Your Book Starts Here: Create, Craft, and Sell Your First Novel, Memoir, or Nonfiction Book [Paperback]

Mary Carroll Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 16, 2011

Create, Craft, and Sell Your First Novel, Memoir, or Nonfiction Book

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Mary Carroll Moore is the award-winning, internationally published author of thirteen books in three genres, including the PEN/Faulkner-nominated novel, Qualities of Light. She has taught over 2000 writers how to plan, write, and develop their books. She teaches at writing schools around the U.S., including The Loft Literary Center, The Hudson Valley Writers' Center, and Grub Street Writing School.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Riverbed Press (March 16, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615231381
• ISBN-13: 978-0615231389
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 9.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (23 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #291,294 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Carroll Moore spent all her growing-up summers on an Adirondack lake and won her first art contest at age twelve. She ran a cooking school and wrote cookbooks (under the name Mary Harrison Carroll) and a syndicated food column for the first ten years of her writing career. Now she teaches creative writing at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis, The Hudson Valley Writers' Center near New York City, and several other writing schools in the U.S. Over 300 of her columns, essays, short stories, articles, and poetry have appeared in literary journals, magazines, and newspapers around the U.S. and have won awards with the McKnight Awards for Creative Prose, Glimmer Train Press, the Loft Mentor Series, and other writing competitions. Interviewed by the New York Times for her multi-discipline artistic focus, she is also a painter and recording artist. She lives with her family in New England.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique, straightforward approach to book writing April 10, 2011

By Leah

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Mary Carroll Moore demystifies the book-writing process with this essential how-to guide for writers of any skill level. "Your Book Starts Here" features Mary's unique approach to book creation along with invaluable writing exercises designed to elevate the quality of your writing - all delivered with her characteristic warmth and encouragement.

"Your Book Starts Here" offers unparalleled guidance on: building a writing practice; brainstorming content; writing scene-based islands; storyboarding within a three-act structure; stifling the inner critic; developing characters and setting; incorporating sensory details; exploring theme and so much more!

I credit "Your Book Starts Here" and the workshops and online classes I've taken with Mary for providing the inspiration, insight and supportive writing community I needed to propel me on my book-writing journey. Working through a chapter from Mary's book each week, I have discovered my writing voice and experienced a profound transformation in the quality of my writing. As a result, I'm well on my way to completing a first draft.

I highly recommend "Your Book Starts Here" for anyone who has always wanted to write a book - and those who want to raise the bar on their current or future book projects.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic nuts and bolts help. June 4, 2011

By Sunny Beech

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I desperately wanted to take Mary's class in New Hampshire but hadn't been able to set aside the funds for the class, airfare, hotel, car, etc. Did have $16.95 to plunk down on the book, however. Wow! She really gives you the foundation upon which to construct your book and then provides the hammer and nails, too.

I have many writing books littering my shelves. This is one of the best.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Your Book Starts Here April 7, 2011

By Shelley

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are interested in a precise and clearly written guide to learning or deepening your understanding of the craft of writing this is the book for you. It is an accessible and complete how to guide for a novice or an expert. Her book is full of anecdotes and excercises to help any writer solve any problem encountered in writing at any level. Take her book's lessons to heart, and you'll hear her clear voice, focused and compassionate asking questions, which if answered with disciplined intention lead to the appropriate answer. Moore's tone is supportive and respectful throughout this remarkable read. It's a sure footed guide through the wilderness of learning how to write well. Without this book I wouldn't have been able to write the rough draft of the novel that sits in my lap.