First published 1987
Jonathan Raban opens his accounts of the writing life with brutal honesty about money troubles and creative blocks. He examines the constant tension between artistic independence and financial survival that defines most writers' careers. Raban admits that travel often serves as his refuge when facing the terror of empty pages. He analyzes the craft behind effective book reviewing and celebrates the crucial work of literary editors who shape publishing. Throughout, he shares amusing and eccentric episodes from his years in London's literary circles. The book reveals how writers balance their love for the craft against the practical need to earn a living. Raban explores questions of self-worth that plague authors when royalty checks fail to arrive and reviews turn harsh. His reflections move between the mundane realities of freelance life and the deeper motivations that keep writers working despite uncertainty. The result captures both the absurdities and genuine rewards of choosing words as a profession.
Genres: non-fiction, biography-memoir, 21st-century, academic
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: creative-blocks, self-worth
350 pages · Hardcover · Collins Harvill