What do you think?
Rate this book
The Literary Handyman
The Literary Handyman: Tips on Writing From Someone Who's Been there
Have a Dream of Being An Author? Frustrated with Banging Your Head Against the Publishing Wall? (Let's Face It...Why Else Would You Be Reading This?) Don't Worry. You Are By No Means Alone! Success in publishing is equal parts skill, determination, knowledge, and pure, dumb luck. If you have the drive, and you have the skill, but you're missing that little bit of insight into the industry, this book might just be the edge you're looking for. (For the luck...you're on your own.) Crack the cover to learn more about effective dialogue, the difference between the major publishers and small press, self-promoting, naming characters, avoiding procrastination... and so many other demons that haunt the aspiring author. The Literary Handyman also includes a series of writing exercises tailored toward helping you to apply the information gained in the book.
- GenresWritingNonfiction
Paperback
First published March 1, 2011
2 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Ackley-McPhail
117 books206 followersAward-winning author, editor, and publisher Danielle Ackley-McPhail has worked both sides of the publishing industry for longer than she cares to admit. In 2014 she joined forces with husband Mike McPhail and friend Greg Schauer to form her own publishing house, eSpec Books (www.especbooks.com).
Her published works include eight novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, Daire’s Devils, The Play of Light, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections Eternal Wanderings, A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, Transcendence, Between Darkness and Light, The Fox’s Fire, The Kindly One, and the non-fiction writers’ guides The Literary Handyman, More Tips from the Handyman, and LH: Build-A-Book Workshop. She is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Side of Good/Side of Evil, After Punk, and Footprints in the Stars. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.
In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady Custom Costume Horns, and homemade flavor-infused candied ginger under the brand of Ginger KICK! at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.
Danielle lives in New Jersey with her husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and four extremely spoiled cats.
Her published works include eight novels, Yesterday's Dreams, Tomorrow's Memories, Today’s Promise, The Halfling’s Court, The Redcaps’ Queen, Daire’s Devils, The Play of Light, and Baba Ali and the Clockwork Djinn, written with Day Al-Mohamed. She is also the author of the solo collections Eternal Wanderings, A Legacy of Stars, Consigned to the Sea, Flash in the Can, Transcendence, Between Darkness and Light, The Fox’s Fire, The Kindly One, and the non-fiction writers’ guides The Literary Handyman, More Tips from the Handyman, and LH: Build-A-Book Workshop. She is the senior editor of the Bad-Ass Faeries anthology series, Gaslight & Grimm, Side of Good/Side of Evil, After Punk, and Footprints in the Stars. Her short stories are included in numerous other anthologies and collections.
In addition to her literary acclaim, she crafts and sells original costume horns under the moniker The Hornie Lady Custom Costume Horns, and homemade flavor-infused candied ginger under the brand of Ginger KICK! at literary conventions, on commission, and wholesale.
Danielle lives in New Jersey with her husband and fellow writer, Mike McPhail and four extremely spoiled cats.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 5, 2018
In The Literary Handyman: Tips on Writing From Someone Who's Been there author Danielle Ackley-McPhail shares hints and tips on a wide range of topics of interest to any aspiring writer. I especially liked the sections on naming characters and writing dialogue, which include some very insightful suggestions.
At first glance, much of the information included in this volume might be a bit basic for more accomplished or connected authors, but I think this could be a handy reference guide for just about anyone -- sometimes it's easy to forget the basics when you're stuck in a rut.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book.
At first glance, much of the information included in this volume might be a bit basic for more accomplished or connected authors, but I think this could be a handy reference guide for just about anyone -- sometimes it's easy to forget the basics when you're stuck in a rut.
3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing me with a free electronic ARC of this book.
May 28, 2018
Danielle's teaches a great path for any stage of writer. She reaches out to the writer/reader and pulls them in to really question and put in process their own writing with great analysis with questions such as these... "Where do I start?" and "How should your story be told?" She covers these and more tricks and tips throughout her book.
August 10, 2011
OMG, what a great book! Danielle Ackley-McPhail keeps her tone funny and light-hearted (and I always love some good snark!) while giving out some great tips and ideas. It has the feel of a friend giving advice over coffee, not a teacher delivering a lecture on writing formulas.
She covers what to do if inspiration fails, how changing a few words in a sentence can change an entire page, how to better define your characters, and how to deal with the fear of rejection. The book is filled with analogies and tips to get your brain (and pencil) going.
She covers what to do if inspiration fails, how changing a few words in a sentence can change an entire page, how to better define your characters, and how to deal with the fear of rejection. The book is filled with analogies and tips to get your brain (and pencil) going.
July 16, 2018
A monthly column called The Writer’s Toolbox gets collected and transformed into the Literary Handyman. Actually, the title’s kinda clever, if you stop to think about it.
There’s a moment that made me love this book: the author’s talking about how writing is a solitary endeavor, “just you and your computer. . . or typewriter. . . or clay tablet. . .” Nice.
There’s advice that’s for the most part common sense, though I’m sure most beginning writers don’t think of this stuff. (Warning: on the cover it says “for beginners,” so don’t expect anything in depth if you’ve got some years under your. . . fingers.) The important parts for me were the droplets of humor sprinkled throughout, transforming what might otherwise had been a dry read into something more memorable. It is important to remember that these were originally in a once a week or month format; it’s a lot different reading them all at once.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
There’s a moment that made me love this book: the author’s talking about how writing is a solitary endeavor, “just you and your computer. . . or typewriter. . . or clay tablet. . .” Nice.
There’s advice that’s for the most part common sense, though I’m sure most beginning writers don’t think of this stuff. (Warning: on the cover it says “for beginners,” so don’t expect anything in depth if you’ve got some years under your. . . fingers.) The important parts for me were the droplets of humor sprinkled throughout, transforming what might otherwise had been a dry read into something more memorable. It is important to remember that these were originally in a once a week or month format; it’s a lot different reading them all at once.
3.5 pushed up to 4/5
March 11, 2021
Why would a published author need tips on writing? Like sharpening the tools in your toolbox, honing one skills is an ongoing process.
The Literary Handyman (besides being a woman) provides bite-sized tips for the craft of writing, as well as the business end. And while no book is going to guarantee sales, I did review the sections on good dialogue right before I submitted a piece that was accepted for publication.
The middle of the book is filled with writing prompts, with plenty of space to jot down your thougths and ideas... unless you're like me and can't write in a book even if it was made for that purpose. But I can use a journal or a blog because I love my writing prompts.
The Literary Handyman (besides being a woman) provides bite-sized tips for the craft of writing, as well as the business end. And while no book is going to guarantee sales, I did review the sections on good dialogue right before I submitted a piece that was accepted for publication.
The middle of the book is filled with writing prompts, with plenty of space to jot down your thougths and ideas... unless you're like me and can't write in a book even if it was made for that purpose. But I can use a journal or a blog because I love my writing prompts.
May 21, 2018
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review.
The Literary Handyman suffers from trying to be everything for everyone. The tips are incredibly broad, which means many of them are common sense. A significant percentage of the content is reprinted from the author's contributions to a writing website.
The conversational tone is appealing and accessible.
This book is worth reading as a very broad overview of the writing and publishing process.
The Literary Handyman suffers from trying to be everything for everyone. The tips are incredibly broad, which means many of them are common sense. A significant percentage of the content is reprinted from the author's contributions to a writing website.
The conversational tone is appealing and accessible.
This book is worth reading as a very broad overview of the writing and publishing process.
May 7, 2018
The Literary Handyman by Danielle Ackely-McPhail is filled with great advises for aspiring writers. The book is structured in small articles and very easy to read. Danielle is a fantasy and science fiction author and shares her experience freely (if you do not count the price of the book itself) and offers substantial insights on how to select your book storyline and characters and the different avenues where you can submit your work. She also provides perspicacious warnings on what not to do.
December 29, 2011
The Literary Handyman is not a linear how-to-write book-it doesn't take you from A to Z in ten easy steps. It's more like a book full of classic recipes-open it to any page and get a single tasty delicacy, full of layered flavors and satisfying combinations.
The Literary Handyman is a collection of articles, some published before in at various diverse times and venues, each a thoughtful look at a single aspect of writing. From "The Naming of Names" through "Coming to Your Senses" and finally to "Promoting for the Beginner", each essay takes a fresh look at the topic, giving insights in a light conversational tone that is comfortable to read. The book is divided into two main sections, the first on the craft of writing, the second covering aspects of the business of writing. Separating the two sections are some writing exercises to keep the reader on their toes!
One of the most intriguing articles is "Spend Your Words Wisely," a very careful analysis of how changing just a few words can totally alter the meaning of a paragraph. The super value here is in the analysis of each variation, the why of the differences. It's a clever exercise, and one I enjoyed immensely.
Overall, this is a valuable collection to add to your literary reference shelf and one I recommend. It's a part of my library.
The Literary Handyman is a collection of articles, some published before in at various diverse times and venues, each a thoughtful look at a single aspect of writing. From "The Naming of Names" through "Coming to Your Senses" and finally to "Promoting for the Beginner", each essay takes a fresh look at the topic, giving insights in a light conversational tone that is comfortable to read. The book is divided into two main sections, the first on the craft of writing, the second covering aspects of the business of writing. Separating the two sections are some writing exercises to keep the reader on their toes!
One of the most intriguing articles is "Spend Your Words Wisely," a very careful analysis of how changing just a few words can totally alter the meaning of a paragraph. The super value here is in the analysis of each variation, the why of the differences. It's a clever exercise, and one I enjoyed immensely.
Overall, this is a valuable collection to add to your literary reference shelf and one I recommend. It's a part of my library.
January 20, 2012
This is a great book whether you are a pro or new in the writing field. Ms. Ackley-Mcphail speaks in a easy going and humorous tone. As both a writer and a publisher, she sees both sides of the fence.
I definitely found this helpful and there are fun exercises at sections in the book. It isn't ponderous or full of technical details. The Literary Handyman is an easy read on an afternoon.
I definitely found this helpful and there are fun exercises at sections in the book. It isn't ponderous or full of technical details. The Literary Handyman is an easy read on an afternoon.
February 7, 2012
Well-paced, funny, thoughtful look at the writing and publishing process. Danielle has a great voice and she provides the reader with wonderful little chapters on various topics. I especially likes the chapter on anthologies - one of those little things no one tells you about but everyone expects you to know how they work and how you can find them.
Read
October 2, 2024I moved my previous review here to "The Literary Handyman Library" because I accidentally posted it here for this book.
March 3, 2012
So... I devour books like this. Seek them out periodically, just because it's a friendly voice to nudge my own writing in the right direction. I don't think I've so drastically wanted to throttle an author of one of these 'how to write! :D' books nearly so much as I did Ackley-McPhail.
Yes, she offers the been-there, done-that of how to write basic fiction, but the 'advice' is mediocre at best, kind of wishy-washy, and very much laden with moments of shameless self-promotion. The entire first half of this book is kind of ".....ugh, come on!"
The second half is better. Definitely adds insight to the publishing world (something rarely touched on in books like this), which is where this gets its second star. Could have earned a whole third star, too, if the text didn't repeat itself repeatedly for the sake of repeating itself, and that it didn't just drag on and on and on and on and on about the same topic (anthologies! they're the new magazine!).
Honestly, I could have forgiven this book a LOT of things. The self-promotion was the biggest turn-off. The redundancy of the text was the second. The third? The third was totally the blatant homonym abuse, the tense shifts, the bad copyediting that was done (whether it's in the print copy, I don't know. It certainly was prevalent in the kindle version). It makes the whole book look lazy and slapped together.
Not the best how-to-write book I've ever read, not by a long shot.
Yes, she offers the been-there, done-that of how to write basic fiction, but the 'advice' is mediocre at best, kind of wishy-washy, and very much laden with moments of shameless self-promotion. The entire first half of this book is kind of ".....ugh, come on!"
The second half is better. Definitely adds insight to the publishing world (something rarely touched on in books like this), which is where this gets its second star. Could have earned a whole third star, too, if the text didn't repeat itself repeatedly for the sake of repeating itself, and that it didn't just drag on and on and on and on and on about the same topic (anthologies! they're the new magazine!).
Honestly, I could have forgiven this book a LOT of things. The self-promotion was the biggest turn-off. The redundancy of the text was the second. The third? The third was totally the blatant homonym abuse, the tense shifts, the bad copyediting that was done (whether it's in the print copy, I don't know. It certainly was prevalent in the kindle version). It makes the whole book look lazy and slapped together.
Not the best how-to-write book I've ever read, not by a long shot.
August 8, 2011
The Literary Handyman is not a linear how-to-write book–it doesn’t take you from A to Z in ten easy steps. It’s more like a book full of classic recipes–open it to any page and get a single tasty delicacy, full of layered flavors and satisfying combinations.
The Literary Handyman is a collection of articles, some published before in at various diverse times and venues, each a thoughtful look at a single aspect of writing. From “The Naming of Names” through “Coming to Your Senses” and finally to “Promoting for the Beginner”, each essay takes a fresh look at the topic, giving insights in a light conversational tone that is comfortable to read. The book is divided into two main sections, the first on the craft of writing, the second covering aspects of the business of writing. Separating the two sections are some writing exercises to keep the reader on their toes!
One of the most intriguing articles is “Spend Your Words Wisely,” a very careful analysis of how changing just a few words can totally alter the meaning of a paragraph. The super value here is in the analysis of each variation, the why of the differences. It’s a clever exercise, and one I enjoyed immensely.
Overall, this is a valuable collection to add to your literary reference shelf and one I recommend. It’s a part of my library.
The Literary Handyman is a collection of articles, some published before in at various diverse times and venues, each a thoughtful look at a single aspect of writing. From “The Naming of Names” through “Coming to Your Senses” and finally to “Promoting for the Beginner”, each essay takes a fresh look at the topic, giving insights in a light conversational tone that is comfortable to read. The book is divided into two main sections, the first on the craft of writing, the second covering aspects of the business of writing. Separating the two sections are some writing exercises to keep the reader on their toes!
One of the most intriguing articles is “Spend Your Words Wisely,” a very careful analysis of how changing just a few words can totally alter the meaning of a paragraph. The super value here is in the analysis of each variation, the why of the differences. It’s a clever exercise, and one I enjoyed immensely.
Overall, this is a valuable collection to add to your literary reference shelf and one I recommend. It’s a part of my library.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews