The New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft and Career (New Writer's Handbook: A Practical Anthology of Best Advice for Your Craft & Career) (Paperback)

by Philip Martin (Editor), Erica Jong (Preface)
Key Phrases: whiskey robber, sig line, blind pitch, The Cat, The Hero, New York Times (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The New Writer’s Handbook inspires writers to brush up and branch out, explore and think differently about their work, their skills, and abilities."
—Amy Brozio-Andrews, Absolute Write


"Expertly compiled and deftly edited… A critically important and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library reference collections."
—The Midwest Book Review

Product Description
The New Writer's Handbook 2007 is a must-read annual anthology to refresh and upgrade any writer's skills, with hands-on advice on literary craft and career marketing. It features 60 practical articles, ideal for fiction and nonfiction writers alike, suitable for all levels from aspiring to accomplished writers seeking professional development.

The selections deliver succinct advice and commentary on successful practices for emerging professionals. Sources include recent books, blogs, articles, and industry reports. It combines the diverse disciplines of good storytelling, creativity, ethical standards, and marketing savvy as the route to career success for all who wish to have a positive impact on the world by writing well and selling more work. Renowned author Erica Jong provides the preface. Contributors include Barry Lopez, Richard Powers, Mary Pipher, Jane Yolen, Linda Sue Park, Ridley Pearson, William G. Tapply, and others. They include winners of the National Book Award, Newbery Medal, and many other honors, along with working journalists, writing instructors, authors with books on bestseller lists, editors, literary bloggers, and more.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Scarletta Press (June 6, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0976520168
• ISBN-13: 978-0976520160
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,224 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Learn about writing from published authors, August 1, 2007

By	armchairinterviews.com (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Over 60 authors of note have added their 2¢ worth in this collection of articles about writing. If you learn one tidbit from each one, you'll be a better informed person and certainly a better writer.

The collection is broken into 6 sections:

1. Creativity, Motivation and Discipline
2. The Craft of Writing
3. Pitching and Proposals
4. Marketing Your Work
5. Internet Skills
6. Literary Insights and Last Words

One of my favorites (this said as a reviewer) is the 6-page "Invisible Writer" by William G. Tapply. He writes about how important it is that the story should shine--not the writer--and how this is achieved so readers say: What a good story (vs) What a good writer.

Some articles relate to fiction, others to non-fiction. Many have appeared in magazines or author Web sites/blogs. The author's Web site is listed at the end, along with their credentials. Nice resource to learn more.

The how-to articles explained by experienced writers/authors might be new to you, or a good reminder of some rules or new ideas to learn from these experts.

I enjoyed the article by Laura Backes about Dr. Suess. In 1954 Dr. Suess and other authors were challenged to write reading primers for America's first graders. Yes, 50 years ago The Cat in the Hat was born--and Dr. Suess was able to incorporate 236 different words from the publisher's reading list. Compared to the Dick and Jane readers, kids loved this story then and now, and don't feel like they are "learning." And, when asked what they loved, they never said: It rhymed.

The Marketing Your Work section tells you how to get testimonials, market your book, have successful author events, or even show your expertise by writing white papers listing the value/benefit of what you know. The Internet section is a must-read for any self-promoting author.

As an editor, writer and reviewer, I found so much value. I'll keep this on my bookshelf to refer to as needed for proposals, press kit/releases, web sites--and yes, also how to handle rejection.

Armchair Interviews says: This is not a book you might not read from front to back, but as a valuable resource you'll pick time and time again.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A critically important and strongly recommended addition, September 3, 2007

By	Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

Expertly compiled and deftly edited by Philip Marin, "The New Writer's Handbook 2007: A Practical Anthology Of Best Advice For Your Craft & Career" is a compendium of sixty practical, insightful, informed and informative articles that aspiring writers of fiction and novice authors of nonfiction will find to be invaluable as they approach the craft and business of being professional authors. The contributors are experienced, successful, and range from award winners, to writing instructors, to working journalists, to editors, to literary bloggers, to best-selling authors. A critically important and strongly recommended addition to personal, professional, academic, and community library Writing/Publishing reference collections, "The New Writer's Handbook 2007" covers general writing techniques and marketing tips, as well as specific book project pitching tips and models for writing career success.

4.0 out of 5 stars Something for every aspiring writer..., June 25, 2008

By	Mary C "NurseMare" (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews

This book slim volume contains a little something for every aspiring writer. The collection is clearly broken down into 7 sections covering everything from creativity and the writing process down to marketing and dealing with agents and editors. Given the essay feel of this book, it doesn't delve very deeply into any one area.

My favorite essays were (1) "Three Cosmic Rules of Writing" - Dennis Polumbo can easily push you to write and keep writing, and (2) "How to Write a Query Letter" - Brenda Coulter shares a basic query letter that netted her a book sale then she goes into detail teaching how to develop your own query letter.

As I said at the end of the first paragraph of my review, this book doesn't delve deeply into any one area as thoroughly as you might want it to. It is a good, basic beginning book to read and encourage yourself to write more. For more detail on any one area you might want to purchase a book that is only related to the topic you wish to study. For example, if you have trouble with dialogue or with developing your proposal for your novel, you might wish to buy a book specifically targeted toward those topics for more intense study.

Though a good book, this one didn't earn keeper status for my bookshelf. Other than a few essays that I found worthwhile, I wouldn't likely pick this book up to read again or keep beside me while writing. You may wish to order this book through your library and if you find it merits keeper status for you, then buy it.