Jane Friedman

I meet many writers whose first project is a memoir or personal narrative of some kind—but these are often the most difficult stories to tell in a way that's not cliched, self-pitying, or vengeful. Gornick helps you avoid the many pitfalls.

One of the extremely few books for writers written by an editor inside the publishing industry (who is now an agent). The voice and attitude reflect understanding and empathy for the writer, but the book offers some tough love as well.