Books like How Not to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark

How Not to Write a Novel offers a hand‑sized reference for writers who want to stay clear of the pitfalls that keep manuscripts in the slush pile. Drawing on 30 years of teaching, editing, and reviewing fiction, authors Howard Mittelmark and Sandra Newman identify the 200 most common unconscious errors authors make. Each example is presented as a humorous "mis‑example," illustrating how the mistake can cripple a manuscript—whether it concerns plot openings and conclusions, character development, dialogue, humor, voice, or perspective. The book is not a conventional how‑to, but a practical toolkit: it shows readers how to spot each flaw, explains the underlying problem, and offers actionable advice to correct the issue. By learning what not to do, writers can streamline their drafts, improve readability, and increase the chances that editors and agents will take notice.

First publish date: 2008