Designed for writers of any children's literature, be it fiction, non-fiction or faction, this popular and successful title has been fully updated and expanded to include the latest developments in the field of children's publishing. You will understand the implications of television and film projects, learn new ways of producing your work, the latest technologies and even how to self-publish, guided by two authors who are highly experienced with the genre.NOT GOT MUCH TIME?

Crafting likable, interesting characters is a balancing act, and finding that perfect mix of strengths and weaknesses can be difficult. Not only does a well-drawn protagonist need positive attributes to help him succeed, he must also have flaws that humanize him and give him something to overcome. The same is true of villains and the rest of the story’s supporting cast. So how can writers figure out which flaws best fit their characters? Which negative traits will create personality clashe...

The long-awaited guide to writing long-form nonfiction by the legendary author and teacherDraft No. 4 is a master class on the writer’s craft. In a series of playful, expertly wrought essays, John McPhee shares insights he has gathered over his career and has refined while teaching at Princeton University, where he has nurtured some of the most esteemed writers of recent decades. McPhee offers definitive guidance in the decisions regarding arrangement, dic...

Covering the entire process from story building to manuscript preparation and marketing, Jerry Cleaver shows the novice and experienced writer how to start writing and how to get immediate results.Readers will find everything they need to know about managing time, finding an idea, getting the first word down on the page, staying unblocked, shaping ideas into compelling stories, and submitting their work to agents and publishers.Immediate Fiction goes beyond the old "...

Foreword by Frances HardingeThe annual, bestselling guide to all aspects of the media and how to write and illustrate for children and young adults. Acknowledged by the media industries and authors as the essential guide to how to get published.The 70+ articles are updated and added to each year. Together they provide invaluable guidance on subjects such as series fiction, writing historical or funny books, preparing an illustration portfolio, managing your...

You do not need a degree in English literature to write poetry, nor do you need to possess the right accent. All you need is imagination, sensitivity, inspiration and dedication. If you’re an aspiring poet, this concise, informative handbook will be a valuable reference source. As a complete step-by-step guide to poetry writing, you will be taken from the very first spark of inspiration through to the final revision. Find out how to build a poem from start to finish, how...

Like Agatha Christie and Raymond Chandler, Sara Paretsky and Thomas Harris, you, too, can learn the trade secrets of quality detective fiction.It's true. Just one year from now, you can deliver a completed mystery novel to a publisher--by writing only on weekends. Authors Robert J. Ray and Jack Remick guide you through the entire mystery-writing process, from creating a killer to polishing off the final draft. Each weekend you'll focus on a specific task--learning the basics of nov...

In How to Write Faster: A Busy Writer’s Guide you’ll learn eight techniques that can help you double your word count in a way that’s sustainable and doesn’t sacrifice the quality of your writing in favor of quantity.In our new digital era, writers are expected to produce multiple books and short stories a year, and to somehow still find time to build a platform through blogging and social media. We end up burning out or sacrificing time with our family and friends to keep ...

Wallace Stegner founded the acclaimed Stanford Writing Program-a program whose alumni include such literary luminaries as Larry McMurtry, Robert Stone, and Raymond Carver. Here Lynn Stegner brings together eight of Stegner's previously uncollected essays-including four never-before-published pieces -on writing fiction and teaching creative writing. In this unique collection he addresses every aspect of fiction writing-from the writer's vision to his or her audience, from the use of symboli...

Increase Realism.Raise the Stakes.Tell Better Stories.Maim Your Characters is the definitive guide to using wounds and injuries to their greatest effect in your story. Learn not only the six critical parts of an injury plot, but more importantly, how to make sure that the injury you’re inflicting matters.With in-depth analysis of nine different injury plots in popular fiction and a walkthrough of how to build your ow...

"Sword aims to lead us to 'fit and trim' prose via an assault course covering horrors such as 'Prepositional pudge,' 'Ad-dictions' and 'Waste words.'" — Times Higher EducationDo your sentences sag? Could your paragraphs use a pick-me-up? If so, The Writer's Diet is for you! It's a short, sharp introduction to great writing that will help you energize your prose and boost your verbal fitness.Helen Sword dispenses with excessive explanations a...

A simple, five-day process for writing complex characters readers will love -- or love to hate. Through case studies, insightful lessons, and writing exercises divided into five easy-to-follow daily plans, veteran editor and bestselling author Jen Blood shares her secrets for creating characters readers can't get enough of.You’ll get clear, concrete advice, with examples, on:Day 1: Finding Your Character’s MotivationDay 2: Getting to Know Your CharactersDay 3:...