The Art of Revising Creative Nonfiction

An invaluable resource for students looking to learn from the process of published writers, this book features the first and final drafts of creative nonfiction writing by 16 distinguished US authors alongside an essay on the revision process exploring how the piece evolved.

In this unique volume, 14 of the US's most distinguished writers pull back the curtain on their processes whilst drafting their works of creative nonfiction. Using side-by-side examples of first drafts and final versions of their writing, including original full-page reproductions from the writers’ personal notebooks, an original, illuminating essay accompanies each draft, recounting the journey from inspiration to completion. Offering a generous insight into the creative process from the rough bold strokes to refined, clear, elegant prose, this behind-the-scenes look delves into the creative minds of working writers, including African American, Latin, Asian American, and Indigenous writers from across the US.

An invaluable resource for students and instructors looking to enliven the classroom or offering practicing writers a peak into the processes of their peers, this book presents the false starts and missteps, the self-editing, tinkering, cutting, rearranging and craft working writers make in the plight for perfectly polished prose. The Art of Revising Creative Nonfiction is an enlightening and unparalleled collection of modern-day creativity in action, a must have for aspiring writers and teachers of all levels.