Letters to a Young Writer

by Colum McCann
Letters to a Young Writer cover
Good Books rating 4.23
Nonfiction
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Paperback • £10.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7088
  • Added: 2025-12-10
  • Updated: 2025-12-13
  • ISBN: 9781408885017
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
  • Published: 2017-05-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

From the National Book Award-winning author Colum McCann comes a heartfelt and practical book of advice for writers of all ages. Letters to a Young Writer is a collection of fifty-two short prose pieces that address both the practical and joyous aspects of writing, from finding an agent to celebrating the pleasures of truthful writing. /n/n This book is not just a guide but a deeply personal work from one of our greatest literary voices, offering empathetic and pragmatic advice to any author on their journey. It's a must-read for anyone looking to ignite their passion for writing and navigate the challenges that come with it.

Reviews
Cup and Words · 2018-10-20
inspiring 4.50

The book is a beautiful and insightful read, offering practical and philosophical advice that is both inspiring and engaging. It is considered one of the best real-life guides for aspiring writers.

Cup and Words describes the book as a beautiful and insightful read, offering practical and philosophical advice that is both inspiring and engaging. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to inspire and engage readers, making it a valuable resource for aspiring writers. The book is seen as a must-read for anyone interested in the craft of writing, providing both practical tips and philosophical insights.

Quick quotes

    A beautiful and insightful read, Letters to a Young Writer is probably one of those best real life guides to aspiring writers or even the ...

    A beautiful and insightful read, Letters to a Young Writer is probably one of those best real life guides to aspiring writers.

    Letters to a Young Writer is probably one of those best real life guides to aspiring writers or even the ...

The Guardian · 2017-06-06
insightful 4.00

Despite occasional missteps, the book is full of clarity, wit, and forceful instruction. The advice is practical and engaging, making it a valuable resource for writers.

The Guardian's review highlights that while there are a few missteps, the book is generally well-received. The reviewer appreciates the clarity, wit, and forceful instruction provided by McCann. The advice is seen as practical and engaging, making it a valuable resource for writers. The book's strength lies in its ability to offer both philosophical and practical guidance, making it a must-read for anyone interested in the craft of writing.

Quick quotes

    Full of clarity, wit and forceful instruction.

    Despite the occasional misstep, Colum McCann's book of guidance for writers is full of clarity, wit and forceful instruction.

    A book of guidance for writers is full of clarity, wit and forceful instruction.

The Storygraph · 2017-04-04
engaging 4.20

The advice is familiar but made fresh and vigorous by McCann's sharp and engaging writing style. The book is both blunt and compassionate, offering new perspectives on well-known topics.

The Storygraph's review notes that much of the advice in the book is familiar from other sources, but McCann's sharp and engaging writing style makes it feel fresh and vigorous. The reviewer appreciates the blunt yet compassionate tone, which offers new perspectives on well-known topics. The book is seen as a valuable resource for both aspiring and experienced writers, providing both practical and philosophical guidance.

Quick quotes

    A lot of the advice is familiar from other books of this genre, but McCann is a sharp, engaging, often blunt writer who makes a lot of it fresh and vigorous.

    A sharp, engaging, often blunt writer who makes a lot of it fresh and vigorous.

    McCann is a sharp, engaging, often blunt writer who makes a lot of it fresh and vigorous.

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