ABOUT THE BOOK

The Elements of Storytelling aims to give fiction writers the basic tools needed to write a story, and a map to help them avoid the obstacles that lie in the path of the unwary storyteller. It differs from other writing books by offering a holistic approach to storytelling. Telling a story is one of the most basic - and difficult - challenges a fiction writer must face. author, editor, and literary agent Peter Rubie knows that challenge firsthand. The Elements of Storytelling gives helpful advice on how to master the art of storytelling, including how to:

* Create compelling characters and plot-lines

* Pace a story and develop a coherent structure and style

* Refine your technique with thought-provoking exercises

* anticipate the realities of getting your work published - how to make it happen while maintaining confidence and motivation

"I hope lots of young writers read your book and save themselves some time and effort." -- Peter Straub, Bestselling author of KOKO, and the HELL FIRE CLUB.

"Peter Rubie lends his extensive experience as an author, book doctor, editor, and agent to this thorough and thought-provoking examination of the craft -- and art-- of writing. Rarely has such a wide perspective been brought to that hoary subject. a refreshing and inspired book of insight and advice." -- John Silbersack, former Vice President and Editor-in-Chief, HarperPrism.

"THE ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING is a book I wish I'd read before taking up fiction-writing, because it would have taught me lots of things -- entertainingly and economically -- that I learnt by hard trial and frequent error instead. I would not hesitate to recommend it to aspiring writers, or to better established ones who need reminding of the essentials of the craft. (That's all of us, by the way!)" -- Robert Goddard, Bestselling author of IN PALE BATTALIONS, and INTO THE BLUE.

"With the plethora of books about how to get happily published, to which I'm afraid I've added a few of my own, Peter Rubie's THE ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING is a model of the sound advice he gives, and every writer, newcomer and professional alike, will benefit from his insight." -- Richard Curtis, President of Richard Curtis associates, Inc., Literary agent, and author of HOW TO BE YOUR OWN LITERaRY aGENT and BEYOND THE BESTSELLER.

"Peter Rubie's emphasis on becoming a storyteller is exactly what beginning writers need to hear -- I unreservedly recommend this book to all aspiring novelists." -- Kent Carroll, Publisher and Executive Editor of Carroll & Graf Publishing.

"This invaluable step by step guide should be on every writer's bookshelf right between THE ELEMENTS OF STYLE and the thesaurus." -- Tom Colgan, Senior Editor, Berkley Books

"Peter Rubie is a savvy writing teacher; and if you read this book closely and carefully, your writing cannot help but be vastly improved."-- albert Zuckerman, President, Writers House Inc., Literary agency, author of WRITING THE BLOCKBUSTER NOVEL.

"Peter Rubie has written a wonderful book that every aspiring professional writer should own. This book is a must!"-- Mathew Bialer, Literary agent with the William Morris agency.

"Like the best guides to writing, THE ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING is brief and to the point. Every fiction writer needs this book, either to learn the essential principles of effective writing or to remind oneself of what it is that makes fiction compelling." -- J. Madison Davis, novelist, North american president of the International association of Crime Writers, Edgar allan Poe and Oklahoma book award nominee, and Senior Professor of the Professional Writing Program of the University of Oklahoma.

"If you really want to understand how to create stories that will sell in today's market you could buy a book by a writer, another by an editor, and a third by a literary agent. But it would be smarter to buy THE ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING by writer-editor-agent Peter Rubie." -- Gary Provost, novelist, author, teacher and founder of the Write It, Sell It writing seminars.

"Peter Rubie's THE ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING has an attitude, but that is its strength as I see it. It comes across as, 'Hey this is some straight scoop.' Therefore it demands attention... It is easy to read, and made much more so by the frequent use of examples. I think this book is super." -- Elizabeth Massie, two-time Stoker award winning novelist and short story writer.

"Peter Rubie sets down THE ELEMENTS OF STORYTELLING with a clarity and panache that make it de rigeur for writers. This book will make you laugh, it will make you think, and, best of all, it will make you a better writer." -- Lynn Hightower, 1994 Shamus award winner for Best First Novel.

"Should be on every writer's bookshelf right between The Elements of Style and the thesaurus," Tom Colgan, Senior Editor, Berkley Books

"a wonderful book...This is a must!" Matt Bialer, literary agent, Sanford Greenberger Agency