books

David Grann Part 2: Craft wisdom and breaking into narrative nonfiction

David Grann Part 2: Craft wisdom and breaking into narrative nonfiction

The renowned author shares insights on vetting story ideas, meticulous research and revision, the value of editors and pitching The New Yorker
January 11, 2024
Katia Savchuk
David Grann Part 1: A deep-dive into "The Wager"

David Grann Part 1: A deep-dive into “The Wager”

The New Yorker writer and bestselling author — who says he's not a “natural writer” — shares the research and writing process behind his latest book
January 10, 2024
Katia Savchuk
When a Pulitzer-winning book is banned

When a Pulitzer-winning book is banned

Robert Samuels' co-authored book about the life and death of George Floyd was labeled inappropriate for students at a Tennessee high school
January 4, 2024
Carly Stern
Peek inside a successful book proposal

Peek inside a successful book proposal

Author Kim Cross annotates the lengthy proposal that landed a contract for the book that revisits the 1993 Polly Klaas kidnapping
November 17, 2023
Carly Stern
Nonfiction author Kim Cross breaks down how to sell a book proposal

Nonfiction author Kim Cross breaks down how to sell a book proposal

The narrative journalist details the upside of rejection, the importance of timing, the value of a good agent and the reality of advances
November 17, 2023
Carly Stern
The Post-it puzzle of a big writing project

The Post-it puzzle of a big writing project

Author and journalism teacher Mallary Tenore Tarpley uses Post-its and origami paper to outline her reported memoir on eating disorders
November 9, 2023
Mallary Tenore Tarpley
Your next book club list: National Book Award winners and finalists

Your next book club list: National Book Award winners and finalists

The 2022 National Book Awards were announced this week. I expect I am not alone in adding the winners in fiction and nonfiction to my wish list and handing it,…
November 17, 2022
Jacqui Banaszynski
WriterL, the book: A "greatest hits" collection of narrative discussions

WriterL, the book: A “greatest hits” collection of narrative discussions

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one of two essays about the new book “A Place Called Writer L,” a collection of listserv discussions from the 1990s and 2000s. Tomorrow, co-editor Stuart…
November 3, 2022
John Clayton
So you want to write book? A long journey from newspaper reporter to book author

So you want to write book? A long journey from newspaper reporter to book author

In "The Diary of a Misfit," Casey Parks' had to let go of some journalistic boundaries to write about being queer in the religious, rural South
September 6, 2022
Lisa Grace Lednicer
So you want to write a book? Brace yourself for some serious self-promotion and, yes, TikTok

So you want to write a book? Brace yourself for some serious self-promotion and, yes, TikTok

First published in the wine-and-dine era, Lauren Kessler now manages a blog, Instagram account, YouTube videos and more to help market her books
July 13, 2022
Lauren Kessler