Member Reviews
Liz and Ariel host a great podcast on writing, and I was excited to dig into this book. It's a great choice for any author! From formatting a book to dealing with "writer's block," they have thoughts and answers and act as lovely guides along the writing/publishing journey. This would make a great gift for the author in your life!
Book Review: Hungry Authors: The Indispensable Guide to Planning, Writing, and Publishing a Nonfiction Book by Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry
As someone who once approached book writing without much consideration for genre, audience, or the nuances of publishing, *Hungry Authors* was an eye-opening read that completely transformed my understanding of what it takes to bring a nonfiction book to life. Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry have crafted a guide that is not only practical but also refreshingly optimistic and humorous, making it a must-read for aspiring authors who are serious about their craft.
The book is divided into well-organized sections that take readers through the entire process, from the initial spark of an idea to the final stages of publication. Morrow and Curry emphasize the importance of building a solid foundation right from the start—something I had never considered before. They clarify that understanding what a publisher is looking for, positioning your book correctly, and knowing exactly who your audience is are crucial steps that can make or break your book's success.
One of the most impactful insights I gained from Hungry Authors was the concept of "book mapping" and the importance of transforming a big idea into a structured, manageable plan. The difference between sitting down to write and strategically planning your book with idea maps and outlines is enormous. It’s a lesson in discipline and foresight that many, including myself, might overlook. Establishing writing rhythms and putting fears aside to focus on getting words down—knowing you can always make it pretty later—is another vital piece of advice that Morrow and Curry stress, helping to demystify the often daunting writing process.
The book is filled with tips and tricks for catching the attention of agents and publishers, even if you don’t have a massive platform, which is incredibly encouraging for debut authors. Morrow and Curry also provide access to a treasure trove of additional resources through their website, www.hungryauthors.com, making this guide even more invaluable.
Hungry Authors is a game-changer for anyone writing and publishing a nonfiction book. It’s packed with wisdom, encouragement, and actionable advice that will leave you feeling capable and excited to embark on your writing journey. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting, this book is the tool to take your idea from a dream to a published reality.
#HungryAuthors #NetGalley
This is a really interesting and useful book that guides the reader through the process of planning, writing and publishing a nonfiction book. It is easy to read and written in an entertaining style. I found it incredibly valuable and am planning to use what I have learned when I write my next book. Recommended for anyone who has an interest in writing a nonfiction book, you will not be disappointed.
First of all, the title is incredible. It invites hungry, starving, desperate authors to come drink a cool glass of water and wisdom. I love how the authors are so down to earth, honest about the publishing process, and easy to follow. They make the publishing process DO-ABLE! It is very encouraging.
I think the visuals, graphs, and illustrations are key to helping a new author or even seasoned author put together their book. The step-by-step chapters are perfect to follow along, and motivational so that the writer isn’t tempted to give in.
Hungry Authors is a fantastic read! Highly recommend!
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for this review!
This is such an entertaining and helpful book! Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry offer expert, practical advice and walk you step-by-step through defining your audience, picking your book topic, mapping your book, writing the first draft, and pitching or self-publishing it. The authors manage to inject humor and personality into what could have been a dry topic, making for an enjoyable and pleasant read. Their book mapping process is something you can't find anywhere else, and as someone who has worked with them and used this process, I can attest to how transformative it is! This book will be an invaluable guide to any aspiring non-fiction author who wants to plan, write, and publish their first book.
Disclaimer; I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review of the book and am personal friends with the authors.
I have followed Ariel and Liz for a while and was thrilled their knowledge would be captured in a book to help "hungry authors" like myself. This book is packed with information to help you plan a non-fiction book, their knowledge as insiders in the industry, and how to achieve publishing goals (whether you traditionally publish or use a hybrid). I love the down-to-earth writing, Liz and Ariel feel like one of us and they understand the hunger to write! They address common fears that we have as writers, and how to break past barriers with confidence through planning well. I have used a hybrid publisher three times, but I am working on a book that (I hope) will be a better fit for traditional publishing now. "Hungry Authors" is a great resource to help break planning down step by step to have a solid pitch and proposal. If you have a non-fiction book simmering under the surface wanting to be shared with the world-- get this book.
As a newcomer crafting my first prescriptive non-fiction work, Liz Morrow and Ariel Curry's "Hungry Authors" have been an invaluable guide. I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered this gem – it masterfully lays out the foundational elements of crafting a compelling book that captivates readers. As a kindred "Hungry Author," I found immense value in their insights on the various publishing avenues and detailed advice on structuring a manuscript. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to all aspiring authors eager to make a mark on the world with their writings. "Hungry Authors" isn't just a book; it's a game changer!
This is a solid book for people interested in writing nonfiction for the trade market. It's especially good for people who haven't done much craft study specific to nonfiction. The authors pitch was, "The Story Grid for nonfiction writers" which won't make a whole lot of sense to some readers who haven't read The Story Grid, but basically it is the information needed as you develop your book to develop something that is compelling and marketable. Atomic Habits and Eat, Pray, Love are used several times as examples, along with several other books.
This was a helpful and insightful book. It shows through examples, tips and tricks how to write and get published a variety of nonfiction material. The advice is not complicated. Great book for any nonfiction writer.
A very helpful book! The book presented the information in a way that I found enjoyable. I have written a book and am hungry to do more, so this was an excellent resource. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Hungry Authors is a non-fiction book about writing, overcoming writer’s block, planning your book, publishing and how to be a professional writer.
It exceeded my expectations - the topic is close to me, but mainly for another medium, and I was not expecting to find such new, vast and useful information in a book about publishing. The tone is encouraging, positive but never delusional.
This is a wonderful book for hungry authors, wordsmiths, originators who wish to learn about writing and publishing from scratch, and those who are informed to a degree but want to amplify their strengths.