The Essayist at Work: Profiles of Creative Nonfiction Writers

Creative Nonfiction #6

by Lee Gutkind (Editor)

Today, creative nonfiction/literary journalism encompasses the length and breadth of the literary spectrum. The Essayist at Work offers proven methods for making a mark in this competitive genre.

Genres: Writing

232 pages, Paperback

First published January 13, 1998

About the author

Lee Gutkind has been recognized by Vanity Fair as “the godfather behind creative nonfiction.” A prolific writer, he has authored and edited over twenty-five books, and is the founder and editor of Creative Nonfiction, the first and largest literary magazine to publish only narrative nonfiction. Gutkind has received grants, honors, and awards from numerous organizations including the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Science Foundation. A man of many talents, Gutkind has been a motorcyclist, medical insider, sports expert, sailor, and college professor. He is currently distinguished writer in residence in the Consortium for Science, Policy, and Outcomes at Arizona State University and a professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication.

Reviews

[miteypen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The subtitle is a little misleading because not all the essays are profiles of writers; some are just essays about the writing life; specifically the writing of essays. I think it is well worth reading if you're interested in writing creative nonfiction, but don't expect to come away with a clear definition of creative nonfiction: it seems that every writer has a little different idea of what CNF is for him or her.

I love reading about writers and writing, so this was right up my alley. Even so, I would have liked it better if it had been more recent--a lot of the writers I had never heard of (but then that's not unusual for CNF writers--they don't get the attention that fiction writers do).

I'm not sure why some people gave it such a low rating unless they were expecting it to be more than a collection of essays. For instance, there is no categorizing of the essays and no one theme tying them together, so the effect can feel a little disjointed. I would recommend not reading the book straight through; just take one essay at a time and enjoy it for what it is.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

Standouts:

*****
Not Interviewing Frank Sinatra - Gay Talese

*****
Courting the Approval of the Dead - Tracy Kidder

Also, from Phillip Lopate: New York Storyteller - Melinda Corey

In place of the authority of the human is the image, which, Lopate says, has come to take authority because "the person can no longer claim that authority." In the absense of this easy authority, there are targeted types of authority, often revealed in books about personal shortcomings, dysfunctions, addictions, and disabilities. Books about sexual addiction, alcoholism and the like make for "a kind of shorthand for identity," says Lopate, which makes the books easy to market.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

So far, it's a mixed bag, but some good treats in the bag.