Portable MFA in Creative Writing (New York Writers Workshop) [Paperback]

New York Writers Workshop (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1582973504 | ISBN-13: 978-1582973500 | Publication Date: May 13, 2006

Writers can get the core knowledge of a prestigious $50,000 MFA program without paying tuition. With sound, nuts-and-bolts instruction and real-world career advice, this book is the only book speaking directly to the tens of thousands each year who don't make it into MFA programs. The topics include magazine writing, memoir and personal essay, poetry, fiction, playwriting and more: inspiration and tips on revision, stamina and productivity; clear instruction on the craft behind the art; and, detailed reading lists to expand writers' literary horizons. Those who heed its advice will gain the wisdom and experience of some of today's greatest teaching minds, all for the price of a book.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The New York Writers Workshop is the only teacher-founded, teacher-run writing collective in New York City. It offers writing courses to writers of all levels on short stories, novels, non-fiction and other disciplines. The rapidly growing group also co-hosts a webzine at www.ducts.org and runs a monthly reading series.

Product Details

• Paperback: 280 pages
• Publisher: Writers Digest Books (May 13, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582973504
• ISBN-13: 978-1582973500
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #35,466 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

96 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for Pros, not Academics, June 5, 2006

By 

Judy Brunch (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Portable MFA in Creative Writing (New York Writers Workshop) (Paperback)

Just finished THE PORTABLE MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING by NEW YORK WRITERS WORKSHOP. It impresses me as a book for the pros, not the academics. No dull jargon, no preposterous theory, just the straight dope on writing in five different forms. Since I'm primarily a poet, I spent the most time with Rita Gabis's section -- it's like Mary Oliver's POETRY HANDBOOK meets THE ARTIST'S WAY. You can't read this book without developing the habit of writing, and in the ten-to-twelve days that I've had my copy, I've seen my work improve. This book is indispensable.

58 of 64 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inavluable writing guide, April 15, 2007

By 

Derek Alger "Derek Alger" (Leonia, N.J.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Portable MFA in Creative Writing (New York Writers Workshop) (Paperback)

I'm a graduate, or maybe I should say survivor, of what was considered a prestiguous MFA program, and I
can truthfully say that not only would The Portable MFA in Creative Writing have helped me then, but it certainly would have proved invaluable if I had decided to forego the MFA experience and write on my own in a cabin by
a lake in Ontario.

I knew Tim Tomlinson in a former lifetime and I'm happy to see that he has become a wise, helpful guide
in leading readers through the section on fiction writing in The Portable MFA. There definitely is a craft to
fiction writing, which goes along with a writer's innate ability, and Tim approaches the subject as one who
could almost be considered a friend trying to offer sincere advice from experience, experience which includes years of teaching.

Likewise, Charles Salzberg comes off as a natural born teacher in offering practical advice about the craft of magazine writing. As you read his insights, you can't help but feel that Salzberg is a three-dimensional person
and extremely dedicated teacher who wants what's best for each individual reader,

There are many good books on the craft of writing but I rank The Portable MFA certainly up within the top five.
I am not a poet or a playwright but the sections on these disciplines in The Portable MFA are also interesting and enlightening. In short, this book is a great investment for both beginning writers, as well as experienced writers with many publications to their credit. One can always learn new things and The Portable MFA refreshed my creative drive and also prompted me to see truths I knew from a new perspective well worth
many, many times more than the cost of this great book.

44 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect, May 23, 2006

By 

Writer's Writer (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Portable MFA in Creative Writing (New York Writers Workshop) (Paperback)

This book has it all: how to write fiction, how to write plays, how to write for magazines... It's the best single source on writing that I've found so far (and I've read almost all of them).