The Art of Creative Nonfiction Writing and Selling the Literature of Reality

A complete guide to the art and craft of creative nonfiction--from one of its pioneer practitioners The challenge of creative nonfiction is to write the truth in a style that is as accurate and informative as reportage, yet as personal, provocative, and dramatic as fiction. In this one-of-a-kind guide, award-winning author, essayist, teacher, and editor Lee Gutkind gives you concise, pointed advice on every aspect of writing and selling your work, including: * Guidelines for choosing provocative--and salable--topics * Smart research techniques--including advice on conducting penetrating interviews and using electronic research tools * Tips for focusing and structuring a piece for maximum effectiveness * Advice on working successfully with editors and literary agents

LEE GUTKIND is a professor in the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh, the first school to grant an M.F.A. degree in creative nonfiction. He is the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts Creative Writing Fellowship, among numerous other grants and awards. Mr. Gutkind is the author of five previous books, including Many Sleepless Nights, winner of the American Heart Association Award for Outstanding Achievement in Scientific Journalism.