Skip to content

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University Paperback - 2007 - 1st Edition

by Mark Kramer (Editor); Wendy Call (Editor)

Inspiring stories and practical advice from America's most respected journalists

The country's most prominent journalists and nonfiction authors gather each year at Harvard's Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism. Telling True Stories presents their best advice covering everything from finding a good topic, to structuring narrative stories, to writing and selling your first book. More than fifty well-known writers offer their most powerful tips, including:
á Tom Wolfe on the emotional core of the story
á Gay Talese on writing about private lives
á Malcolm Gladwell on the limits of profiles
á Nora Ephron on narrative writing and screenwriters
á Alma Guillermoprieto on telling the story and telling the truth
á Dozens of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists from the Atlantic Monthly, New Yorker, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more . . .

The essays contain important counsel for new and career journalists, as well as for freelance writers, radio producers, and memoirists. Packed with refreshingly candid and insightful recommendations, Telling True Stories will show anyone fascinated by the art of writing nonfiction how to bring people, scenes, and ideas to life on the page.


Summary

Inspiring stories and practical advice from America’s most respected journalists

The country’s most prominent journalists and nonfiction authors gather each year at Harvard’s Nieman Conference on Narrative Journalism. Telling True Stories presents their best advice—covering everything from finding a good topic, to structuring narrative stories, to writing and selling your first book. More than fifty well-known writers offer their most powerful tips, including:
Tom Wolfe on the emotional core of the story
Gay Talese on writing about private lives
Malcolm Gladwell on the limits of profiles
Nora Ephron on narrative writing and screenwriters
Alma Guillermoprieto on telling the story and telling the truth
• Dozens of Pulitzer Prize–winning journalists from the Atlantic Monthly, New Yorker, New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post and more . . .

The essays contain important counsel for new and career journalists, as well as for freelance writers, radio producers, and memoirists. Packed with refreshingly candid and insightful recommendations, Telling True Stories will show anyone fascinated by the art of writing nonfiction how to bring people, scenes, and ideas to life on the page.

From the publisher

Includes bibliographical references (p. [289]-296) and index

Details

  • Title Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University
  • Author Mark Kramer (Editor); Wendy Call (Editor)
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition number 1st
  • Edition 1
  • Pages 336
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Plume Books, New York
  • Date 2007-02-01
  • Features Bibliography, Index, Price on Product - Canadian, Table of Contents
  • ISBN 9780452287556 / 0452287553
  • Weight 0.63 lbs (0.29 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.98 x 5.36 x 0.73 in (20.27 x 13.61 x 1.85 cm)
  • Ages 18 to UP years
  • Grade levels 13 - UP
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2006026809
  • Dewey Decimal Code 070.43

Media reviews

Citations

  • Library Journal, 12/01/2006, Page 134

About the author

Mark Kramer was writer-in-residence in the American Studies Program at Smith College (1980-1990), writer-in-residence and a professor of journalism at Boston University (1990-2001), and writer-in-residence and founding director of the Nieman Program on Narrative Journalism at Harvard University (2001-2007). He's written for the New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The Atlantic Monthly, and many other periodicals. He's co-author of two leading textbook/readers on narrative nonfiction: Telling True Stories and Literary Journalism. He's written four additional books: Mother Walter and the Pig Tragedy, Three Farms, Invasive Procedures, and Travels with a Hungry Bear. He's currently at work on a book about writing narrative nonfiction. His website is www.tellingtruestories.com.

Wendy Call is author of No Word for Welcome: The Mexican Village Faces the Global Economy, winner of the 2011 Grub Street National Book Prize for Nonfiction. She co-edited Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide. Wendy has served as Writer in Residence at 20 institutions, five national parks, four universities, a public hospital, and a historical archive. She writes and edits nonfiction, translates Mexican poetry and short fiction, and works as a teacher at Richard Hugo House and Goddard College. Before turning to full-time word-working in 2000, she devoted a decade to work for social change organizations in Boston and Seattle. The daughter of a middle-school math teacher and a career Navy officer from Michigan, Wendy grew up on and around military bases in Florida, Pennsylvania, southern California, and southern Maryland. She lives and works in Seattle.

Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

by Kramer, Mark; Call, Wendy

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • first
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Edition
1
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.28
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume. 1. Acceptable. Acceptable. Heavy wear. Ship within 24hrs. Satisfaction 100% guaranteed. APO/FPO addresses supported
Item Price
$5.28
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

by Mark Kramer

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
8
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Plume Books, 2007. Paperback. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

by Mark Kramer

  • Used
  • Very Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Very Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2007. Paperback. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

by Mark Kramer

  • Used
  • Good
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2007. Paperback. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

by Mark Kramer

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2007. Paperback. Acceptable. Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

by Mark Kramer

  • Used
  • Acceptable
  • Paperback
Condition
Used - Acceptable
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Seattle, Washington, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 4 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group, 2007. Paperback. Acceptable. Disclaimer:Former library book; Readable copy. Pages may have considerable notes/highlighting. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
Item Price
$5.99
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
7
Seller
Reno, Nevada, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

  • Used
Condition
Used - Very Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
2
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Very Good. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
4
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA
Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard...
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Telling True Stories : A Nonfiction Writers' Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University

  • Used
Condition
Used - Good
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780452287556 / 0452287553
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Penguin Publishing Group. Used - Good. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in clean, average condition without any missing pages.
Item Price
$7.09
FREE shipping to USA