The Everything Guide to Writing Nonfiction
All you need to write and sell exceptional nonfiction books, articles, essays, reviews, and memoirs
Published on 18. November 2009
304 pages
978-1-4405-0179-1 (ISBN)
Description
Everyone wants to be a published writer. But only a few manage to break into print. In this guide, Richard D. Bank provides expert advice to help you reach your goals of writing and selling articles, essays, and books. Featuring step-by-step instructions covering all aspects of writing, including how to:
- Master the elements of creative nonfiction
- Conduct interviews and take accurate notes
- Find your unique voice
- Develop good research and editing skills
- Write with authority and confidence
- Sell writing to periodicals and publishers
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Richard D. Bank
The "Everything" Guide to Writing Nonfiction
All You Need to Write and Sell Exceptional Nonfiction Books, Articles, Essays, Reviews, and Memoirs
Book
12/2009
Adams Media Corporation
€33.63
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Person
Jenna Glatzer is the author or ghostwriter of more than thirty books. She has worked with Celine Dion on the authorized biography Celine Dion: For Keeps, and with Marilyn Monroe's estate for The Marilyn Monroe Treasures. She also writes for publications such asThe Washington Post, Healthline, and USA TODAY. She lives in New York, where she allows drag queens to poison her daughter's mind at brunches and Tupperware parties. Find out more at JennaGlatzer.com.
Content
- Intro
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Top Ten Things Every Nonfiction Writer Needs to Know
- Foreword
- Introduction
- 01: Becoming a Nonfiction Writer
- Writing Is a Passion
- Getting Started and Filling the Blank Page
- Useful Techniques in Writing Nonfiction
- Find Your Voice
- Is It Fiction or Nonfiction?
- Nonfiction Writing-Literary or Not?
- Novels and Other Hybrids
- 02: The Categories of Nonfiction
- Selecting a Genre
- Be an Author of a Nonfiction Book
- Writing Articles Offers a World of Opportunity
- Writing Reviews
- The Art of Persuasion- Writing Opinion Pieces
- The Craft of Writing Essays
- Writing Your Memoir?
- 03: The Genres of Nonfiction Books
- General Nonfiction
- Books for Scholars, Students, and Professionals
- Self-Help and How-To Books
- Religion and Spirituality
- Books about Health, Mind, and Body
- Parenting/Family/Relationships
- Biographies-Writing about the Lives of Others
- Other Categories and Niche Books
- 04: Elements of Nonfiction Writing
- Truth and Accuracy
- A Distinct Writing Style
- Facts Must Be Verifiable
- Details, Details, and More Details
- You Must Write Well
- Point of View
- Voice of Authority
- 05: Getting the Facts Right
- You Don't Have to Be an Expert
- Personal Experiences and the World Around You
- Research
- Interviews
- Avoid Copyright Infringement
- Reliance on Experts and Sources
- 06: Writing Nonfiction Books
- Selecting Your Subject and Genre
- Ready to Write the Book-Almost
- Truth and Accuracy
- Time to Get Organized
- Time to Write
- Editing and Rewriting
- Writing Exercises
- 07: Scholarly Nonfiction Books
- You Must Be an Acknowledged Authority
- Determine Your Audience
- Research Standards and Methodology
- Credit Your Sources
- Excerpts from the Three Scholarly Genres
- Writing Exercises
- 08: Self-Help and How-To Books
- One of the Most Popular Genres
- Be an Authority
- Writing the Book Should Be Fun
- Writing Techniques You Need to Know
- Excerpts to Ponder
- Writing Exercises
- 09: Books about Religion and Spirituality
- A Time-Honored Tradition
- Target Your Audience
- You Can Never Have Too Many Endorsements
- How to Write Religion and Spirituality Books
- Excerpts That Inform and Inspire
- Writing Exercises
- 10: Health, Mind, and Body Books
- A Varied Genre
- Experts Are Essential
- Forewords and Blurbs
- Books about Medicine and Health
- Exercise and Fitness Books
- Psychology and Counseling
- Excerpts from a Wide Range of Books
- Writing Exercises
- 11: Parenting, Family, and Relationship Books
- The Categories Within the Genre
- Getting the Family Started
- Child Rearing and Development
- Children with Special Needs
- The Couple-the Lynchpin of the Family
- Aging and Eldercare
- Writing a Parenting, Family, and Relationship Book
- Excerpts That Show Diversity
- Writing Exercises
- 12: Writing Biographies
- A Consistently Popular Genre
- Biography's Most Popular Categories
- Selecting Your Subject
- You're a Detective
- Breathe Life into Your Subject
- Excerpts of Three Writing Styles
- Writing Exercises
- 13: Writing Articles
- So Many Topics
- Some Subjects to Consider
- Getting the Facts
- Writing a Professional Article
- Techniques in Writing Articles
- Be Your Own Editor
- Excerpts to Ponder
- Writing Exercises
- 14: Writing Reviews
- The Genre
- Some General Tips
- Inform and Opine
- Ethics of Reviewers
- Book Reviews
- Movie/Theater Reviews
- Restaurant Reviews
- Writing Exercises
- 15: Writing Opinion Pieces
- The Art of Persuasion
- Factors to Consider Before Writing
- Writing the Opinion Piece
- Be Persuasive
- The Submission Process
- Excerpts
- Write an Op-Ed
- 16: The Literary Essay
- What Is a Literary Essay?
- Organizing the Essay
- Writing the Literary Essay
- Literary Essays Enlighten
- Excerpts Reflecting a Wide Range
- Writing Exercises
- 17: Personal Essays
- What Is a Personal Essay?
- It's All about You!
- Two Kinds of Personal Essays
- Writing the Personal Essay
- Excerpts That Are Personal
- Writing Exercises
- 18: Memoirs-Book Length
- A Venerable and Popular Genre
- Is There a Memoir in You?
- Preparing to Write Your Memoir
- Diary or Memoir
- Writing the Memoir
- Excerpts from Diverse Memoirs
- Writing Exercises
- 19: Creative Nonfiction
- What Is Creative Nonfiction?
- A Genre or Style
- How to Write Creative Nonfiction
- Show, Don't Tell
- The Best of Both Worlds
- Writing Exercises
- 20: The Ethics of Writing Nonfiction
- Codes of Ethics
- Your Own Code of Ethics
- Plagiarism
- Ethics for Writing Nonfiction
- How Factual Must You Be?
- How to Avoid Committing Libel
- Four Elements of Libel
- Privileges That Protect from Libel
- Defenses to Libel Actions
- Freedom to Criticize Public Officials
- Libel Insurance
- 21: The Right of Privacy and Publicity
- The Right of Publicity
- The Right of Privacy
- First Amendment Concerns
- Defenses to Invasion of Privacy
- Disguise Your Subjects
- Obtain a Release
- Insurance as an Added Protection
- 22: Getting Your Work Published
- The Marketplace
- How to Submit
- The Query and the Hook
- A Writer's Rights
- Literary Agents
- Standard Publishing
- Alternative Publishers
- To Succeed, Persevere
- Exercise
- 23: Selling Your Book- The Book Proposal
- It's the Proposal That Sells Your Book
- Writing the Proposal
- The Contents of the Proposal
- Target Market
- Promotional Plan and Platform
- Competitive Books
- Exercises
- 24: Perfecting Your Skills as a Nonfiction Writer
- Writers' Conferences
- Writers' Workshops
- Writers' Groups
- Noncredit Classes
- Getting a Degree
- Publicists
- The Secret to Being a Successful Writer
- APPENDIX A: Writing Samples
- APPENDIX B: Sample Permissions Agreement
- APPENDIX C: Glossary
