Steering the Craft is Ursula K. Le Guin's definitive handbook on narrative writing — ten chapters that work through the fundamentals of language, sentence construction, and point of view with the precision and warmth of a master practitioner.
About This Book
Revised and updated for the twenty-first century, this handbook distils a lifetime of thinking about how — and why — to write. Le Guin structures her guidance across ten chapters, each addressing a core component of narrative craft: sound and rhythm, sentence architecture, point of view, and the mechanics of storytelling. Drawing on the global literary canon, she combines incisive critical commentary with practical exercises designed for solo writers or groups. Where most writing guides default to prescription, Le Guin treats craft as a living, collaborative practice — one that demands both rigour and generosity. An essential reference for writers at any stage.
Key Features
- 173 pages of craft instruction, critical commentary, and practical writing exercises
- Published by Silver Press, revised and updated edition
What You'll Discover
- How the sound and rhythm of language function as foundational tools of narrative — not decorative elements
- Le Guin's approach to sentence construction as a structural and expressive choice, not merely grammatical convention
- A nuanced treatment of point of view that draws on examples from the global literary canon
- Writing exercises that function independently or within a group setting, making the book viable as both a personal reference and a workshop text
About the Author
Ursula K. Le Guin was one of the most consequential writers and thinkers in twentieth-century literature, known equally for her fiction and her sustained engagement with the theory and practice of writing. Steering the Craft represents her direct transmission of that knowledge to working writers.
Specifications
- Format: Softcover
- Pages: 173
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 19.6 cm
- Language: English
- ISBN: 9781739371722
- Publisher: Silver Press
- Publication Date: [Details available upon request]
Perfect For: Writers at all levels seeking a rigorous, canon-grounded guide to narrative craft; workshop facilitators; readers and practitioners who value Le Guin's critical intelligence as much as her fiction.