Product Description
In college and graduate school, Jewell Parker Rhodes never encountered a single reading assignment or exercise that featured a person of color. Now she has made it her mission to rectify the situation, gathering advice and inspiring tips tailored for African Americans seeking to express their life experiences. Comprehensive and totally energizing, the African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction bursts with supportive topics such as:

· Finding your voice
· Getting to know your literary ancestors
· Overcoming a bruised ego and finding the determination to pursue your dreams
· Gathering material and conducting research
· Tapping sweet, bittersweet, and joyful memories
· Knowing when to keep revising, and when to let go

The guide also features unforgettable excerpts from luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Brent Staples, Houston Baker, and pointers from bestselling African American authors Patrice Gaines, E. Lynn Harris, James McBride, John Hope Franklin, Pearl Cleage, Edwidge Danticat, and many others. It is a uniquely nurturing and informative touchstone for affirming, bearing witness, leaving a legacy, and celebrating the remarkable journey of the self.

Amazon.com Review
Telling life stories is a cultural heritage that African Americans can trace back hundreds of years, to the West African storytellers-musicians-historians called griots. In The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction, Jewell Parker Rhodes encourages African American writers to be modern-day griots, acquainting themselves with the work of earlier writers and committing their own lives and the lives of others to paper. As with Free Within Ourselves, in which Rhodes focused on fiction writing, it would be a shame for non-African Americans to overlook this book. Rhodes's advice on writing (autobiography, memoir, and personal essays), revising, and getting published is solid, clear, and specific. She manages to make cheery affirmations not seem cloying. And she provides copious excerpts from a compelling African American canon, including longer pieces by Nathan McCall, Maya Angelou, Patrice Gaines, and Lorene Cary. The book concludes with advice from more than 30 black writers, including Pearl Cleage. "Tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth," Cleage urges, "especially about the stuff you'd rather lie about." --Jane Steinberg ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A Guide Apart
Being a writer myself, I must confess that I have attended various writing workshops, read many books on the subject, own my fair share, and instruct a workshop on creative writing.So when I received The African American guide to Writing and Publishing Non-fiction I sighed."Not another how to book."

I was pleasantly surprised that Jewell Parker Rhodes put a tremendous amount of effort into setting this guide apart from all others.I found reason why an author would want to add this book to a probable growing collection.I am very impressed with the extent of research.She uses excerpts as examples from the works of various African American Authors throughout history, which in itself is enlightening.She also has included an extensive list of resources for the African American author which is an asset because such a list would not be found in the resource section of every book on this subject.

Her tone, throughout the book, gently guides the reader through the complexity of writing.The reader is propelled into self examination on a deeper level.After reading this book you may very well gain a new perspective and view the world around you a little differently.The personal advice she adds at the end of the chapters compliments her tone and drives her point home.She has even gone as far as to add advice from other successful writers.There is a great deal to be gained fro this guide into writing and I urge everyone who has even so much as considered writing whether it be fiction or non-fiction to purchase this book.

Do you want to write non-fiction?
Have you ever dreamed of writing non-fiction?Whether you are
interested in writing a memoir, autobiography or essay this book will
help move you closer to your goal of publishing.Even if you don't
wish to publish your writing, this book provides practical steps to get
you writing.

The actual structure of the book is reminiscent of a basic writing
course.Rhodes provides a mix of instruction, writing exercises,
excerpts and analysis of the works of leading African American authors.
She uses the works of prominent African American authors to demonstrate how particular writing skills can be used effectively.

As for the writing exercises, in the opening chapters Rhodes encourages
the reader to purchase a writing journal.Each of the writing
exercises is to be placed in that journal along with any other
writings.If you complete the exercises as you progress through the
book by the end you will find that you have developed the foundations
for several of your own future writings.

The practical advice Rhodes includes in this book is invaluable.She
discusses ways to find time to write, ways to research topics of
interest and strongly encourages all writers (or aspiring writers) to
become avid readers as well.She demonstrates how reading a variety of
genres with a writer's eye, can give you as a writer new ideas and help you hone your writing skills.In the concluding chapters of the book,
Rhodes incorporates words of encouragement and advice from other
well-known African American authors and a comprehensive list of other useful
resources for aspiring African American writers.

Rhodes does a wonderful job of weaving the history of non-fiction works
by African American writers and in the process will inspire you.Her
practical advice and exercises will motivate you to get you started and
continue to write.The additional resources she provides, will keep you
working even after you have finished the book.I truly enjoyed this
book, my only disappointment was in the fact that I was reading it for
review and therefore could not work through the activities as I read.
I rarely read a book twice, but I have purchased my writing journal and
plan to re-read this book in the near future.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay

Jewell Parker Rhodes Has Done It Again!
Once again, Jewell Parker Rhodes has shared the secrets of her success with aspiring writers. As with her guide for fiction writers, FREE WITHIN OURSELVES, she offers concrete advice to writers while providing encouragement and nurturance. In addition, there is a lengthy appendix which lists resources for writers seeking agents and publishers.All I can say is that I wish this book had been around when I began my career!

Excellent Book..Informative and Useful Advice....
Jewell Parker Rhodes new book is excellent!!! It offers useful and cogent advice to all writers. "The African American Guide to Writing and Publishing NonFiction," is a wonderful addition and follow-up to her equally dynamic book a year or so ago, "Free Within Ourselves." Perhaps the reason why the reader in Alexandria, Va. was unable to understand or appreciate Ms. Parker-Rhodes new book is because the reviewer is simply confused and moronic about all of the elements that are needed in order to create a masterful piece of writing.
Careless errors such as misspellings and unintelligible ramblings as vividly noted in the hapless reviewers jumbled critique of the book, are the sure signs of a bumbling amateur and not a serious author. I commend Ms. Parker-Rhodes for her splendid new book!!!

Not what I was expecting
Jewell Parker Rhodes's new writers guide is a real let down. It doesn't offer any concrete advice. The whole book is excerpts of other non-fiction books and bits of pep talk. I took my copy back and was refunded my money. You'd be better off reading an old copy of Frances Spatz Leighton's guide to non fiction writing. ... Read more

Product Description
Each book contains a wide range of worksheets, each with specific teachers' notes, covering the main genres required by the NLS: Recounts, Instructions, Reports, Explanation, Persuasion, Discussion.. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Valuable Information--Highly Recommended
Are you interested in writing a book? Here is a quick and simple guide to take you through the entire process. From choosing your topic, to outlining your table of contents, to structuring your time to write quickly and effectively, the author lays out a proven process for successful authoring and publishing. This is a must read for someone who has an unfinished manuscript, or someone who'd like a general overview of the writing and publishing process. The knowledge is imparted in simple and clear terms, with relevant examples. ... Read more

Product Description
Each book contains a wide range of worksheets, each with specific teachers' notes, covering the main genres required by the NLS: Recounts, Instructions, Reports, Explanation, Persuasion, Discussion.. ... Read more

Product Description
Volume 4 Famous Writers Course ... Read more

Product Description
Carefully graded pupil books, for years 3 to 6, focus on the core skills and will help pupils develop their ideas and gain confidence in their writing ability. They provide coverage of a range of text types and genres, including narrative, drama, poetry, recount, instructional, reports, explanatory, persuasive and discursive writing, following the NLS objectives for Teaching English at KS2. Designed to support the CDs, "Igniting Writing Pupils' Books" offer a skills-based approach to aid pupils in extended writing tasks for fiction, non-fiction and poetry. They use Sue Palmer's writing skeletons to help pupils' structure both fiction and non-fiction writing. Pupil Books can also be used independently of the CDs as a standalone resource. ... Read more