The Art of Creative Nonfiction: Writing and Selling the Literature of Reality

by Lee Gutkind

Overview

A complete guide to the art and craft of creative nonfiction—from one of its pioneer practitioners
The challenge of creative nonfiction is to write the truth in a style that is as accurate and informative as reportage, yet as personal, provocative, and dramatic as fiction. In this one-of-a-kind guide, award-winning author, essayist, teacher, and editor Lee Gutkind gives you concise, pointed advice on every aspect of writing and selling your work, including:

• Guidelines for choosing provocative—and salable—topics
  
• Smart research techniques—including advice on conducting penetrating interviews and using electronic research tools
  
• Tips for focusing and structuring a piece for maximum effectiveness
  
• Advice on working successfully with editors and literary agents
  

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780471113560
Publisher:	Turner Publishing Company
Publication date:	01/01/1997
Series:	Wiley Books for Writers
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	910,782
Product dimensions:	5.97(w) x 9.03(h) x 0.61(d)

About the Author

LEE GUTKIND is a professor in the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh, the first school to grant an M.F.A. degree in creative nonfiction. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship, among numerous other grants and awards. Mr. Gutkind is the author of five previous books, including Many Sleepless Nights, winner of the American Heart Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scientific Journalism.

Table of Contents

THE CREATIVE PART.

For Writers, Thinkers, Silent Observers (and Other People with Stories to Tell).

A Definition of the Genre--The Boundaries of the Profession.

The Devices of Creative Nonfiction.

Scenes: The Building Blocks of Creative Nonfiction.

Framing.

Main Point of Focus.

THE NONFICTION PART.

Information Transfer and the Personal Point of View.

Think Globally--Act Locally.

Getting Started.

Immersion.

Interviewing.

The Elusive Truth.

In Conclusion.

Appendices.