Writer's e-Handbook (book review)

Writers' e-Handbook : The How, Why, and Where Journal for Emerging Writers…

by Jotham Burrello

The Writers’ E-Handbook is a reference work for both experienced and emerging writers of fiction and non-fiction that consists of three parts: “Learning the Craft,” “The Writing Life,” and
“Publish Your Work.” Each section of this unique e-book has individual chapters containing text, hyperlinks, brief author videos, and sometimes interviews with well-known professionals. There are abundant resources listed at the end of each chapter, which also contain links. This writers’ manual is “wired” in a way no print book could ever be. (Needless to say, an e-reader with internet capability is required to use the special features.)

“Learning the Craft” begins with the question, “Why Do You Write?” and insists that the reader should have a definite answer in mind before beginning a writing career. Chapters in this section deal with choosing the right kind of instruction—workshops, seminars, generative, or specialty classes—and weighs the option of online verses traditional courses. Costs and value are compared realistically, and writing conferences and MFA programs are evaluated.

“The Writing Life” opens with a discussion of how the internet has affected today’s writers
and offers advice on how to use social media and blogging as effective promotional tools. The section concludes with the chapter “On Making a Living As a Writer,” which objectively assesses this prospect in light of the current literary marketplace.

The last section, “Publish Your Work,” deals with prose markets in general; various genres from young adult to fantasy, SF, and horror; short fiction publishers and book publishers; “Going It Alone,” the pros and cons of self-publishing; “Licensed Properties”; and “Agents, Briefly.” Once again, there are detailed lists of resources, publishers, and links, links, links. There is even a large appendix that includes virtually everything not featured in the main body of the text.

There is a lot here in 239 pages. It would be a time-consuming task to read the book straight through and follow even half the links or watch all the videos, but as a valuable and user-friendly reference guide for serious writers to consult as needed, this one is top-notch. 

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Except for re-sizing of the following photo there was no editing done.