John Vorwald

I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it has good information and is presented well. It is easy to read and has good examples from common short stories.

On the other hand, I don't feel it delivers what it promises, guidance for writing a short story. Almost all of the book discusses material that is generic to fiction writing. Little focuses on the short story, it often felt like an afterthought.

I would have liked, and expected the book to assume a moderate knowledge of writing and to focus on the distinctions unique to writing a short story.

Overall, it is a very good writing reference, but not a good one for short stories.… (more)