The Art of Column Writing: Insider Secrets from Art Buchwald, Dave Barry, Arianna Huffington, Pete Hamill and Other Great Columnists

by Suzette Martinez Standring

Featuring some of the most famous columnists in the business, this guide reveals the secrets to becoming a syndicated newspaper columnist, through both the author's own experiences and anecdotes from the respected writers who excel in their craft. From finding topics, to digging up information, and ultimately writing a column that makes people think, laugh, or cry, all the wisdom necessary to write opinion, humor, and insight columns is clearly presented in this in-depth manual.

Genres: Writing, Journalism, Nonfiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2007

Reviews

[Linda]

What an interesting book. If you want to know helpful strategies and tips for writing a newspaper column, this book is a winner. It give 7-8 ways to up your writing game and with each strategy taught or discussed, Suzette includes a column, or excerpt of a column, to illustrate. Not only is it an easy read, but it is so interesting considering what is put into a column to make it resonate with readers. Examples are deeply captivating, while others are light and filled with warmth. In full disclosure, I have taken a writing course with Suzette and her book is a great example of her ability to teach in written form for those who may not ever get to take a class with her in real life. I look forward to her book The Art of Opinion Writing next!

[Rhodes Davis]

The book explores the challenges of developing a consistent voice, concise storytelling, and being fresh but familiar, within a limited space on a consistent schedule. These unique features of column writing are useful lessons for bloggers and content creators who must regularly develop similar work. The author shared personal experience, input from award-winning columnists, and sample work to convey important lessons. She broke down the topics into manageable sections that are sufficiently informative and practical without sounding like an academic textbook.

[Faye Arcand]

As a columnist I found the book to be a great reminder of exactly what it is I'm doing. The shared stories and lists would be very helpful to bloggers too, I'm sure.
She states as one of her best tips: "You don't have to solve all the world's problems in 700 words. Go with one thought and wrap 700 words around it." Awesome advice. I

[June Ahern]

Suzette Martinez Standring's writings––articles, columns, and blogs––have always been a pleasure to read, context and writing style. Therefore I was thrilled when her first book, “The Art of Column Writing”, debuted. It is for anyone who aspires to write for a small or larger periodical. Ms. Standring’s book has helped me to become a better writer doing such things as focus my writing message, find a voice. The books has so very much valuable information and true to her writing skills it is a complete “how to” successfully write a column. Her information is often true to Ms. Standring's style, funny and down to earth. You will learn not only how to reach your audience but how to be dedicated and focused to achieve the success you seek. No wonder her success as a column writer increases each year. Also in the book are interviews she had with some of the best in column writing– Dave Barry, Arianna Huffington, and Art Buchwald, to name a few. If they believed in her to give allowing an interview, I trust what she teaches and why the book is on the "read" list of several universities. Make it one of your "to read" books this year.

[Sandra]

NON-FICTION/ SPECIAL INTEREST: WRITING

If you're in any way involved in writing columns or column-like texts (for blogs or news websites, etc.), this is a must-read book. Particulary it's first section is very interesting, as it deals with the basic how-to's of writing a good column. Apart from that, the book contains some chapters on what kind of column genres there are (section 2) and some chapters debating columnist work ethics (section 3). The last part of the book (section 4) deals with column distribution and syndication. It makes for an interesting read, but I don't know how useful the given information is for European readers.

[Mary Ann]

This is a great book for bloggers as well as those looking for newspaper syndication.
A pleasant surprise for me as a chapter written by Leonard Pitts, whose columns I assigned when I was a writing teacher. Here he writes about getting beyond the knee jerk reactions to underlying cause and effect.
Other columnists discuss their beats. That could be religion, senior citizens, education, parenting, pets or music.
The advice in this book is great weather coming from a top columnist like Pitts or a working journalist like the author. Reading this book was like being back in school taking journalism classes.

[Erika Dreifus]

My review of this book appeared in the November 2008 issue of The Writer magazine.

[Alex]

Fantastic, concise advice for journalists of every kind. (Even humor, as in, Fartpaddles.)

[Aimée]

For my editorial writing class.

[Adena]

I enjoyed reading this book more than I expected. Lots of interesting anecdotes from columnists. Very useful and made me realize I want to be a columnist!