You Can Be a Winning Writer: The 4 C’s Approach of Successful Authors – Craft, Commitment, Community, and Confidence

by Joan Gelfand, Rosemary Daniell (Foreword)

Learn the keys to successful authorship from a Joan Gelfand, author of You Can Be a Winning Writer , has been teaching her 4 C’s approach to creative writing and successful authorship to aspiring authors at book festivals and writer’s conferences for the past decade. She has taught her 4 C’s method to college professors, CEOs, doctors, ghostwriters, poets, and playwrights throughout the United States; helping them realize their publishing dreams. A publishing guide to writing From first draft to building a reputation, the 4 C’s provides solid tips on how to build a literary community and a fan base. But, successful authorship does not stop with mastering craft, commitment, and even building a community. Confidence is key, and Joan tackles this sensitive subject that keeps writers unpublished and manuscripts in the drawer. With the help of Renate Stendhal, PhD, Joan defines clear steps to overcoming the lack-of-confidence demon. The perfect gift for With a splash of humor, a dose of empathy, and plenty of support, Joan Gelfand includes real life anecdotes from famous and not so famous, but successful authors. You Can Be a Winning Writer is the go-to book for writers just starting out, for writers stalled after their first or second book, and for students. Joan’s 4 C’s wisdom and stories will inspire and encourage. This literary reference and publishing guide Maybe you’ve read Stephen King’s On Writing , Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way , Annie Lamott's Bird by Bird , or William Zinsser’s On Writing Well ─now you need to read You Can Be a Winning Writer .

270 pages, Paperback

Published July 15, 2018

About the author

The author of three poetry collections, a chapbook of short fiction and the Amazon #1 best seller "You Can Be a Winning Writer" (Mango press) Joan's debut novel, "Extreme" was published by Blue Light Press in July 2020.

Her letters, articles, reviews and poetry have appeared in numerous national and international magazines including The Huffington Post, Los Angeles Review of Books, PANK! Poetry Flash, Rattle, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, Levure Litteraire and Poets & Writers. Widely anthologized, Joan's poetry and essays are published in numerous literary journals, including: Chicken Soup for the Soul, Meridian Anthology of Contemporary Poetry, Jewish Womens Literary Annual,Kalliope and If Women Ruled the World, an international anthology. "Here & Abroad" can be found on 'thelostbookshelf.com."
"A Dreamer's Guide to Cities and Streams" was published in 2009 by San Francisco Bay Press.
Seeking Center A Collection of Poetry was published by Two Bridges Press in 2006.

Joan is a member of the National Book Critics Circle, A Judge for the Northern Ca. Book Awards and President Emeritus of the Women's National Book Association.

Reviews

[LadyS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ho hum. I expected better. There was a lot of fluff to sift through to uncover the practical substance relevant for new writers. I credit the author for at least including some very helpful advice (albeit too few). For that, I give this book three stars. If you are looking for writing encouragement, this is not a bad beginning. However, there are better resources available.

[J.D. DeHart · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I noted in a recent review, I am always glad to encounter books about writing. I enjoy these texts because I do some writing myself, but also because I sometimes get to teach courses on composition and craft.



What struck me first about Joan Gelfand's You Can Be A Winning Writer is her intention to encourage writers to find success across writing modes. This is a feature I try to encourage when working my students, but I also appreciate this aspect of the book because I enjoy writing in a variety of modes and for a variety of purposes.



Even further, I appreciated Gelfand's voice as a reader and as a writer. She shows herself to be a consumer of other books, adding another layer of appreciation for this book and underscoring the idea that effective writers are readers first. Instead of starting didactically, Gelfand includes examples from writers she enjoys. Bravo.



Finally, I will note that I appreciate the variety of ideas that the book offers, but also the way the author presents these ideas alongside personal stories and examples. The result is both highly engaging and helpful.

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get this book to discover--or rediscover--the joy of writing---and become a winning author! I've shared this book with many friends, and they are reported discovering ways to improve their writing and set a path to publishing! This book is a must-read for aspiring authors, whether fiction, non-fiction or poetry.

The first chapter of "You Can Be A Winning Writer, the 4C's System to Author Success" has already born fruit for me personally. Based on Joan's simple discussion about the craft of writing poetry, I revised a three-stanza poem with fresh eyes and a critical eye to point of view and tone. And her tips on the holistic approach to bringing ideas to fruition helped seal the ease of revising and ramping up the odds of successful publishing.

[Kurt Lipschutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

You Can Be a Winning Writer gave me insights in my capacity as a writer, and also helped me as a working editor. It covers aspects of the writing life I have not found in other books. It covers not only craft but what to do with your writing when you want to get it out into the world, and more. Not just a book to read once and put up on the shelf, it is, to me anyway, a resource, a place to return at various stages of the multi-factored process that makes up a writer’s - and editor's - existence.

[Yvonne Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A resounding “YES” for Joan Gelfand’s new book depicting the four C’s approach of successful authors, in You Can Be a Winning Writer. I hadn’t even finished reading when I tried many of her suggestions. In one week, I broke through a block by setting the timer and writing for twenty minutes. I initiated an idea for a writer’s group by reading one of her strategies under community. Lastly, I submitted four new pieces to online journals. Full of so many personal stories and suggestions, this book is a must-have for writers of all genres.

[Kelly Sullivan Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Besides Joan Gelfand's 4 C's (Craft, Commitment, Community & Confidence), which are brilliantly holistic and helpful to any writer, published, or yet to be published--her contagious, enthusiasm seeps through every word on every page. Joan Gelfand not only is a brilliant poet and writer but is a one-woman cheerleading squad. I forewarn you NOT to buy this book unless you are prepared for a tsunami of inspiration to take you over and make a winning writer out of you.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Gelfand is a treasure to any author who wants their book to be noticed. Poets and novelists tend to be impractical beings. It's not enough to write a book – you need to take it out into the world. This is where Joan Gelfand's book is worth its weight in gold. Highly recommended!

[Joan Lester · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful read that gives PRACTICAL advice to would-be writers and writers-in-process. A book I pull out for writing clients, and often refer.

[Joan Baranow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joan Gelfand's book is full of practical advice that shy authors will take to heart.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not into 'I will teach you how to achieve things' kinda books, but this one differs for many (personal) reasons: It gives solid advice and not just philosophical quotes, it is a gift from a very special friend who constantly reminds me that I am capable of great things and it motivated me to actually take some writing action -saying this publicly is (hopefully) gonna make me move my ass and do shit (cowboy emoji).

[Renate Stendhal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the voice of this book guide, Joan Gelfand. Full of authentic know-how, experience, and fabulous energy that will fire up every young (or not so young) writer who dreams of making it in the book world of today. Joan Gelfand has been there and done it all -- successfully. Her advice is encouraging on every page.
Renate Stendhal, "Kiss Me Again, Paris: A Memoir"

[Kelly Sullivan Walden · Rating 5 out of 5]

brilliant and helpful wisdom...i loved the author's stories.