The Kick Ass Writer

The journey to become a successful writer is long, fraught with peril, and filled with difficult questions: How do I write dialogue? How do I build suspense? What should I know about query letters? How do I start? The best way to answer these questions is to ditch your uncertainty and transform yourself into a KICK-ASS writer. This new book from award-winning author Chuck Wendig combines the best of his eye-opening writing instruction--previously available in e-book form only--with all-new insights into writing and publishing. It's an explosive broadside of gritty advice that will destroy your fears, clear the path, and help you find your voice, your story, and your audience. You'll explore the fundamentals of writing, learn how to obtain publication, and master the skills you need to build an army of dedicated fans. No task is too large or small for the kick-ass writer. With his trademark acerbic wit and gut-punch humor, Wendig will explain: • How to build suspense, craft characters, and defeat writer's block. • How to write a scene, an ending--even a sentence. • Blogging techniques, social media skills, and crowdfunding. • How to write a query letter, talk to agents, and deal with failure--and success! Whether you're just starting out or you need one more push to get you over the top, two things are for certain--a kick-ass writer never quits, and chuck Wendig won't let you down in this high-octane guide to becoming the writer you were born to be.

This month marks 10 YEARS OF KICK-ASS„the greatest superhero comic of all time! That also means it's been 10 years since Hit-Girl, the world's deadliest tween assassin, exploded onto the scene to slaughter super villains and serve hot justice to the scum of New York City. In KICK-ASS: THE DAVE LIZEWSKI YEARS, VOL. 2, she trains a novice Kick-Ass in the lethal fighting styles she learned from Big Daddy. In return, Kick-Ass is helping her survive middle school...without any bloodshed. When Kick-Ass gets benched, Hit-Girl has to take on the mafia solo. Collects HIT-GIRL #1-5

Readers who eagerly anticipate each new Carl Hiaasen novel will relish this selection of his Miami Herald columns, written with the same dark humor and satirical edge as Tourist Season, Strip Tease, Stormy Weather, and the rest of Hiaasen’s brilliant and nationally acclaimed fiction. Known for evoking the disastrously flawed paradise of modern South Florida, Hiaasen proves in these columns that facts can indeed be stranger than the fiction they inspire. Beginning with "Welcome to South Florida," a chapter introducing such everyday events as animal sacrifice, riots at the beach, and a shootout over limes at the supermarket, this collection organizes over 200 columns into 18 chapters, chronicling the events and defining the issues that have kept the South Florida melting pot bubbling throughout the ‘80s and ‘90s. An introductory essay provides an overview of Hiaasen’s career and outlines his principal concerns as a journalist. Since its inception in 1985, Hiaasen’s twice-weekly "baseball-bat-to-the-forehead" column has become enormously popular for its passionate conviction and willingness to confront powerful interests in pursuit of the public good. Amid the corruption and chaos of a city on the edge, Hiaasen’s pointblank honesty and clear articulation of what’s right have secured him wide respect across the community’s many racial and ethnic divides as well as the admiration of his peers, who compare him to A. J. Leibling, I. F. Stone, and H. L. Mencken. In addition to South Florida color and world-class journalism, readers of Kick Ass will find one of Florida’s staunchest defenders in action, and they’ll take great pleasure in watching him work.

Wanna learn how to write a book that doesn't suck...and will actually make you moolah? Well, in "How to Write a Book That Doesn't Suck" you'll discover the secrets to turning your insight, expertise (and crazy rants) into actual income.

Kick-Ass is ready to strike, but Santos and Violencia have joined forces to crush her. The brother-in-law she put in a coma is starting to stir—will he wake up and expose her identity?

Contains material originally published in single magazine form as Kick-Ass #1-8.

Don’t Just Say It – Sell it! You don’t need a professional ad agency or copywriter to create kick-ass marketing copy. This hands-on guide takes you step by step and shows you how to create marketing messages that capture attention and boost profits. "Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps is a must-read for any small to midsized business owner. It translates difficult writing ideas into everyday language and empowers the average business owner to write more persuasively in a simple, step-by-step process. My advice? Buy this book–and read it twice!" —Dean Reick, direct marketing copywriter, DirectCreative.com " ...Susan’s warm, engaging style and emphasis on real-world specifics will make even the most writing-phobic business owners feel more confident in their advertising efforts. Susan packs plenty of useful copywriting tools, illustrations, and checklists between the covers, too. Her full-featured 'Copywriting Outline' is surely worth the entire price of admission. Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps is a superb addition to any small-business owner's ready-reference shelf." —Roberta Rosenberg, "The Copywriting Maven" and President, MGP Direct Inc. “Susan Gunelius has created a simple-to- understand guide to writing effective and hard working copy for nonprofessionals such as small-business owners and others who recognize they need to develop this essential skill to promote their business. Kick-ass Copywriting in 10 Easy Steps covers virtually every topic the aspiring copywriter needs to know, from the crafting of impactful copy, to where best to run it. Ms. Gunelius’ book should be on every small business owner’s bookshelf.” —George Parker, creative consultant, author of MadScam, and advertising blogger at Adscam and Adhurl

Being a hybrid writer guarantees that your writing journey will never be dull. Hybrid writers don't stay inside the lines. In a 24 hour period, a writer today may pen a blog post, submit an article to an editor on another continent via e-mail, publish an e-book, update their social media statuses, and post a couple of tweets. Most days feel like you are navigating a literary minefield! This book delves into issues pertinent to the modern hybrid writer, providing a blueprint on how to succeed. The topics in this writing guide include blogging, publishing e-books, working with editors, dealing with critics, time management, writer's block, CVs, motivation, writing a book series, digital protection measures, deadlines, creative stress, query letters, writing environments, handling negative book reviews, pimping up your website, goal setting, finding your voice, copyright issues, respecting your writing, erotica writing, writing conferences, technostress, rejection, collaborative writing, and dozens of additional topics. The wisdom and input of over 170 writers is included in this guidebook. Here's to us, the hybrid writers who adapt no matter what the publishing world throws at us!