Plot Twist: Life, Craft, and the Messy First Draft: A Memoir on Writing

by Harlan Coben

#1 New York Times bestselling author Harlan Coben offers a look behind the curtain at his own writing process in an inspiring, candid memoir filled with indispensable insights and techniques. With 100 million books in print world-wide and over a dozen blockbuster television and film adapations of his work, Harlan Coben has much to teach us about the creative process. Part deeply personal memoir, part masterclass in storytelling, Plot Twist is a refreshingly honest look at the life of a writer whose stories have thrilled us for decades.

Plumbing memories from his suburban childhood and his early years trying to break into publishing, Coben tells his own story for the first time, revealing the real-world inspirations for some of his most beloved characters as well as the innovative plots that drive his propulsive novels. Filled with useful tips and techniques on the creative process, Coben does away with the traditional "categories" of writing—characters, plot, setting, etc—and looks at the process holistically. Plot Twist is a masterclass on the act of being a writer, and everything that comes with it: the self‑doubt, the hubris, the contradictions, the passion and dedication. At the end of the day, his calculus is a simple one: “If it helps me produce pages, good. If it doesn’t, bad.” This book will help every aspiring writer produce pages. Honest, funny, insightful, and at times deeply moving, this is both a captivating memoir and an essential guide for anyone looking to master the art of storytelling from one of our most beloved authors.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 6, 2026

About the author

Harlan Coben is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the world's leading storytellers. His suspense novels are published in forty-five languages and have been number one bestsellers in more than a dozen countries with seventy-five million books in print worldwide.

His books have earned the Edgar, Shamus, and Anthony Awards, and many have been developed into Netflix Original Drama series, including his adaptations of The Stranger, The Innocent, Gone for Good and The Woods. His most recent adaptation for Netflix, Stay Close, premiered on December 31, 2021 and stars Cush Jumbo, James Nesbitt, and Richard Armitage.

Reviews

[Drew Dillenburg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harlan Coben strikes again. One thing I find so interesting about him is his ability to keep me entertained regardless of the subject. His passion oozes through the pages and onto you as the reader. I can feel his love for his family, writing, and how they are intertwined with each other. The last chapter was heartbreaking and such a beautiful way to end the journey. I would be lying if I said Harlan Coben wasn’t my favorite author. This man impresses me with each new novel. Learning about his writing processes, his mother Corky, storylines that evolved from a simple conversation, and then tidbits of Coben’s career. This book has it all and is concise and has only created further appreciation and admiration. They say don’t meet your heroes, but I think meeting Harlan Coben would be worth the risk. 10/10.

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a writer, I’m always interested in reading writing craft books, especially when they are written by authors who have been published for years. I love to see different perspectives and figuring out what may or may not work for me. Like with any art, it’s a process, and one I know I will never stop learning. But unlike most craft books, this one was a pleasant mix of writing craft meets memoir. It was amazing! Easily one of my favorites, and trust me, I’ve read a lot of them. His presentation was very easy to follow and understand, and his humor made the book so hard to put down!

What found absolutely fascinating and quite simply made me feel better about my own writing, was that Harlan Coben, an extremely well-known author, and little old me with only two published short stories and four unpublished novels to my name do most things the same. We both carry a backpack full of what my husband lovingly calls “school supplies” because you never know what you might need when the muse comes knocking. We find inspiration everywhere, and stories always start with a “what-if” question. We spend time asking questions about the story before we even get started. We know the beginning and the end before we start. We both agree on the utility of deadlines (even self-imposed deadlines). In fact, the only things I could say he does that I absolutely don’t is writing in public and writing in a car. One would have me screaming for silence and the other would have me puking. Realizing we have the same process really put things into perspective for this writer. Am I anywhere near his level? Absolutely not! But it does give me some hope that eventually maybe I’ll get my foot in the door!

I know Mr. Coben will never read my review. I know it will get buried under the myriad inevitable starred reviews. But still, on the off chance he does see it, I say thank you. Thank you for showing that it’s possible for this little unpublished, unagented writer to get there. Thank you for making the process of writing seem more like an adventure than like quicksand. And thank you for sharing your story. It was wildly entertaining, and I learned some things along the way.

Huge thanks to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Sarah Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot Twist
By Harlan Coben
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️


Thanks so much to NetGalley and Grand Central Publushing for the eARC!

If you didn’t want to write a book before you opened this book, you will by the time you’ve finished. Part memoir and part inspiration for aspiring authors - I initially picked this up solely because I have a shelf full of Coben’s work. A different read from the straightforward memoir, but I found it so interested to get a glimpse of a favorite author’s process. I would have never known Harlan Coben carried around a backpack for writing emergencies, briefly used an Uber as his office, or the motivation behind some of my favorite storylines. It didn’t feel like I had mistakenly opened up a “how-to” guide for writers. It was more of a “this is how I do it” and what he found to work for him - in a true witty Coben manner.

“Fiction is memoir, memoir is fiction”

“You bring your own weather to the picnic”

"There are three things that make a person a writer: inspiration, perspiration, and desperation."

Plot Twist will be published on September 8, 2026 by Grand Central Publishing.

[LibraryNinja_Beritk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enter Harlan Coben with a laugh-out-loud memoir cleverly disguised as writing a book to kick off your fall escapades. What I love is his unabashed honesty about how hard it was to become a fully-fledged, NYT Bestseller author- no varnishing of the truth here. While I was hoping that I would be over-the-top inspired to finally write my first novel, it solidified more for me that my true love is and will always be as the role of the reader. Relating his writing to his books gives both the books a new voice as well as the process behind the madness. Lots of good advice as well as an interesting perspective into the mind one of America's best thriller writers. Dad jokes aside, this is a delightful and quick fall read.

Thank you to Harlan Coben and Grand Central for allowing me the opportunity to read this ARC for free in exchange for an honest review. #harlancoben #libraryninja📚

[Cynthia Sauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read a couple Harlan Coben books but still jumped at the chance to read this memoir/how-to-be-writer ARC. I’m not an aspiring author but I am an avid reader and find the process of how people go about writing books very interesting.

There’s a lot of humor in here, I laughed out loud a number of times. It was fun learning about the different experiences that shaped storylines for his novels. I do appreciate that none of the storylines were spoiled since I haven’t read most of them.

Great effort for a memoir and I can definitely see this being useful for aspiring authors.

[Karen Casale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and packed full of wit and wisdom. Coben's voice shone through and I learned a lot of important information. I loved the way Coben gave advice with a take it or leave it attitude and how valuable I think I will find his advice in my writing journey. Thanks to Edelweiss and the author for this glimpse into your writing and personal life.

[Donna Devine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed. Cried.

He is such a witty writer and it was enjoyable to read how he sets up his books and his character development.

Love that he has two Havenese dogs (my one is enough ha ha )… I loved reading about his early years and what makes him Harlan.