Telling True Stories

Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers’ Guide from the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University
Mark Kramer and Wendy Call, co-editors. Plume / Penguin, 2007

"...one of the best books available on narrative nonfiction writing."
—Michael McGregor, Poets and Writers, January 2009

"...a book I've found immensely useful is Telling True Stories: A Nonfiction Writers' Guide From the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University. Collecting insights on narrative journalism from writers like Nora Ephron, David Halberstam, Tom Wolfe, Susan Orlean, Tracy Kidder, Phillip Lopate, and Malcolm Gladwell, the book is an inspiring and informational read for anyone looking to deepen their nonfiction writing craft."
—Rolf Potts, author of Marco Polo Didn't Go There: Stories and Revelations From One Decade as a Postmodern Travel Writer (Travelers' Tales, 2008)

“Telling True Stories probably will be classified as a "writing" book on the store shelves, but it is actually something more....Tips spill from every chapter of the book… Every page — and I mean every page — contains important wisdom for every journalist. Telling True Stories is the relatively rare guide that offers value to veteran journalists, to novices, to investigative journalists and to beat reporters.”
— Steve Weinberg, Director, National Book Critics Circle, Investigative Reporters and Editors Journal review,
July 2007

“…a virtuoso collection of essays by writers on writing non-fiction; these remarkable insights into the craft were collected at Harvard University and include selections from such notable veteran scribes as Tom Wolfe, Tracy Kidder, Susan Orlean, David Halberstam, Nora Ephron and Macolm Gladwell.”
—Seattle Post-Intelligencer review, February 2, 2007

Telling True Stories “provides pointed but wide-ranging advice on writing — a good illustration of the creativity behind nonfiction and the individuality of the writing process. There is enough variety for almost any nonfiction writer to find inspiration and guidance. [H]ighly recommended for academic libraries that support writing programs.”
—Library Journal review, December 2006

Interview with Wendy Call about Telling True Stories
Erika Dreifus
The Practicing Writer
February-March 2007

Telling Stories: A Review of Telling True Stories
Reading Archives
Richard J. Cox, February 9, 2007

Review of Telling True Stories in Harvard Review
Alison Bass, June 2008

Narrative Nonfiction 101
Telling True Stories favorite quotes from "Girl with Pen" blogger Deborah Siegel
December 26, 2007