Is There a Book in You?

by Alison Baverstock

Many people feel they might have a book in them - but how do you know whether you have what it takes to be a writer, whether your writing is any good, what you should write about and whether you should dedicate proper time to begin your dream? This book asks pertinent questions of you via a questionnaire to help you discover whether there is a talented writer in you. Each chapter provides background to the relevant point in the questionnaire. Packed with advice from experienced writers including known authors; P D James, Philip Pullman, Jacqueline Wilson, Margaret Drabble, Katie Fforde and more. Expert advice from Daniel Roche (BA President), independent booksellers, publishers Helen Fraser (Penguin) and Ian Trewin (Chairman Cheltenham Literary Festival and administrator, Man Booker Prize), agents and creative writing tutors. Foreword by columnist and writer Katharine Whitehorn.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who recently went through my first writing 'maybe I should just give up' crisis in my writing career, this book has helped me tremendously. It has sat on my shelf for who knows how long, part of a pile I bought to read one day but was lost to the shadows of my ever-growing fiction collection.

I read this book to see if I should give up writing, and it only reinforced my passion, determination and confidence that what I see as a calling is one to be cherished, nurtured and fulfilled.

Thank you, Alison Baverstock, for making me slow down and think about my options. I know my correct path now, and though I can't wait to reach the end, I am now more excited to experience the journey: every last second of it.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up from the library whilst looking for anther book. I skimmed this really as it wasn't what I thought it would be. There are a lot of quotes in this book about from people I've never heard of, which I didn't find very helpful at all. It is all about whether you've got a book wanting to be published in you and not about getting your creative writing going which is what I took the title to mean.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an extensive collection of quotes and advice from the experiences of published, unpublished, and would-be-published authors, clustered under 10 themes that each present a question for the reader. e.g. "How creative are you"; and "How much do you know about the publishing industry?".

My copy is a 2007 reprint of the 2006 text, which I am startled to discover was 12 years ago. Much is still relevant and timeless, an update would be timely, but not essential - the text still stands in the main. I found it useful in many respects - a primer, if you will - that through necessity is somewhat shallow, because of the breadth of topics and reliance on quotes. This isn't a criticism, just an observation: in fact I rather took to the use of different writers' perspectives, particularly where they differed in emphasis or when describing a process or approach. It was encouraging to note the wealth of pathways by which a writer can achieve certain things.

The tone is that of a gentle enlightening, an awareness-raising book that may discourage all but the most determined. But because of that, if you've read and understood the content, and still choose to pursue writing and publishing a book, you will be well forewarned and potentially prepared. It left me feeling girded to face the challenges likely in pursuing a book goal. This is not a 'how to' book. This truly is an 'Are you ready?' book, and perfectly titled.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t a ‘how to’ book but more of a reflection on the pursuit of a creative career (and whether a person is cut out for it).

The book is structured around a questionnaire Alison had circulated at the start of a seminar of the same name as the book, aimed at aspiring writers. Each chapter covers topics such as writing habit, how you handle rejection, how well-read you are, and how much you know about the publishing industry.

It is packed full of quotes from authors at various stages of their career and industry experts, with Alison’s thoughts/commentary sandwiched between them.

I wouldn’t necessarily say you’d learn anything knew from this book with regards to craft. It may well help you think more about what it is you actually want to achieve, if what you want is realistic, and how you’re actually going to get there.

[Sylwia · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book shows a very negative and pessimistic view of the publishing industry, which may discourage many people from writing, but that seems to be part of Ms Baverstock's writing from what I've noticed. Chapter 13 quite confused me in that I didn't really get why it was needed, but overall the book was quite alright. It actually made me want to write more, which is quite a feat. I'd recommend reading it to people who are already sure they want to write, but those who look for the encouragement are probably not going to find it in this book.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very motivating, very practical and very readable book, with plenty of useful advice and questions to ask before venturing out into the big world of writing/publishing your own book. There are many things I will definitely come back to. What I especially liked is that the book did not offer advice on how to write, how to improve your style, grammar etc - there are plenty of others discussing all these at length - but rather concentrated on something else entirely. Do you really want to do it and do you have what it takes? If there is this "book" in you, is it better left where it is, written for your own pleasure only or taken to a publisher?
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the subject.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a great all-singing, all-dancing introduction to writers about how to think if you want to become an author. It straddles both the creative writing side of it (for first-time writers contemplating getting into the career) and the marketing/business side of the art. The premise is that you can write the best stuff in the world, but in order to get published you have to think like an author, not a writer. It's peppered with quotes and anecdotes from authors, literary agents and literary greats. A really useful reference book to have or to gift to anyone contemplating entering the writing industry.

[Alice Chau-Ginguene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book but a little bit out of my original expectation. I thought there will be more analysis on each questionnaire. Instead, the author quoted a lot of different authors to put her point across. Interesting read but just a bit different. I must prefer her other book The Naked Author: A Guide to Self-Publishing. I couldn't put that one down!

[Fiona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A departure from the myriad writing manuals on the market, Baverstock takes a bird's eye view of the author's journey from aspiration to publication. Structured into chapters addressing different facets of the process, she addresses questions of personal motivation, creativity and work habits in a thought provoking, non-judgemental and easily digestible format. Would highly recommend.

[Shauna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I recommend when people ask me about publishing... I found it very helpful, straightforward and honest!

[Meaghan · Rating 3 out of 5]

there were a few nuggets and a ton of quotes from authors and the like but overall it wasnt as helpful as i was hoping.

[Lena Nisula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enlightening! I can see myself returning to it again and again.