The Complete Idiot's Guide to Writing Nonfiction: Essential Information on Researching, Organizing, and Writing Narrative Nonficti

by Christina Boufis

Narrative nonfiction, also known as creative nonfiction or literary nonfiction, is true stories told using literary techniques and creativity. Narrative nonfiction essays are often featured in magazines such as Esquire , The New Yorker , Vanity Fair , and Harper's . Book-length narrative nonfiction works have grown in popularity since Truman Capote published In Cold Blood in 1965. Nonfiction works such as Into Thin Air , The Orchid Thief , The Perfect Storm , and Seabiscuit have smashed sales records and brought the genre into focus for the mainstream. With the rise of self-publishing and blogs comes a new generation of writers who want to tell their stories to a wider audience. The Complete Idiot's Guide® to Writing Nonfiction gives narrative nonfiction writers the instruction and tools they need to elevate their storytelling to an art form that appeals to more readers. In this book readers In addition, author Christina Boufis interviews successful narrative nonfiction writers in many subgenres and gets their insights on what inspires them and how they overcome their own obstacles.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

320 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2012

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really great and inspiring. It is not written by a Christian and a couple of the stories shared were crude (why one star is knocked off) but mostly clean and helpful.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never thought I would read a book like this, a manual on writing non-fiction, but I really enjoyed it. I found the book well organized and descriptive and helpful. I thought non-fiction writing was the avenue I wanted to pursue and after reading this book it has given me much to think about, although it has in some ways pushed me more in the direction of wanting to write fiction. I will continue reading other books about the topic of writing, and this book encouraged that, and will also begin writing myself.

[Diana Good · Rating 5 out of 5]

It covers in an orderly way the process of writing and publishing nonfiction.

[Katrina Bradfield · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a really useful read and I took heaps of notes - very motivating

[Christopher Cagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked up a few gems out of the flotsam and jetsam of this book. Easy to read. Given media technology changes it could use an update (Substack, Medium, and other outlets).

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a lot of helpful tips and hints for nonfiction writers. A lot of stuff I already knew or it was common sense. The author doesn't go into tons of details about things but enough of a bait to research a bit further I guess. It was pretty good all in all. While most certainly not the end all be all of a nonfiction guide it certainly points you in the right direction.

[David Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book for beginning and intermediate nonfiction writers.

[Elaine Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reference book, great ideas, informative!