Join Amazon Prime and get unlimited Free One-Day Delivery. Already a member? Sign in.

 

or
Sign in to turn on 1-Click ordering.
 
   
More Buying Choices
36 used & new from £0.01
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
   
Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
Publisher: learn how customers can search inside this book.

Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing (Paperback)

by Celia Brayfield (Author)
4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
RRP: £9.99
Price: £7.49 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
You Save: £2.50 (25%)
o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o
In stock.
Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Gift-wrap available.

Only 2 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want guaranteed delivery by Thursday, July 16? Choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details
14 new from £4.50 22 used from £0.01

Frequently Bought Together

Customers buy this book with On Writing by Stephen King

Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing + On Writing
Price For Both: £14.48

Show availability and shipping details

  • This item: Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing by Celia Brayfield

    In stock.
    Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
    This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

  • On Writing by Stephen King

    In stock.
    Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
    This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

On Writing

On Writing

by Stephen King
4.6 out of 5 stars (68)  £6.99
From Pitch to Publication: Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Novel Published

From Pitch to Publication: Everything You Need to Know to Get Your Novel Published

by Carole Blake
4.2 out of 5 stars (17)  £14.19
Wannabe a Writer?

Wannabe a Writer?

by Katie Fforde
4.4 out of 5 stars (39)  £6.99
A Novel in a Year: A Novelist's Guide to Being a Novelist

A Novel in a Year: A Novelist's Guide to Being a Novelist

by Louise Doughty
4.7 out of 5 stars (3)  £4.79
Jacques the Fatalist: And His Master (Classics)

Jacques the Fatalist: And His Master (Classics)

by Denis Diderot
4.0 out of 5 stars (1)  £9.89
› Explore similar items

Product details

  • Paperback: 288 pages
  • Publisher: Fourth Estate Ltd (25 Mar 1996)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1857023838
  • ISBN-13: 978-1857023831
  • Product Dimensions: 19.2 x 12.8 x 2.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 231,541 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category:

    #84 in  Books > Reference > Writing > Fiction

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

  • See Complete Table of Contents

Product Description

Elizabeth Buchan, The Times
"In this ambitious and fascinating book, Brayfield tackles the Zen of fiction bestsellerdom. Her premise is that stories define a puzzling world and help to defuse our more primitive fears, the most significant continuing to haunt and nourish our imaginations. This is based on a study of how myth works through cultures. From there she constructs her methods of story shaping, research, narrative techniques and, of course, style.......From the GCSE student upwards, writers and raders will enjoy this bold an illuminating tilt at unravelling the mysteries of the popular novel. Even, perhaps, the literary novelist."

The Independent on Sunday
"Admirably thought-provoking and even profound. Books cited include Gone With the Wind, Damage, The Joy Luck Club, Scott Turow, J G Ballard, The Great Gatsby and James Bond. Best of all, she demystifies writing but highlights the sheer graft."

See all Product Description

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing
75% buy the item featured on this page:
Bestseller: Secrets of Successful Writing 4.2 out of 5 stars (4)
£7.49
Bad Science
11% buy
Bad Science 4.6 out of 5 stars (142)
£3.60
Wannabe a Writer?
8% buy
Wannabe a Writer? 4.4 out of 5 stars (39)
£6.99
Your Writing Coach: From Concept to Character, from Pitch to Publication - Everything You Need to Know About Writing Novels, Non-fiction, New Media, Scripts and Short Stories
5% buy
Your Writing Coach: From Concept to Character, from Pitch to Publication - Everything You Need to Know About Writing Novels, Non-fiction, New Media, Scripts and Short Stories 4.9 out of 5 stars (8)
£6.99
Explore similar items
 

Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:    (0)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:
 (1)
1 star:    (0)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best, 23 Jul 2004
Of all the 'How to write' books I have read, Celia Brayfield's 'Bestseller' is one of the best. It is far, far more than just tips on writing a bestseller. Celia clearly knows what it takes and what it is to be a writer. Sensitively and yet candidly written, Bestseller covers all aspects of creative writing from starting as a novice to an established writer meeting a block. Brayfield inspires you to see plots, characters and enjoy writing them into a novel. Its the best compliment to those studying the excellent Open University Course on Creative Writing. Bestseller is more than how to book, it is a page turner worth reading in its own right for the understanding it gives of the process of writing novels, great characters, great novels and their place in contemporary literature.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful and confidence boosting., 14 Jan 2001
By A Customer
I have published two thrillers (doing okay although not bestsellers!), but was getting stuck and de-motivated on number three. I really enjoyed Celia Brayfield's book because it helped me rebuild confidence and motivation and improve various aspects of my writing. Her tips and techniques for staying concentrated were also very helpful. And the list of 'trials' made me laugh out loud. You forgot one trial, however, Celia - DIY neighbours. Mind you, even that can set the creative juices flowing as you think up imaginative uses for sledgehammers and large quantities of cement...!
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Bringing the subject to life, 18 April 2009
By Jonathan Carr "joncarr" (London, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
When books are piled high in supermarkets it is difficult sometimes to recognise the skill involved in creating them. Celia Brayfield in her excellent book shows how bestselling fiction deals with humanity's biggest ideas at a level of storytelling. They provide comfort, guidance, moral codes and enjoyment but do it in the form of storytelling that has been used by humanity for centuries. She explains how these books work, using such examples as Gone With the Wind, and explores how you might write one of your own.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars A Fairly Interesting Writing Book But Certainly Not The Best
Celia Brayfield's "Bestseller" is fairly interesting for anyone who wants to write. Her section on retelling myths is interesting, but she seems to lose her way about half... Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2005 by A. Wright

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
Related forums

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for similar items by category

Feedback

Health & Beauty at Amazon.co.uk

Elemis Resurface and Renew Skin Care Gift Set of 4 Products
From soap to shavers, massagers to mascara, stock up on your daily essentials or truly pamper yourself.

›Discover Health & Beauty

  

More From Celia Brayfield

Pearls

Pearls by Celia Brayfield

"Absorbing, entertaining, its grammar impeccable, it's work the... Read more

 

A Close Shave

Philips Nivea Coolskin HS8060 Moisturizing Rotary Shaving System
For all types of hair removal, stay smooth with Amazon.co.uk.

›Discover Shaving & Hair Removal

  

Treat Someone

Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificates--available in any amount from £5 to £500 With an Amazon.co.uk Gift Certificate, you can get them what they want (even if you don't know what that is).

›Learn more about Gift Certificates

  
Ad

Where's My Stuff?

Delivery and Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue Shopping: Top Sellers

amazon.co.uk Amazon Home
International Sites:  United States  |  Germany  |  France  |  Japan  |  Canada  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Fulfilment by Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Customer Service  |  Help  |  View Basket  |  Your Account
About Amazon.co.uk  |  Careers at Amazon
Conditions of Use & Sale |  Privacy Notice  © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. and its affiliates