How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead (Book Review)

How to Become a Famous Writer Before You're Dead, by Ariel Gore

I wanted to hate this book, just because of its flip title and its cool young author, Portland's Ariel Gore, of "Hip Mama" fame. Why would anyone want to encourage a bunch of wannabe authors to publish their work before they'd paid their dues, sweated through years of workshop critiques or waitressed their way through an M.F.A. program?

I have to admit, though, that I enjoyed the book, and I agree with many of the suggestions Gore has to offer. She stresses the importance of the "craft" side of writing, of reading and studying successful writers to learn from them, and of knowing the market for the type of writing you're producing. She also covers the downside of publishing: the advance that is bigger than the book's sales, the interview with a hostile journalist, the agony of showing up for a reading and finding a dishearteningly small audience (or finding that the bookstore hosting the event forgot about it).

Much of the book is aimed at authors who aren't trying to be the next Hemingway (or even the next Dan Brown), and her suggestions of quick ways to get your words before the eyes of a larger audience are clever and funny. These days, anyone can publish an attractive magazine on their home computer, either in print copies or as an on-line "zine" reaching thousands of readers at practically no cost.

One smart idea Gore promotes: when searching for an agent, look at some of the recently published books you enjoyed. Authors usually thank their agents in their "acknowledgements" page. If you feel that your style is quite similar to that of Author X, his agent might be a good one to contact, and by mentioning your familiarity with Author X's work, you'll show that you've done your homework.

For a writer who is aiming high or just trying to find an audience, Ariel Gore has advice, pep talks, and plenty of personal anecdotes. There are also interviews with some famous (and not-so-famous) published authors, each of whom provides a writing exercise to help sharpen the novice writer's skills. Gore's style is upbeat without being inane, and the brief chapters make it the perfect book to dip into while waiting for inspiration to strike.

(Published by Three Rivers Press; ISBN 978-0307346483)