed full of writing and grammar tips, prompts to get children thinking of rich alternatives and Alan Peat's exciting sentences, this gem of a book is perfect for children aged 7 upwards either as an invaluable classroom aid or a brilliant dip-in thesaurus to use at home. It contains everything a budding writer needs to flourish as an author and meet the demands of the Key Stage 2 National Curriculum for English.This engaging, easy-to-use book allows children to write with confidence. There are awesome alternatives for overused adjectives, as well as themed vocabulary lists for describing Trade ReviewA super engaging and accessible primer to the fundamentals of language, packed with usable examples, that should be in every classroom. -- Piers Torday * Award-winning children’s writer and author of "The Last Wild", @PiersTorday *Write Like a Ninja is a must-have book for any young writer that wants to give their writing a kick. I wish that the Vocabulary Ninja was my sensei when I was a child learning how to master the art of writing. -- Jane Considine * Author of "The Write Stuff - Transforming the Teaching of Writing" *As both a school leader and a parent, I can’t recommend this enough to help children transform their writing. Children will certainly find this essential guide both accessible and engaging. -- Jon Tait * Deputy CEO and Director of School Improvement, @TeamTait *I've been looking for something which has high quality vocabulary and writing essentials in one place and I've finally found it! Write Like a Ninja brings together vocabulary in a clear and concise way which will allow the children in my class to find what they need and be creative. -- Maaria Khan * Year 6 Teacher and English Lead, @MissKhan__ *Designed to support the KS2 National Curriculum, this rich resource will help young writers get to grips with grammar in clear and meaningful ways that will enhance their writing. It’s also a handy time-saver for teachers, providing as it does excellent examples that demonstrate grammar in action. -- Joanne Owen * Love Reading 4 Schools *Every page is presented in an aesthetically pleasing way that will appeal to children, and definitions and examples are included as well as lists that are easy for children to use whilst they are writing. * K and O Bonkers About Books *The skill of a ninja is the art of winning and this book teaches children how to win at writing. Just as ninjas need a wide range of skills to help them succeed in their mission, this book equips children with what they need for their next writing challenge. -- John Dabell * Teach Primary *Intended as a quick reference guide, it offers a portable replacement to the types of vocabulary posters you find on many classroom walls. It's an imaginative and affordable resource that every classroom should have. -- John Bolton * Class Reads *Designed to support the KS2 National Curriculum, this rich resource will help young writers get to grips with grammar in clear and meaningful ways that will enhance their writing. It’s also a handy time-saver for teachers, providing as it does excellent examples that demonstrate grammar in action. -- Joanne Owen * Love Reading 4 Kids *

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Book SynopsisA creative twist on divination cards such as tarot and oracle, The Story Oracle offers a deck of 78 unique cards with bright, iconic illustrations and open-ended, multi-meaning readings designed to inspire storytelling. Break writer's block and find inspiration at every turn of the card! Whether you are trying to find a story direction, deepen a character, dig out of a rut, or kick-start a new narrative, these cards will bring creative insight and let your inner storyteller shine through. Just draw a card to determine the next twist in your story (maybe "Follow That Car" or "Misunderstanding"), shape the perfect character arc (such as "Pride," "Guardian," then "Surprise Villain") and much more. A guidebook offers potential readings for each individual card (upright and reverse), as well as card layouts that set up a variety of story conditions.

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Book SynopsisWho can be a writer? You can! Start the story machine, choose your heroes and villains, and you're off from brilliant beginnings to excellent endings! Supports the Key Stage 2 curriculum for ages 7-11 Packed full of fun activities and writing prompts to expand vocabulary and develop creative writing skills. Find out how to set the scene, give your characters a voice, and guide them through the action. By the end of this book you'll have written your very own splendiferous story! How to Be a Writer gives aspiring writers to room to get creative. Pick up a pen and have a go at new techniques and styles! Filled with tips and examples inspired by the world of Roald Dahl to spark ideas, and with plenty of space on the page to practise the skills needed for story writing.

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Book SynopsisWinner of the Nobel Prize for LiteratureEngaging, brilliant' GuardianA talkative, tender meditation' Financial TimesEvery novelist will want to read this' Daily TelegraphWhat happens within us when we read a novel? And how does a writer create its unique effects? In this thoughtful and deeply personal book, Orhan Pamuk takes us into the worlds of the writer and reader, revealing their intimate connections.How is it that novels conjure landscapes so vivid they can make the here-and-now fade away, and characters so complex we feel we know them beyond the page? With Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, Stendhal, Flaubert and Proust as companions, Pamuk considers the sweet illusion' of the fictional world, and the hold it exerts upon us. Anyone who has known the pleasure of becoming immersed in a novel will enjoy, and learn from, this perceptive and enchanting book.

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Book Synopsis

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Book SynopsisConfident with the basics of your craft? Looking to take your writing to the next level? Advanced Fiction gives you the tools to hone your skills by thinking more deeply and systematically about deploying them on the page. Friendly and down-to-earth, Amy Weldon guides you through the realities of craft and process, combining a broad anthology of landmark stories with instruction on the more advanced aspects of fiction writing.Featuring interactive prompts, exercises and suggestions for further reading, this book guides you from larger philosophical issues to subtler technical ones, from topics as diverse as the intricate principles of storytelling to navigating artistic and political landscapes conscientiously and building a writing career. Beginning with a brief recap of the basics, the text goes on to examine:- The psychology of writing and revising- Practical methods for drafting and notebook-keeping- Taking personal and technical risks with ideas, images, and forms- Making rTable of ContentsChapter One: What Makes Advanced Fiction Writing “Advanced?” Student Craft Studio: Shannon Baker, “Habits” Craft Studio: James Joyce, “Araby” (1914) Exercises Chapter Two: Getting It Down: Self-Organizing, From Mind to Page Exercises Chapter Three: Mystery, Conviction, Form, and Risk Student Craft Studio: Levi Bird, “On Stable Ground” Craft Studio: Charlotte Perkins Gilman, “The Yellow Wallpaper” (1892) Exercises Chapter Four: Writing in Color: Culture, Identity, and Art Student Craft Studio: Ian Wreisner, “The New Chicago” Craft Studio: Rebecca Makkai, from The Great Believers: A Novel (2018) Exercises Chapter Five: Invisible Engines: Purpose, Psychic Distance, and Point of View Student Craft Studio: Andrew Tiede, “Till Death” Craft Studio: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, “The American Embassy” (2003) Exercises Chapter Six: Building a World – For Your Readers and Yourself Student Craft Studio: Joel Murillo, “Cracker Jack” Kari Myers, “Fields of Ash” Craft Studio: Angela Carter, “The Tiger’s Bride” (1979) Exercises Chapter Seven: Trust the Process: Revising, Editing, and Writing At Length Teacher Craft Studio: Amy Weldon, “The Serpent” (2018) Exercises Chapter Eight: Creative Writing and Your Future Student Career Studio: Andrew Chan, Derek Lin, Reed Johnson, MD, and Annika Dome MFA Studio: Keith Lesmeister, “East of Ely” (2017) Dr Weldon’s Fiction Prescriptions

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Book SynopsisIn this bold and exhilarating mix of memoir and writing guide, Melissa Febos tackles the emotional, psychological, and physical work of writing intimately while offering an utterly fresh examination of the storyteller’s life and the challenges it presents.How do we write about the relationships that have formed us? How do we describe our bodies, their desires and traumas? What does it mean to have your writing, or living, dismissed as “navel-gazing”—or else hailed as “so brave, so raw”? And to whom, in the end, do our most intimate stories belong?Drawing on her journey from aspiring writer to acclaimed author and writing professor—via addiction and recovery, sex work and academia—Melissa Febos has created a captivating guide to the writing life, and a brilliantly unusual exploration of subjectivity, privacy, and the power of divulgence. Candid and inspiring, Body Work will empower readers and writers alike, offering ideas—and occasional notes of caution—to anyone who has ever hoped to see their true self reflecting back from the open page.Trade ReviewOne of Glamour Magazine's 'Top 30 books that everyone will be reading in 2022'One of Lit Hub's 'Most Anticipated Books of 2022'One of NPR's 'Books We Love 2022''Melissa Febos declaws shame in this stunning shrine to memoir and the art of confession. A book to thump whenever someone questions your audacity to gaze upon your own navel.'Jenny Valentish, author of Everything Harder Than Everyone Else and Woman of Substances‘Melissa Febos has written one of the most liberating books on the subject of writing that I can think of. A tender, urgent intelligence, a wisdom that is hard-won, and a rigor born from a love for the craft preside. [...] I learned so much reading Body Work that I can’t wait to teach and use on the page.’Alexander Chee, author of How to Write an Autobiographical Novel‘Ferociously smart and piercingly insightful, Body Work is an instant classic of the how-and-why-do-we-write form. With candor and clarity, Melissa Febos explores the complexities of writing courageously and honestly about our lives. It’s a book I’ll return to again and again.’Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild‘Body Work is the most necessary book about memoir I’ve read. Daring, honest, psychologically insightful, and absolutely whip smart. A must read for anybody shoving a pen across paper or staring into a screen or a past.’Mary Karr, author of The Liars' Club and The Art of Memoir'As far as I am concerned any new book by Melissa Febos is an event, such is her power to reconfigure the way you see things. Body Work is no different. In wrestling down the hows and whys of writing the self, the accountability it calls for and the veil-tearing it demands, Febos displays characteristic fearlessness. Best of all is the company of her voice, which manages to be at once tender and searching, urgent and insightful. Reading Body Work, you suspect Febos might just be able to see into your soul.' Marina Benjamin, author of Insomnia'Exhilarating. A book that fuses the art of writing with the politics of being, the body's witnessing. Essential reading for anyone who writes, anyone who reads, anyone who breathes.'Helen Mort, author of Black Car Burning'A deft, fearless assertion of the right and to tell our own stories. Melissa Febos shows us just how necessary this is.' Katherine May, author of Wintering' Febos dedicates this volume to her students, but it will be of interest to all readers, writers and potential writers of personal narrative, as well as anyone interested in the mysterious way the creative spirit moves through an artist brave enough to engage it, and embrace it in return.'Carmel McMahon, The Irish Times 'This is a wonder.'Publishers Weekly 'Sharp insights from a passionate practitioner and champion of memoir.'Kirkus Reviews'Unlike most craft books that are either lacking in practicality and process or personality, this book is the best balance of both. A must for non-fiction writers and essayists.'The Rumpus'Wide-ranging in its theoretical and historical breadth yet intimate in all ways, Febos's book offers the tools readers need to identify, access, process, and articulate hard-won stories of trauma and of love that their flesh holds.'Library Journal'In Body Work, Febos offers a compelling rebuttal of the accusation that a memoir is simply a diary in print.'Oprah Daily 'I read Body Work much as I read her third book, Girlhood: feverishly, drinking up the frankness and nuance with which Febos documents the subtle and secreted pains of living in an unequal world.'Electric Lit 'This book was a liberating and validating experience – one that I did not realise that I needed, and which will embolden my own writing.'Lucy Cathcart Frödén, The Sociological Review -- .Table of Contents1 In Praise of Navel Gazing2 Mind Fuck: Writing Better Sex3 A Big Shitty Party: Six Parables for Writing About Other People4 The Return

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Book SynopsisWriting for yourself is a wonderful way to explore personal creativity – each of these 100 prompts will enhance your skill and confidence and get you closer to being the writer you want to become.Write Now is a brilliantly accessible book that demystifies the process and will help you see new ways to put pen to paper and discover your own unique writing style. Divided into 12 sections that range across voice, narrative, plot, structure, point of view, characterisation, dialogue, fiction, non-fiction, poetry, prose and memoir, Harriet Griffey shows you how to let go of any inhibitions, overcome writer's block and expand your writing potential. Featuring creative writing tasks to develop ideas and skills, quick and simple word play tasks, as well as practical exercises, Write Now is an exciting way to unleash your inner wordsmith, kick-start your imagination and get you writing.

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Book Synopsis'Without The Artist's Way, there would be no Eat, Pray, Love' - ELIZABETH GILBERT WATKINS TOP 100 MOST SPIRITUALLY INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE OF 2023 How can we tap into the wisdom inside ourselves? LIVING THE ARTIST'S WAY is a Six-Week Artist's Way Program that explores the fourth essential Artist's Way tool of guidance. Bestselling author Julia Cameron has inspired millions through creative recovery with her essential tools including Morning Pages, Artist Dates, Walks, and now, Writing for Guidance. Through the practice of morning rituals and the faith of listening, Julia takes us further and shows how we can set the stage to receive guidance in both our lives and creative art. Writing about how she uses these tools to handle doubts in her life, Living the Artist's Way reveals a personal side and shares Julia's pathway toward a happier, lighter life. Grounding and reassuring, guidance can quell our doubts and fears, and lead us to our inner wisdom and authentic selves. Living the Artist's Way is an invitation to seek the answers to navigate all areas of our lives, by tapping into our own wisdom and ultimately, guiding ourselves back to creativity.Trade ReviewPRAISE FOR JULIA CAMERON * : *The queen of change * New York Times *A lifelong creative and the queen of morning routines * The Cut *Julia Cameron invented the way people renovate the creative soul * New York Times *PRAISE FOR THE ARTIST'S WAY * : *I absolutely love this book ... It's a really good starting point to discover what lights you up -- Emma GannonCameron's morning pages have shaped the lives of millions of others * Guardian *Want to write that novel? That play? This is the book -- Lemn SissayIt completely changed my life -- Kerry WashingtonSo inspiring -- Reese WitherspoonWithout The Artist's Way, there would have been no Eat, Pray, Love -- Elizabeth GilbertIt's a big dog book ... [morning pages] gets all the gunk out of my head so that I can just start afresh and focus on whatever is in front of me -- Michaela CoelIt's a great tool for any type of creative person. I've given away so many copies -- Tayari JonesUnlock your inner creativity and ease your anxiety * Daily Telegraph *I talk about this book all the time - I use quotes from it when I interview people, I use techniques from it to improve how I work, I'm pretty obsessed with the book, I've read it twice, it's amazing -- Fearne CottonIf you have always wanted to pursue a creative dream, have always wanted to play and create with words or paints, this book will gently get you started -- Anne LamottI never wrote until I started The Artist's Way ... Being introduced to that book, over 20 years ago, really changed my life -- Billy PorterCameron wants you to have a serious think about what you really want from your life * The Times *If there's a key takeaway from Julia Cameron's cult book The Artist's Way, it's morning pages: the daily practice of three pages of longhand, stream-of-consciousness writing done first thing in the morning. Many writers and artists swear by them * AnOther Magazine *Everything creative I've done has led from the freedom this book gave me. This book truly changed the path my life was taking [and] I still go back to it when I feel stuck -- Cariad Lloyd, host of Griefcast and author of You Are Not AloneIt's absolutely incredible -- Naomie Harris OBE

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Book SynopsisWith more than 500,000 copies sold, The Only Grammar Book You'll Ever Need is the go-to resource that even AI can't beat. Updated throughout with new examples and worksheets to help readers retain what they've learned, this new edition is the perfect resource for answering all your grammar questions.

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Book SynopsisHoward Mittelmark is the author of Age of Consent. His writing has appeared in the New York Times, Washington Post and other publications. Sandra Newman is the author of the novels Cake and The Only Good Thing Anyone Has Ever Done. Her writing has appeared in Harper's and Granta, amongst others.Trade ReviewThis writing how-to should carry a warning: it's the kind of book one reads at the expense of all other responsibilities. * Library Journal *A great resource and a fun read with a lot of solid advice for would-be novelists. * Publishers Weekly *

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Book SynopsisA novel is a relationship, a place outside of time where both reader and writer are challenged and validated, stretched and rewarded. Richard Skinner believes it is your duty as a novelist to bring your whole self to the page; to find your story, not force it; to meet your reader in a spirit of openness. In Writing a Novel he offers up frameworks, strategies and stimuli to help you meet that duty, drawingon his deep experience as one of the UK's leading creative writing teachers. He covers the essentials narrators, character, setting with charm and rigour. But Writing a Novel is not a set of instructions: it is a way of thinking, a conversation, a relationship in itself.

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Book SynopsisThis book will help you plot like a pro, master the art of suspense like Poe, craft captivating dialogue like Twain and - most crucially - get your short stories published.How to Write Short Stories and Get Them Published is the essential guide to writing short fiction. It takes the aspiring writer from their initial idea through to potential outlets for publication and pitching proposals to publishers. Along the journey this guide considers the most important aspects of creative writing, such as character, plot, point of view, description and dialogue. All of these areas are illustrated with examples of classic fiction, and accompanied by exercises that will help every writer hone their natural skill and talent into the ability to craft compelling short stories.Trade ReviewDoes what it so clearly says on the tin . . . This 'how to' book is proof of [Lister's] skills and experience. . . A perfect addition to any writer's desk -- Matthew Tett * Writing in Education *

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Book SynopsisLEARN HOW TO WRITE AND PERFORM STAND UP COMEDY.A new edition of Be A Great Stand-Up, now fully revised and updated with new material on setting up and running a comedy night and mining almost any subject for jokes.Logan Murray has successfully taught the techniques of stand-up comedy to thousands, and in this book he distills his years of experience into the essential skills for a great and enjoyable performance. He will help you find your creative streak and your funny side, build the confidence to deliver, and explain the finer details of stagecraft, from dealing with hecklers to coping with props. There is a full guide to the practicalities, from finding gigs to securing an agent, with plenty of valuable hints, tips and advice. Drawing on Logan''s years of teaching and his own successful stand-up career, with top tips from some of the most well-known people in the business, it is guaranteed to bring a smile to both your face and that of your future audience

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Book SynopsisI can tell the difference between who I am and a side effect.The Effect is a clinical romance. Two young volunteers, Tristan and Connie, agree to take part in a clinical drug trial. Succumbing to the gravitational pull of attraction and love, however, Tristan and Connie manage to throw the trial off-course, much to the frustration of the clinicians involved. This funny, moving and perhaps surprisingly human play explores questions of sanity, neurology and the limits of medicine, alongside ideas of fate, loyalty and the inevitability of physical attraction.Following on from the critical and commercial success of Enron, The Effect offers a vibrant theatrical exploration into the human brain via the heart. It received its world premiere at the National Theatre''s Cottesloe Theatre in November 2012, starring Billie Piper and Jonjo O''Neill. It is published here in the Modern Classics series alongside an introduction by Miriam Gillinson.Trade ReviewLucy Prebble is a playwright blessed with an exceptionally fine mind . . . the play struck me as being both wise and sane, raising more questions than it answers, to be sure, but that seems a sign of integrity in a work dealing with such a complex subject. But what makes The Effect so special, is that as well as being a play of ideas, it is also deeply moving, both in its depiction of the giddy wonder of love, and also in its account of the terrifying wasteland of depression itself . . . The Effect is an astonishingly rich and rewarding play, as intelligent as it is deeply felt. * Daily Telegraph *Lucy Prebble’s follow-up to Enron is a scintillating exploration of the clash between scientific advance and human impulse … it demonstrates the same vivid, provocative intelligence * Financial Times *This four-hander brings the author's agile wit, intellectual penetration and a fresh, deeply affecting empathy to bear on a fundamentally much more complex topic than finance: brain chemistry and what it can – and cannot – tell us about the causes of severe depression and the experience of being in love … This is a provocative and challenging play … it ends in edgy gesture of good sense that made me feel like cheering. * Independent *After her hit with Enron, Lucy Prebble turns to medicine and the mind - to great effect ... The Effect is a four-hander that hopscotches confidently across themes of neurology, psychopharmacology, depression, love and guilt . . . The Effect moves you to thought, sometimes to strong feeling. * Sunday Times *Prebble has written a profound and stirring play. The material is complex but always accessible, the drama serious and informative yet deeply human, with the odd jolt of piercing humour. The Effect confirms her as one of the most intelligent voices in British theatre. * Evening Standard *Incisive dialogue . . . Prebble really researches and the range of her subjects suggests she will have a long theatrical life * Observer *The Effect is a headlong delve into the mysteries of the human brain. And Prebble pulls it off with assurance, tickling our cerebellums in the first half, before tugging on our heartstrings in the second . . . heartbreaking . . . [it has] a heart as well as a brain. * Time Out *Lucy Prebble's absorbing drama, a hit . . . Taut, intelligent * The Times *This is a knotty drama, dealing with scientific objectivity, guilt, the mysteries of the human heart and brain and what makes us who we are, wrapped up in a deceptively simple and constantly entertaining package. * Guardian *

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Book SynopsisThis unique book is the first to show how professional non-fiction writing can benefit from the use of creative writing formats and techniques. It features a wealth of real-life examples, plus exercises to help readers develop their skills. -- .

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Book SynopsisLearn to write science fiction and fantasy from a masterYou''ve always dreamed of writing science fiction and fantasy tales that pull readers into extraordinary new worlds and fantastic conflicts. Best-selling author Orson Scott Card shows you how it''s done, distilling years of writing experience and publishing success into concise, no-nonsense advice. You''ll learn how to:   • utilize story elements that define the science fiction and fantasy genres   • build, populate, and dramatize a credible, inviting world your readers will want to explore   • develop the "rules" of time, space and magic that affect your world and its inhabitants   • construct a compelling story by developing ideas, characters, and events that keep readers turning pages   • find the markets for speculative fiction, reach them, and get published   • submit queries, write cover letters, find an agent, and live the life of a writerThe boundaries of your imagination are infinite. Explore them with Orson Scott Card and create fiction that casts a spell over agents, publishers, and readers from every world.

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Book SynopsisHow do I know I am the same person I was yesterday? What will happen if I die tonight? Do you see exactly the same colours that I see? What is it like to be a bat? Imagine, and what if ...? In this book, philosopher Alec Thompson describes the techniques used by the world's top thinkers and creatives, from Seneca to Einstein, to ponder the big questions, illuminate the little questions, and come up with totally new questions about life, the universe and everything.Trade ReviewWooden Books are: "Fascinating" FINANCIAL TIMES. "Beautiful" LONDON REVIEW OF BOOKS. "Rich and Artful" THE LANCET. "Genuinely mind-expanding" FORTEAN TIMES. "Excellent" NEW SCIENTIST. "Stunning" NEW YORK TIMES. Small books, big ideas.

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Book SynopsisThe classic text on writing well, now refreshed and updated.

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Book SynopsisBrian Bilston is a poet and novelist. With over 400,000 followers on social media, Brian has become truly beloved by the online community. He has published four collections of poetry: You Took the Last Bus Home; Alexa, what is there to know about love?; Days Like These and And So This is Christmas. His novel Diary of a Somebody was shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award. He has also published a collection of football poetry, 50 Ways to Score a Goal, pet poetry, Let Sleeping Cats Lie, and his acclaimed poem Refugees has been made into an illustrated book for children.

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Book Synopsis'Utterly fascinating' Daisy Goodwin, Sunday TimesBenjamin Franklin took daily naked air baths and Toulouse-Lautrec painted in brothels. Edith Sitwell worked in bed, and George Gershwin composed at the piano in pyjamas. Freud worked sixteen hours a day, but Gertrude Stein could never write for more than thirty minutes, and F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote in gin-fuelled bursts - he believed alcohol was essential to his creative process. From Marx to Murakami and Beethoven to Bacon, Daily Rituals by Mason Currey presents the working routines of more than a hundred and sixty of the greatest philosophers, writers, composers and artists ever to have lived. Whether by amphetamines or alcohol, headstand or boxing, these people made time and got to work.Featuring photographs of writers and artists at work, and filled with fascinating insights on the mechanics of genius and entertaining stories of the personalities behind it, Daily Rituals is irresistibly addictive, and utterly inspiring.Trade ReviewI just can't recommend this book enough -- Lena DunhamA trove of entertaining anecdote and thought-provoking comparison -- Toby Lichtig * Daily Telegraph *A chance to see what great lives look like when the triumphs, dramas, disruptions and divorces have been all but boiled away. It will fascinate anyone who wonders how a day might best be spent, especially those who have wondered of their artistic heroes, as a baffled Colette once did of George Sand: how the devil did they manage? * Guardian *Utterly fascinating -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *Mason Currey has carefully compiled the daily habits and personal foibles of 161 great writers, artists, scientists and thinkers, including one who stood on his head to cure creative block. By the end of this book, our carpet-glue habit looks normal -- DBC Pierre * Guardian *A fascinating little book * Financial Times *An utterly fascinating compendium . . . This book is the ultimate retort to the flaneurs who dream about the novel/screenplay/painting they would create if only they had the time. Its message is that serious artists make the time, and most of them make it at the same time every day -- Daisy Goodwin * Sunday Times *A thoroughly researched, minutely annotated and delightful book, full of the quirks and oddities of thehuman comedy . . . Its main lesson can be summed up simply enough: get up, have a cup of coffee, sit at your desk and begin * Literary Review *Some of the world's greatest minds had routines they stuck to to produce their works of genius. In DailyRituals, Mason Currey reveals their more bizarre habits * Daily Mirror *Fascinating . . . it also interestingly reveals that there is no universal formula to greatness, so in essence, it's a celebration of individuality and quirkiness * Huffington Post *

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Book SynopsisSuleika Jaouad is an Emmy Award-winning writer, speaker, and the New York Times 'Life Interrupted' columnist. Her essays and reported features have appeared in The New York Times Magazine and Vogue. She is also the creator of The Isolation Journals, a global movement cultivating creativity during challenging times. Between Two Kingdoms is her first book.

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Book SynopsisUsing clear, readable prose, conceptual artist and poet Kenneth Goldsmith’s manifesto shows how our time on the internet is not really wasted but is quite productive and creative as he puts the experience in its proper theoretical and philosophical context.Kenneth Goldsmith wants you to rethink the internet.Trade ReviewFor decades, Kenneth Goldsmith has forced us to question what constitutes and what does not constitute art. In Wasting Time on the Internet, he demonstrates persuasively and precisely the myriad ways in which the web undergirds contemporary art and ambitious contemporary art engages seriously with the implications of the web. -- David Shields, author of Reality Hunger: A Manifesto "The Internet made the world an intelligence and vastly increased my own. I got my theory from Hawthorne's House of the Seven Gables, Wells' World Brain and McLuhan, but now I have the Internet instruction book: Wasting Time on the Internet. It's also a pretty good history of the future." -- Glenn O'Brien, author of The Style Guy and How To Be a Man "Deeply versed in avant garde and surreal modes of seeing and playing in the so-called "real world," Goldsmith proves a brilliant guide to the worlds we describe as digital or virtual. It's pure pleasure to browse and surf and swipe and poke at contemporary tech culture in his company." -- Rob Walker, co-editor Significant Objects "Entertaining, vividly written investigation of the ways people interact with the web... Goldsmith maintains a sharp focus as he weaves together wildly diverse ideas, explaining new information clearly for a general audience." -- Publishers Weekly "A persuasive argument about how what conventional wisdom dismisses as "wasting time" is actually time well spent" -- Kirkus Reviews

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Book Synopsis''If you''re someone who dreams of penning a bestseller, read this book'' The Week''What if the success of E.L.James and Dan Brown was not so random? What if there were an algorithm that could pick out the bestseller DNA concealed within these books before they''re published? This is the audacious claim made by Jodie Archer and Matthew Jockers ... Smart, savvy and full of ideas'' Fiona Wilson, The TimesGirl on the Train. Fifty Shades. The Goldfinch. Why do some books capture the whole world''s attention? In The Bestseller Code, Archer and Jockers boldly claim that not only can mega-hits be explained and identified - but they''ve built the algorithm to prove it. Using cutting-edge text mining techniques, they have developed a model that analyses theme, plot, style and character to explain why some books resonate more than others with readers. Provocative, entertaining, and ground-breaking, The Bestseller Code explo

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a huge range and FREE tracked UK delivery on ALL orders.

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Book SynopsisA fully revised and updated edition with writing prompts and challenges in every chapterToday’s writers need more spunk than Strunk: whether it''s the Great American e-mail, Madison Avenue advertising, or Grammy Award-winning rap lyrics, memorable writing must jump off the page. Copy veteran Constance Hale is on a mission to make creative communication, both the lyrical and the unlawful, an option for everyone. With its crisp, witty tone, Sin and Syntax covers grammar’s ground rules while revealing countless unconventional syntax secrets (such as how to use—Gasp!—interjections or when to pepper your prose with slang) that make for sinfully good writing. Discover how to: *Distinguish between words that are “pearls” and words that are “potatoes” * Avoid “couch potato thinking” and “commitment phobia” when choosing verbs * Use literary devices such as onomatopoeia, alliteration, and metaphor (and understand what you''re doing) Everyone needs to know how to write stylish prose—students, professionals, and seasoned writers alike. Whether you’re writing to sell, shock, or just sing, Sin and Syntax—now celebrating 20 years in print—is the guide you need to improve your command of the English language.

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Book SynopsisThe nonfiction debut by #1 New York Times bestselling author Ruta Sepetys is now in paperback! Perfect for fans of Burn After Writing and Bird by Bird.Life is a story in motion. Each day, you add to your story, revise it, and view it from a different angle. You erase things. Tear pages out. And sometimes, in hindsight, wish you could put them back. A day is a story. A year is a story. A life is a story.You are a story.Ruta Sepetys is known for creating vivid characters and harrowing plots. After five award-winning works of historical fiction and countless hours of meticulous research, she can affirm that the secret to strong writing is embedded within your life experience.You: The Story is a powerful how-to book for aspiring writers that encourages you to look inward and excavate your own memories in order to discover the authentic voices and compelling details that are waiting to be put on the page. Masterfully weaving in humorous and heartfelt stories from her own life that illustrate an aspect of the craft of writing (such as plot, character development, or dialogue), Sepetys then inspires readers with a series of writing prompts and exercises.Perfect for fans of Burn After Writing and Bird by Bird, You: The Story awakens the emerging writer and reveals that with some reflection, curiosity, and courage, you have a story to tell.

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Book SynopsisSean Prentiss is Associate Professor of English at Norwich University, USA. He is author of Finding Abbey: The Search for Edward Abbey and His Hidden Desert Grave (2015), which won the National Outdoor Book Award for Biography/History and Advanced Creative Nonfiction (2021). He is also co-editor of The Far Edges of the Fourth Genre (2014).Joe Wilkins is Associate Professor of English at Linfield College, USA. His memoir, The Mountain and the Fathers: Growing Up on the Big Dry won the GLCA New Writers Award for non-fiction and his work has appeared in Georgia Review, Harvard Review and Slate among many other periodicals.

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Book SynopsisDr Elen Caldecott?is a Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Lancaster University, UK. She is the author of 12 novels and dozens of early readers for young people. Her debut novel,?How Kirsty Jenkins Stole the Elephant?(Bloomsbury, 2009) was shortlisted for the Waterstone's Children's Prize. Her most recent novel The Blackthorn Branch (Andersen 2022) was longlisted for the 2023 Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing. Her website is https://elencaldecott.com/

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Book SynopsisH. K. Hummel is Assistant Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, USA. She is the author of the poetry collections, Lessons in Breathing Underwater, Boytreebird, and Handmade Boats.Stephanie Lenox is an instructional editor for Chemeketa Press at Chemeketa Community College, USA. She is the author of the poetry collections, The Business, Congress of Strange People, and The Heart That Lies Outside the Body.

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