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The Language of the Night

Essays on Writing, Science Fiction, and Fantasy

by Ursula K. Le Guin ...

Featuring a new introduction by Ken Liu, this revised edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s first full-length collection of essays covers her background as a writer and educator, on fantasy and science fiction, on writing, and on the future of literary science fiction.“We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks the language of the night.” ... Read more

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Featuring a new introduction by Ken Liu, this revised edition of Ursula K. Le Guin’s first full-length collection of essays covers her background as a writer and educator, on fantasy and science fiction, on writing, and on the future of literary science fiction.“We like to think we live in daylight, but half the world is always dark; and fantasy, like poetry, speaks the language of the night.”
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made in america

An Informal History of the English Language in the United States

by Bill Bryson ...

“A literate exploration of why we use—or mangle—our native tongue.”—USA TodayBill Bryson celebrates America’s magnificent offspring in the book that reveals once and for all how a dusty western hamlet with neither woods nor holly came to be known as Hollywood…and exactly why Mr. Yankee Doodle call his befeathered cap “Macaroni.” ... Read more

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“A literate exploration of why we use—or mangle—our native tongue.”—USA TodayBill Bryson celebrates America’s magnificent offspring in the book that reveals once and for all how a dusty western hamlet with neither woods nor holly came to be known as Hollywood…and exactly why Mr. Yankee Doodle call his befeathered cap “Macaroni.”
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The Writing Life

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"For nonwriters, it is a glimpse into the trials and satisfactions of a life spent with words. For writers, it is a warm, rambling, conversation with a stimulating and extraordinarily talented colleague." — Chicago TribuneFrom Pulitzer Prize-winning Annie Dillard, a collection that illuminates the dedication and daring that characterizes a writer's life.In these short essays, Annie Dillard—the
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Creating Short Fiction

by Damon Knight ...

The classic guide to writing short fiction -- Revised & Expanded 3rd ed."What Knight doesn't know about writing the short story cannot be put into expository prose anyway."--Algis Budrys"Damon Knight is one of the preeminent teachers of writing in this country. Creating Short Fiction should be considered essential for all beginning writers... not to mention a few others, who've forgotten the ... Read more

$5.99 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

The classic guide to writing short fiction -- Revised & Expanded 3rd ed."What Knight doesn't know about writing the short story cannot be put into expository prose anyway."--Algis Budrys"Damon Knight is one of the preeminent teachers of writing in this country. Creating Short Fiction should be considered essential for all beginning writers... not to mention a few others, who've forgotten the
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How to Write One Song

by Jeff Tweedy ...

There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song.Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't ... Read more

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There are few creative acts more mysterious and magical than writing a song. But what if the goal wasn't so mysterious and was actually achievable for anyone who wants to experience more magic and creativity in their life? That's something that anyone will be inspired to do after reading Jeff Tweedy's How to Write One Song.Why one song? Because the difference between one song and many songs isn't
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The Science of Storytelling

Why Stories Make Us Human and How to Tell Them Better

by Will Storr ...

The compelling, groundbreaking guide to creative writing that reveals how the brain responds to storytellingStories shape who we are. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions and mold our beliefs. Storytelling is an essential part of what makes us human. So, how do master storytellers compel us? In The Science of Storytelling, award-winning writer and acclaimed teacher of creative writing ... Read more

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The compelling, groundbreaking guide to creative writing that reveals how the brain responds to storytellingStories shape who we are. They drive us to act out our dreams and ambitions and mold our beliefs. Storytelling is an essential part of what makes us human. So, how do master storytellers compel us? In The Science of Storytelling, award-winning writer and acclaimed teacher of creative writing
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Elements of Fiction Writing - Beginnings, Middles & Ends

by Nancy Kress ...

Get your stories off to a roaring start.Keep them tight and crisp throughout.Conclude them with a wallop.Is the story or novel you've been carrying around in your head the same one you see on the page? Or does the dialogue suddenly sound flat and predictable? Do the events seem to ramble?Translating a flash of inspiration into a compelling story requires careful crafting. The words you choose, how ... Read more

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Get your stories off to a roaring start.Keep them tight and crisp throughout.Conclude them with a wallop.Is the story or novel you've been carrying around in your head the same one you see on the page? Or does the dialogue suddenly sound flat and predictable? Do the events seem to ramble?Translating a flash of inspiration into a compelling story requires careful crafting. The words you choose, how
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Writing Fiction

A Guide to Narrative Craft

by Janet Burroway, Elizabeth Stuckey-French, Ned Stuckey-French ...

Series series Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing
This updated edition of the classic, comprehensive guide to creative writing features new topics and writing prompts, contemporary examples, and more.A creative writer’s shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction. This best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for decades it has helped ... Read more

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This updated edition of the classic, comprehensive guide to creative writing features new topics and writing prompts, contemporary examples, and more.A creative writer’s shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and Janet Burroway’s Writing Fiction. This best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in America, and for decades it has helped
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Writing into the Dark: How to Write a Novel Without an Outline

WMG Writer's Guides, #6

by Dean Wesley Smith ...

Series Book 6 - WMG Writer's Guides
With more than a hundred published novels and more than seventeen million copies of his books in print, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith knows how to outline. And he knows how to write a novel without an outline.In this WMG Writer's Guide, Dean takes you step-by-step through the process of writing without an outline and explains why not having an outline boosts your creative voice ... Read more

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With more than a hundred published novels and more than seventeen million copies of his books in print, USA Today bestselling author Dean Wesley Smith knows how to outline. And he knows how to write a novel without an outline.In this WMG Writer's Guide, Dean takes you step-by-step through the process of writing without an outline and explains why not having an outline boosts your creative voice
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The Art of Subtext

Beyond Plot

by Charles Baxter ...

Series series Art of...
Charles Baxter inaugurates The Art of, a new series on the craft of writing, with the wit and intelligence he brought to his celebrated book Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction.Fiction writer and essayist Charles Baxter's The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot discusses and illustrates the hidden subtextual overtones and undertones in fictional works haunted by the unspoken, the suppressed, and the ... Read more

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Charles Baxter inaugurates The Art of, a new series on the craft of writing, with the wit and intelligence he brought to his celebrated book Burning Down the House: Essays on Fiction.Fiction writer and essayist Charles Baxter's The Art of Subtext: Beyond Plot discusses and illustrates the hidden subtextual overtones and undertones in fictional works haunted by the unspoken, the suppressed, and the
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Chineasy

The Easy Way to Learn Chinese

by ShaoLan Hsueh ...

Chinese is considered one of the most difficult languages to master. However, using the Chineasy system, anyone can begin to understand and read Chinese. It works by transforming Chinese characters into illustrations to make them easy to remember. This book teaches the key characters on which the language is built and how these characters can be combined to form more complex words and phrases. ... Read more

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Chinese is considered one of the most difficult languages to master. However, using the Chineasy system, anyone can begin to understand and read Chinese. It works by transforming Chinese characters into illustrations to make them easy to remember. This book teaches the key characters on which the language is built and how these characters can be combined to form more complex words and phrases.
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Draft No. 4

On the Writing Process

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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 ... Read more

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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
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The Ritual of Writing

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Using writing to deepen your connection with the Universe. The Ritual of Writing explores the connection between writing and ritual in Pagan spirituality. Focusing upon practical tasks, it begins by helping readers create a piece of writing connected to the Wheel of the Year and honouring a seasonal festival, taking them step by step through the process. There is a key element of working with the ... Read more

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Using writing to deepen your connection with the Universe. The Ritual of Writing explores the connection between writing and ritual in Pagan spirituality. Focusing upon practical tasks, it begins by helping readers create a piece of writing connected to the Wheel of the Year and honouring a seasonal festival, taking them step by step through the process. There is a key element of working with the
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Improv for Writers

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Free yourself from writer’s block and inner critics with the creative power of improv!“Jorjeana Marie’s generous, joyful, and oh-so-useful book shows writers—both seasoned and new—how to unleash their creativity and find their best story.”—Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and I Have Lost My WayImprov instructor and writer Jorjeana Marie reveals a new way to generate ... Read more

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Free yourself from writer’s block and inner critics with the creative power of improv!“Jorjeana Marie’s generous, joyful, and oh-so-useful book shows writers—both seasoned and new—how to unleash their creativity and find their best story.”—Gayle Forman, New York Times bestselling author of If I Stay and I Have Lost My WayImprov instructor and writer Jorjeana Marie reveals a new way to generate
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The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Stress and Volatility

by Becca Puglisi, Angela Ackerman ...

Series Book 10 - Writers Helping Writers
Welcome to the 2nd edition of Emotion Amplifiers—expanded and updated!Characters who are in control of their emotions rarely slip up, which makes for boring reading. To avoid that pitfall, channel your dark side and introduce stress that will make it harder for them to think clearly. Your weapon of choice? An amplifier. Pain, arousal, dehydration—conditions and states like these make it difficult ... Read more

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Welcome to the 2nd edition of Emotion Amplifiers—expanded and updated!Characters who are in control of their emotions rarely slip up, which makes for boring reading. To avoid that pitfall, channel your dark side and introduce stress that will make it harder for them to think clearly. Your weapon of choice? An amplifier. Pain, arousal, dehydration—conditions and states like these make it difficult
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The Scene Book

A Primer for the Fiction Writer

by Sandra Scofield ...

A treasure-trove of scene-writing wisdom from award-winning author and teacher Sandra ScofieldTo write a good scene, you have to know the following: Every scene has an EVENT Every scene has a FUNCTION in the narrative Every scene has a STRUCTURE: a beginning, middle, and end Every scene has a PULSEThe Scene Book is a fundamental guide to crafting more effective scenes in fiction. In clear, simple ... Read more

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A treasure-trove of scene-writing wisdom from award-winning author and teacher Sandra ScofieldTo write a good scene, you have to know the following: Every scene has an EVENT Every scene has a FUNCTION in the narrative Every scene has a STRUCTURE: a beginning, middle, and end Every scene has a PULSEThe Scene Book is a fundamental guide to crafting more effective scenes in fiction. In clear, simple
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Chineasy Everyday

Learning Chinese Through Its Culture

by ShaoLan ...

The New Way to Read ChineseShaoLan Hsueh, a Taiwanese entrepreneur based in London, couldn’t find an effective way to teach her children Chinese, so she developed a groundbreaking visual method to make reading characters fun and easy. By learning the most commonly occurring characters—the building blocks of the entire language—readers of all ages can swiftly grasp basic concepts and words.Chineasy ... Read more

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The New Way to Read ChineseShaoLan Hsueh, a Taiwanese entrepreneur based in London, couldn’t find an effective way to teach her children Chinese, so she developed a groundbreaking visual method to make reading characters fun and easy. By learning the most commonly occurring characters—the building blocks of the entire language—readers of all ages can swiftly grasp basic concepts and words.Chineasy
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Next Level Plot Structure

Helping Writers Become Authors, #12

by K.M. Weiland ...

Series Book 12 - Helping Writers Become Authors
Elevate Your Storytelling with Expert Plot StructureUnlock the secrets of compelling storytelling with Next Level Plot Structure, a brand-new guide from K.M. Weiland, author of the popular Structuring Your Novel. Go deep with plot structure to uncover the rich vein of narrative techniques and philosophical underpinnings that have shaped storytelling through the ages.Dig beyond the basics of plot ... Read more

$6.19 USD or Free with Kobo Plus

Elevate Your Storytelling with Expert Plot StructureUnlock the secrets of compelling storytelling with Next Level Plot Structure, a brand-new guide from K.M. Weiland, author of the popular Structuring Your Novel. Go deep with plot structure to uncover the rich vein of narrative techniques and philosophical underpinnings that have shaped storytelling through the ages.Dig beyond the basics of plot
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Write Useful Books

A modern approach to designing and refining recommendable nonfiction

by Rob Fitzpatrick ...

The goal of book marketing is to stop needing to do itLearn how to:Scope your book into the world's best solution for a certain type of readerTest, improve, & iterate your ToC without needing to rewrite anythingDesign a engaging reader experience that makes your book a delight to readDiscover the hidden analytics of boredom & confusion to identify book-killing problems & make the most of beta ... Read more

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The goal of book marketing is to stop needing to do itLearn how to:Scope your book into the world's best solution for a certain type of readerTest, improve, & iterate your ToC without needing to rewrite anythingDesign a engaging reader experience that makes your book a delight to readDiscover the hidden analytics of boredom & confusion to identify book-killing problems & make the most of beta
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The Notebook

A History of Thinking on Paper

by Roland Allen ...

A Globe 100 Best Book of 2024 • A New Yorker Best Book of 2024 • A Kirkus Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024The first history of the notebook, a simple invention that changed the way the world thinks.We see notebooks everywhere we go. But where did these indispensable implements come from? How did they revolutionize our lives? And how can using a notebook help change the way you think? In this ... Read more

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A Globe 100 Best Book of 2024 • A New Yorker Best Book of 2024 • A Kirkus Most Anticipated Book of Fall 2024The first history of the notebook, a simple invention that changed the way the world thinks.We see notebooks everywhere we go. But where did these indispensable implements come from? How did they revolutionize our lives? And how can using a notebook help change the way you think? In this
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Bird by Bird

Some Instructions on Writing and Life

by Anne Lamott ...

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An essential volume for generations of writers young and old. The twenty-fifth anniversary edition of this modern classic will continue to spark creative minds for years to come. Anne Lamott is "a warm, generous, and hilarious guide through the writer’s world and its treacherous swamps" (Los Angeles Times).**“Superb writing advice…. Hilarious, helpful, and provocative.” ... Read more

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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • An essential volume for generations of writers young and old. The twenty-fifth anniversary edition of this modern classic will continue to spark creative minds for years to come. Anne Lamott is "a warm, generous, and hilarious guide through the writer’s world and its treacherous swamps" (Los Angeles Times).**“Superb writing advice…. Hilarious, helpful, and provocative.”
... Read more
The War of Art

Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles

by Steven Pressfield ...

"A vital gem...a kick in the ass." -- Esquire"Amazingly cogent and smart on the psychology of creation." -- Jay McInerney"As I closed THE WAR OF ART, I felt a surge of positive calm. I now know I can win this war. And if I can, so can you." -- Robert McKee, bestselling author of STORYDO YOU:- Dream about writing a great novel?- Regret not finishing your paintings, poems, or screenplays?- Want to ... Read more

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"A vital gem...a kick in the ass." -- Esquire"Amazingly cogent and smart on the psychology of creation." -- Jay McInerney"As I closed THE WAR OF ART, I felt a surge of positive calm. I now know I can win this war. And if I can, so can you." -- Robert McKee, bestselling author of STORYDO YOU:- Dream about writing a great novel?- Regret not finishing your paintings, poems, or screenplays?- Want to
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Writing Tools

55 Essential Strategies for Every Writer

by Roy Peter Clark ...

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 ... Read more

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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
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The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression

Second Edition

by Becca Puglisi, Angela Ackerman ...

Series Book 1 - Writers Helping Writers Series
The bestselling Emotion Thesaurus, often hailed as “the gold standard for writers” and credited with transforming how writers craft emotion, has now been expanded to include 55 new entries!One of the biggest struggles for writers is how to convey emotion to readers in a unique and compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up ... Read more

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The bestselling Emotion Thesaurus, often hailed as “the gold standard for writers” and credited with transforming how writers craft emotion, has now been expanded to include 55 new entries!One of the biggest struggles for writers is how to convey emotion to readers in a unique and compelling way. When showing our characters’ feelings, we often use the first idea that comes to mind, and they end up
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