“I found the acute observations and his narrative philosophy more valuable for the new writer than the contents of any 100 other texts.” —Dean Koontz “For anyone interested in the craft of writing, from beginners to seasoned veterans, this is a must read.” —Booklist “This is the best guidebook to both writing and the business of writing that I've ever read.” —Peter Straub David Morrell, bestselling author of First Blood, The Brotherhood of the Rose and The Fifth Profession, distills four decades of writing and publishing experience into this single masterwork of advice and instruction for fiction writers looking to make it big in the publishing world. With advice proven to create successful novels, Morrell teaches you everything you need to know about: • Plot • Character • Research • Structure • Viewpoint • Description • Dialogue • The business of publishing • And much more “If this book had been available when I started writing, I could have saved myself some miles, some heartache and a lot of typewriter ribbons. The Successful Novelist is the vehicle you want if you plan to drive your way to successful fiction.” —Joe R. Lansdale “David Morrell’s not just a fine writer; he’s also a great and generous teacher. This book’s a keeper.” —Lawrence Block “David Morrell’s The Successful Novelist is that rare avis—a practical how-to book bedizened with priceless gems and nuggets culled from his triumphant decades of toil in the writing mines, all conducted at the unrelenting pace of one of his best-selling thrillers.” —F. Paul Wilson
Download and start listening now!
"Nothing but praise for this book, and for my former English professor at the University of Iowa, Dr. David Morrell. Many passages in this book take me right back to his lively lectures on the American Novel and to the craft of writing that he so obviously loves. "
— Richard (5 out of 5 stars)
" Belongs on any writer's shelf, even though it feels a little dated (marketing section doesn't go into social media, for example). The "conversation with yourself" exercise for development is an excellent strategy. "
— Miranda, 5/22/2013" The best book on fiction writing I have read. It's a good read too- no boring technical blab here. "
— Angela, 9/17/2012" Although I am not an aspiring novelist, I still enjoyed this book. He gives a lot of good writing/publishing advice. Some of his examples helped me to understand why some writing sounds flat or transparent. "
— sid, 3/11/2012" I think it's shocking that only 18 people have rated this. Probably more helpful than On Writing. "
— Jason, 11/22/2011" As useful as Stephen King's On writing. "
— Frederic, 11/14/2011" Nothing but praise for this book, and for my former English professor at the University of Iowa, Dr. David Morrell. Many passages in this book take me right back to his lively lectures on the American Novel and to the craft of writing that he so obviously loves. "
— Richard, 7/10/2011" Read it awhile back, David Morrell is a great teacher for novelists. Must have for new writers.<br/><br/>-David "
— David, 12/12/2010" As useful as Stephen King's On writing. "
— Frederic, 11/30/2010" The best book on fiction writing I have read. It's a good read too- no boring technical blab here. "
— Angela, 6/7/2010" I think it's shocking that only 18 people have rated this. Probably more helpful than On Writing. "
— Jason, 11/28/2008David Morrell is one of America’s most popular and acclaimed storytellers, with more than eighteen million copies of his books in print. His thrillers have been translated into twenty-two languages and turned into record-breaking films and top-rated television miniseries. His 1972 debut novel, First Blood, became the basis for the Rambo films. A former professor of American literature at the University of Iowa, he now lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Patrick Lawlor, an award-winning narrator, is also an accomplished stage actor, director, and combat choreographer. He has worked extensively off Broadway and has been an actor and stuntman in both film and television. He has been an Audie Award finalist multiple times and has garnered several AudioFile Earphones Awards, a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and many starred audio reviews from Library Journal and Kirkus Reviews.