Literature, Language & Writing
Poetry for every age and every reader. Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends, first published in 1974, is one of the best-loved poetry books ever written for children: funny, surprising and often wise, with Silverstein's own drawings, and just as enjoyable read aloud by adults. WebToTell's guide to classic poems explains how to choose between parallel texts, prose translations and verse translations when reading great poetry from other languages. More poetry collections will join this shelf; see Literature, Language & Writing for more.
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Literature, Language & Writing
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Literature, Language & Writing
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Literature, Language & Writing
Literary criticism asks what books mean and how they work. Amitav Ghosh's The Great Derangement turns criticism on the modern novel itself, arguing that serious fiction, with its focus on the probable and the everyday, has been unable to face the extreme events of climate change. WebToTell's article The Unreliable Editor looks at how framed manuscripts and fictional footnotes change the way a story is told and trusted. Thought-provoking reading for book clubs, students and writers. See Literature, Language & Writing for more.
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Literature, Language & Writing
Literary theory looks at the tools stories use and how they shape our reading. WebToTell's article The Unreliable Editor explores one of the most intriguing: novels presented as found manuscripts, edited texts or books with fictional footnotes, a device used from Don Quixote to modern experimental fiction. The essay explains how this framing makes us question who is telling the story and whether we can trust them, with examples readers can try for themselves. Books on literary theory will join this category; see Literature, Language & Writing and Experimental Fiction.
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Literature, Language & Writing
The craft of writing: how stories are built, how authors find their voice and how a finished book is presented to readers. This section gathers WebToTell's practical guides for writers, starting with fiction writing. Our article Three Rules for a Book Blurb That Sells, Explained for New Authors shows how to write the short description on a back cover or book page: lead with character and conflict, show what is at stake, and never give away the ending, with worked examples and common mistakes. Books and more guides on writing craft will join this section over time; see Literature, Language & Writing for related reading.
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Literature, Language & Writing
How books are made, packaged and presented to readers. WebToTell's articles for authors and readers cover the business of publishing from both sides. Three Rules for a Book Blurb That Sells explains how to write the short description that persuades readers to open a book, with three clear rules and examples. Parallel Text, Prose Translation, or Verse Translation helps readers understand the editorial choices behind different editions of a classic poem. Practical guides for new authors and curious readers. Books on publishing will join this category; see Literature, Language & Writing.
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Literature, Language & Writing
Translation decides what readers in another language actually receive. WebToTell's guide Parallel Text, Prose Translation, or Verse Translation looks at three ways of translating classic poetry: a parallel text that prints the original beside the translation, a prose version that follows the meaning closely, and a verse translation that recreates rhythm and sound. It explains what each gains and loses, and which suits students, first-time readers and lovers of poetry. Books on translation will join this category; see Literature, Language & Writing for more.
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