This volume explores a dimension of authorship not given its due in the critical discourse to this point—authorship contested. Much of the existing critical literature begins with a text and the proposition that the text has an author. The debates move from here to questions about who the author is, whether or not the author’s identity is even relevant, and what relationship she or he does and does not have to the text. The authors contributing to this collection, however, ask about circum...

Learn how to write a novel from a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author with more than fifty years of writing and publishing experience.The Successful Novelist is one of the best books on writing fiction for aspiring and experienced writers alike. David Morrell, bestselling author of First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose, and The Fifth Profession, tackles everything from the craft of writing and dealing ...

The bestselling author of Take Off Your Pants!, the popular outlining guide for writers, is back with another how-to manual for those seeking to start a career in historical fiction.There’s no doubt that historical fiction is popular with readers. In fact, the genre is expanding all the time, gaining market share and influencing other media at a rapid pace. But the HF market has some peculiar quirks that can challenge any writer.In Making It in Historical Ficti...

Wise advice on plot, character, and style from a legendary Esquire editor: "Every aspiring fiction writer ought to read this." — Writer's DigestOver the course of his long and colorful career as fiction editor for Esquire magazine, L. Rust Hills championed the early work of literary luminaries such as Norman Mailer, John Cheever, Don DeLillo, Raymond Carver, and E. Annie Proulx. His skill at identifying talent and understanding story made ...

Regardless of how much preparation you have or haven’t completed, if you are looking for a resource to support you on your novel-writing journey, then this is the guide for you. This inspirational and practical guide will walk you through each of the steps that you need to take to turn your creative story ideas into a well-rounded, publishable book. It will help you address those important initial questions such as: ‘Which genre of fiction am I best equipped to write?’ and ‘How c...

A Simon & Schuster eBook. Simon & Schuster has a great book for every reader.

Discover The Story Equation!One question can unlock your entire story! Are you struggling to build a riveting plot? Layered characters? Fortify that saggy middle? Create that powerful ending?Build your entire book by asking one powerful question, and then plugging it into an “equation” that makes your plot and characters come to life. You’ll learn how to build the external and internal journey of your characters, create a theme, bui...

The blank page, the impossible deadline, the rush of inspiration: There is no profession more maddening or more rewarding than being a writer. Yet surprisingly, all writers pass through the same sequence of stages in the course of their careers. It was this remarkable insight that inspired veteran authors Nancy Pickard and Lynn Lott to write one of the wisest and liveliest guides to the literary life ever penned— a volume of astonishing revelation, warm reassurance, brilliant encouragement...

Learn how to write your memoir—and get published—with the help of two well-known publishing professionalsEveryone has a story to tell. Your Life is a Book guides budding writers though the transformative process of memoir writing to publication. In addition to exploring the unique elements of crafting a memoir—story arc, point of view, dialogue, where to start (not the beginning!)—Your Life is a Book also focuses on the self-exploration, awareness...

Want to take your writing to the next level?Discover the "secrets" of story structure other authors are overlooking!If you've read all the books on story structure and concluded there has to be more to it than just three acts and a couple of plot points, then you're absolutely right! It's time to notch up your writing education from "basic" to "black belt." Internationally published author K.M. Weiland shares five "secret" techniques of advanced story structure.In th...

A great many people who want to be writers say that they want to have a career in journalism. They may envision themselves going to exotic locales to cover stories. While these things do happen to journalists, it takes a long time to make your bones before you are sent on any interesting assignments. A journalist is someone who reports on timely events. Timing is everything to a journalist. Whether you write for a periodical or a newspaper, you need to make sure that your articles are time...

Write it off, work it out, get it done.An eminently practical guide to getting unblocked and writing again, The Pocket Idiot’s Guide® to Beating Writer’s Block includes dozens and dozens of tips, exercises, prompts, and more that will get the creative juices flowing. From something as simple as finding or creating a more comfortable place to work, to assigning a week to strengthening one’s weak points, this is the book to get writers back on track...