Book description
"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 The long-awaited craft book from Steve Almond, based on three decades of writing, failing, and trying again. In Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow, Steve Almond shares the insights gleaned from three decades as a beloved teacher and mentor, and a considerably less-beloved literary rabble rouser. His tone is irreverent. His ideas are iconoclastic. And his approach is stubbornly, radically, empathic. The goal is to explode the well-meaning but misguided myths that hold us back from writing our deepest and most honest work, to awaken the joys of storytelling while also confronting how grueling the process can be. Truth features chapters on plot, character, and chronology, but travels far beyond the earnest aims of most creative writing books, with essays about humor, sex, obsession, and writer's block, as well as prompts to generate new work and a rollicking Frequently Asked Questions section. You'll never think about writing the same way again.
About the Author
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.
CuriousCraft
As a language enthusiast, this app has been a fantastic tool for learning new languages. I'm hooked on this app's effortless integration with my daily activities. π± An app that respects my time and delivers on functionality β audiobook listening has never been this effortless. ππ
LoreLoomer
I can't imagine a day without this app β it has made my audiobook journey seamless and fulfilling. I can't believe how easy it is to dive into a new world with this app. Thanks to ListenBook, downloading audiobooks has become effortless, regardless of the source.
Drugstore Cowboy
ListenBook's commitment to providing a high-quality audiobook experience is truly commendable. πΆ Saying goodbye to tangled headphones and complex controls β this app's easy navigation has made audiobook listening a breeze. π΅π Sharing audiobooks through AirDrop is a thoughtful and enjoyable way to share my favorite stories with friends and introduce them to new worlds of literature. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
NexusNavigator
Book groups are a thoughtful addition. They help me keep related titles together for a seamless experience. Downloading over WiFi is quick and efficient. Saves a lot of time.
VisionVoyager
Savoring audiobooks without fuss β this app's design is impressive. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear dictaphone recordings. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is impressive. My recordings sound crystal clear. ListenBookβs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book.
NightDream
I'm blown away by the quality of narration on this app β it's like being in the story. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. The adjustable playback speed is a revelation. It's like having a personal audiobook narrator at my pace. Binaural audio processing really works. Less fatigue during long listening sessions. ListenBook has changed the way I listen to audiobooks. The app is so easy to use.
Pink Nightmare
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. Audiobooks made convenient β this app's functionality is a true gift. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey. ListenBook has rekindled my passion for learning. I'm exploring new topics every day. ListenBook is a game-changer for audiobook lovers. The app supports all formats, and the import process is seamless. I love the playback history featureβitβs so easy to revisit my favorite parts. Highly recommend this app!
Foot-long Fry
This app's convenience has turned my daily chores into moments of intellectual discovery β a win-win! π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app!
Succubus In Training
The bookmark feature is a lifesaver β no more losing my place in the story! I've become the storyteller of my family, sharing the amazing audiobooks I've discovered. πΆββοΈπ Exploring stories as I stroll β audiobooks have turned my walks into inspiring journeys of imagination. ποΈπ§ Adjusting the tone of the narrator's voice is a unique feature. I'm loving it! I love the ability to share my progress with friends. Itβs a fun feature.
JesterZilla
I'm hooked on this app's curated content β it's like having a personal librarian. With this app, I've found a way to turn every moment into an opportunity for learning and enrichment. βοΈ A round of applause for an app that prioritizes functionality β I can seamlessly switch between audiobooks and other tasks. ππ§ The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
WordWanderer
ListenBook has made me fall in love with audiobooks all over again β it's a must-have app. Automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my library. The app is perfect for multitasking. I can listen while doing other things. Not the best audiobook I've heard but far from the worst. The production quality was good and there were no major issues with the narration.
Thrasher
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I'm amazed by ListenBook's smooth drag-and-drop downloads in my web browser β a time-saver! ListenBook has turned my everyday moments into extraordinary journeys of imagination. Great for listening to lectures and educational content. Very useful! I love the auto-rewind feature. Itβs great for when I zone out.
Thrasher
The smart recommendation feature keeps surprising me with books I never knew I'd love. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. With ListenBook Pro, I can customize the tone of the sound to match my preferences β it's a fantastic touch. ListenBook has brought a whole new level of convenience and enjoyment to my audiobook experience. Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down.
Divine Quasar
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch is a game-changer for my on-the-go listening. Great for listening to a variety of content. Highly recommend! A textbook example of great audiobook narration! The performer's diction was flawless, their pacing ideal, and their emotional range impressive. I never felt like I was being "read to" but rather like I was experiencing the story firsthand. The audio engineering was equally professional.
DreamDiver
Audiobooks have become my travel companions, and this app is my guide. πββοΈπ Running with purpose β this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! πββοΈπ π§ Elevating my reading experience β this app's intuitive controls and organization features make audiobook enjoyment effortless. π±π The statistics tracking is a nice touch. ListenBook helps me keep track of my audiobook habits. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
SneakerKid
I'm in awe of how this app has made reading seamlessly fit into my lifestyle. π Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! π±π ποΈ The app's functionality is a true work of art β it enhances the audiobook experience and brings stories to life. ππ¨ Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design are a win. ππ Playlists and bookmarks are super helpful. Love using ListenBook!
Grave Digger
I'm impressed by ListenBook's dedication to providing a comfortable listening experience. Audiobook enjoyment without the hassle β this app's design is a win.
Toe
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. I'm on a literary adventure wherever I go, all thanks to this app. Its extensive format support and effortless navigation make audiobook listening a breeze. ππ Looping playback is a study aid sent from heaven. It's helping me ace my exams! ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
New Magoo
Listening to audiobooks has become my daily ritual for relaxation and escape. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun and interactive way to connect.
Iron Jesus
ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. This app's user-friendly interface has made reading on-the-go a breeze. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is like a magic wand that transforms even the noisiest environments into cozy listening spaces. Chapters make it so easy to pick up where I left off. No more hunting around. The appβs design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience