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Heather Sellers
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Chapter after Chapter Paperback – September 29, 2009

by Heather Sellers (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 18 ratings
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Writing a Book is a Journey—don't get lost along the way

Writing a book requires a focus, a sense of knowing and trusting in yourself and your work. And it requires an unflinching commitment to staying the course. Chapter After Chapter shows you how to build on your good writing habits, accrue and recognize tiny successes, and turn your dedication to the craft into the book you always knew you could write if you could just stay with it.

Heather Sellers, author of Page After Page, draws on her first-hand experience as a novelist, poet, memoirist, and children's book author to help you prepare for whatever roadblocks you might encounter while writing the book of your dreams. You'll discover how to celebrate the momentum of slow and steady, stay in love with your book project through soggy middles and long revisions, and embrace the nakedness that is creative expression.

And you'll realize you've got exactly what it takes to write your book!
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Previous page
  1. Print length
    256 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Writer's Digest Books
  4. Publication date
    September 29, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    4.75 x 0.75 x 6.75 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1582976171
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1582976174
  8. See all details
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The Amazon Book Review
The Amazon Book Review
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Heather Sellers is an award-winning writer and professor. For more than twenty years, Sellers has taught writing workshops to beginners, community groups, stay-at-home moms, conference attendees, seniors, children, young adults, graduates and undergraduates. She is a professor at Hope College in Holland, Michigan. Her blog, Word After Word, is at http://www.heathersellers.com/blog.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Writer's Digest Books (September 29, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 256 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1582976171
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1582976174
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.75 x 0.75 x 6.75 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 18 ratings

About the author

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Heather Sellers

Heather Sellers

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Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Welcome to my Amazon author page.

The new edition of The Practice of Creative Writing is now out in its fourth edition. Instructors who adopt the book for their courses receive the updated 170-page instructor's manual. I'm incredibly proud of this project. With my terrific team at Macmillan Learning, I've worked on this baby for two years.

In April 2022, my new collection of poems is forthcoming from BOA Editions.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
18 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Marsha P.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fan of this author
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2023
Verified Purchase
I discovered her other book, Page After Page, at my local library and was instantly attracted to her no nonsense conversational tone. I ordered a copy for myself and read it through a second time before discovering Chapter by Chapter. I ordered it right away and she uses the book to build on the skills and habits from Page by Page. I looked to see if there are more books by her, and there is one other, but it is a textbook. Reading and studying one isn't holding me back. It's the price. Textbooks aren't cheap. I will keep looking for more books like Page and Chapter, but in the meantime, it is worth rereading the 2 I have once in awhile. My exercises always show me something new. Whether you buy used or new, both books are good for any writer to keep on hand.
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Joywriter
5.0 out of 5 stars My top go-to wisdom guide!
Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2012
Verified Purchase
I want to be a better writer, a published writer, a fulfilled writer and I thoughtfully look for books and information that aligns with my goals. Chapter after Chapter is at the very top of my list. I see this book as a collection of authentic essays that are specific and filled with wisdom. I have this book always on my writing table as a respected wise guide. I am always reading this book, moving through it nodding my head in agreement and taking in the chapters that encourage me and the ones that admonish, if you want to be published, it's "but-in-chair" determination that will get you there. Sellers' other book, Page after Page is equally exciting and if you love Chapter after Chapter, you'll love that one, too. Today I just received my cover for my soon to be released women's fiction novel, Nardi Point. Thank you Heather Sellers for providing the wisdom that's made this possible for me!
4 people found this helpful
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Susan Flett Swiderski
3.0 out of 5 stars Encouragement for Would-Be Writers
Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2017
Verified Purchase
This book was semi-inspirational in a cheerleader's rah-rah you-can-do-it sort of way, and it contained some interesting tips and exercises, as well. Still, it wasn't my favorite book on the craft of writing, and I disagree with a number of the author's basic premises.

I believe writing is a personal endeavor, and while her approach has been a successful one for her, I don't think that makes it the best approach for every writer. Certainly not for me. Writing isn't the end-all, be-all of my existence. It's something I do, but it doesn't define who I am, so while I may be determined to finish my writing projects, I refuse to do so at the expense of my family and friends. I don't consider lying to others to create more opportunities to write as dedication; I think of it as self-indulgence.

That being said, for anyone who needs some incentive to stop making excuses and to start writing that book they always wanted to write, this book could be very helpful. Rah-rah. Just do it!

Three and a half stars.
2 people found this helpful
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L. K. Topken
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2016
Verified Purchase
Good exercises.
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aadttsm
4.0 out of 5 stars Encouraging!
Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2010
Verified Purchase
This is the second Heather Sellers book I've read; Page After Page was a wonderful read but a step behind where I am in my writing process, so I needed to check this one out. I find many of the passages to be very helpful (and she's very clear that not every passage will be helpful for every writer; the idea is to bookmark the ones that ring more honestly to you). There's a mix between technical advice and cheerleading, which can confusing in tone sometimes, but probably gives it the most usefulness to a wider audience. Many of the exercises, unlike the ones in Page After Page, made me want to grab a notebook and have at, and I'm not a big "writing exercises" person. I think the only people that this book will be unhelpful to are the Creative Writing majors out there, and even then...

This book would be best for:
Writers expanding from their "NaNoWriMo" projects, Self-Publishing Writers, Writers who are just starting to feel okay calling themselves that, Writers who are self-taught who are looking for a little guidance, "Not Quite Writers" who think they're being silly by wanting to pursue it.

I most recommend:
Chapters 12 and 13.
14 people found this helpful
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Laura
5.0 out of 5 stars A book to help you go the distance
Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2015
This is a beautiful little book to inspire and to guide. Heather Sellers has "been there, done that" in the realm of seeing writing through to publication, and she is so generous to share her wisdom and experience with us. Sellers absolutely FILLS this book with a wonderful blend of practical advice, "pep talks," and helpful exercises to help you get over pretty much the entire gamut of roadblocks writers encounter when trying to see a book project through to its completion. Whether your current block revolves around self-esteem, time management, creative burnout, issues of "voice," problems of feeling distracted by *new* book ideas -- you name it -- there will be inspiration and practical advice in this book to help you find your way out of that. Better yet, this book doesn't just stop at creative unblocking: Sellers gives very clear pointers on how (and when) to get moving with publication and begin to network with other writers. She also fills the book with plenty of personal anecdotes that reassure (for when you're worried that you're "not doing it right.").

This book is distinct from other creativity and writing guides which, while definitely helpful, don't necessarily tell you how to deal with the moments when your dedication to a MASSIVE writing undertaking begins to flag. I would recommend this book to anybody interested in seeing a book through to completion; her encouragement will help you to get re-energized, rediscover your passion for your project, overcome your mental hurdles, and go the distance.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Topcat
3.0 out of 5 stars Quite interesting to read and has some useful tips for those wanting to publish your first book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 28, 2016
Verified Purchase
Quite interesting to read and has some useful tips for those wanting to publish your first book, but it's written in a chatty way which takes a bit of time to get used to. Another thing is, its author is referring to places in the US, so for me living in the UK, all the places mentioned were of no use as they were in America!
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Zoom
2.0 out of 5 stars If you need to be criticized...
Reviewed in Canada on October 27, 2009
Verified Purchase
I wanted to like this book - really I did, and not just because I also bought Page After Page at the same time and I have to read it too.

But I don't like it. I'm on Chapter 12 and I'm fed up with the hectoring, lecturing tone. I'm irritated by the voice from the mountain, the 'successful' writer who feels justified in telling the rest of us what we're doing wrong.

If you're looking for a book that'll encourage you and make you feel like writing, you might want to look elsewhere. This one's all about what you're doing wrong. You're whining, wasting your time, not putting enough into it, trying too hard, taking yourself too seriously, not taking your writing seriously enough, whatever. You just don't have what it takes, and Heather Sellers, evidently, does.
2 people found this helpful
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