The African American Guide to Writing & Publishing Non Fiction (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Whether it's the first time, the hundredth or the thousandth time, give yourself permission to speak, to write your heart and soul down on paper..." (more)
Key Phrases: wanna holler, African American, Cavalier Manor, Uncle Willie (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Telling life stories is a cultural heritage that African Americans can trace back hundreds of years, to the West African storytellers-musicians-historians called griots. In The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction, Jewell Parker Rhodes encourages African American writers to be modern-day griots, acquainting themselves with the work of earlier writers and committing their own lives and the lives of others to paper. As with Free Within Ourselves, in which Rhodes focused on fiction writing, it would be a shame for non-African Americans to overlook this book. Rhodes's advice on writing (autobiography, memoir, and personal essays), revising, and getting published is solid, clear, and specific. She manages to make cheery affirmations not seem cloying. And she provides copious excerpts from a compelling African American canon, including longer pieces by Nathan McCall, Maya Angelou, Patrice Gaines, and Lorene Cary. The book concludes with advice from more than 30 black writers, including Pearl Cleage. "Tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth," Cleage urges, "especially about the stuff you'd rather lie about." --Jane Steinberg

From Booklist

Rhodes, former director of a university writing program, begins by conveying the necessity of writers, particularly African American writers, to find their voice and write about their experiences. She notes that since slave narratives, African Americans have recognized the need to merge African oral traditions and Western written traditions. Rhodes catalogs black literary ancestors and provides solid advice on gathering ideas from life's joys and disappointments and using source materials from interviews with relatives to libraries and Web sites. After each chapter, Rhodes offers exercises that include reading a variety of nonfiction. She asks the reader to take careful note of how writers execute tone, texture, and rhythm and convey information. She provides helpful advice on writing autobiography and includes samples from such famous authors as Maya Angelou, Lorene Cary, and Nathan McCall. Finally, Rhodes provides information on getting published. She includes wisdom and advice from other black writers, a recommended reading list, and enthusiastic encouragement. Although the information is culturally specific to African Americans, any reader interested in writing will enjoy this book. Vanessa Bush
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1 edition (January 8, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767905784
• ISBN-13: 978-0767905787
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,140,975 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Do you want to write non-fiction?, April 7, 2002

By	The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers (RAWSISTAZ.com and BlackBookReviews.net) - See all my reviews

Have you ever dreamed of writing non-fiction? Whether you are
interested in writing a memoir, autobiography or essay this book will
help move you closer to your goal of publishing. Even if you don't
wish to publish your writing, this book provides practical steps to get
you writing.

The actual structure of the book is reminiscent of a basic writing
course. Rhodes provides a mix of instruction, writing exercises,
excerpts and analysis of the works of leading African American authors.
She uses the works of prominent African American authors to demonstrate how particular writing skills can be used effectively.

As for the writing exercises, in the opening chapters Rhodes encourages
the reader to purchase a writing journal. Each of the writing
exercises is to be placed in that journal along with any other
writings. If you complete the exercises as you progress through the
book by the end you will find that you have developed the foundations
for several of your own future writings.

The practical advice Rhodes includes in this book is invaluable. She
discusses ways to find time to write, ways to research topics of
interest and strongly encourages all writers (or aspiring writers) to
become avid readers as well. She demonstrates how reading a variety of
genres with a writer's eye, can give you as a writer new ideas and help you hone your writing skills. In the concluding chapters of the book,
Rhodes incorporates words of encouragement and advice from other
well-known African American authors and a comprehensive list of other useful
resources for aspiring African American writers.

Rhodes does a wonderful job of weaving the history of non-fiction works
by African American writers and in the process will inspire you. Her
practical advice and exercises will motivate you to get you started and
continue to write. The additional resources she provides, will keep you
working even after you have finished the book. I truly enjoyed this
book, my only disappointment was in the fact that I was reading it for
review and therefore could not work through the activities as I read.
I rarely read a book twice, but I have purchased my writing journal and
plan to re-read this book in the near future.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Guide Apart, May 26, 2004

By	Marian E. "www.bettmarr.com" (Central Florida) - See all my reviews

Being a writer myself, I must confess that I have attended various writing workshops, read many books on the subject, own my fair share, and instruct a workshop on creative writing. So when I received The African American guide to Writing and Publishing Non-fiction I sighed. "Not another how to book."

I was pleasantly surprised that Jewell Parker Rhodes put a tremendous amount of effort into setting this guide apart from all others. I found reason why an author would want to add this book to a probable growing collection. I am very impressed with the extent of research. She uses excerpts as examples from the works of various African American Authors throughout history, which in itself is enlightening. She also has included an extensive list of resources for the African American author which is an asset because such a list would not be found in the resource section of every book on this subject.

Her tone, throughout the book, gently guides the reader through the complexity of writing. The reader is propelled into self examination on a deeper level. After reading this book you may very well gain a new perspective and view the world around you a little differently. The personal advice she adds at the end of the chapters compliments her tone and drives her point home. She has even gone as far as to add advice from other successful writers. There is a great deal to be gained fro this guide into writing and I urge everyone who has even so much as considered writing whether it be fiction or non-fiction to purchase this book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book..Informative and Useful Advice...., January 25, 2002

By A Customer

Jewell Parker Rhodes new book is excellent!!! It offers useful and cogent advice to all writers. "The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing NonFiction," is a wonderful addition and follow-up to her equally dynamic book a year or so ago, "Free Within Ourselves." Perhaps the reason why the reader in Alexandria, Va. was unable to understand or appreciate Ms. Parker-Rhodes new book is because the reviewer is simply confused and moronic about all of the elements that are needed in order to create a masterful piece of writing.
Careless errors such as misspellings and unintelligible ramblings as vividly noted in the hapless reviewers jumbled critique of the book, are the sure signs of a bumbling amateur and not a serious author. I commend Ms. Parker-Rhodes for her splendid new book!!!