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Learn From My Mistakes!:
186 pages, Paperback
Published March 17, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 28, 2026
This is a quick and delightful read with some of the best writing advice I’ve heard in a long time.
Mike states that most of these essays started as blog posts— and that’s what they feel like: short, pithy blog posts that could be explored with more depth.
I was a tad sad that the title is “Learn from my mistakes” yet none of the essays tell me what those mistakes were.
The interior book design of this book is painful and difficult to read. Quotes are formatted as sidebars and squeezed into an already narrow column with a conflicting font. And the word wrap is poor. Because of this, I skipped most of the quotes.
I would love to see a more fully developed version of this with cleaner book design. But it was a cute, fun read. This is a fun, personal read. If the ideas were more fully developed and the layout fixed, I would recommend it to post-secondary creative writing students.
Mike states that most of these essays started as blog posts— and that’s what they feel like: short, pithy blog posts that could be explored with more depth.
I was a tad sad that the title is “Learn from my mistakes” yet none of the essays tell me what those mistakes were.
The interior book design of this book is painful and difficult to read. Quotes are formatted as sidebars and squeezed into an already narrow column with a conflicting font. And the word wrap is poor. Because of this, I skipped most of the quotes.
I would love to see a more fully developed version of this with cleaner book design. But it was a cute, fun read. This is a fun, personal read. If the ideas were more fully developed and the layout fixed, I would recommend it to post-secondary creative writing students.
April 10, 2026
“Learn From My Mistakes!” by Michael A. Ventrella is a refreshing and encouraging guide for anyone stepping into the world of writing and publishing. What made this book stand out for me is its perfect balance of humor and insight—Ventrella shares hard-earned lessons (and mistakes) in a way that feels approachable rather than overwhelming.
I thought the inclusion of quotes from established writers especially powerful, reminding new authors that even the most successful voices also once faced uncertainty and missteps. This commonality creates a sense of community and reassurance that you’re not navigating this writing journey alone.
I also appreciated how practical the advice is. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to better understand the publishing landscape, there’s something in this book that will answer your questions and spark confidence.
Even the cover deserves a mention. I thought it captured the spirit of the book perfectly: inviting, honest, and a little playful.
Overall, Learn From My Mistakes by Michael Ventrella is a highly informative, motivating, and easy read that new writers will find both comforting and inspiring.
I thought the inclusion of quotes from established writers especially powerful, reminding new authors that even the most successful voices also once faced uncertainty and missteps. This commonality creates a sense of community and reassurance that you’re not navigating this writing journey alone.
I also appreciated how practical the advice is. Whether you’re just starting out or trying to better understand the publishing landscape, there’s something in this book that will answer your questions and spark confidence.
Even the cover deserves a mention. I thought it captured the spirit of the book perfectly: inviting, honest, and a little playful.
Overall, Learn From My Mistakes by Michael Ventrella is a highly informative, motivating, and easy read that new writers will find both comforting and inspiring.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews