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.
Undergrad Split
I can't imagine my daily activities without this app – it's my go-to for staying informed and entertained. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a triumph. The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature! The noise reduction feature is a game-changer for clearer dictaphone recordings.
Coldy
No more straining my eyes to read – now I can simply immerse myself in storytelling. With ListenBook, I've found a convenient and enjoyable way to engage with audiobooks and educational content. I love how this app makes even the most mundane tasks exciting with audio stories. Looping playback of a single track helps me master difficult concepts. So helpful!
Domino Combat
CUE playlist support is a fantastic feature that allows me to curate themed listening sessions, creating a dynamic and engaging audiobook experience. This audiobook transformed my household chores into enjoyable moments! The narrator's lively yet measured delivery kept me engaged throughout. I particularly appreciated how they handled exposition - making potentially dry information interesting through thoughtful inflection and pacing.
WonderWords
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Black Hole Necromancer
Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a social audiophile's dream. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Jetta Talent
ListenBook's versatility and user-friendly interface make it a must-have for audiobook lovers. 🎉📚 Rekindling my passion for books – this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! 🔥📖 ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
Helmet Destroyer
I'm able to enjoy books in a whole new way – while cooking, working out, or even gardening. I'm amazed at how immersive the experience is – it's like being inside the story. Streamlined audiobook integration – this app's usability is impressive. Quick access to chapters and smooth playback. Fantastic app! Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Pop Bee
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MuseMaster
ListenBook's library organization features have transformed my chaotic audiobook collection into an organized masterpiece. Audiobooks on this app have made studying and learning a more enjoyable process. ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
Icy Avenger
ListenBook's sleek design and intuitive controls make it my go-to app for audiobooks. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Natural Gold
This app has made multitasking a breeze – I can listen while I work, cook, or exercise. ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily life, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and relaxation periods. It's an indispensable part of my routine. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks. Very convenient. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting.
Duchess
ListenBook is a prime example of user-centered design. It's clear that the developers understand audiobook lovers' needs. ListenBook has become my go-to app for all audiobooks. Full of useful features.
Gold Dahlia
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Marigold Loot
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent user experience sets a new standard in audiobook apps. The book groups feature is a thoughtful addition. It helps me keep my series and related titles together. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. This was a competent audiobook production with no major flaws. The narrator's voice was pleasant enough and the audio quality was acceptable, though not exceptional. While the performance didn't particularly stand out, it served its purpose adequately for my daily commute.
Red Hot Kevorkian
This app's ease of use has made reading a seamless part of my daily routine. 🚶♂️🌟 Staying entertained during leisurely walks – audiobooks make outdoor time delightful! 🚶♂️🎧 🎉 This app is a testament to thoughtful design – its functionality seamlessly blends with my lifestyle, making reading effortless. 📚✨ ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Automated artwork and metadata extraction make my library look organized and visually appealing.
Omega Sub
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Microwave
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. From novels to speeches, this app's versatility in playing various audio formats has turned my daily activities into enriching listening sessions. What a game-changer! 🌟📚 ListenBook's compatibility with a wide array of audio formats makes it my ultimate audiobook companion. Absolutely loved the narration! The voice actor brought the characters to life with distinct tones and emotions. The production quality was top-notch, with no background noise or distractions. A truly immersive experience!
Mother Night
Language courses on audiobooks helped me pick up a new language effortlessly. I'm hooked on this app – it's my escape to different worlds and adventures. ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a game-changer. I can now focus on the story even in noisy environments. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. It's my go-to app for literary adventures. My study sessions are more efficient than ever, thanks to the looping playback and bookmark features.
Purity Catnip
Audiobooks have made my morning routine something to look forward to. The vast selection of titles on this app is a book lover's dream come true.
MindfulMingle
ListenBook's user-friendly interface and precise controls make it a joy to use every day. I’m so impressed with ListenBook. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Highly recommend this app!
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