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3rd out of 33 books
—
6 voters
How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead: Your Words in Print and Your Name in Lights
by
Ariel Gore
This may come as a shock, but brilliant writing and clever wordplay do not a published author make. True, you’ll actually have to write if you want to be a writer, but ultimately literary success is about much more than putting pen to paper (or fingers to keys). Before you snap your pencil in half with frustration, please consider the advice writer, teacher, and self-made...more
Paperback, 265 pages
Published
March 27th 2007
by Three Rivers Press
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a truly inspiring, pleasurable read, even for a writer who's been at it a while. ariel gore is not only hilarious and brilliant, she's encouraging in a non-sappy, un-condescending way. plus, she's brazen as anything in her determination to get her work out there. by the end of this book, you will be too. i think this book would be helpful for artists/photogs/etc too, just like anne lamott's bird by bird is. also, i thought the dave barry interview alone was worth the price of admission.
Ariel Gore has been unknowingly stalking me since we were both at Mills College over 15 years ago. When I was pregnant with my first daughter her Hipmama book, zine and website (and now defunct but once awesome discussion board on the website) hurtled me into a world where mothering, politics, creativity, activism, and intellectual musings were all inextricably combined. Now, her latest book has come out just in time to feed my novel writing dreams and fantasies. It’s filled with inspiration, hu...more
This book was gifted to me, and was my introduction to Ariel Gore, and boy am I glad for both of these things.
As someone who was making great writerly strides and has been subsequently derailed by gainful employment (and the fact that writing—both the act and the process of putting it out there—is frequently, well, really discouraging), this was just the sort of writerly shot in the arm I need right now.
Although she's most likely never met you, you get the sense that Gore sincerely believes in...more
As someone who was making great writerly strides and has been subsequently derailed by gainful employment (and the fact that writing—both the act and the process of putting it out there—is frequently, well, really discouraging), this was just the sort of writerly shot in the arm I need right now.
Although she's most likely never met you, you get the sense that Gore sincerely believes in...more
I’ve read my share of writing advice. I’ve subscribed to Writer’s Digest and Poets & Writers, read writing guides, checked out books from the library on how to get published, perused condescending writerly-ambition websites, and never before have I encountered anything like Gore’s personal, unpretentious, and at times even self-deprecating voice. Instead of removing herself and writing yet another cold-glass how-to book, she takes a refreshing humorous-narrative approach. Simply put, she’s j...more
It's sort of embarrassing to be caught reading this book, because of the title. Or I felt that way, anyhow. But I'm owning up to it here. It filled me with a kind of firey energy for both producing writing and getting it out into the world. In that sense, it was very useful. It's pragmatic and doesn't really romanticize "the writing life." I liked that. I also liked that it discussed both how to get published and also self-publishing of various forms.
2 likes · like · see review
One of my favorite books on writing to date. Ariel Gore covers the many aspects of the writing life and getting published in this five part book sprinkled with interviews, Q & A's and quotes.
Part one covers the personal side of becoming the writer you ultimately want to be. Part two is a more technical discussion of craft with Dos and Don'ts. In the third and fourth parts she explains in colorful detail the many ways to self-publish or work with big publishing houses and everywhere in betwe...more
Part one covers the personal side of becoming the writer you ultimately want to be. Part two is a more technical discussion of craft with Dos and Don'ts. In the third and fourth parts she explains in colorful detail the many ways to self-publish or work with big publishing houses and everywhere in betwe...more
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. But Dave…you are a writer! Yeah…but I’m not a famous writer. I have to admit, the sheer brazen nature of this book appealed to me. The act of self-promotion requires an incredible amount of confidence--or at least the great ability to fake it. In this book, author Ariel Gore advocates all manner of self-promotion and creativity in the attempt to make a name for yourself. In many ways, this could serve as a companion piece to my other favorite book about writing...more
I decided to read How To Become A Famous Writer Before You’re Dead by Ariel Gore because I had read The Mother Trip and enjoyed Gore’s writing style and humor.
How To Become A Famous Writer Before You’re Dead gave me more inspiration and guidance than I could have ever hoped. It is a practical guide for writers who are interested in being published. Ariel Gore covers basic writing advice, self-promotion, and incorporates interviews with various writers, including Michelle Tea and Margaret Cho.
I...more
How To Become A Famous Writer Before You’re Dead gave me more inspiration and guidance than I could have ever hoped. It is a practical guide for writers who are interested in being published. Ariel Gore covers basic writing advice, self-promotion, and incorporates interviews with various writers, including Michelle Tea and Margaret Cho.
I...more
Nov 13, 2010
Lauren
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fall-into-reading-2010,
self-improvement
If you want an easy way to learn the ins and outs of publishing and doing the grueling hard work of attempting to make writing your prime income source, with with which you clothe and feed yourself, then How to Become Famous Writer Before You’re Dead by Ariel Gore in the book for you. In this 262 page volume, Ariel Gore tells it like it is and takes her readers through the process of first establishing a writing lifestyle and then getting the polished and written work out there.
Written to comple...more
Written to comple...more
What I like about this book is that while it has certain indie-hippie undertones, it doesn’t make any judgements one way or another about what the ‘best’ way to publish is. Self-publish, find an agent, make your own zines, start a blog, go for the big publishing house deal — do whatever works for you. “Be as crazy as you are,” she says.
Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to people just beginning the writing process — better to get books that concentrate more on craft for that — but...more
Though I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to people just beginning the writing process — better to get books that concentrate more on craft for that — but...more
This is aimed at people who haven't published anything yet. It doesn't have an index. I think it should have at least included a list of the authors interviewed. I didn't like the table of contents being in paragraph form - it should be a table.
Here are links to the authors interviewed:
Marc Acito
Julie Alvarez
Ursula K. Le Guin
Floyd Salas
Michelle Tea
Dave Barry
Ayun Halliday
Moe Bowstern
Jim Munroe
Susie Bright
Dave Eggers
Bertice Berry
Daphne Gottlieb
Margaret Cho
Erika Lopez
Here are links to the authors interviewed:
Marc AcitoJulie Alvarez
Ursula K. Le GuinFloyd Salas
Michelle TeaDave BarryAyun HallidayMoe Bowstern
Jim MunroeSusie BrightDave EggersBertice Berry
Daphne GottliebMargaret ChoErika Lopez
When is Goodreads going to let us be able to give (or take away) half-stars? I'd like to bump this up to 3.5 stars.
I guess the main thing keeping me from a full 4 stars was that I didn't recognize a lot of the people she interviewed, (despite the fact that there were several big-name interviewees), so some of the advice that was meant to inspire fell a little flat for me. And I didn't feel the desire to actually do any of the exercises they recommended (thought that will be at my own peril, I'm...more
I guess the main thing keeping me from a full 4 stars was that I didn't recognize a lot of the people she interviewed, (despite the fact that there were several big-name interviewees), so some of the advice that was meant to inspire fell a little flat for me. And I didn't feel the desire to actually do any of the exercises they recommended (thought that will be at my own peril, I'm...more
While I did not agree with all of the advice here, I definitely enjoyed reading this, and I definitely did find some useful tidbits of information. One of the most annoying things about books from authors about writing is that they are often excessively pretentious and disparaging toward genres or writing forms that the author dislikes. This book, by contrast, was very balanced and had a light-hearted, fun tone. A lot of the information was more motivational than craft-based, which could be one...more
Not my bag.
I was optimistic when I picked it up, but it wasn't what I expected. Gore seems to be of the opinion that it's more important to be famous than to be good. She is more into the "starting a blog and getting it noticed" viewpoint.
If I blogged, I'd never have time to study my craft, read good books, and write the books I'm hoping will find a home in the nearest publishing house or bookstore. There's also that taking care of a home and family and holding down a regular job thing that ca...more
I was optimistic when I picked it up, but it wasn't what I expected. Gore seems to be of the opinion that it's more important to be famous than to be good. She is more into the "starting a blog and getting it noticed" viewpoint.
If I blogged, I'd never have time to study my craft, read good books, and write the books I'm hoping will find a home in the nearest publishing house or bookstore. There's also that taking care of a home and family and holding down a regular job thing that ca...more
Sep 08, 2008
Brittanie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommended to Brittanie by:
Rand Faust and writer's group girls
Less a book about writing and more a book about self promotion, Still the best book on the craft I've ever read.
Dec 01, 2009
Julene
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommended to Julene by:
Ruby Kane
Shelves:
about-writing
I certainly enjoyed this book, especially the interviews with cutting edge self-promoted writers. Mostly geared towards fiction or memoir writing, she talks about book proposals and how to set up tours. As much as I enjoyed this book, I kept wanting to get more out of it than I did. It's a good fast read that at some level inspires, but for me it had a level of discouragement because I can't put on a pink tutu to get readers into my readings, I just can't. She can and did. It's a different gener...more
It's always a clue that a book is good when I drop all other books I'm reading and sneak peeks during class to keep reading, therefore finishing within a day.
I've started, and yet to finish, a couple books that claim to help a person with aspirations of writing into writing that best seller that's hidden in them, just waiting to hop out.
This is not the view point Ariel takes.
What I enjoyed most about this book was her interview with other authors who have "made it" in the sense that their books...more
I've started, and yet to finish, a couple books that claim to help a person with aspirations of writing into writing that best seller that's hidden in them, just waiting to hop out.
This is not the view point Ariel takes.
What I enjoyed most about this book was her interview with other authors who have "made it" in the sense that their books...more
Dec 30, 2008
Ciara
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
aspiring writers, writers flummoxed by the publishing industry, boston indie bookstores
Shelves:
read-in-2008
this is one the best books about writing i have ever read. not only does it give some tips & ideas for developing as a (fiction) writer (along with writing exercises that are actually kind of innovative), but it offers a lot of information about the publishing side of things. areil gore explains how to find an agent, how to tell if you are getting a good contract, how to decide on a publisher, what to expect in terms of money, etc etc. this is the stuff that was really interesting to me. i t...more
Nov 03, 2009
Jillian
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommended to Jillian by:
aspiring authors/novice writers/D.I.Y. authors
Broad, hip and inspiring. Favorite tips were "keep your mouth shut" on page 39, "develop a superhero alter ego" on p. 52, "study words" on page 80, the advice to "develop a punk philosophy" on p. 115, Susie Bright's advice on p. 163, the honest words on journalists on pages 234-235, "take to the radio waves" on p. 240, "champion other lit stars" on p. 245 (yea!), "treat the world as your own personal clubhouse" on p. 247, and finally, "don't insult the folks who show up" on p. 258. Boy, would I...more
Reading The Hip Mama Survival Guide for the first time changed my life. I graduated high school in 1994 a new teen mama, and by 1998 had been married and separated, learned to live on welfare, and was now in the midst of coming to grips with my queer self. I think I inherently knew that there were at least four things parents were not supposed to be: teen, single, poor, or queer. But Ariel had something else to say. (If you don’t already know, check out the Hip Mama zine.)
Well, Ariel’s done it a...more
Well, Ariel’s done it a...more
One surprise this book held for me is the realization that Ariel Gore isn't talking about commercially famous. She's talking about indy cult famous. And while that kind of fame is nothing to sneeze at, I thought a good chunk of the book would be useless to anyone who already had a career in traditional publishing.
This isn't meant to suggest that the book isn't worth reading. The chapter on promotion was particularly valuable, and I'll probably return to it in the future. Just be aware that the b...more
This isn't meant to suggest that the book isn't worth reading. The chapter on promotion was particularly valuable, and I'll probably return to it in the future. Just be aware that the b...more
Jan 15, 2008
Katie
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone dedicated to writing
Shelves:
creative-writing
Okay, so I heard good things. I went to the library and picked myself up a copy. I went ahead and read it in two days. I read it while I was supposed to be working. Also, when I was walking anywhere. I do not recommend this. It causes awkward and embarrassing accidents.
The book basically reminded me that I can't really be a lit star if nobody reads what I write. Nobody will read what I write unless I make my work visible. This book is a great way to get a long list of ideas about how to put you...more
The book basically reminded me that I can't really be a lit star if nobody reads what I write. Nobody will read what I write unless I make my work visible. This book is a great way to get a long list of ideas about how to put you...more
I read this book out of order, and this morning I discovered: Huh, I guess I read it all!
Some of the advice in the book is advice you'd find in any book on writing (e.g., if you want to be a writer, then you need to write), but all of it is delivered in an entertaining style — and with a contagious passion. Lotsa great interviews, and lotsa great advice on getting your writing to an audience, via zines, blogs, readings, self-publishing, etc. An excellent resource.
Some of the advice in the book is advice you'd find in any book on writing (e.g., if you want to be a writer, then you need to write), but all of it is delivered in an entertaining style — and with a contagious passion. Lotsa great interviews, and lotsa great advice on getting your writing to an audience, via zines, blogs, readings, self-publishing, etc. An excellent resource.
The advice in this book is by no means earth-shattering. You'll recognize most of it from other writing guides. Example: Want to be a writer? Then write. (Sure sounds simple, but I have yet to develop a habit of writing every day.)
But unlike most other writing guides, this book will keep you laughing while it injects you with a good dose of writing wisdom. This book also has some great ideas for exercises -- for example, go through a piece you wrote and remove all adjectives and adverbs, rewriti...more
But unlike most other writing guides, this book will keep you laughing while it injects you with a good dose of writing wisdom. This book also has some great ideas for exercises -- for example, go through a piece you wrote and remove all adjectives and adverbs, rewriti...more
Ariel Gore is hip and cool and makes you believe that you, too, can be hip and cool. There is a lot of good practical advise, some interesting "guerilla"-type marketing and self-promotional suggestions, and a few rather profound interviews with writers who are off the beaten path and yet successful in their own way.
It is a great pick me up kind of book especially if you are a writer and feeling a bit down about your own career path
It is a great pick me up kind of book especially if you are a writer and feeling a bit down about your own career path
There are so many books that are supposed to inspire writers to get off their tails and actually write something. I own many of them. This one is actually inspiring me. It helps that it is written by a hip young writer from Portland. Her style is no-nonsense and to the point, and her attitude is that anyone can be a writer if they just do the work. No snobbery here. She cuts through a lot of the b.s. that goes with writing, promotion, graduate program, and so on.
She reminded me of a few importa...more
She reminded me of a few importa...more
I loved this book. First, I loved Ariel Gore's voice--direct, honest, funny. Even better, she knows her stuff. The book details how to build an audience and work with big and small presses. Lots of interviews with other famous writers too. One of the few writing books that is both entertaining and useful.
Though this book is sprinkled with sage advice, it is the tell-it-like-it-is witticism that makes it an enjoyable read. Beware where you partake of this book; if you're in public and Gore's humor catches you at a moment where a laugh-out-loud guffaw isn't wise, don't say I didn't warn you.
Ariel Gore has a wry sense of humor regarding fame and what a writer has to do to become an "author-ity." A lot of it is common sense, though also she gives some valuable tips if you want "your words in print and your name in lights" before you're dead, as the title says.
mixed feelings. new to ariel gores's content with this work, not her reputation. some times i struggle with her tone. cute cover. liked the pacing. she gives good momentum, like, just do it already! some parts may become more useful with time. eh, who knows. niche reading.
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ARIEL GORE is the author of numerous books on parenting, the novel The Traveling Death and Resurrection Show, the memoir Atlas of the Human Heart, and the writer’s guide How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead. Farrar, Straus and Giroux will publish Bluebird: Women and the New Psychology of Happiness in January 2010.
More about Ariel Gore...
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“Maybe it goes without saying that if you want to become a famous writer before you’re dead, you’ll have to write something. But the folks in my classes with the biggest ideas and the best publicity shots ready to grace the back covers of their best-selling novels are also usually the ones who aren’t holding any paper.”
—
4 people liked it
“It's a great paradox and a great injustice that writers write because we fear death and want to leave something indestructable in our wake, and at the same time, are drawn to things that kill: whiskey and cigarette, unprotected sex and deep fried burritos.
It's true that you can get away with drinking and smoking and sunbathing when you're in your teens and twenties, and it's true that rock stars are free to die at twenty-nine, but a lit star needs a long life.”
—
2 people liked it
More quotes…
It's true that you can get away with drinking and smoking and sunbathing when you're in your teens and twenties, and it's true that rock stars are free to die at twenty-nine, but a lit star needs a long life.”
Mar 31, 2008 12:45pm