Writing First

Papyrus rolls and Twitter have much in common, as each was their generation's signature means of "instant" communication. Indeed, as Tom Standage reveals in his scintillating new audiobook, social media is anything but a new phenomenon. From the papyrus letters that Roman statesmen used to exchange news across the Empire to the advent of hand-printed tracts of the Reformation to the pamphlets that spread propaganda during the American and French revolutions, Standage chronicles the increasingly sophisticated ways people shared information with each other....

A great script is only as good as the effort you put into your career, but there is little information for the aspiring screenwriter about how to break in. Even those who study TV or film in college are taught to simply “get a production assistant job.” But then what? Anton Schettini provides a rare insider’s glimpse of the modern-day network and streaming TV writers’ room. Here, you will find practical advice, career path strategies, and first-hand accounts for how to establish your network, grow within it, and acquire the necessary tools to become a TV writer.

Every aspect of screenwriting is covered with an authority and credibility never seen in any book to come before. Told with honesty, humor, and vulnerability from the real-world perspective of a working, professional screenwriter, Kill the Dog reveals the secrets of what it takes to have a successful career as a Hollywood screenwriter.

An action-packed urban fantasy adventure set on the islands of Hawaii! My name is Marcus Aries. In addition to running my martial arts school, I serve as the guardian of the Hawaiian Islands. Basically, I’m the middleman between everyday mortals and the world of the supernatural. A world no one else believes is real. One filled with darkness, danger, and creatures who would happily use my guts for fish bait if given the chance. It’s my job to ensure peace, balance, and, when warranted, justice. My latest case has me investigating the disappearance of a young boy, a child not much older ...

Have you ever had an idea about a book you really wanted to write, but just haven't done it? Victor takes the hard knocks he's had to grow through in writing and publishing his own books as well as the lessons he's learned while helping others to accomplish the same thing and created this book! What makes the steps in this book easy? They are provided in a way that has already proven to work when they are completed in the order they are given so that you don't have to worry about everything at one time, just one step at a time. Even if only one of the steps in this book is useful to help ...

Imagine knowing what the brain craves from every tale it encounters, what fuels the success of any great story, and what keeps readers transfixed. Wired for Story reveals these cognitive secrets—and it’s a game-changer for anyone who has ever set pen to paper.

Unlock the secrets to crafting a first chapter that leaves readers breathless and hungry for more. This indispensable guide reveals strategies to captivate audiences from the very first page of your novel. Discover the art of the hook as you learn to craft opening lines that demand attention and set the tone for your entire novel. Dive deep into character development, exploring techniques to create protagonists that leap off the page and into readers' hearts. Master the nuances of dialogue to infuse your narrative with authenticity and momentum. Immerse readers in rich, memorable worlds ...

Stephen A. Smith has never been handed anything, nor was he an overnight success. Growing up poor in Queens, the son of Caribbean immigrants and the youngest of six children, he was a sports-obsessed kid who faced struggles, from undiagnosed dyslexia to getting enough cereal to fill his bowl. As a basketball player at Winston-Salem State University, he got a glimmer of his true calling when he wrote a newspaper column arguing for the retirement of his own Hall of Fame coach, Clarence Gaines.

If you've listened to his books The War of Art and Turning Pro, you know that for 30 years Steven Pressfield (Gates of Fire, The Afghan Campaign etc.) wrote spec novel after spec novel before any publisher took him seriously. How did he finally break through? Ignoring just about every rule of commercial book publishing, Pressfield's "first" novel not only became a major best seller (over 250,000 copies sold), it was adapted into a feature film directed by Robert Redford and starring Matt Damon, Will Smith, and Charlize Theron.

This book shows you step-by-step how you can make it happen. It also shows you the simple steps to make your book a bestseller without spending a dime on ads....

Publishing books isn’t your problem...selling them is. You’ve written your heart out, followed the steps, and hit publish. But instead of steady royalties, you’re stuck refreshing your KDP dashboard, hoping for a sale. If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most self-publishers struggle because they focus only on the writing. The real success happens when you master the entire process of publishing books that actually sell. The $10,000 KDP Formula gives you the clear, actionable roadmap to grow your Amazon KDP business from uncertain launches to consistent royalties. Built on ...

One in five people in the United States lives with a disability. Some disabilities are visible, others less apparent - but all are underrepresented in media and popular culture. Now, just in time for the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, activist Alice Wong brings together this urgent, galvanizing collection of contemporary essays by disabled people.

From the New York Times best-selling author of Walking the Bible and Abraham comes a revelatory journey across four continents and 4,000 years exploring how Adam and Eve introduced the idea of love into the world, and how they continue to shape our deepest feelings about relationships, family, and togetherness.

Are you ready to embark on a journey into the world of romance fiction? Dive into "From Pen to Passion," where the art of crafting captivating love stories awaits. In this comprehensive guide, you'll discover the keys to unlocking the secrets of the romance genre. Whether you're a budding writer or a seasoned author, this book is your passport to creating heartwarming and emotionally resonant tales of love, desire, and connection. What You'll Find Inside: Crafting Unforgettable Characters: Learn how to breathe life into your heroes and heroines, making them relatable, multi-dimensional, and...

Second Pocket First shoehorns comedy, crime, and small-town charm into this delightful romp as Issey must decide between old habits and a sudden devotion to the town's goodwill.

Grow your audience. Sell your product. Share your wisdom. Make more money... fast. A book is the perfect way to boost your brand, business, or profile—but writing one traditionally takes months of effort and specialized knowledge. Fortunately, in 2025, with tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini, creating an incredible nonfiction book has never been quicker or easier! In How to Write a Nonfiction Book with AI in 2025, bestselling author and tech journalist Anthony P. Carter reveals how to use artificial intelligence to write smarter and faster—without sacrificing your unique ...

To write for the theater, you need to know about theater. Ideas are easy to come by. Examine your background, interest, and beliefs. Examine the world around you. Exercises can help you come up with ideas. Choose the audience you want to reach, and write to that audience.

Are you ready to take the plunge into publishing your book? Not so fast. The difference between a poorly written book and a publication that can capture hearts, change lives, entertain, or inform lies in the words. Your job, as author, is to get the words in the right order. Every. Word. Matters. First-time authors, and even veteran writers, go down rabbit holes with their writing, and sometimes it’s the editor who helps dig them out of those traps. Nothing like an amateur blunder to label your manuscript substandard. Amateurish. Real writing takes place after you have the bones down ...

FROM DREAM TO MANUSCRIPT: YOUR GUARANTEED PATH TO WRITING SUCCESS Have you always wanted to write a book but don't know where to start? Or perhaps you've tried multiple times only to abandon your project halfway through? "How to Write a Story" is more than just a manual—it's your detailed roadmap to turning your dream into reality. FINALLY, A METHOD THAT ACTUALLY WORKS This isn't another theoretical book about writing. It's a proven, practical system that guides you step-by-step, from your first idea to a complete manuscript ready for publication. WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER IN THESE PAGES: ...

If you aren’t suffering, you aren’t creating. Right? Wrong! Writing can and should be joyful, fulfilling… even fun! Applicable to writers in all genres and disciplines—from screenwriters to novelists, journalists to picture book authors, aspiring to many-times published—The Happy Writer is a heartfelt and optimistic guide that will show you the way to a happier writing journey.