An extensive, practical and inspirational resource, this three-in-one volume is aimed at students and practitioners of creative writing at all levels. In 48 distinctive chapters the Handbook: *examines the critical theories behind the practice of creative writing (Part 1). *explains the basics of how to write a novel, script or poetry (Part 2). *explores how to deal with the practicalities and problems of becoming a writer (Part 3). As well as the main creative writing activities, chapters cover other practices, from translation to starting a small magazine and from memoir writing to writing for children. Contributors are all experts in their fields: poets, novelists, dramatists, agents, publishers, editors, tutors, critics and academics. Anyone with an interest in creative writing will find this book invaluable in developing their own creative writing projects and as a way into new areas of writing activity. Key Features *The only book to combine the theory and practice of writing with detailed advice on the business of writing and living as a writer *Combines breadth and depth with original thinking on creativity and evaluation of creative work *Shows ways of approaching the task of writing and how to improve one's work *Presents material which is hard to find elsewhere, e.g. writing for teenagers; writing humorous fiction; finding a film agent

Table of Contents

Contents; Acknowledgements; 'Introduction', Steven Earnshaw; [B] Section One. Writing: Theories and Contexts.; 1. 'Theories of Creativity and Creative Writing Pedagogy', Mary Swander, Anna Leahy, and Mary Cantrell; 2. 'The Evaluation of Creative Writing at MA Level (UK)', Jenny Newman; 3. 'The Creative Writing MFA', Stephanie Vanderslice; 4. 'Creative Writing and Critical Theory', Lauri Ramey; 5. 'Literary Genres', David Rain; 6. 'The Writer as Artist', Steven Earnshaw; 7. 'The Future of Creative Writing', Paul Dawson; [B] Section Two. The Craft of Writing.; [C] Prose; 8. 'Reading, Writing and Teaching The Short Story', E. A. Markham; 9. 'Writing the Memoir', Judith Barrington; 10. 'Introduction to the Novel', Jane Rogers; 11. 'Crime Fiction', John Dale; 12. 'Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy', Crawford Kilian; 13. 'How Language Lives Us: Reading and Writing Historical Fiction', Brian Kiteley; 14. 'Writing Humorous Fiction', Susan Hubbard; 15. 'Writing for Children', Alan Brown; 16. 'Writing for Teenagers', Linda Newbery; 17. 'The 'Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Creative Nonfiction, But were too Naive or Uninformed to Ask' Workshop Simulation', Lee Gutkind; [C] Poetry; 18. 'Introduction to Poetry', Sean O'Brien; 19. 'What is Form?', W. N. Herbert; 20. 'New Poetries', Aaron Kunin; 21. 'The Poet in the Theatre: Verse Drama', Sean O'Brien; 22. 'The Sequence and the Long Poem', George Szirtes; [C] Scriptwriting; 23. 'Introduction to Scriptwriting', Mike Harris; 24. 'Writing for the Stage', Brighde Mullins; 25. 'Writing for Radio', Mike Harris; 26. 'Writing for Television', Stephen V. Duncan; 27. 'Writing for Television - UK Differences', John Milne; 28. 'Writing for Film', Bonnie O'Neill; [C] Other Writing; 29. 'Writing as Experimental Practice', Thalia Field; 30. 'Writing as 'Therapy", Fiona Sampson; 31. 'Writing in the Community', Linda Sargent; 32. 'Writing for the Web', James Sheard; 33. 'The Role of the Critical Essay', Scott McCracken; 34. 'Translation', Susan Bassnett; 35. 'Creative Writing Doctorates', Graeme Harper; 36. 'How to Start a Literary Magazine', Rebecca Wolff; [B] Section Three. The Writer's Life; 37. 'How to be a Writer', John Milne; 38. 'How to Present Yourself as a Writer', Alison Baverstock; 39. 'Publishing Fiction', Mary Mount; 40. 'American PoBiz', Chase Twichell; 41. 'Publishing Poetry in Britain', Sean O'Brien; 42. 'The Literary Agent (Novel)', David Smith; 43. 'The Film Agent', Julian Friedmann; 44. 'The Literary Agent: Television, Theatre and Radio', Alan Brodie; 45. 'Copyright', Shay Humphrey with Lee Penhaligan; 46. 'Literary Life: Prizes, Anthologies, Festivals, Reviewing, Grants', Tom Shapcott; 47. 'The Writer as Teacher', Gareth Creer; 48. 'Making a Living as a Writer', Livi Michael; [B] Glossary; [B] Useful Websites; [B] Contributors; [B] Index.

Author Biography

Steven Earnshaw is Senior Lecturer in English at Sheffield Hallam University.