Creative writing Books

Book SynopsisMake Your Novel Stand Out from the Crowd!Noted literary agent and author Donald Maass has done it again! His previous book, Writing the Breakout Novel, offered novelists of all skill levels and genres insider advice on how to make their books rise above the competition and succeed in a crowded marketplace.Now, building on the success of its predecessor, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook calls that advice into action! This powerful book presents the patented techniques and writing exercises from Maass''s popular writing workshops to offer novelists first-class instruction and practical guidance. You''ll learn to develop and strengthen aspects of your prose with sections on:   • Building plot layers   • Creating inner conflict   • Strengthening voice and point of view   • Discovering and heightening larger-than-life character qualities   • Strengthening theme   • And much more! Maass also carefully dissects examples from real-life breakout novels so you''ll lean how to read and analyze fiction like a writer. With authoritative instruction and hands-on workbook exercises, Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook is one of the most accessible novel-writing guides available.Set your work-in progress apart from the competition and write your own breakout novel today!

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Book SynopsisLearn the craft of effective storytelling with the Writers'' & Artists'' Guide to How to Write. Novelist William Ryan introduces the techniques needed to construct, craft and draft a novel. He provides tried-and-tested examples and details on what to consider when writing for any audience, across any genre. Each chapter tackles a key aspect of the writing process, including how to: structure a novel, develop central and subsidiary characters, create atmosphere and tension, write punchy dialogue and pacey scenes. This is the perfect guide for any writer looking for clear and informed advice on getting their ideas on to the page from the bestselling and trusted creative writing brand.Trade ReviewFor anyone who's ever had a hankering to write a novel, William Ryan has brought you the perfect guide. Including key advice on aspects of the writing process, developing characters and even how to write a great covering letter once you've finished, this special tome has it all covered. * Woman’s Own magazine *Table of ContentsThe book is divided into nine chapters, each of which tackles a key aspect of the writing process: 1. Getting started 2. The basics 3. Research, atmosphere and setting 4. Central characters 5. Subsidiary characters 6. Plot 7. Writing scenes 8. Dialogue 9. You've finished your novel: what do you do now?

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Book SynopsisIn How Plays Work, distinguished playwright David Edgar examines the mechanisms and techniques which dramatists throughout the ages have employed to structure their plays and to express their meaning. Written for playwrights and playgoers alike, Edgar's analysis starts with the building blocks of whole plays – plot, character-creation, genre and structure – and moves on to scenes and devices. He shows how plays share a common architecture without which the uniqueness of their authors' vision would be invisible. How Plays Work is both a masterclass for playwrights and playmakers and a fascinating guide to the anatomy of drama. In this revised edition, Edgar brings the book right up to date with analyses of many recent plays, as well as explorations of emerging genres and new innovations in playwriting practice. 'A brilliantly illuminating, bang-up-to-date, unmissable read' April De Angelis 'A book of real theoretical heft written by a major working playwright' Steve Waters 'An essential accompaniment for anyone fascinated by the craft of dramatic storytelling' John Yorke 'Every theatremaker should read this book' Pippa Hill, Literary Manager, Royal Shakespeare Company 'Even if you've read the book before, it demands to be reread' Simon Callow 'Combines theoretical acumen with the assured know-how of a working dramatist' Terry Eagleton, Times Literary SupplementTrade Review'Fascinating... read it. You will learn a lot' * The Stage *'Lucid, deeply intelligent... combines theoretical acumen with the assured know-how of a working dramatist' * Terry Eagleton, TLS *

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Book SynopsisWhether you are a beginner or an accomplished professional, whether your field is fiction, nonfiction or journalism, Sol Stein's Solutions for Writers is an indispensable guide to enhancing your work. In Stein's own words, 'This is not a book of theory': just practical, immediately useful solutions to help with every type of writing problem. From shaping an opening sentence that hooks the reader to the secret of successful revision, deft character development to pumping up pacing, Solutions for Writers contains a wealth of wisdom from one of publishing's most storied editors. Packed with ideas, examples of techniques in practice, and advice that shines a new light on craft, Sol Stein's writing guide is a timeless classic - a book for writers to mark up, dog-ear, and cherish.Trade ReviewThis book can jump-start anyone's creativity. Highly recommended for all writing collections * Library Journal *The best book on writing that I have read ... cannot fail to help every writer, no matter at what stage he finds himself -- Barnaby Conrad, New York Times bestselling author of MatadorOffers a banquet of savvy advice * Publishers Weekly *With Stein's assistance, you can grab your reader on page one and not let go until "The End"... [Stein] offers "usable solutions" for any writing problem you might encounter ... he challenges you to write the sentence you want the world to remember you by -- Jane Steinberg

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Book SynopsisBestselling author and teacher Natalie Goldberg shares her inspiring personal journey out of a devastating period of writer's block and back into a life of growth, creativity, and healing.Natalie Goldberg has been writing for the past fifty years. But at the beginning of the pandemic, she suddenly wasn't able to write anymore. Her imaginative wellspring had dried up, and she was forced to ask herself: what do I do when what has always worked for me doesn't work anymore?In this beautifully written, inspiring personal account, Natalie shares her harrowing journey out of creative paralysis and back onto the page. When all of her tried and true methods meditation, sitting still, writing practice stopped working, she had to take drastic action. She got into her car and left New Mexico in search of a new inventive source. In her journey through the western states, she visited famous literary sites, searching for the spark that would reignite her ability to write.<

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Book SynopsisNational Bestseller Inspired by Jami Attenberg’s wildly popular literary movement #1000WordsofSummer, this “encouraging handbook” (Publishers Weekly) features essays on creativity, productivity, and writing from acclaimed authors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer, and Carmen Maria Machado.In 2018, novelist Jami Attenberg, faced with a looming deadline, needed writing inspiration. Using a bootcamp model, she and a friend set out to write one thousand words daily for two weeks straight. They opened this practice to Attenberg’s online community and soon hundreds then thousands of people started using the #1000WordsofSummer hashtag to track their work and support one another. What began as a simple challenge between two friends has become a literary movement—write 1,000 words per day without judgement, or bias, or concerns about writer’s block, and see what comes of it. 1000 Words

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Book SynopsisCrafting Poems and Stories is an inspiring new guide to creative writing. Comprehensive in its treatment of poetry and fiction, this book offers features that students most often request, including concise definitions of basic terms of poetry and short fiction, focused discussion of craft, exciting literary models, and engaging hands-on exercises. It is an accessible guide that renders the material of introductory creative writing courses more readily engaging, so that beginning writers see greater progress reflected in their poems and short stories over the course of a single semester.KEY FEATURES Includes 60 poems and 9 complete stories, ranging from classic to contemporary. Each chapter includes craft-focused discussion questions and writing prompts and exercises. Includes appendices on workshopping poetry and fiction and on resources for writers seeking publication. Trade Review“There is so much to love about Crafting Poems and Stories, from the helpful overviews to the excellent exercises, the masterfully curated short stories and poems, the smart advice on revision, and the increasingly valuable information on workshopping and publishing. But what I love most is how Ethel Rackin demystifies the process of creative writing. The emphasis on poems and stories as something crafted, something that any student, regardless of age or experience, can create, makes imaginative writing far less intimidating and far more inviting. This inclusive book arms beginning writers with the tools to approach creative writing with a sense of belonging.” — Dean Rader, University of San Francisco“Crafting Poems and Stories by Ethel Rackin offers essential creative-writing foundations in a lively, streamlined, and welcoming volume. For those of us who teach in multiple genres, or even find ourselves creating works that dash or tiptoe between poem and story, Ethel Rackin’s text is particularly valuable, allowing these two genres to coexist harmoniously under one roof.” — Mary Biddinger, The University of Akron“Crafting Poems and Stories is everything I have been looking for in a new creative-writing text. The book is thorough, specific, diverse, and very accessible. The readings are stimulating and include not only canonical works but also many living authors from across the spectrum. I especially appreciate the craft questions and exercises, which are sure to inspire students to engage and grow. I can’t wait to put this book to work!” — Christopher Salerno, William Paterson UniversityTable of Contents Introduction to Creative Writing Poetry 1. Getting Started: The Crafting of a Poem 2. Images: The Truth Is in the Details 3. Sound and Rhythm: Some Enchanted Music 4. Traditional Form: Rules Are Made to Be Broken 5. Free Verse: Without a Net 6. Theme: What's My Poem About? 7. Voice and Tone: Dear Reader 8. Revision: First Thought, Best Thought? Stories Introduction: The Bridge Between Fact and Fiction Getting Started: The Crafting of a Story Details: Creating a World Viewpoint: Whose Story Is It? Characterization: Getting to Know You From Scenes to Plot: Time Out of Mind Setting: A Sense of Place Style and Tone: Icebergs and Castles Revision: Are We There Yet? Appendix A: Workshopping Appendix B: Writing Resources

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Book SynopsisDiscover insightful guidance, tools and techniques to become a skilled writer and learn how to share your work with the world.How do you sustain your ideas and overcome self-doubt in your talents? How do you transmit your ideas so that the world will take notice? What techniques can you use to create discipline and make your writing sessions a joy?We live in exciting times: anyone with an idea can reach a worldwide audience, but how do you separate yourself from the thousands competing to be heard? This is a warm, comforting guide to stepping into your new life as an empowered author. You'll learn how to generate more ideas, build confidence in your writing and take your manuscript to completion.Studies have shown it takes just 21 days to establish a new habit. If there's a skill you've always wanted to take advantage of, the answer is only a few weeks away with Hay House’s 21 Days series.

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Book SynopsisFrom the master of Story, Dialogue, and Character, ACTION offers writers the keys to propulsive storytelling.  ACTION explores the ways that a modern-day writer can successfully tell an action story that not only stands apart, but wins the war on clichés. Teaming up with the former co-host of The Story Toolkit, Bassim El-Wakil, legendary story lecturer Robert McKee guides writers to award-winning originality by deconstructing the action genre, illuminating the challenges, and, more importantly, demonstrating how to master the demands of plot with surprising beats of innovation and ingenuity.Topics include:  Understanding the Four Core Elements of Action Creating the Action Cast Hook, Hold, Pay Off: Design in Action The Action Macguffin Action Set Pieces The Sixteen Action Subgenres A must-add to the McKee storytelling library, ACTION illustrates the principles of narrative drive with precision and clarity by referencing the most popular action movies of our time including: Die Hard, The Star Wars Saga, Dark Knight, The Matrix, and Avengers: Endgame.

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Book SynopsisIn her entertaining and edifying New York Times bestseller, acclaimed author Francine Prose invites you to sit by her side and take a guided tour of the tools and tricks of the masters to discover why their work has endured. Written with passion, humour and wisdom, Reading Like a Writer will inspire readers to return to literature with a fresh eye and an eager heart - to take pleasure in the long and magnificent sentences of Philip Roth and the breathtaking paragraphs of Isaac Babel; to look to John le Carre for a lesson in how to advance plot through dialogue and to Flannery O'Connor for the cunning use of the telling detail; to be inspired by Emily Bronte's structural nuance and Charles Dickens's deceptively simple narrative techniques. Most importantly, Prose cautions readers to slow down and pay attention to words, the raw material out of which all literature is crafted, and reminds us that good writing comes out of good reading.Trade Review"For everyone studying English literature this book should be required reading; it is a wonderful explanation of how writers build their books from the words upwards." -- Daisy Goodwin The Sunday Times "a clarion call for aspiring writers to do that most simple, time-consuming but enjoyable thing: their homework ...Prose's forthright, waspish and often very funny book is a plea to all writers for vigour and clarity, one which encourages them to tend to the details of technique, and the mastery of language, as closely as they tend to their own ambition." -- Louise Doughty The Observer 'astute and enthusiastic commentary for writers and readers' Times Literary Supplement 'a volume that shows how to judge a book not by its cover, or even by its subject matter, but by the quality of its writing' Culture, The Sunday Times 'an essential book for any writer...who purports to take his or herself remotely seriously' The New Review, Observer 'Delightful and edifying...a fabulous book I intend to keep permanently to hand' Bookseller 'informative and inspiring' Good Book Guide

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Book SynopsisThe W&A Guide to Writing for Children and YA provides informed, practical advice from a successful and experienced writer of children's books across all ages. Its coverage includes picture books through middle grade and young adult; fiction and non-fiction; books for reluctant readers and books for the education market. It is one author's lifetime of experience distilled into an engaging guide on how to manage, kickstart or begin your writing career. This is a heavily revised and expanded edition of Linda's Writing for Children (2008). Much has happened in both Linda's writing life and in the world of children's books since then. Staying true to the essence of the original, the new edition includes more advice and experience to reflect changes in digital publishing, self-publishing, and the explosion of YA and children's writing more broadly.Trade ReviewAn essential read for everyone interested in the art, craft and business of writing. * Malorie Blackman *Linda Strachan is one of those authors who not only nails it on the page, but is also a master at explaining how and why she writes what she writes. * Philip Ardagh *This book contains everything you need to know. -- (review of the previous edition) * Celia Rees, former Chair of the Children’s Writers & Illustrators Group of the Society of Authors *The advice in this book is utterly invaluable. -- (review of the previous edition) * Nicola Morgan, current Chair of the Children's Writers and Illustrators Group committee of the Society of Authors, a former chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, and an Ambassador for Dyslexia Scotland *Table of ContentsThe book is divided into four sections, each with a series of concise chapters: 1: Different kinds of writing for children 2: A writer's toolkit 3: Preparing your work for publication 4: After publication - what next?

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Book SynopsisAcademic Writing Now: A Brief Guide for Busy Students is a rhetoric designed to cover the basics of a college writing course in a concise, student-friendly format. Anything inessential to the business of college writing has been excluded. Each chapter concentrates on a crucial element of composing an academic essay and is capable of being read in a single sitting. The book is loaded with "timesaver tips," ideas for making the most of the student's time, along with occasional warnings to avoid common errors made by student writers. Each short chapter concludes with questions and suggestions designed to trigger class discussion.The second edition has been updated throughout, with special attention to making the book even better suited to accelerated and co-requisite composition courses.Trade ReviewDavid Starkey delivers clear, ordered advice in a voice so familiar and colloquial that anyone's anxiety about this often rigid, academic subject will start to calm. He moves seamlessly between examples ranging from everyday experience to the highest levels of great writing, and what I like best is that underneath it all he encourages students to keep creativity and poetic insight alive even as they tackle the challenge of writing rigorous, scholarly papers." - Richard Guzman, North Central CollegeTable of Contents Preface for Instructors: Busy, Busy, Busy Introduction for Students: Strategies for Succeeding as a College Writer Part One: Ready, Set ... Chapter 1: Academic Writing: An Overview Chapter 2: Academic Reading Chapter 3: Ideas into Text Chapter 4: Arguments and Organization Chapter 5: Researching Your Topic Part Two: Go Chapter 6: Introduction: Hooking Your Reader Chapter 7: Body Paragraphs: And I Ought to Keep Reading Because? Chapter 8: Conclusion: Wait ... Don't Stop Part Three: Go Again Chapter 9: Taking Another Look Chapter 10: Handing It Over Appendix I: Genres of Academic Writing Appendix II: A Brief Guide to Documentation Index

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Book SynopsisA fully updated comprehensive guide for improving and practicing your creative writing, including contributions from Ali Smith and Kit de Waal The Creative Writing Coursebook, edited by Julia Bell and Paul Magrs, takes aspiring writers through three stages of essential practice: Gathering – getting started, learning how to keep notes, making observations and using memory; Shaping – looking at structure, point of view, character and setting; and Finishing – being your own critic, joining workshops and finding publishers.Fully updated and including a foreword by Marina Warner and contributions from forty-four authors such as Kit de Waal and Amy Liptrot, this is the perfect book for people who are just starting to write as well as for those who want some help honing work already completed. Filled with a wealth of exercises and activities, it will inspire budding writers to develop and hone their skills. Whether writing for publication, in a group or just for pleasure this comprehensive guide is for anyone who is ready to put pen to paper.

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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 SynopsisDavid Galef provides a guide to writing flash fiction, from tips on technique to samples by canonical and contemporary authors to provocative prompts that inspire powerful stories in a little space. Brevity is an indispensable resource for anyone working in this increasingly popular form.Trade ReviewIf I had to choose just one book for my class in writing flash fiction, it would be this one. Practical, direct, wonderful examples, fun to read-if this book doesn't energize your writing, nothing will. -- Robert Shapard, coeditor of Sudden Fiction: American Short-Short Stories Brevity represents a useful addition to the range of current creative writing texts, combining an anthology of flash fiction with an analysis of the subcategories within the form and writing exercises that will inspire students. Galef's witty, welcoming tone will appeal to beginning and intermediate writers. Often, I felt so inspired by the prompts that I wanted to sit down at my computer and try the exercises myself. -- Eileen Pollack, author of A Perfect Life: A Novel Brevity is a thorough introduction to the form, offering a variety of strategies for composition, as well as a wide-ranging, international anthology linked to each chapter's focus. A relentlessly generative, eclectic, instructive, entertaining, and motivational text. -- Michael Martone, author of The Flatness and Other Landscapes Galef is an excellent writer, and the book throughout is a delight-he makes the reader want to immediately start writing... He provides deft insights and suggestions on editing... and he suggests techniques that work well when applied to a small text. Best of all, each chapter provides examples of great flash fiction-from authors as different as Saki and Steve Martin-as well as ideas for readers to explore. Publishers WeeklyTable of ContentsAcknowledgments A Short Introduction Vignettes. Readings: Colette: "The Other Wife"; Isaac Babel: "An Incident on the Nevsky Prospekt" Character Sketches. Readings: L. E. Leone: "The Argument for a Shotgun"; Josefina Estrada: "The Extravagant Behavior of the Naked Woman" Letters. Readings: Yasunari Kawabata: "Canaries"; Phil Karasik: "Mickey the Dog Phones Home" Diary Entries. Readings: Will Stanton: "Barney"; Mark Budman: "The Diary of a Salaryman" Lists. Readings: Sei Shonagon: "Annoying Things"; Steve Martin: "Disgruntled Former Lexicographer" Fables. Readings: Anonymous: Untitled; Raphael Dagold: "The Two Rats and the BB Gun" Anecdotes. Reading: The peasant and the genie Prose Poems. Readings: Yusef Komunyakaa: "Nude Interrogation"; Len Kuntz: "Story Problems" Soliloquies, Rants, Riffs, and Themes. Readings: Christine Byl: "Hey, Jess McCafferty"; John Edgar Wideman: "Witness" Perfect Miniatures. Readings: John Collier: "The Chaser"; Jeffrey Whitmore: "Bedtime Story" Intermission: Cutting Down. Bruce Taylor: "Exercise" Surrealism. Readings: Richard Brautigan: "A Need for Gardens"; Donald Barthelme: "The Baby" What If? Readings: Wayland Hilton-Young: "The Choice"; Dicky Murphy: "The Magician's Umbrella" Genre. Readings: Roxane Gay: "The Mistress of Baby Breath"; Tara Orchard: "My Love" Setting. Readings: Bharati Mukherjee: "Courtly Vision"; Alice Walker: "The Flowers" Twists. Readings: Luisa Valenzuela: "Vision Out of the Corner of One Eye"; Saki: "The Open Window" Two Viewpoints. Readings: Robert Schipits: "Dialogue Between Two Teenagers, One Interested in Cars and One Not"; Ryan Ridge: "Shaky Hands & All" Mass Compression. Readings: Bruce Holland Rogers: "Dinosaur"; Susan O'Neill: "Memento Mori" Metafiction. Readings: Ptim Callan: "Story"; Jorge Luis Borges: "Borges and I" Vanishing Point. Readings: Merilee Faber: "We came around the corner"; Dean Clayton Edwards: "It was pretending"; Davian Aw: "She raised the glass"; Augusto Monterroso: "The Dinosaur" The Future Conclusion Bibliography Permissions Index

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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 SynopsisDo you have an irresistible idea for a children''s book with pictures? Are you inspired by writers like Julia Donaldson and Lauren Child? Get Started in Writing and Illustrating A Children''s Book is designed for anyone who wants to write in this genre of fiction, whatever the category or age range. Designed to build confidence and help fire up creativity, it is also an essential guide to mastering the practicalities of working with illustrators and illustrated concepts, from creating ideas for toddler board books to writing high concept middle grade projects. It carries the distinctive learning features of the flagship Teach Yourself Creative Writing series, with Snapshots designed to get you writing quickly, Key Idea to help crystallize thought, and a wealth of supplementary material, including insights into the publishing world and the role of the agent.

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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 book provides comprehensive advice on what to write about for children, how to write it, and how to present the work professionally for publication. It includes an easy-to-use picture book layout plan and tried and tested examples of title sheets and covering letters. It also includes everything a writer needs to know about the international picture book market and how to sell to agents and publishers.This new edition contains advice on enhancing your text for the ebook market.

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Book SynopsisDesigned to take you from the moment you first put your pen to paper to pitching and selling your completed screenplay, this is one of the most inspiring books on screenwriting you''ll ever read.Practical exercises will teach you the craft of writing for film and television, both mainstream and independent, the art of building your own plots, characters, dialogue and scenes. It gives you the skills you need to succeed and helps you critique your own work, meaning that at every step of the writing process you''ll be producing the best scripts you can.This book is filled with essential writing tools, including techniques for overcoming writer''s block and how to find your unique voice. You will learn how to pitch and get your work optioned, how to work as part of a team and how to make the best use of social media - in all a comprehensive companion that you will keep coming back to as your career develops.ABOUT THE SERIESThe Teach Yourself Creative Writing

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Book SynopsisLet the wisdom and enchantment of timeless fables and fiction help you achieve your creative goals! From celebrated mixed-media artist and author of Create Your Life Book Tamara Laporte, Ever After is a rich collection of step-by-step mixed-media art lessons inspired by fairy tales, folk tales, and classic fiction. Based on one of Tamara’s popular series of online classes, Ever After addressesthe most frequently asked question she receives from her students: “How do I develop my own creative style?” In addition to the beautiful art lessons created especially for this book by Tamara and eight other noted mixed-media artists, each chapter offers creative exercises that invite readers to explore stories, their symbolism, and a specific aspect of style development as they work toward and ultimately achieve their artistic goals. The Story of You. Explore the experiences, feelings, and ideas that stir your passion, and how to adapt and change motifs and other visual elements to make them your own. Inspiration: How to Find It, How to Use It. Examine how to stay open to inspiration, incorporate it into your art practice, and integrate it into your artwork. Comfort Zones & Productivity. Learn strategies for working through your fear and dedicating time to your artmaking. Dealing with Challenges & Deepening Your Voice. Find guidance for starting a mindfulness practice to help you deal with harsh feedback, and for allowing yourself the joy of continually evolving your story, your message, and your style. Ever After will teach you to tell your own unique stories through art making so that your wish—to become the artist you’ve always wanted to be—is sure to come true! Guest TeachersIncludes lessons and tips from these renowned mixed-media artists: Kara Bullock Lucy Chen Danita Andrea Gomoll Annie Hamman Mariëlle Stolp Effy Wild Micki Wilde Fairy Tales, Fables & FictionFeatured stories include: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland Bambi Beauty & the Beast Goldilocks & the Three Bears Mulan Peter Pan Sleeping Beauty The Little Mermaid

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Book SynopsisTrade Review"Ted Kooser could be mistaken for an average guy except for one thing: He writes poetry. That activity sets him apart from most of his neighbors, since they, like most Americans, have very little time for the stuff. A resident of Nebraska and the first U.S. poet laureate from the Great Plains, Mr. Kooser takes a broadly inclusive approach to promoting poetry; even so, he harbors no illusions about its becoming the national pastime anytime soon. Mr. Kooser captures this outsider-status neatly in The Poetry Home Repair Manual, his guide to aspiring poets and aspiring readers of verse. . . . [P]oetry is a tough sell these days. . . . But that only makes a smart and readable poetry guide all the more welcome, and needed."—David Yezzi, The Wall Street Journal"With The Poetry Home Repair Manual, he turns to teaching us what poetry is about, Kooser-style. Much of it appeals. His attitude that 'poetry is communication' is refreshing in an era when so many poets seem to be babbling to themselves, giving us pages ripped out of their narcissistic diaries. . . . As might be expected, Kooser's advice is practical, down-home. . . . Kooser is a fine free-verser, and the biases of his book show it."—Cynthia Haven, San Francisco Chronicle"When Nebraska's Ted Kooser was named poet laureate for the Library of Congress last fall, certain quarters of the literary establishment responded with a resounding, Huh? Poets on both coasts scratched their heads, admitting they had never heard of Kooser. It is to be hoped they now have. With Kooser, the middle of the country and Nebraska have triumphed over the self-concerned coasts. Many of his poems involve closely observed Midwestern scenes, their artistry a way of surviving and even enjoying the world. Though Kooser eschews the egotism of many contemporary poets, he is as distinctive a voice as any now at work, a master of metaphor and the short poem. . . . Kooser's book is quietly witty and iconoclastic, with valuable advice. . . . He presents a whole stance toward writing in the context of living one's life. The Poetry Home Repair Manual is brief, lucid, and often remarkably wise."—David Mason, The Weekly Standard"Comings and goings, what is there and what isn't, and the possibilities drawn from personal exploration shape the landscapes in Kooser's poetry. This is not an extended, complex, or experimental kind of writing, but a poetry that rings true, allowing the human sound of being to exist on the page. Its brevity is a launching pad for a simplicity that contains mortal lessons whose language changes the reader. This sense of transformation could be the theme of The Poetry Home Repair Manual. It is not a how-to book or a grand manifesto about poetic tradition. This lively and trim book is Kooser's gift to readers and writers of poetry. . . . The value of this book lies in the way Kooser encourages writers to be real about their expectations, their work, and the fact that the world is not waiting for their poems. . . . Kooser is a poet whose triumphs and tragedies become our own, not to shed their weight upon us but to allow us to revel in the process by which the imagination and the mysteries of poetry make our humanity everyone's horizon."—Bloomsbury Review"The work of Kooser, America's new poet laureate, will be receiving more attention now, attention that is amply deserved"—Booklist"Get your hands on this book. Ask your librarian for it—or better yet buy it, along with a highlighter. You're going to need the latter because this book is brimming with good counsel."—John Eberhart, Kansas City Star"A beginning poet would be well advised to read and take to heart the plain-spoken wisdom offered in . . . Ted Kooser's poetry writing 'manual.' . . . By poking fun at himself, he encourages the fledgling poet to see past the pose of being a poet to the devotion to craft and love of poetry that this book celebrates."—Judith Sornberger, Great Plains Quarterly"No other poet seems better suited to represent the United States as its Laureate in this era than Ted Kooser, and The Poetry Home Repair Manual should enhance his grip on our slumbering Republic."—Larry Woiwode, Poet Laureate of North Dakota, in North Dakota Quarterly"[Kooser] is a major poetic voice for rural and small-town America and the first Poet Laureate chosen from the Great Plains. His verse reaches beyond his native region to touch on universal themes in accessible ways."—James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress"Ted Kooser demonstrates that you can be both accessible and truly excellent. . . . He's the sort of poet people love to read.”—Dana Gioia, poet and author of Can Poetry Matter?

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Book SynopsisUsing more than fifty prompts and vibrantly illustrated examples, The Creative Journal—a classic in the fields of art therapy, memoir and creative writing, art journaling, and creativity development—guides readers through drawing and writing exercises to release feelings, explore dreams, and solve problems creatively.Trade Review“The process of healing is the product, and her work guides us in the process, presenting us with tools for change.”“Beginning with The Creative Journal, Capacchione has been a powerful champion of the therapeutic potential of keeping one’s own drawing journal.… In [her books] she discusses her personal journey and how journaling has facilitated her growth and development…. This intimate touch engages readers and offers them permission to tell their stories through working in their journals.” * Art Therapy *“I think both drawing and writing encourage a fundamental need that we have for self-expression. There may be an added benefit to writing in that it translates experiences into language—which helps the person to resolve a trauma more quickly.”“Lucia Capacchione’s workshop was a powerful tool on my healing journey. She shares her insights and gives you the opportunity to heal your relationship with your inner child.”“[Capacchione] not only helps to bring out the best, but helps to discover that there is a best that is worth bringing out.”

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Book SynopsisElizabeth George is one of the most successful writers of crime fiction in the world. Her twelve novels have appeared on bestseller lists in the UK, USA and Australia, and several of them have been dramatised by BBC Television as the Inspector Lynley Mysteries. She has also written a collection of short stories and edited a crime anthology.Now she shares this wealth of experience with would-be novelists, and with crime fiction fans. Drawing extensively on her own work, and that of other bestselling writers including Stephen King, Harper Lee, Dennis Lehane and many others, she illustrates her points about plotting, characterisation and technique with great clarity. She also includes extracts from her own Journals - the diaries she keeps as she writes each of her novels - and these give us an unprecedented insight into the creative mind, with all its highs and lows.Trade ReviewAn impressively thorough and down-to-earth guide . . . a perfect DIY guide for the determined new novelist . . . deserves to be in print for many years to come. * Terence Blacker, Sunday Times *Indispensable * Mariella Frostrup *'It all adds up to a hugely instructive and practical book' * Writing Magazine *

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Book SynopsisInspired by Jami Attenberg's wildly popular literary movement #1000WordsofSummer, this encouraging handbook (Publishers Weekly) features essays on creativity, productivity, and writing from acclaimed authors including Roxane Gay, Lauren Groff, Celeste Ng, Meg Wolitzer, and Carmen Maria Machado. In 2018, novelist Jami Attenberg, faced with a looming deadline, needed writing inspiration. Using a bootcamp model, she and a friend set out to write one thousand words daily for two weeks straight. They opened this practice to Attenberg's online community and soon hundreds then thousands of people started using the #1000WordsofSummer hashtag to track their work and support one another. What began as a simple challenge between two friends has become a literary movementwrite 1,000 words per day without judgement, or bias, or concerns about writer's block, and see what comes of it. 1000 Words is the book-length extension of this movement. It is about becomingand stayingmotivated, discovering

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Book SynopsisFrom the "Godfather behind Creative Nonfiction" (Vanity Fair) and founder and editor of Creative Nonfiction Magazine: a how-to guide for every aspect of creative nonfictionTrade Review"Most writers interested in the [creative nonfiction] genre will want this on their shelves." Internet Review of Books, 10/3/12"This book belongs in a writer's library." Midwest Book Review, October 2012"From ethical questions on turning nonfiction into creative writing to handling the fine line between fact and fiction, this covers common pitfalls and provides concrete approaches to success." Milwaukee Shepherd Express, 11/1912"Students and teachers of writing will find You Can't Make This Stuff Up instructive and inspiring...Those leery of yet another writer's manual will likely find they enjoy reading this engaging book for the way the author weaves together true stories well told." Curled Up with a Good Book, 11/16/12"Memoirists and journalists looking for a fresh approach or a change of pace would do well with You Can't Make This Stuff Up. Everyone else can enjoy a quick and enjoyable trot through an often maligned but compelling and growing literary genre." The Worlds of R.A. Hortz, 12/10/12 "An informative book that should be on the bookshelf of every writer." East Central Illinois News-Gazette, 4/7/13 The Writer, October 2012"Anyone seeking to write creative nonfiction will benefit from Gutkind's clear and instructive voice...The many examples of great creative nonfiction he offers (and carefully analyzes in order to explain their magic) are alone worth the price of the book." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/30/12"Mr. Gutkind's latest work...is the kind of book about mastering the writing life we've come to expect from him: brash, clearly written, opinion-heavy, personal anecdote-driven, and chock full of practical exercises." Bookviews blog, October 2012"This is a grand tour of creative nonfiction, providing challenging writing exercises, analytical reflections on the techniques the best writers use, tips and getting published, and much more. I have been a nonfiction writer my whole life and I can confirm this book will turn you into one as well." Infodad.com, 10/4/12"A useful workbook for a specific writing niche, and people wanting to break into the field-especially those parts involving Gutkind himself or influenced by him-would do well to go through the exercises and recommendations in some detail." Library Journal, October 2012 Kirkus Reviews, 7/15/12 "Reminiscent of Stephen King's fiction handbook On Writing, the book will be useful to both new writers and seasoned chroniclers seeking a professional refresher course on the basics of content and continuity and on how to expand audience attention for typically esoteric material...An accessible, indispensable nonfiction guidebook from an authority who knows his subject from cover to cover." Booklist, August 2012"Gutkind, at once methodical and anecdotal in his instruction, offers clear and practical guidance on artistic concerns and matters technical, ethical, legal, and moral...With expertise equaled by enthusiasm, the founder and editor of the magazine Creative Nonfiction advocates for the genre in which writers 'can be poetic and journalistic simultaneously.' An enlightening call for the highest of literary standards." New York Journal of Books, 8/14/12"You will be inspired and encouraged to write your way toward the inherent power of your story-becoming a better writer in the process."

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Book SynopsisWhether all human languages are fundamentally the same or different has been a subject of debate for ages. This problem has deep philosophical implications: If languages are all the same, it implies a fundamental commonality- and thus mutual intelligibility- of human thought.We are now on the verge of solving this problem. Using a twenty-year-old theory proposed by the world''s greatest living linguist, Noam Chomsky, researchers have found that the similarities among languages are more profound than the differences. Languages whose grammars seem completely incompatible may in fact be structurally almost identical, except for a difference in one simple rule. The discovery of these rules and how they may vary promises to yield a linguistic equivalent of the Periodic Table of the Elements: a single framework by which we can understand the fundamental structure of all human language. This is a landmark breakthrough both within linguistics, which will herewith finally become a full-fledged

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Book SynopsisBarron’s AP English Literature and Composition Premium, 2026 includes in‑depth content review and practice.  Written by Experienced Educators Learn from Barron’s‑‑all content is written and reviewed by AP experts Build your understanding with comprehensive review tailored to the most recent exam Get a leg up with tips, strategies, and study advice for exam day‑‑it’s like having a trusted tutor by your side Be Confident on Exam Day Sharpen your test‑taking skills with 5 full‑length practice tests in the book– including a diagnostic in the updated format–plus detailed answer explanations and sample essays Strengthen your knowledge with key advice for answering multiple-choice questions and writing a polished essay Reinforce your learning with practice by tackling dozens of sample questions and mini-workout exercises that cover all units on the AP English Literature and Composition exam Brush up on the literary terms you should know for test day with a clear and comprehensive glossary Robust Online Practice Practice for the new digital exam with 3 full‑length practice tests on Barron’s Online Learning Hub--updated for the test change Simulate the exam experience with a timed test option Deepen your understanding with detailed answer explanations and expert advice Gain confidence with scoring to check your learning progress Going forward, this exam will only be offered in a digital format. Barron's AP online tests offer a digital experience with a timed test option to get you ready for test day. Visit the Barron's Learning Hub for more digital practice.Publisher's Note: Products purchased from 3rd party sellers are not guaranteed by the publisher for quality, authenticity, or access to any online entities included with the product.  

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Book SynopsisFEATURING BRAND NEW UPDATED CONTENT EXCLUSIVE TO THIS EDITION 'Inspiring' - Cathy Rentzenbrink'Fascinating' - Joe Moran'A very lovely book' - Kate MosseBestselling and award-winning authors share the secrets to their success, and the hard lessons they have learnt along the way.Where do the best ideas come from? How do you stay motivated? What does it take to become a published author? And how do you actually make money from your writing? For over five years the hosts of Always Take Notes podcast have posed their nosiest questions to some of the world's greatest writers. The result is a compendium of frank and frequently entertaining guidance for living a creative life. FEATURING Alexander McCall Smith, Anne Enright, Candice Carty-Williams, Christina Lamb, Colin Thubron, Colum McCann, David Mitchell, Elif Shafak, George Packer, Hadley Freeman, Hollie McNish, Ian McEwan, Ian Rankin,

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Book SynopsisTrish Hall’s essential new work on writing well is a sparkling instructional guide to persuading (almost) anyone, on (nearly) anything. Hall has spent years immersed in argument, passion and trend-setting ideas—but also in tangled sentences, migraine-inducing jargon and dull-as-dishwater writing. Drawing on her experience editing everyone from Nobel Prize winners and global strong-men (Putin) to first-time pundits (Angelina Jolie), Hall presents the ultimate guide to writing persuasively for students, job applicants and authors. Setting out the core principles for connecting with readers, Writing to Persuade combines boisterous anecdotes with practical advice, offering an accessible guide to the art of effectively communicating above the digital noise of the twenty-first century.

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Book SynopsisIn this acrobatic and virtuosic collection, Paul Auster traces the compulsion to make literature. In a selection of interviews, as well as in the essay ''The Red Notebook'' itself, Auster reflects upon his own work, on the need to break down the boundary between living and writing, and on the use of certain genre conventions to penetrate matters of memory and identity. The Red Notebook both illuminates and undermines our accepted notions about literature, and guides us towards a finer understanding of the dangerously high stakes involved in writing. It also includes Paul Auster''s impassioned essay ''A Prayer for Salman Rushdie'', as well as a set of striking and bittersweet reminiscences collected under the apposite title, ''Why Write?''Trade Review'Bears testimony to Auster's sense of the metaphysical elegance of life and art.' Literary Review

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Book SynopsisNew and emerging writers, existing writers looking to expand their skills and readers of erotic literature interested in writing their own stories will find this book a lively and informative 'how to' on writing erotica. Written by a published author, Passionate Plots focuses upon plot and crafting integral erotic scenes, with practical exercises for the reader.Trade ReviewKelly Lawrence's Passionate Plots is a clear and concise teaching tool for anyone learning to write erotica or anyone just wanting to write a better sex scene. A must have for every writer's reference shelf. --KD Grace, Bestselling author of 'The Initiation of Ms Holly'

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