"Brilliant, time-tested and clear" advice that will help writers at all stages, in all genres, write their very best book-and then make it better. As a freelance editor for more than a decade, Williams has shepherded books from rough draft to polished manuscripts bought by Big Five houses, university and literary presses, and for independent publishers. Now, she distills everything she's learned from editing hundreds of drafts, coaching writers past creative blocks, and navigating authors through querying and publication, into this useful guide for every step from idea to book. Seven Drafts: Self-Edit Like a Pro from Blank Page to Book divides writing and revision into distinct stages, with a new focus in each draft. Williams' frank, funny voice encourages writers to tackle even big editing tasks with a sense of humor and a feeling that someone who understands is on their side. With plenty of fresh examples, insider wisdom, and snappy footnotes, Seven Drafts teaches story, character, elements of writing craft and structure, how to seek and use feedback, and the publication process.
Reviews
Praise for Allison K Williams' Get Published in Literary Magazines (Coriander Press): "A really practical list of approaches instead of the more common platitudes people hand out (keep trying, etc.)" Jocelyn Bartkevicius, former editor of The Florida Review
"Allison Williams separates myth from fact to provide crucial, no-nonsense advice on the practical side of being a writer, and she does it with deft humor. You couldn't ask for a better coach." Dinty W. Moore, author of The Mindful Writer and The Story Cure: A Book Doctor's Pain-Free Guide to Finishing Your Novel or Memoir
"Allison Williams' no-nonsense advice on this daunting aspect of the literary life is bright, thorough, and practical. Williams offers guidelines and encouragement with engaging selfawareness. I will follow her anywhere." Robert V. Hansmann
"If you want a straight-talking, practical guide to finding your market, calibrating your skill level and getting in print, you can't do better than this. She knows the game, she knows the rules. She knows every shortcut you'll want to take and will tell you which ones might work and which ones will come back to haunt you. Part motivational essay, part how-to bible, part resource treasure-trove." Christopher Buehlman, author of The Lesser Dead and The Suicide Motor Club
"Allison Williams understands at a molecular level what makes prose work. As a sounding board, beta reader, and drop-everything-I'm-doing-to-meet-her coffeehouse workshop partner, Allison has made my writing better. Let her do that for you." Christopher Buehlman, author of The Lesser Dead and The Blacktongue Thief
"Allison is... like a friend privately taking you aside, delivering the honest truth you need, in a way that makes you enthusiastic to keep on going, even when the work gets very hard." Jane Friedman, publishing expert and author of The Business of Being a Writer
"Allison coached me from first-eververy shittysentence all the way through publishing my debut novel with Knopf. She taught me everythingfrom writing how-to, to prioritizing my writing time (yes, I was allowed to let the dirty dishes stack up in my sink!)..." Rhiannon Navin, author of Only Child
" Seven Drafts contains specific examples from popular books that illustrate her points, exercises guaranteed to improve your writing, and a comprehensive self-editing checklist that will have you yelling, 'Jackpot!'" Lisa Ellison, Editor and Writing Coach
"In Seven Drafts , Allison K Williams is your partner in shaping your writing into something that is worth buying." Ashleigh Renard, author of SWING
"Allison is one of the most gifted writing teachers I know. She's like a friend privately taking you aside, delivering the honest truth you need, in a way that makes you enthusiastic to keep on going, even when the work gets very hard." Jane Friedman, publishing expert and author of The Business of Being a Writer
"I had nearly given up on finding an agent when I decided to rework my manuscript with Allison's help. After the revisions, an agent who had told me I could resubmit decided to represent me, and my book was acquired by Penguin Random House!" Karen Fine, author of The Other Family Doctor: A Veterinarian's View of Love, Loss, Mortality and Mindfulness
"Incredibly well-written, funny and filled with great examples to help writers improve their craft." Jessica Jarlvi, author of When I Wake Up and What Did I Do?


Awards
Commended for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards (Reference) 2021.



Book Information
ISBN 9781949116458
Author Allison K Williams
Format Paperback
Page Count 456
Imprint Woodhall Press
Publisher Woodhall Press