1001 Ways to Write Great Fiction, Get Published, and Earn Your Audience
Buy From: Writer’s Digest / Amazon / B&N / iBooks / Indiebound
Check the book out on: Goodreads
The Official Description
The journey to become a successful writer is long, fraught with peril, and filled with difficult questions: How do i write dialogue? How do I build suspense? What should I know about query letters? Where do I start?
The best way to answer these questions is to ditch your uncertainty and transform yourself into a KICK-ASS writer. Wendig will show you how with an explosive broadside of gritty advice that will destroy your fears, clear the path, and help you find your voice, your story, and your audience.
You’ll explore the fundamentals of writing, learn how to obtain publication, and master the skills you need to build an army of dedicated fans. No task is too large or small for the kick-ass writer. With his trademark acerbic wit and gut-punch humor, Wendig will explain:
How to build suspense, craft characters, and defeat writer’s block.
How to write a scene, an ending — even a sentence.
Blogging techniques, social media skills, and crowdfunding.
How to write a query letter, talk to agents, and deal with failure — and success!
Whether you’re just starting out or you need one more push to get you over the top, two things are certain — a kick-ass writer never quits, and Chuck Wendig won’t let you down in this high-octane guide to becoming the writer you were born to be!
Hey, What The Hell Is This?
This is a compilation of a lot of the “25 Things” post from this here website. It contains a lot of stuff you’ve seen before, plus some new entries (crowdfunding! hybrid authors! writing a scene!). And the whole thing has been revised top to bottom — cleaned up and tightened with the EDITORIAL WRENCH. *ratchet ratchet ratchet*
Oh, and it’s my first writing book in print.
So, if you want my advice in hardcopy? That’s how you get it, thanks to Writer’s Digest.
Wait, Is It Still Super-Vulgar?
My writing talk tends to fall into the “hard-R NSFW” and “occasionally eye-bulgingly profane and probably NSFL” categories. This book ain’t quite as hardcore as all that, and is probably equivalent to a soft-R rating or even PG-13 rating. (The biggest edit in this case was, quite honestly, removing the instances of the word ‘fuck.’ Though I love the word, one hopes my writing and storytelling blather still holds up without that particular dash of spicy lingo.)
I am totally good with having a book of writing advice out there that isn’t quite as naughtily-tongued as this blog, because here some teachers and professors may be more comfortable using this material without having to first attack it with a black permanent marker or camping hatchet.
Why Should I Buy It?
Because, hey, it’s a whole bucket of writing tips in one place.
Because it’s the one way you can get my writing bloggerel in physical form. (Also, now that it has been summoned into this corporeal plane it can be killed by a pitchfork forged from nun-kissed steel. IT IS OUR ONLY HOPE WE ONLY HAVE ONE CHANCE.)
Because it’s nicely organized! And has an index!
Because it refrains from every giving you the One True Way to be a writer and instead prefers the metric assload of options crammed in this here toolbox approach.
Because you want to give something back to this blog.
Because it’s this blog distilled down and oozed forth onto bookstore shelves and HOLY CRAP HOW AWESOME IS THAT? *vibrates through the floor*
Because if you don’t I’ll send this chimpanzee to your house.
Thanks, folks! If you check it out, please enjoy.
If not: would you mind spreading the word via your social media channels or the telepathic tentacle-bundle you share with all your other psychic buddies?
Ransome Campbell says:
Thank you Chuck. Yup sometimes I have to wade through the profanity to find the nuggets of gold wisdom do I really appreciate this!
November 11, 2013 — 12:22 AM
samantha Bond says:
Thanks, Chuck. Love to be able to “give back” to the blog. You do an awesome job and deserve a bit of moolah!
November 11, 2013 — 12:34 AM
Ian Rogers says:
Sold. It is almost the least I could do….which is my second favourite option.
November 11, 2013 — 1:23 AM
Taureyscribe says:
I will follow up with the amazon elves for Christmas delivery…. If I can wait that long yeah yeah yeah 🙂
November 11, 2013 — 4:17 AM
Marialena says:
OK, you convinced me. I’ll add it to my growing collection of Wendigalia. Please don’t send the chimpanzee!
November 11, 2013 — 4:51 AM
terribleminds says:
OOK OOK.
That’s chimp for “thank you.”
🙂
November 11, 2013 — 7:07 AM
stevefah says:
Interesting that chimps speak the same language as Orangutans (see Terry Pratchett for details)! I will also be buying this book, and Canada doesn’t allow chimps to be armed (neener, neener!) so don’t bother sending it/him/them.
April 22, 2014 — 11:24 AM
lindseyjparsons says:
Have spread you all over my social media! 😉
November 11, 2013 — 5:12 AM
anninyn says:
Cool. Is it available in UK retailers, too? I’m sure I could find it on Amazon UK but I prefer to avoid Amazon wherever I can these days because of their tax avoidance in the UK, so is it available at Waterstones or anything?
November 11, 2013 — 6:47 AM
terribleminds says:
Amazon UK says it’ll be out 11/29? But, of course, Amazon US says it isn’t out here until this Thursday, which is untrue (hell, it’s already in B&N stores and has been for a couple weeks). I think Amazon US is shipping them out regardless of that error “preorder date.”
Long way to answer your question: it should be in your bookstores, but I can’t be sure.
— c.
November 11, 2013 — 7:07 AM
joeturner87 says:
Waterstones states 18 days to publication, but it’s there.
http://www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/chuck+wendig/the+kick-ass+writer/9912572/
November 11, 2013 — 11:57 AM
steve christopher says:
Any chance of getting an autographed copy Mr. Chuck?
November 11, 2013 — 6:58 AM
terribleminds says:
Steve —
If you send me one or track me down at a signing, that’s a guaranteed way to get it signed. 🙂
— c.
November 11, 2013 — 7:06 AM
jacksonkaos says:
I will be buying this. Maybe it will motivate me more to write. 🙂
November 11, 2013 — 8:26 AM
Kathryn Goldman says:
I’ve started writing using your blog post prompts. I’m looking forward to owning your big-ass prompt. But I really wanted 1002 tips. When’s the sequel coming?
November 11, 2013 — 8:41 AM
Joseph Ratliff says:
I bought it yesterday. And yes, Amazon says it’s coming 11/14, but I guess I can wait, sigh.
(nervously twiddling thumbs)
Also, doing the “Confessions of a Freelance Penmonkey, it’s a 340 page monster, hope Chuck will someday put it out in print” dance. 🙂
(kidding)
November 11, 2013 — 9:15 AM
Anastasia says:
Definitely buying it…but can you send the chimp anyway?
November 11, 2013 — 9:35 AM
Betsy says:
I’m glad you took out all the f-bombs. I don’t know if I could handle a whole book peppered with that word, but I’ll pick up a copy. 🙂
November 11, 2013 — 10:42 AM
Melissa Lewicki says:
I love Barnes and Noble. Your book is on its way to my door right now.
November 11, 2013 — 11:15 AM
joeturner87 says:
Finally, a physical copy of Wendigian Gospel. Now the “others” will know I’m not nuts; I’m sick of the cynical look that pigeon gives me whenever I proclaim “Art Harder”
P.S:- that chimp stuck me up last week, I’m sending you my therapy bills. 🙂
November 11, 2013 — 11:47 AM
doverwhitecliff says:
Bought (will arrive Tuesday…squee!) and shared. Thanks for finally having a print copy of unadulterated awesome for my ‘how the heck to I do this?’ shelf!
November 11, 2013 — 1:02 PM
David says:
I think I’ll pick up a copy, but I’ll have to write “fuck” twice on every page or I won’t take it seriously.
November 11, 2013 — 1:07 PM
terribleminds says:
I will write “fuck” in the margins if ever we meet.
November 11, 2013 — 1:08 PM
Von rupert says:
I’m super excited! LOVE the ebooks, but I’m still a physical copy type of gal. Thank you!
November 11, 2013 — 1:17 PM
abuzzinid says:
Got it! Woo hoo! Easiest way is at Writer’s Digest. I’ll miss the “fuck” everywhere, but commercial success often demands sacrifices.
Call off the chimps. I hate monkeys! (Is that a sort of self-loathing?)
Hope you make a bundle, Chuck!
November 11, 2013 — 3:08 PM
terribleminds says:
AHH but a chimp is not a monkey, ‘TIS AN APE.
And hope you enjoy!
November 11, 2013 — 3:28 PM
Terrie says:
Just picked up my copy at Barnes and Noble this morning. I love having hard copy. And thank you for the blog!
November 11, 2013 — 5:38 PM
Tasha Turner Lennhoff says:
Looks really good. Added to my “I really want for Chanukah with my new Paperwhite”. I sent you a Goodreads message.
November 11, 2013 — 10:22 PM
Rebecca B. says:
I now only purchase paper books that have scratch & sniff stickers. Does your book have scratch & sniff stickers? If not, I will just get the ebook so either way you win.
November 11, 2013 — 11:35 PM
Kathryne says:
Okay, I’m buying it even though you edited out my favorite curse word. I don’t say it often, but I think it – a lot.
November 12, 2013 — 9:57 PM
Jayanthi A says:
I’m up for the Kick-Ass challenge. Btw Chuck your Blue Blazes book has a mention from John Birmingham at his Cheeseburger Gothic blog – with a picture!
November 14, 2013 — 4:28 AM
Sam Hedenberg says:
Chuck:
I have been a weekly reader of your blog since I found your post entitled “25 ways to unfuck your story” (still bookmarked on my browser) more than a year ago. I happened to be at B&N a couple of weeks ago and came across the new book. I was really happy to see it out, and excited to see you getting the recognition you deserve, so I bought it. Coming from a guy who hasn’t legally purchased a movie or album in almost 10 years, that’s a big purchase.
I appreciate all you do for us hacks, and wish you the best.
November 14, 2013 — 9:06 PM
terribleminds says:
Thanks, Sam, I appreciate it.
November 14, 2013 — 9:12 PM
Kim B says:
w00t! Got my copy in the mail yesterday and I love being able to have it sitting next to me, giving me encouragement and telling me to ART HARDER! I have all of your writing books in ebook format but this is satisfying in a different way. Thanks for a great website and my new favorite booky writing companion.
November 15, 2013 — 12:22 PM
Denise McInerney says:
Hi Chuck, just bought your book on Amazon. The box said there were two left but more on the way, so that’s good, right? Also, after I bought it, a nifty icon popped up saying “why wait till (delivery date) – start reading now” and gave a link to the book. Did you set that up or is that something Amazon does?
November 15, 2013 — 12:39 PM
terribleminds says:
Not me! All Amazon.
November 15, 2013 — 12:41 PM
Jon says:
Hi Chuck, I bought your NaNoWriMo bundle a few weeks ago. How does the content of this new book compare to the ebooks in that bundle? Thanks!
November 15, 2013 — 5:47 PM
Jessa Lynch (@chichenpizza) says:
I bought the book. I started reading the book. I stopped reading the book to go write some more in my book. That is how good this book is.
*Disclaimer: I have not finished this book. It is possible that it takes a turn for the worse. By the end, it may just be Chuck going “BLARGLEARGLEFARTNUTS” over and over. The book may come alive and actively delete words from your work-in-progress. I don’t know. But so far, so good.
November 17, 2013 — 12:00 PM
terribleminds says:
UHHH SPOILER WARNING
November 17, 2013 — 12:04 PM
jkflickinger says:
I’m half way through AND doing Nanowrimo… I’m not sure which I’ll finish first.
Love, love, Love the book.
November 19, 2013 — 3:36 PM
Gayle says:
Me too, Ransome.
November 19, 2013 — 5:38 PM
Wendy Christopher says:
Awww, the chimpanzee is cuuuute! I’ll buy a copy and he can come round anyway. I’ll feed him cake.
November 22, 2013 — 5:10 AM
Denise McInerney says:
My copy arrived yesterday and I read way past my bedtime last night, so thank you for both sleep deprivation but also some serious inspiration! I think I’ve finally figured out what’s been bugging me about the first chapter in my completed (or so I thought) book. Will be buying as Christmas gifts for my writer buds. You rock, Chuck!
November 22, 2013 — 9:15 AM
terribleminds says:
WOO HOO! Glad the book did as intended, Denise, thanks!
November 22, 2013 — 9:47 AM
Frances says:
I’m from New Zealand where the iBooks store doesn’t support my Apple ID, where there’s no Amazon, B&N, and all that… Where the shipping costs for your book will probably be dearer than your book itself. Only solution: kindle version please?
December 11, 2013 — 6:48 AM
terribleminds says:
There is, indeed, a Kindle version!
December 11, 2013 — 7:07 AM
krystolthewriter says:
I’m going to get this, the Kindle version! Thanks Chuck for ALL that you do!
January 14, 2014 — 1:08 PM
Rebecca Douglass says:
Hey, Chuck, I not only bought your book, but I’m talking about it tomorrow on my blog for our Progressive Book Club. but hey–I did the math. Did you hide 200 tips, or is the subtitle a lie?
http://www.ninjalibrarian.com/2014/01/progressive-book-club-back-at-last.html
January 14, 2014 — 11:12 PM
Trina says:
I am hooked,booked and cooked…..how can I buy this in India? Enjoyed your blog indecently! 🙂
January 31, 2014 — 2:48 PM
Tina (@TinaAlberino) says:
My only hesitation in purchasing this is knowing that it won’t be as vulgar as I have become accustomed to. I’ve read every writing book you’ve written. You speak my dirty, nasty lingo and I like it. I laugh, I learn, I cry…sometimes I masturbate a little bit. It’s a good time. Fuck the censoring.
February 5, 2014 — 10:39 PM
Heather says:
When I emerge from my master-bedroom-closet-writing-nook for a bio break, I take “The Kick-Ass Writer” with me and when said break is over, I am ready to dive back into the creativity cupboard. Thanks for this book!
February 23, 2014 — 12:17 AM
thewordswillgosomewhere says:
Ordered. Looking forward to it. Keep it dirty.
February 24, 2014 — 5:29 PM
Toni says:
I’ve been reading your blog to keep me entertained at work. One night, while carrying on my reading at home, and drinking a bottle of wine (yes, a bottle! Don’t judge me!) I thought it would be a great idea, before I got too far in to that bottle of wine, to run and get a copy of this book. I’m glad I did! Thank you for the inspiration.
March 18, 2014 — 7:22 PM
terribleminds says:
No, thank YOU. 🙂
March 18, 2014 — 9:26 PM
chris says:
Will this help turn me into a Kick-Ass Writer if I’m currently a lazy, non-writing shithead?
April 25, 2014 — 10:32 AM
awriterinthebloom says:
Thank you for being an awesome writer! Last year I came across your article “25 Things I Want To Say To So-Called “Aspiring” Writers” and fell in love with your writing. I must say, I don’t usually like swearing but the passion in your writing is so evident and I enjoyed reading every bit. I will be starting my new and first job in July and as soon as I get my first pay check I will be buying this book. Your opinion is truly valuable and while at times I do disagree with you, I think you are a brilliant writer. Thank you!
May 31, 2014 — 12:44 AM
Pee Dee says:
Bought and read, with serious and frequent underlining. The ideas you put forward completely transformed the story I’ve been tinkering with, for the better. I was going to send you a monkey but there’s a local shortage at the moment. I feel so grateful I very nearly sent you my own personal monkey, Spanking, but I wasn’t sure you’d be that thrilled with Spanking, someone else’s monkey.
July 8, 2014 — 12:42 AM