Writing the Blockbuster Novel

By: Albert Zuckerman

Narrated by: Michael Russotto

Every novelist dreams of it - writing the book that rockets to the top of the best-seller lists. Now, they can see how it's done, up close, in an audiobook by an agent who has sold manuscripts that turned into hits. Here Albert Zuckerman covers the essential elements of the blockbuster novel and shows writers how to put them to work in their books. Zuckerman covers the subject thoroughly, from creating outlines and building larger than life characters to injecting suspense and more. His instruction is decisive, direct and clear and is supported with examples from Gone With the Wind, The Godfather, and other blockbusters.

©2013 Al Zuckerman (P)2013 Random House Audio

The Exception

Much of the writing "self-help" guides out there are similar to celebrity rehab facilities, rarely beneficial and most likely a lost cause. Zuckerman's guide is the exception. Full of practical examples and actual outlines, first drafts, and revisions, Writing the Blockbuster Novel takes your from the crib to the grave of the writing process.

Crucial for Authors or soon to be authors!

The outlining tutorials, revising stakes and beats in each chapter were so helpful. Zuckerman helps you visualize what your book can be.

treasure

A treasure for writers, willing to put a lot of hard work in their manuscript, in order to make it as commercially good as possible.

Awesome!

The way he used real examples from existing novels to show the journey of the outline through 4 drafts is priceless. Highly recommended

Helpful

I’ll be honest. I knew most of what was discussed in this book and from more engaging sources. Still, what was covered was good. A lot doesn't work well as an audiobook, such as examples of work that's been rewritten for study purposes. I'd recommend buying the paperback for that reason.

Good but unnecessarily toooooo long

He makes some great points but I get lost in all the long written examples. If only this book could be shortened, and we don't have to hear long examples of other books, it would be a much much better book. It seemed as though he had to fill a word count for a publisher.

A Masterclass for Novelists

I read this book 20 years ago, and recently discovered the Audible version. Zuckerman’s insights into the publishing industry are illuminating, and his critical analyses of ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Gone with the Wind,’ and two more bestsellers are authoritative and always interesting. This book is equal to a semester or more in an MFA in creative writing program.

Disappointed

What disappointed you about Writing the Blockbuster Novel?

The book was heavily dated, inexact and sweeping in its descriptions of writing techniques, and it leaned too much on lengthy examples without distilling from them the core of the craft.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

No redeeming qualities, alas.

Any additional comments?

One wonders why audible does not instead produce the really good books on writing, such as Dwight Swains Techniques of the Selling Writer.