Write Good or Die [Kindle Edition]

Scott Nicholson (Author), Gayle Lynds (Author), Kevin J. Anderson (Author), M.J. Rose (Author), Heather Graham (Author), Douglas Clegg (Author), Alexandra Sokoloff (Author), J.A. Konrath (Author), Harley Jane Kozak (Author), Jonathan Maberry (Author)

Book Description

Survival tips for 21st century writers, from best-selling authors Kevin J. Anderson, M.J. Rose, Heather Graham, J.A. Konrath, Gayle Lynds, Alexandra Sokoloff, Jonathan Maberry, and more. How to develop your craft, improve your writing, get an agent, promote your work, embrace the digital age, and prepare yourself for the coming changes in the publishing industry. Edited by Scott Nicholson.

Other contributors include Elizabeth Massie, Harley Jane Kozak, Douglas Clegg, Brandon Massey, Mur Lafferty, Dean Wesley Smith, David J. Montgomery, Kristine Kathryn Rusch, Robert Kroese, and Adrienne Jones. Covering art, craft, and business.

All proceeds benefit the non-profit organization Literacy Inc., which promotes reading among teens.

Product Details

• File Size: 359 KB
• Print Length: 173 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Haunted Computer Books; 1 edition (April 13, 2010)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B003H4QZOG
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,274 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Education & Reference > Words, Language & Grammar > Reference
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Education & Reference > Writing, Research & Publishing Guides > Editing

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 74 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Over Thirty Carefully Selected Essays on the Craft and Business of Writing June 3, 2010

By Moses Siregar III

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I was attracted to this collection because of the many contributing authors I admire in it, and also because I knew Scott Nicholson (whose novels I've recently become a fan of) would do a great job with selecting helpful and interesting advice. 'Write Good or Die' met all of my high expectations.

The version I purchased contained 22 articles focused on specific areas of craft, and 11 articles focused on practical business matters for writers. Every single piece was worth reading, and the collection broadened my horizons and got me thinking about the craft and business of writing from new points of view--all of them from either successful or otherwise qualified contributors.

The current price is criminally low, and the proceeds from its sales support a writing-oriented charity. I give it as emphatic a recommendation as I can give.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Useful and practical advice for would-be writers September 14, 2010

By Carla

Format:Kindle Edition

Scott Nicholson (editor) has gathered more than 30 articles on the writing craft and trade, in a text that will appeal to readers, writers and possibly language arts teachers as well. Kindle readers will recognize several of the contributors and will also be pleased to see chapters dedicated to discussion of e-book technology and its place in the literary industry.

All facets of writing are given coverage in this collection. Chapters include tips on remaining motivated; the actual writing process and using plot, characterization, voice, imagery and dialogue effectively; and the many avenues open to writers wanting to make a living from their craft.

This is not some sort of theoretical tome. Each article is short but jam-packed full of practical suggestions and written in a casual, accessible voice. Aspiring and practising writers will find numerous suggestions to apply to their own work in `Write Good or Die'.

An entertaining and informative read, that's a little bit motivational as well. Highly recommended.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Writing advice from real authors August 10, 2010

By Roxanne Mchenry TOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

While you might find a book with advice from one or two authors, it's not often you find real-life advice from a group of authors across genres and styles. It wasn't apparent to me at first, but much of the book is a compilation of blog posts. I found this format to be a good thing as I discovered new authors, new blogs to delve into later and quick, digestible sections (rather than one long commentary).

Once inside, I was excited to see a number of the authors talking about story telling, structure and archetypes similar to what I've been reading from Blake Snyder's Save the Cat! SeriesSave The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
and Vogler's Mythic Structure that outlines the hero's journey archetypes in story The Writers Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, 3rd Edition.

These are not the only topics covered _at all_. Write Good or Die has something for everyone, with practical tid-bits based on experience you don't find in the typical writing book. And at the price I paid--$2.99--finding even just a few useful tips or ideas is well worth it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what I expected... December 31, 2011

By Lori Traver-Solomon

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

But better! I was expecting more of a laundry list of do's and don'ts but I feel that this approach was superior. It was very interesting and at times, enlightening. Having a variety of authors weigh in on the general topic of how (or how not) to be a successful writer dramatically increased the chance that at least one segment would speak to you and your situation. At first, it seemed that many of them stressed proofreading. The more electronic books I read, the more the advice to do all you can do to avoid simple grammatical errors rings true. Very few of the books I have encountered so far are free of obvious errors. It seems that there are many writers who have neither heard nor heeded this advice.
The focus of this book is on fiction writing, but a considerable amount of the advice is applicable to any written document. It was nice to have links to the authors' websites. If a particular segment made an impression, you can easily learn more about the author.
I would recommend this book to anyone contemplating writing professionally or even semi-professionally. The variety of experiences and viewpoints is a refreshing change from the "bullet points to success" approach. Even if you do not intend to write but would like a better understanding of the world in which your favorite authors work, this book would hold your interest.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Run-of-the-mill advice for beginning writers September 21, 2012

By Benoit PERDU

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a collection of posts about writing, that address the various aspects of the work as a professional writer. It is meant for the beginner serious about jumping in, as well as it is meant to enhance the visibility of the authors.

An aspiring serious beginner I am, and I found here what I was looking for.

Of course it skims the subjects a bit, and sometimes points to the author's more serious work, but as a trigger to "do it now, this is how", it works OK for me.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Worth It October 15, 2011

By Michael

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Write Good or Die is worth every penny. I mean that sincerely. I would have paid for the advice found this wonderful collection of writings from those who have been there and done that.

It's now a reference work for me. I have gone back to it several times to refresh my mind on the advice I found in it. It's free, so why not pick a copy of this great work. It's worth the investment in time to read.