What books can I read that will give me some idea of what it might take for me to make my living as a writer or journalist? [more inside]
posted by AAAA on Nov 3, 2009 - 19 answers

Innovative Books: I am looking to compile a list of the most innovative uses of the book format. Books that break the mould in their layout and design, perhaps books that use online systems to extend their content value or push their form into new places. I am most interested in narrative and theory, but any book that is interesting (artist books etc.) would be really appreciated. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Nov 1, 2009 - 29 answers

With NaNoWriMo looming ever nearer, I would like to hear your best tips, tricks, habits, and techniques for staying chained to the keyboard. [more inside]
posted by BitterOldPunk on Oct 22, 2009 - 26 answers

What are the most well-written (i.e., enjoyable to read) textbooks and/or books written for an academic audience? I'm not looking for the "best" textbook on any given subject, but textbooks on any topic that are compelling to read because of the wit and lucidity of the writing style. [more inside]
posted by crLLC on Oct 21, 2009 - 30 answers

What well-known novels lack any character descriptions aside from names?
posted by odinsdream on Oct 9, 2009 - 17 answers

A friend of mine is writing a memoir about traveling to every country in Europe at the age of 23. He wants to compare being stuck in a crappy part of Romania to a well known literary or film hellhole. We can't think of any. [more inside]
posted by Jason Land on Oct 8, 2009 - 25 answers

I want to write and publish a book on the industrial music scene from a feminist perspective. I’m a decent writer, but I have no photography, graphic design, marketing, or publishing experience, and no industry connections. Where do I start? [more inside]
posted by velvet winter on Oct 3, 2009 - 8 answers

I have this amazing idea for a book that has never been done before and will sell like hotcakes. (No, seriously!) But I have absolutely no idea where to start. What do I do? [more inside]
posted by Madamina on Sep 25, 2009 - 11 answers

Books that feature great writing AND great storytelling? [more inside]
posted by shotgunbooty on Sep 2, 2009 - 50 answers

What inventions/societal changes besides cell phones have effectively "ruined" plot devices for stories in movies, TV, books, and so forth? [more inside]
posted by ckolderup on Aug 5, 2009 - 50 answers

People talk about "writing the Great American Novel." What do you think are valid examples of the G.A.N.? What novels, American or otherwise, did you enjoy reading and wish you had written?
posted by Busoni on Jun 20, 2009 - 70 answers

I often have a whole bunch of 500-3000 word articles to read - all reasonably plain English with headings and sub-headings (and occasionally images). Is there any software out there which will take an article (or articles) and write a reasonable one or two paragraph summary of the article, or produce a list of key points?
posted by zaebiz on Jun 16, 2009 - 13 answers

Can you recommend some books to me similar to the sociology-of-a-subculture style of Hunter S. Thompson's Hell's Angels, Sudhir Venkatesh's Gang Leader for a Day and Bill Buford's Among the Thugs? [more inside]
posted by Ufez Jones on Mar 15, 2009 - 26 answers

I am looking for writings on mimesis in regards new, digital, hypertext and hypermedial technologies and cultures. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Feb 16, 2009 - 7 answers

OK, I've posted on this subject before. Each time, I'm a little further along. Here is where I am right now. I've been working on a book since March. The idea upon which the book is based has been getting a lot of attention recently and has consistently been in the news for about four years. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Dec 8, 2008 - 5 answers

Good books that about a type of person/subculture/etc., which does not necessarily hang out together or think of itself as a group? [more inside]
posted by toomuchkatherine on Dec 2, 2008 - 3 answers

Good books or blogs on writing your first non-fiction book? [more inside]
posted by Spurious on Nov 29, 2008 - 5 answers

Something I've been involved in for several years has been getting a lot of publicity lately. And I've just been told that it is about to get some national publicity within the week. [more inside]
posted by CollectiveMind on Nov 16, 2008 - 8 answers

Are there any reasonably well-known (or even famous) writers who are truly multi-genre? [more inside]
posted by wackybrit on Nov 10, 2008 - 54 answers

How much of book one do I have to explain in book two, if book two is part of a series I'm writing? [more inside]
posted by Xurando on Nov 7, 2008 - 9 answers

What are some good novels set in the US of the mid-late seventies? [more inside]
posted by Potomac Avenue on Oct 21, 2008 - 17 answers

I have a month in which to do a project. What kind of project, you ask? Good question. Perhaps something fun, perhaps something educational, perhaps something mind-expanding. The options, they are endless. [more inside]
posted by Rinku on Oct 13, 2008 - 10 answers

The phenomenology / ontology of text: has anyone examined this issue directly in philosophical, literary and/or critical terms? [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Sep 18, 2008 - 26 answers

Point me to some great examples of limited third person viewpoint. [more inside]
posted by ilike on Aug 31, 2008 - 9 answers

Why do novelists use "________" in place of a character's name? [more inside]
posted by serazin on Aug 11, 2008 - 10 answers

Looking for sites or reviewers who review books other than literary fiction [more inside]
posted by reenum on Jun 10, 2008 - 4 answers

What one book will allow others to gain the truest insight into the soul of each city or region [more inside]
posted by reenum on May 6, 2008 - 16 answers

I am looking for writings on the infinity of definition. [more inside]
posted by 0bvious on Mar 13, 2008 - 32 answers

I'm looking for book recommendations that deal with (fully or partially) methods writers use to find interesting, fresh subjects and ideas for stories. [more inside]
posted by nitsuj on Mar 2, 2008 - 5 answers

What books have you read that handle the mechanics of an expansive timeline well? [more inside]
posted by deCadmus on Feb 17, 2008 - 25 answers

Is it better publicity to write an article, or to be a quoted expert in someone else's article? [more inside]
posted by arielmeadow on Jan 22, 2008 - 13 answers

I am in a search of a program that will help me memorize words... [more inside]
posted by GrooveStix on Jan 22, 2008 - 14 answers

I'm looking for a series of hardback science fiction anthologies I dimly remember from childhood (sometime in the mid 80s). I think it had a one word title with a number, and the series went up to at least number five. I remember two stories in particular... [more inside]
posted by Artw on Jan 13, 2008 - 11 answers

I have a web site. I want to write a book based on the topic. I have publishers/agents asking to talk to me, but I don't know if I'm ready. For one thing, I'm not convinced traditional publication is best — I'm intrigued by self-publishing and e-books. I'm looking for general advice: What are the pros and cons of each method? It seems that unless I'm lucky, traditional publishing offers the lowest dollar return. But are there other, intangible benefits I'm missing? Exposure? Having somebody who knows what they're doing guide me along? And how do I approach a discussion with agents/publishers so as to get the best deal? [more inside]
posted by jdroth on Jan 7, 2008 - 13 answers

Is there such a book as "The London Times Historical Atlas"? Google and Amazon are clueless. [more inside]
posted by grumblebee on Dec 22, 2007 - 6 answers

I'm looking for books, fiction or nonfiction, where the main character claims no country as his/her own [more inside]
posted by reenum on Dec 2, 2007 - 19 answers

I've written some fiction. Now I want to see if it's any good. [more inside]
posted by reenum on Oct 14, 2007 - 7 answers

I've just finished my first novel, now how do I revise this thing? [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Sep 26, 2007 - 17 answers

What are some intelligent, very clever (funny is OK, but not necessary) recent novels that are readable but not trashy? Think along the lines of Zadie Smith's White Teeth and Jonathan Safran Foer's Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. Avoiding verbosity (Rushdie) and anachronism (The Great Gatsby, etc.), what's left? [more inside]
posted by stvspl on Sep 16, 2007 - 52 answers

Recommendations for well-written narrative nonfiction books about Seattle? [more inside]
posted by The corpse in the library on Jun 20, 2007 - 6 answers

I jokingly refer to my life and every experience I've had so far as "research" and say I'm going to write a book about it. But I'm not trying to be the next Carrie Bradshaw. [more inside]
posted by slyboots421 on Mar 23, 2007 - 8 answers

I need recommendations on books about nonfiction writing. [more inside]
posted by BradNelson on Mar 4, 2007 - 16 answers

I need help putting together a book about my Peace Corps experiences, though I have no idea where to even begin. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by brokekid on Feb 23, 2007 - 15 answers

How many type written pages make up a novel? [more inside]
posted by finitejest on Feb 9, 2007 - 12 answers

Who writes the back-cover blurbs (teasers) for books? [more inside]
posted by Rubber Soul on Jan 24, 2007 - 31 answers

What are some great depressing, or I should say melancholic, 21st century novels/short story collections? The latest that I have ordered is E. Annie Proulx 'Close Range: Wyoming Stories,' but that is from the late 90s. I just cannot take the material that is being churned out in the 21st century. Most of it is pretty much the same. If it isn't formulaic mainstream work it turns out to be obscure and pointless POMO drivel. I've scoured the 20th century and found a ton of titles, but almost nothing from the last 7 years. The one recent gem I found is Cormac McCarthy's 'The Road'. Thanks in advance.
posted by Gnostic Novelist on Jan 6, 2007 - 34 answers

Writers on writing? [more inside]
posted by RokkitNite on Dec 11, 2006 - 39 answers

Looking for inspiration in two kinds of books. Perhaps you've got some recommendations? 1) Novels with very short "chapters" or fragments or pieces, that combine to make a whole; 2) Books boldly written, whether that be a writer being bold with timelines, punctuation, language, etc. (examples of both types of books inside). [more inside]
posted by dobbs on Dec 6, 2006 - 54 answers

I'm writing a book. What's the difference between a prologue, a foreword, an introduction, and a preface?
posted by soulbarn on Nov 29, 2006 - 12 answers

Where can I find sales figures for novels (new and/or classic)? I am aware of Bookscan and Publisher's Lunch, but those are very expensive.
posted by Gnostic Novelist on Oct 26, 2006 - 9 answers