Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow

Steve Almond is the author of a dozen books of fiction and nonfiction, including All The Secrets of The World and the New York Times bestsellers Candyfreak and Against Football. His essays and reviews have been published in venues ranging from the New York Times Magazine to Ploughshares to Poets & Writers, and his short fiction has appeared in Best American Short Stories, The Pushcart Prize, Best American Mysteries, and Best American Erotica. Almond is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and co-hosted the Dear Sugars podcast with Cheryl Strayed for four years. He teaches at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism, and lives outside Boston with his family, his debt, and his anxiety.

“Truth Is the Arrow is a distillation of what Almond teaches. And he does it with verve, candor, style, and courage. . . . Almond is a master.” —Forbes“Tempting as it must be to write a self-congratulatory craft book full of breezy expertise, this volume is a total reversal of that impulse. Rather than giving us polished gems of writerly wisdom devoid of context, Almond takes us with him to the proverbial mines. . . . Almond’s vulnerability makes this book a useful companion for writers on difficult journeys of their own. . . . This isn’t . . . just a book about writing. It’s a book about honesty: what makes it elusive, the risks it implies, and not just how to pursue it, but also why.” —The Boston Globe“[A] helpful supplement to any writer’s practice, be they a novice or a seasoned vet. . . . His prose has the cozy formality of a writers’ workshop, and he delivers a treasure trove of examples from literature to prove each point. He emphasizes the roles of humor and doubt and advises on how to write authentic intimacy, break the cycle of writer’s block, and move beyond entitlement and into wisdom.” —Booklist"Always candid and humane, Almond’s book will appeal to writers of all different skill levels seeking insights into the wondrous art of storytelling.... An engaging reading guidebook to the writing life." —Kirkus “Hilarious, heartfelt, and hopeful.” —Star Tribune“At first, we thought, ‘Just what the world needs, another “how-to” book.’ Then we read author Steve Almond’s Truth is the Arrow Mercy is the Bow: A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories. It is an entertaining and informative book on writing that is also a great read.” —Wisconsin Public Radio“Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is one of the best books on writing I’ve ever read. It’s also the funniest by a country mile.” —Richard Russo, author of the North Bath trilogy“Steve Almond has done something remarkable here; he has demystified the writer’s tool kit without over simplifying the brave descent into mystery that is every writer’s task. Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is deeply edifying, funny, often moving, erudite, wonderfully wise, and downright inspiring. I highly recommend this soul-nourishing and helpful book!” —Andre Dubus III, author of Such Kindness“Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is an insightful and delightful book about how we hone the craft and embolden the heart in order to write well. Clear, compelling, and rich with wisdom and humor, Steve Almond has written an essential and timeless book for writers.” —Cheryl Strayed, author of Wild and Tiny Beautiful Things “Steve Almond is a master teacher, which is to say he is smart, humble and brave. Much more than just method and strategy, truth and mercy become, in these pages, instructions for meeting the world authentically, which makes for better writing, and a far more valuable life.” —Pam Houston, author of Deep Creek: Finding Hope In The High Country“Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is a hilarious book that will kick your writing to the next level. I salivated over it and underlined like a madwoman.” —Maria Semple, author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette