How to Thrive as a Writer in a Capitalist Dystopia by Russell Nohelty

Alex Kourvo 1 star , , ,
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The title HOW TO THRIVE AS A WRITER IN A CAPITALIST DYSTOPIA promises a lot. It speaks of urgency, survival, maybe even a little rebellion. Unfortunately, what’s inside doesn’t deliver. Despite its compelling premise, this book reads less like a guide to navigating the creative life under late capitalism and more like repackaged blog posts cobbled together with a new introduction and conclusion.

Worse, the book never fulfills its own thesis. The title suggests practical advice on thriving as a creative person within an exploitative economic system, but what’s here is mostly musing and rants, filled with contradictions. Nohelty rails against capitalism one moment, then pushes entrepreneurial hustle the next. He champions artistic authenticity in one chapter and tells you to chase market trends in another. These contradictions aren’t presented as intentional tension. They’re simply never resolved.

A more generous reader might see this as a collage of evolving ideas. But without editing or clear framing, it reads like a rough draft of a better book that never materialized. There’s a sense of potential in the margins, glimpses of interesting questions about art, money, and purpose, but they’re buried under repetition and self-contradiction.

By the time the book circles back to its conclusion, it’s hard to say what, exactly, Nohelty wants the reader to take away. The promise of helping writers thrive in a dystopian marketplace dissolves into vague encouragement without a single action step.

In the end, HOW TO THRIVE AS A WRITER IN A CAPITALIST DYSTOPIA is an intriguing title in search of a real book. There’s no cohesive takeaway, no roadmap, and, sadly, no substance.

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HOW TO THRIVE AS A WRITER IN A CAPITALIST DYSTOPIA can be found here

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Rating: 1 star

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I recommend NEVER SAY YOU CAN’T SURVIVE by Charlie Jane Anders or THE ARTISAN AUTHOR by Johnny B. Truant instead of this book

The Artisan Author by Johnny B. Truant

Alex Kourvo 5 stars, business books , , , , ,
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Truant is the co-author of one of self-publishing’s early bibles, WRITE, PUBLISH, REPEAT. Many authors took his advice far too literally, thinking they had to produce a book every few months. At the same time, Amazon started pushing authors in that direction by rewarding new releases, and before long, “rapid release” was considered the only way to succeed as an indie author. The problem? It doesn’t work for most authors, and the authors who do make it work can’t sustain that pace for long.

THE ARTISAN AUTHOR encourages a different way of publishing, starting with a different way of thinking. Truant wants writers to get back to writing books for readers, not for algorithms. His approach isn’t a get rich quick scheme or an easy button. It’s work. But unlike the rapid release strategy, Truant’s ideas will lead to a long, happy, and sustainable career.

The most important thing an artisan author needs is fans. Not casual readers, but actual fans. Fans feel a personal connection to a writer. Fans will buy their favorite author’s books no matter how often she releases them, and no matter the price. There are hundreds of ways to cultivate a fan base, so each author needs to evaluate sales strategies for herself. The strategies that work for an artisan author are the ones that nurture the author/fan connection.

Selling in person works well for Truant, and he devotes a lot of the book’s pages to encouraging others to do the same. But not every author is temperamentally suited to selling at conventions or comi-cons. Some are limited physically, logistically, or geographically. Truant has advice for those authors as well, so if in-person sales aren’t for you, you’ll still find plenty to love in THE ARTISAN AUTHOR.

If you’ve ever felt squeezed by the publishing treadmill, The Artisan Author is a balm and a challenge. It invites you to slow down a little, write better, and build relationships instead of feeding algorithms. For writers who want to last, rather than burn out, this is a must-read.

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THE ARTISAN AUTHOR can be found here

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Rating: 5 stars

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This book is best for: intermediate authors

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I recommend this book

Improv for Writers by Jorjeana Marie

Alex Kourvo 4 stars, craft books , ,
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IMPROV FOR WRITERS is a toolbox of exercises, mindset shifts, and pep talks. Marie says that ideas are everywhere, but writers stall out when they let fear or self-criticism stop the flow. To get the pen moving, she borrows ideas from improv theater. She wants writers to regain joy, fun, and the confidence to go for it, wherever “it” might lead.

IMPROV FOR WRITERS starts with eleven principles of improv. Marie explains the improv lesson and how it applies to writing, then suggests writing exercises, with a clear explanation of why each exercise will be helpful. Sometimes these are small, like simply saying, “Yes, and…” Some are larger, like taking on a whole new premise or theme to your novel, or writing a scene without planning. The results are immediate because they force a writer to just start, somewhere, anywhere. Seeing what shows up on the page is how the best ideas emerge.

The first half of the book is by far the strongest. The second half of the book delves more deeply into single aspects of writing craft, like plot, characterization, and theme. Marie is on shakier ground here, since the exercises don’t actually apply to one’s work in progress, and Marie’s expertise is in improv, not fiction writing. IMPROV FOR WRITERS is all about busting blocks, and probably could have done without the second half of the book entirely.

If you stick to the first half of the book, the material is gold. It would work well for writers who are in a rut, or those who outline their stories in such meticulous detail that they lose their desire to actually write. It will also work for writers who are burnt out, feeling like their idea factories have shut down for good. Since there are so many exercises, you can dip in, try something, and see what shifts. It would be fantastic for a writer’s group to explore together, or for a solo writer as a warm-up to a day’s writing.

IMPROV FOR WRITERS is one of those gifts you give yourself when you realize creativity is a muscle you aren’t using to its fullest extent. If you’re willing to approach the exercises with an open mind, it will gently nudge you back to your own creative ways. It will help you hold your pen a little more loosely, so you can write with natural freedom, and probably have a lot more fun along the way.

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IMPROV FOR WRITERS can be found here

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Rating: 4 stars

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This book is best for: beginning to intermediate writers

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I recommend this book

Finishing School by Cary Tennis and Danelle Morton

Alex Kourvo 5 stars, inspirational books , , , , , ,
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FINISHING SCHOOL is a about a program that Tennis developed when he was creatively blocked, unable to finish his novel. He gathered like-minded individuals to meet weekly, but not to critique each other’s work, or even read it. Nobody was to give any advice about the content of the work whatsoever. The meetings were all about encouragement, and more importantly, accountability.

Everyone made a schedule and blocked out time for writing. Everyone got a buddy to check in with at the start of writing time. The weekly meetings were for a status check: did you write when you said you would? Yes or no? No one cared about perfection, only progress.

This simple idea was the start of something extraordinary. By taking the notion of quality out of the equation, people were able to complete long-stalled projects. Along the way, Tennis and Morton started seeing patterns in the Finishing School attendees, as the same mental blocks came up over and over. They also saw ways to defeat those blocks.

FINISHING SCHOOL starts by identifying six emotional pitfalls: doubt, shame, perfectionism, judgement, fear, and arrogance. I was surprised by that last one. Shouldn’t writers believe in themselves? But arrogance looks like biting off more than you can chew, ignoring feedback, or refusing to ask for help. Self-belief is healthy, arrogance is not.

Tennis and Morton alternate chapters, giving advice that is thorough without ever belaboring the point. They understand a writer’s mental state because they’re writers themselves, and because these emotions are common to us all.  

The second half of FINISHING SCHOOL explains the program in detail, including how Tennis came up with the idea, how it works, and how to make this program work for you, even if it means having just one accountability partner. The whole thing sounds super appealing. The safe space, the gentle encouragement, the focus on forward momentum, and the cheerleading are all things I need as a writer. Luckily, I have this kind of writing group already (if you can call two people a group). If I didn’t, FINISHING SCHOOL would make me want one!

FINISHING SCHOOL is great for writers who love to start books but never finish them. Even if you don’t find an accountability buddy or formal group, just learning the method will go a long way toward changing that work-in-progress to work that’s complete.

FINISHING SCHOOL can be found here
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Rating: 5 stars
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This book is best for: beginning to intermediate writers
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I recommend this book

The Writer’s Guide to Beginnings by Paula Munier

Alex Kourvo 5 stars, craft books , , , , ,
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When it comes to novels, first impressions matter. If the opening paragraphs don’t hook an agent, she’ll move on to the next manuscript without a thought. Some writers bristle at the idea that agents make decisions based on just a few hundred words, but agents are standing in for readers, whose attention is just as fleeting.

THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS offers practical advice on how to craft those vital first pages. This isn’t abstract theory. It’s a hands-on guide to starting your novel with confidence. Munier gets right into the trenches with writers, showing why openings need action and momentum, how to handle backstory and exposition, and how to fix common pitfalls. Rather than bogging writers down with warnings of what not to do (my personal pet peeve), Munier teaches through positive examples. She pulls from popular and classic novels, explains exactly why their openings succeed, and how to apply those same techniques to your own book.

Of course, different genres have different expectations for their opening pages. Even within one genre, the setting, characters, and tone will be different. Munier doesn’t teach formulaic, cookie cutter openings. In fact, she does the opposite. She empowers writers to write the best version of their own unique stories. In other words, Munier teaches principles, not building blocks.

Munier’s engaging writing and clear teaching make THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS a pleasure to read, but it’s not a quick fix. Implementing her advice takes work. I’d recommend approaching this book like a textbook: do the exercises, think through the advice, and apply it with intention.

This is true of all writing advice, of course, but especially true when it comes to writing beginnings, since beginnings are so crucial to finding your audience. If you want to find yours, THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS is an invaluable resource.

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THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO BEGINNINGS can be found here

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Rating: 5 stars

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This book is best for: beginning to intermediate writers

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I recommend this book

The Author’s Checklist by Elizabeth K. Kracht

Alex Kourvo 1 star, craft books , , ,
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I was excited to read this book. You know I love a good checklist in book form (wink, wink). The subtitle promised a guide to developing and editing your manuscript, and since it was written by a literary agent, I thought surely it would contain unique insights.       

It did not.

THE AUTHOR’S CHECKLIST is nothing more than a glossary of writing terms. Some are basic writer 101 like pacing, plot and theme, and some are industry terms like synopsis or query letter. Each entry is given three to five short paragraphs of definition. Not instruction. Not advice. Not insights. Simply definition.

THE AUTHOR’S CHECKLIST is simultaneously too much and not enough. The list of terms is comprehensive, but with no organization beyond an alphabetized list, we go from one thing to another—synopses to tension to text boxes—as if they all must all be given equal weight. Craft considerations bump up against business ones with no separation or context. And how do simple definitions help? Knowing what something is isn’t the same as knowing how to use it.

I’m honestly baffled as to why anyone would need this book. If a writer has written an entire novel and doesn’t know the definition of setting, or pacing, or characterization, then nothing in THE AUTHOR’S CHECKLIST is going to help, since these things are the foundation of writing craft. There are numerous blog posts and books that will give actual instruction on these things. And if an author is confused by industry-specific terms like book proposal or comparable title, internet search engines are readily available.

In the end, THE AUTHOR’S CHECKLIST feels less like a guide and more like a pamphlet that got lost on the way to a real craft book. If you’re looking for the meaning of a word, save your money and just google it.

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THE AUTHOR’S CHECKLIST can be found here

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Rating: 1 star

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I recommend The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing edited by Writer’s Digest or Author in Progress edited by Therese Walsh instead of this book.

Book Blurbs Unleashed by Robert J. Ryan

Alex Kourvo 4 stars, craft books , , ,
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Ryan has an interesting background. He used to work for the government, writing letters to persuade people to pay overdue taxes. And his letters worked. If he could do that, he can certainly teach writers how to write a few paragraphs that will persuade people to buy a book.

The book blurb, also known as the jacket copy or the book description, needs to grab readers with a hook, tell them enough to get them interested in the story, and end when readers are dying to find out more. BOOK BLURBS UNLEASHED takes authors through the process, busting lots of myths along the way.

The first myth is that the blurb sells the book. It doesn’t. If it did, Amazon would put the “buy now” button at the end of the book description. Amazon tests everything, so they know when the reader is making the buying decision, and it’s not until after they’ve read the reviews and/or the sample pages. A blurb gets readers interested in the book, but the sample and the reviews close the sale.

This is why putting any kind of “call to action” at the bottom of the blurb is a bad idea. There are dozens of counterintuitive lessons like this in BOOK BLURBS UNLEASHED. For example, Ryan busts the myth that the hook needs to be extremely short. He shows why a longer hook actually works better. He also teaches that readers aren’t interested in information when they’re reading a blurb. They’re looking for an emotional connection, so telling them what your story is about is mostly wasted words.

Ryan is speaking to experienced writers, therefore he doesn’t do a lot of handholding. BOOK BLURBS UNLEASHED is all about what to do, with very little instruction on how to do it. All of Ryan’s examples are from epic fantasy, and I wish he’d shown some examples from other genres. But if a writer has a good grasp of the tropes of her genre, and the associated “power words” that tap into her readers’ emotions, she should be able to apply Ryan’s advice.

The trick is to write a reader-focused blurb, not a writer-focused one. Easier said than done, but BOOK BLURBS UNLEASHED will go a long way to helping writers write the kind of jacket copy that makes readers want to read more.

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BOOK BLURBS UNLEASHED can be found here

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Rating: 4 stars

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This book is best for: advanced writers

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I recommend this book

Logline Shortcuts by Naomi Beaty

Alex Kourvo 4 stars, craft books , , , , , ,
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LOGLINE SHORTCUTS answers three basic questions: what is a logline, why do you need one, and how do you write one?

Beaty helps writers identify the essential components of their logline (protagonist, goal, opposition) and discusses the nuances of each choice. She ends with troubleshooting, answering common questions about loglines. Throughout, Beaty uses examples from well-known movies so readers can see loglines in action.

LOGLINE SHORTCUTS is meant for screenwriters, but a logline is useful for novelists too. It can help when pitching a project to agents, or at book signings when readers ask, “What’s your book about?” It can be the first line of the jacket copy, or be incorporated into the body of it. A logline can help at the beginning of a project too, to help writers see if their idea is enough to hold up an entire novel.

Condensing an entire novel or screenplay into one sentence seems daunting, but having a good logline helps writers at all stages of creation get a better handle on their stories. LOGLINE SHORTCUTS is a useful guide to mastering this important skill.

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LOGLINE SHORTCUTS can be found here (currently free at all retailers!)

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Rating: 4 stars

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This book is best for: beginning writers

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I recommend this book

Your Second Draft by Alex Kourvo

Alex Kourvo announcement, craft books , , , , ,
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This month’s blog is a little different. Instead of telling you about a book I’ve read, I’m telling you about one I’ve written! YOUR SECOND DRAFT is out now, and it’s available wherever books are sold.

YOUR SECOND DRAFT is your personal roadmap through the revision process. Whether you’re tackling your debut novel or refining your tenth book, this hands-on resource will show you how to become your own editor, with a plan that keeps you focused from start to finish.

You’ll breathe new life into your characters, streamline your plot, elevate your prose, and sharpen your voice, all without losing your original vision.

The great James Scott Bell calls YOUR SECOND DRAFT “An essential guide for transforming a completed manuscript into a novel that sells.”

David Griffin Brown calls it “a fantastic self-revision guide.”

Fellow editor Christine Allen-Riley says, “Kourvo’s insights, examples, and writing exercises feel less like a how to book and more like a chat with an especially wise friend. I honestly can’t say enough good things about this book, but I can tell you that if you’re looking to strengthen and evolve your writing skills, this book is for you.”

I’m giving over my book review blog to self-promotion this month because I believe in this book and I believe it will help you on your writing journey. Your story deserves the spotlight, and YOUR SECOND DRAFT will help it shine.

Ebooks and paperbacks are available wherever books are sold. Get your copy today!

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YOUR SECOND DRAFT is available here

Bonus blog: Big Announcement!

Alex Kourvo announcement, craft books , , , ,
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My newest book will be published in two weeks and I’m soooo excited to tell you about it! Your Second Draft is the guide you need to get your manuscript into shape. I’ll walk you through every step, so you can take your novel from first draft to polished draft with ease.

But you may be wondering, “Alex, didn’t you already write a book about revision?”  

It’s true. I did! My first book for writers is called The Big-Picture Revision Checklist. I saw writers struggling with revision, and I wanted to give them a quick and easy guide to finishing their big structural edit. The second draft is so important, but there weren’t any books out there that showed authors how to revise in a low-stress way. I wanted to give writers a short book with explanations and examples so they could get back to their manuscripts right away.

I still stand by everything in The Big-Picture Revision Checklist, but I’m expanding on it in Your Second Draft.

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If The Big-Picture Revision Checklist is Revision 101, then Your Second Draft is more like Revision 201. It’s got more in-depth explanations and new examples, as well as chapters on description, dialogue, and theme. There are exercises at the end of every chapter so you can be sure you’re getting the most out of every step.

Purpose of Your Second Draft is to take a very objective look at your novel, the way an editor would. We’ll look at the big structural issues first, then refine the manuscript by looking at smaller details. The result will be a novel you’ll publish with pride.

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You can pre-order an ebook right now at every retailer. Paperbacks will be available on publication day, March 31.

Until then, happy writing!

Alex

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YOUR SECOND DRAFT can be found here

THE BIG-PICTURE REVISION CHECKLIST can be found here