When too tightly leashed, writing chokes and loses its vitality. Although the rules of composition popularized in William Strunk Jr. and E. B. White’s Elements of Style have been de rigueur for decades, they won’t exactly set your writing free. To the rescue comes Spunk &amp; Bite, a guide to bold and radiant language and style. The secret, according to bestselling author and former publishing executive Arthur Plotnik, is to embrace those qualities that composition rulebooks sidestep–among them, surprise, personality, engagement, edge, and fearlessness. Drawing on selections from today’s most exciting writers–Jonathan Franzen, Sandra Cisneros, Bill Bryson, Maureen Dowd, and many dozens more–Plotnik reveals the tricks and techniques that make prose fresh, forceful, and publishable. For all types of writing–novels, articles, poems, ad copy, blogs, and even e-mail–this uncommon handbook reveals how to make your words so fetching that readers beg for more. Arthur Plotnik is an author, and former publishing executive. Two of his works have been featured as Book of the Month Club selections: The Elements of Editing and The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words . Reviewers have consistently praised Plotnik’s writing for its accuracy, style, and wit, often ranking it with Strunk &amp; White in practicality. Plotnik studied under Philip Roth and Vance Bourjaily at the Iowa Writers Workshop . As a publisher, he brought five national awards to the American Library Association’s book imprint. He also won numerous honors as editor of ALA’s flagship magazine, American Libraries.

Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Punchier, More Engaging Language & Style

Reference

Plotnik, Arthur

Foreign Language Study & Reference

Random House Reference &

Today's writer needs more than just a solid knowledge of usage and composition to write successfully. Bestselling author Arthur Plotnik reveals the secrets to attention-grabbing, unforgettable writing, in this trade paperback edition. Updated with all-new writing exercises, Spunk &amp; Bite will help writers take books, articles, business reports, memos, and even social- media posts to the next level.

Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style

Diversified Publishing

"This is a book for aspiring writers that has few equals." Chicago Tribune Lyrical writing and rock-solid advice distinguish The Elements of Authorship from most writers' guides. No such guide is more engaging, entertaining - or authoritative. Arthur Plotnik, whose classic The Elements of Editing is in its 18th year of print, draws on a uniquely broad background as writer, editor, and publisher. The Elements of Authorship gives clearheaded advice and comic relief to anguished writers - which is to say all writers - aspiring to the exalted state known as "published author." It is, as one reviewer noted, "a heartening foray into the construction and maintenance of a career in writing." Even as it explores the hellish aspects of that career, it reassures new authors that writing - published or unpublished - is worth the pain.

The Elements of Authorship: Unabashed Advice, Undiluted Experience, Unadulterated Inspiration for Writers and Writers-To-Be

iUniverse, Inc.

Â“Humorous, thought-provoking, and right on the mark.Â”Â—Library Journal
 There are many grammar and usage books that give advice on correct EnglishÂ—this isnÂ’t one of them. This is, instead a compact, popular guide to expressiveness as a goal apart from getting it right. Written with wit and humor, it offers writers, speakers, and self-improvers a fresh look at how they express (or fail to express) their thoughts and feelings. Elements of Expression offer readers many engaging examples of adventurous language that will not only capture attention, but help them communicate a greater range of meanings and experience. 
 Those who want to write correctly will turn to other books. Those who care about language and want to write vividly, forcefully, effectivelyÂ—in a word, expressivelyÂ—will turn to this lively and informative guide. Richard Lederer, author of Crazy English says, Â“The Elements of Expression invites writers and speakers to make language that actually inhales and exhales, language with its shirtsleeves rolled up and eyes ablaze.Â” (Well put!) 
 Arthur Plotnik is a versatile author whose works include the classic The Elements of EditingÂ—a Book of the Month Club selectionÂ—as well as The Elements of Authorship. In his career with the American Library Association, he earned numerous distinctions as publisher, author, and editor. Reviewers have consistently praised Plotnik's writing for its accuracy, style, and wit, often ranking it with Strunk &amp; White in practicality.

Elements of Expression

Words, Language & Grammar

Offers tips for professional and aspiring writers on classes and workshops, creative blocks, and the ins and outs of the publishing industry

Honk If You're a Writer: Unabashed Advice, Undiluted Experience, Unadulterated Inspiration (reprinted as The Elements of Authorship)

Fireside

The Elements of Expression

Barnes&Noble

The Elements of Expression, Revised and Expanded Edition: Putting Thoughts Into Words

Self-Help

Creativity

Blackstone Audiobooks

A unique, compact, witty guide to writing and speaking vividly and expressively offers engaging examples of adventurous language grouped under such headings as "The Power of Tough Talk" and "Infusions for Tired Vocabularies."

The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words

Politics & Social Sciences

Social Sciences

Henry Holt Co.

Written with wit and humor, this compact, accessible guide to expressiveness as a goal apart from "getting it right", gives readers a fresh look at how they express (or fail to express) their thoughts and feelings both in writing and speaking. Perfect for writers, speakers, students, teachers, communicators, and self-improvers.

Open The Urban Tree Book and discover the joys of forest trekking--right in your city or town. This first-of-a-kind field guide introduces readers to the trees on their block, in neighborhood parks, and throughout the urban landscape. Unlike traditional tree guides with dizzying numbers of woodland species, The Urban Tree Book explores nature in the city, describing some 200 tree types likely to be found on North America's streets and surrounding spaces, including suburban settings. With telling descriptions and precise botanical detail, this unique guide not only identifies trees but brings them to life through history, lore, anecdotes, up-to-date facts, and hundreds of fascinating characteristics. More than 175 graceful illustrations capture the charm of trees in urban settings and depict leaf, flower, fruit, and bark features for identification and appreciation. The Urban Tree Book will inform even the most knowledgeable plant person and delight urbanites who simply enjoy strolling beneath the shade of welcoming trees. An engaging excursion into the "urban forest," this complete guide to city trees will both entertain and enlighten nature lovers, urban hikers, gardeners, and everyone curious about their environment. Includes a tree planting-and-care section, tree primer, and exploration guide Is backed by the expertise of the renowned Morton Arboretum Incorporates new "urban forestry" perspectives Covers urban trees across the continent Lists key organizations and institutions for tree lovers Selects the best tree sites on the Internet Updates many guides by 20 years

The Urban Tree Book: An Uncommon Field Guide for City and Town

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Outdoor Cooking

Crown

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Plotnik, Arthur. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Plotnik, Arthur

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Plotnik, Arthur. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Punchier, More Engaging Language & Style

Spunk & Bite: A Writer's Guide to Bold, Contemporary Style

The Elements of Authorship: Unabashed Advice, Undiluted Experience, Unadulterated Inspiration for Writers and Writers-To-Be

Elements of Expression

Honk If You're a Writer: Unabashed Advice, Undiluted Experience, Unadulterated Inspiration (reprinted as The Elements of Authorship)

The Elements of Expression

The Elements of Expression, Revised and Expanded Edition: Putting Thoughts Into Words

The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words

The Elements of Expression: Putting Thoughts into Words

The Urban Tree Book: An Uncommon Field Guide for City and Town