A
great multitude of writer’s guides can be found for sale – guides for writing,
guides for publishing, guides for writing fiction and non-fiction, guides for
the memoir, guides for writing poetry, guides for writing novels in specific
genres, and more. What I like about Mary
Harwell Sayler’s Christian
Writer’s Guide is its simplicity, its comprehensiveness, and its
conciseness.
And
while it is aimed specifically at Christian writers, the author’s experience
with and knowledge of the writing business can be applied by any writer.
 |
| Mary Harwell Sayler |
The
topics covered include finding the genre you’re best suited for; listening for
your voice; doing research; editing and revision; preparing to be published;
the freelance business; query letters; preparing manuscripts; how to propose a
book; keeping track of your submissions; establishing an internet presence; and
even how to formulate your writer’s bio. She also includes a raft of helpful
writing terms to help navigate the writing and publishing business.
This
is a guide written by an experienced professional. It’s straightforward and to
the point; Sayler doesn’t waste words.
She’s
the author of several books, including Living in the Nature Poem and Outside Eden: Poems; Christian Poet’s Guide to Writing Poetry; First Days of Parenting; First Days of Retirement; among several
others. She blogs at In a Christian
Writer’s Life
and Poetry Editor
and Poetry.
And she does something that very few writers do: she gives back encouragement
and help to other writers.
Christian Writer’s Guide is a compact
collection of what a writer needs to know and do in pursuing a successful
career.
Top photograph: The cellarium of
Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire by George Hodan via Public Domain Pictures. Used with permission.
