About the Book:

Stop What You're Doing and Write! Yes, You; Write!

Most writing guides imply – or outright state – that there's a fixed, specific formula or list of rules you must follow to achieve writing and publishing success. And all of them are phonies. Well, not completely. There are real, applicable techniques and strategies in any writing reference that can help you.

But the idea that there's only one way of writing? The scientific term for that is nuts!

With unconventional approaches to the craft, fresh angles on novel writing and selling, a healthy dose of humour, and valuable advice on everything from crafting dialogue to surviving financially as a writer, Writing Without Rules is for those writers who have tried following someone else's plan – and are ready to find success on their own terms. A major piece of advice in the book is to write often and read often, which may be standard, but there’s something else – finish what you write. In these pages, accomplished author Jeff Somers will show you:

• The key to a successful writing career is doing the actual writing, no matter the circumstances.
• Fantastic ideas are available everywhere – you just need to know how to tap into sources through a variety of approaches. Important craft aspects that you should focus on, such as characters and dialogue, while spending less time on others, like setting.
• Effective ways to get published – whether it's traditional or self-publishing – and how to supplement your income so you won't have to make ketchup soup while shopping your novel.

Whether you're a plotter, a pantser, or somewhere in-between, Writing Without Rules is for those writers who are looking for a fresh take on tackling the challenge of writing and selling a novel, and building a career. As Jeff Somers will show you, it's less about being perfect in everything, and more about having the confidence to complete everything.

What people say:

"Somers' book is lively and user-friendly, with gray boxes containing “Unconventional Tips” like: "A lot of writers come up to me at conferences or after readings and ask…Do I outline? Have I ever used software like Scrivener? Process is whatever works for you. There is no right way to write a book. While another writer's approach might offer some useful ideas, if your process generates finished work, then your process is fine." The book also talks about getting an agent, and even how he pitched and sold the project itself.." — The Hudson Reporter

About the Author:

Jeff Somers is an award-winning American fiction author with nine novels, several novellas, and over 40 short stories to his credit. His work has received numerous awards and honours. In addition to his writing career, he previously worked in the publishing industry for nearly two decades.