Methods of Madness

Why take a writing course from an instructor who hasn’t published a book? There is no way to create talent, but having talent isn’t enough. In order to hone that talent and become the best writer you can be, you must study the craft. When doing so, who could possibly be more suited to teach writing than a published author? No one, right? But there is an answer that trumps that: 100 authors!

Methods of Madness: 100 Writers Discuss the Craft is an invaluable resource for writers working to find their own voice, style, and method. In this book, a wide variety of published authors talk shop, opening up about various aspects of their own writing methods, including their attempts to summon the muse, their individual processes in writing and preparation, and how they approach the editing and rewriting stages. In addition, each author shares the advice they wish someone had given them early in their careers. Each writer provides his or her own take on what is needed to become a published author and how they got to where they are now.

Noted authors include Paul Tremblay (Head Full of Ghosts), Richard Chizmar (Gwendy’s Button Box), Max Allan Collins (Road to Perdition), Joe R. Lansdale (the Hap and Leonard series), Richard Christian Matheson (Scars and Other Distinguishing Marks), Stephen Spignesi (Dialogues), Stewart O’Nan (Snow Angels), S.A. Cosby (Blacktop Wasteland), Graham Masterson (The Manitou), Jennifer Brown (Hate List), Bev Vincent (Flight or Fright), Heywood Gould (Fort Apache, The Bronx), Billy Chizmar (Widow’s Point), Edward Lee (White Trash Gothic), and many, many more.