The Fourth Genre: Contemporary Writers of/on Creative Non-Fiction

This best-selling anthology is a comprehensive and indispensable introduction and guide to the way creative nonfiction is written today. An anthology in Part I introduces readers to works by exemplary contemporary writers in the genre of creative nonfiction—Annie Dillard, Patricia Hampl, among others. Part II presents articles discussing the forms and issues surrounding the fourth genre, including pieces by writers whose work appears in Part I. Part III pairs essays and memoirs with articles by their authors explaining their composing processes when they wrote the essay. Ideal for individuals interested in learning to write contemporary creative nonfiction.

The Fourth Genre: Contemporary Writers of/on Creative Nonfiction, 2/e is a comprehensive and indispensable introduction and guide to the way creative nonfiction is written today. The selections represent a wide range of contemporary creative nonfiction, including examples in essay, memoir, literary journalism, and cultural criticism. These readings establish a thorough grounding in the nature of the genre and provide excellent models for writing. The articles about nonfiction forms, issues, and writing strategies in Part II, mostly written by authors whose work appears in Part I, give readers an inside view of the writers' creative processes. Part III consists of essays and memoirs paired with articles by their authors discussing the essays' creation and the writers' methods and strategies. Introductions to each part provide an overview of that section, preparing readers for the selections to come. Two alternative tables of contents organize the readings by subgenres and approaches, connecting the three distinctive sections of the book. For anyone interested in writing creative non-fiction.