- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: Thomas Dunne Books,US (13 Nov 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0312358997
- ISBN-13: 978-0312358990
- Product Dimensions: 21.3 x 14.7 x 2.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 495,980 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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More About the Author
Product Description
Review
"A clear, concise, easy-to-read (and reread) guide to writing contemporary women's fiction. Like a pair of heels you can actually dance in, this book is a keeper."- Alisa Kwitney, author of "The Dominant Blonde" "Yardley gives a humorous but honest look at the dos and don'ts of the biz, arming writers with a valuable tool in their arsenal on the way to publication."- Erica Orloff, author of "Do They Wear High Heels in Heaven?" "Accessible, wise, and fun. Yardley's step-by-step approach, boundless wisdom, and humorous tone make this an invaluable aid to any writer hoping to break into the genre!"- Carren Lisner, author of "Carrie Pilby" "I laughed, I cried, I finished my Chick Lit novel! Thank you, Cathy Yardley, for putting everything I ever wanted to know about Chick Lit all in one place. The appendixes alone are worth their weight in chocolate."- Deanna Carlyle, cofounder of the International Women's Fiction Festival
Product Description
Once dismissed as a fad by the popular press and literary community alike, the women's fiction genre called Chick Lit is now one of the hottest growing markets for new writers. "Will Write for Shoes" is the first definitive guide to provide: a clear definition of Chick Lit; the genre's traditional elements and new trends; a blueprint for writing a Chick Lit novel; and tips and tools for breaking into the market. With an appendix that includes Chick Lit publisher and agent contact information, as well as sample submission materials, this fun and comprehensive manual is a must-have for all women who want to write a Chick Lit novel.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Many years ago I read a book by Mary Wibberly entitled to 'writers with love - on writing romantic novels'. I would suggest that to anyone truly interested in getting the low down on how to earn a living from their writing then this is the book that they should be reading. It isn't that Ms Yardley has written a bad book but I did not find it a particularly helpful book. There were many many references to authors and their styles so much so that at times it read more like a promotional item than a genuine help book. It was also geared towards the American market. It was entertaining and certainly readable - but helpful? - I didnt find it so. Ms Wibberley's advice was far more constructive and applicable to any form of writing - chick lit included - plus it provided practical advice on getting published once you had written your novel
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was surprised that this had low reviews. I thought it was an excellent book. It had an easy writing style, written in chicklit style. I often refer to it when writing, and would recommend it to any writer of chicklit.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
19 reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Memorable Title & Solid Contents
4 Oct 2006
Format:Hardcover
Ok, I'll admit it. This guy had to take off the pink cover to read this book but I love the title and the design of the cover. Cathy Yardley has written an excellent book which covers a broad range of topics for anyone interested in writing Chick Lit. She defines the genre, then guides the reader through the details of writing the manuscript.
Finally Yardley provides seasoned and professional answers about navigating the business aspects of publishing covering topics such as query letters, synopsis, agents, networking and how to form a critique group. Her FAQ is valuable to answer common questions and even speculates about the future of the genre. The seven Appendixes contain valuable material such as a sample query letter to an agent, a sample query letter to an editor, a sample synopsis, a scene outline, current agent listings (and some of the authors these agents represent), publisher listings and even great websites to help the reader.
This well-written book is highly recommended to every writer--whether you plan to write a Chick Lit Novel or not.
Finally Yardley provides seasoned and professional answers about navigating the business aspects of publishing covering topics such as query letters, synopsis, agents, networking and how to form a critique group. Her FAQ is valuable to answer common questions and even speculates about the future of the genre. The seven Appendixes contain valuable material such as a sample query letter to an agent, a sample query letter to an editor, a sample synopsis, a scene outline, current agent listings (and some of the authors these agents represent), publisher listings and even great websites to help the reader.
This well-written book is highly recommended to every writer--whether you plan to write a Chick Lit Novel or not.
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Absolutely perfect guide to creating an absolutely perfect novel!
14 Aug 2008
Amazon Verified Purchase
If you're even wondering if you should spend some of your hard-earned cash on this book, rest assured that the answer is yes, yes, yes!!
Will Write For Shoes is a valuable addition to your library, and thoroughly covers the details of the chick lit genre. Cathy Yardley defines it, gives a history of it and fills readers in on the new trends. Just when you are ready to get to working on your own manuscript, she fills you in on premise (what is "high concept," anyway?), characters, structure, outline and much more.
Of course, there are many books out there that give the basics of how to create fiction, but Will Write For Shoes is the perfect tool if you long to create the chick lit that you adore. It's not a simple concept, but if you follow this author's advice you'll be well on your way to creating a finished manuscript that avoids the cliches, yet gives publishers the idea that they have a solid winner that will strike a chord with readers.
Don't pass up the opportunity to read and own this book. I promise you will refer to Will Write for Shoes over and over again during your writing career!
Thank you, Cathy Yardley for an entertaining, educational keeper of a book!
Will Write For Shoes is a valuable addition to your library, and thoroughly covers the details of the chick lit genre. Cathy Yardley defines it, gives a history of it and fills readers in on the new trends. Just when you are ready to get to working on your own manuscript, she fills you in on premise (what is "high concept," anyway?), characters, structure, outline and much more.
Of course, there are many books out there that give the basics of how to create fiction, but Will Write For Shoes is the perfect tool if you long to create the chick lit that you adore. It's not a simple concept, but if you follow this author's advice you'll be well on your way to creating a finished manuscript that avoids the cliches, yet gives publishers the idea that they have a solid winner that will strike a chord with readers.
Don't pass up the opportunity to read and own this book. I promise you will refer to Will Write for Shoes over and over again during your writing career!
Thank you, Cathy Yardley for an entertaining, educational keeper of a book!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Not the best resource if you've already started writing your novel...
7 Feb 2008
Format:Paperback
Will Write for Shoes is a no-nonsense guide to writing, revising, and selling a chick lit novel. Many of the approaches listed in this book aren't specific to chick lit and can be helpful for any genre. Yardley gives a good description of the chick lit genre as it stands (or stood, since the book was published in 2006), the plot devices that are used and overused, what is generally expected of a novel that plans to call itself "chick lit," and a number of hints and suggestions to make your writing better, more fluid, and more publishable. In general, I liked it. But as someone about 35,000 words into my first novel, I have to say that Will Write for Shoes isn't really the book you want to buy when you've already started writing. This book is an excellent work for the planning stages. Yardley's description and suggestions for plotting, outlining, and writing synopses, agent letters, etc, is all excellent advice, but can only really be implemented at the very early stages or once you've finished your book. For someone who's already 1/3 of the way in, it's sort of "store this information for next time." And in fact, a lot of the comments she has on plotting, characterization, etc, come from other books that I did use as a resource before picking this one up, first and foremost the Weekend Novelist by Robert Ray. I enjoyed this book. I think it's a great resource for writers who want to know where to begin (in terms of outlining and structure) and those who are finished and want suggestions on where to sell their book, how to find an agent, and which publishers to approach. If you're between those two stages, I think you'd find more help elsewhere.
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