Screenwriter Straczynski (Becoming Superman) brings his 40 years of writing experience to this abrasive if intermittently insightful guide to the writing business. Aiming to deliver "accurate, practical, and advanced information that can't be found inside the classroom or within the pages of baseline writing books," Straczynski draws on his time writing scripts for Steven Spielberg and revitalizing such comic book franchises as Thor. These experiences give his tips real-world authority: his advice on how to pitch to a producer (start with an intro, describe the characters, then the story) and how to jump-start one's daily writing routine (eschew perfection and just write a sentence, even if it's awful) are practical and valuable. But his opinions can come across as dismissive--he rants against a Los Angeles Science Fiction Convention regular for not completing his manuscript----and his examples, such as explaining word-by-word the edits he made to previous drafts of this book end up being exhausting rather than exhaustive. Straczynski's goal to "reach back and help the next person up the ladder" of a writing career is laudable, but the execution is flawed. Aspiring writers can look elsewhere. Agent: Emma Parry, Janklow & Nesbit Assoc. (June)

Straczynski (Becoming Superman, 2019), a veteran of TV, comics, and film, presents a funny and candid guide to the writing life. With a novel also coming out this year (Together We Will Go), Straczynski is an authoritative voice on the craft. The first half, Becoming a Writer, is geared toward newbies and explores topics such as the drive to write, what it takes to start a career, and receiving critiques in workshops. In the second half, Staying a Writer, Straczynski digs deeper, examining burnout, confronting imposter syndrome, finding an agent, and more. Valuable tips on world building and plot development are scattered throughout. He also shares what he's learned from his myriad experiences working in Los Angeles and reinventing himself for different formats. A solid addition to the 800s shelf in any public library, this book will appeal to many writers, whether they're just starting out or have been writing for a while. Fans of Straczynski's work--he's best known for Babylon 5, a science fiction series that aired in the '90s--will also enjoy the behind-the-scenes glimpse into Hollywood.