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.
Coldy
The diverse selection of audiobooks has made me fall in love with storytelling all over again. The ListenBook app has enriched my daily life, adding a layer of intellectual and emotional fulfillment. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop and Sharing on ListenBook Pro is a fantastic way to spread the joy of audiobooks. This audiobook was a fantastic listen! The narrator's voice was clear and engaging, making it easy to follow along. The pacing was just rightโnot too fast, not too slow. Perfect for long commutes or relaxing at home. Highly recommend! My house has never been cleaner! I kept finding chores to do just to keep listening. The narrator's energy matched the tone of the book perfectly.
BearDrift
ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. The customizable controls and playback options cater perfectly to different audiobook preferences. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. I can focus on challenging content.
Automatic Slicer
ListenBook's audiobook player is a true workhorse โ chapters, controls, and filters are all seamlessly integrated. With this app, my daily routines have become moments of intellectual growth and personal enjoyment. ๐ถ Music? Nah, I prefer immersing myself in captivating stories with this app! ๐ถ๐ Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fantastic way to introduce them to captivating stories. Noise reduction and voice tone adjustment enhance the listening experience significantly.
Doz
Being able to adjust playback speed suits everyone's preferences โ a thoughtful feature. ListenBook's commitment to providing top-notch audio quality has taken my audiobook experience to a new level. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is a fun way to spread the joy.
Mad Irishman
Audiobook enthusiasts, rejoice! This app's elegant design and robust functionality make it a must-have for anyone who loves to listen on the go. ๐ง๐ฑ ListenBook's tone adjustment feature in the Pro version is a creative tool that adds a fun twist to my audiobook journey.
NexusNomad
ListenBook Pro takes my experience to the next level. Unlimited audiobook length, noise reduction, and voice tone adjustment? Count me in! ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a playful addition that lets me tweak the audiobook experience. ListenBook's customizable audio filters are a game-changer for tailoring my audiobook playback. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It eliminates distractions and enhances the clarity of recordings, resulting in a more immersive experience. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections.
Contrary Mary
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. With this app, I've turned mundane chores into exciting opportunities for intellectual growth. ๐๐ Rekindling my passion for books โ this app has sparked a reading revolution in my daily life! ๐ฅ๐ I love the quick access to settings. It makes tweaking the app so easy. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iโve 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!
PixelPathfinder
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. The attention to detail is commendable. Artwork and metadata are sorted automatically. The ability to adjust playback speed and volume is a game-changer for me. ListenBook's attention to detail is commendable. Every aspect of the app is well-crafted. ListenBookโs support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Star Jammer
ListenBook's dedication to providing an exceptional listening experience shines through in every aspect of the app. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Adjustable playback speed is a fantastic feature. It allows me to customize my listening experience.
MysticMingle
ListenBook's noise reduction feature in the Pro version is a testament to the app's commitment to audio quality. Automatic metadata extraction is a time-saver. My library is finally well-organized. Binaural audio processing really helps reduce fatigue.
Woodland Beauty
This app has made me appreciate the art of storytelling even more. No more hassle with formats โ this app ensures my audiobook adventures are smooth, and my favorite tales are just a tap away. Highly recommended! ๐๐ง The variety of supported formats means I can enjoy audiobooks from different sources hassle-free. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it.
Baby Spell
Effortless audiobook exploration โ this app's functionality is a true delight. Finally, an app that lets me organize my audiobooks effortlessly. The library organization and book groups feature make navigation a breeze. The statistics tracking feature is a gem. I'm surprised by how much time I spend on audiobooks! ListenBook's compatibility with CarPlay is a major convenience during road trips. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Disco Potato
The 'Continue Listening' feature ensures I never lose my place, no matter where I am. This app's seamless integration with my devices has made audiobook listening a hassle-free experience. ListenBookโs bookmarking feature is incredibly useful. I never lose my place in a book. The app is so well-designed. Itโs clear the developers put a lot of thought into it. The app is so easy to set up. I was listening to my books in no time.
Metal Star
This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. ๐ผ Workday blues? Not anymore โ this app turns my office hours into reading time! ๐ป๐ ๐๏ธ Basking in the sun while indulging in literary adventures โ this app makes outdoor relaxation even better. โ๏ธ๐
WanderWord
I never thought I'd find an app that supports such a wide range of audiobook formats. ListenBook is a true gem! ListenBook's compatibility with a wide range of audio formats ensures that no audiobook is off-limits.
Microwave
Say goodbye to boring commutes โ this app's immersive audio experience and intuitive controls have transformed my daily journeys. ๐๐ The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience. Iโve been using ListenBook for months, and itโs been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesnโt drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Lava Nibbler
This audiobook app is a true gem โ it brings stories to life with every click. With ListenBook, my iPhone and iPad have become a gateway to a world of captivating stories.
Juno Cream
This app makes traffic jams a breeze โ time flies by while I'm engrossed in a story. This app has introduced me to authors I'd never heard of โ now they're my favorites! The app's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch makes it a true companion for all occasions. Playback speed and volume controls are fantastic. Perfect for repeat listening! The narrator's performance was so rich with detail that I'm sure I'll discover new layers on a second listen. Their interpretation felt authentic to the material while bringing fresh insights. The audio production was pristine from start to finish.
Leaf Assassin
Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. Elegant design and easy-to-use interface. Very happy with ListenBook.
Lime
I've never been this excited about my daily commute โ thank you, audiobooks! Audiobooks have become my go-to entertainment, and this app is the reason. ๐๏ธ๐ง Soaking up the sun while indulging in beach reads โ this app is my ultimate relaxation companion. ๐๏ธ๐ Kudos to ListenBook for the intuitive design and easy-to-use controls. It's evident that they've put a lot of thought into user experience. ListenBook has completely changed how I enjoy audiobooks. The app is packed with features like customizable skip intervals, playback speed, and sleep timers. The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Five stars!
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