Norman is not used to acclaim or applause, but when the ‘Writers’s Guide to Obscurity’ was published he was at once astounded and amazed by the reception it received.
At last some recognition for him and his long line of literary ancestors!
Reviews
” My thoughts – I loved this book. It is always interesting for me to read about writing processes. In this short book Norman looks into his family tree and how his ancestors managed to put pen to paper. A perfect read to fit into your lunch break.” The Divine Write
“Quirky. Witty. Satirical. So much sarcasm packed into this short and sweet read of only 30 pages.
Also, the illustrations. Illustrations are an added bonus and those make the book even more enjoyable.” This Human Reads
“The book goes right back to Stone Age and progresses through to the present and we learn of poor Norman’s failures. I loved the illustrations and enjoyed the humour of the book. I loved this witty and satirical look at the life of a writer over the years – spanning ancient times right up to present day. Norman has been destined to be a writer forever and we take a look at the different eras through his eyes, describing the struggles that aspiring writers have to overcome to be published. I loved the little insights to the history of writing – little snippets but with a humorous slant. We cover carving on stone tablets, singing bards, famous playwrights, the early rise of the media and all the way through to modern day social media. Each time seeing how it was done ….and how Norman managed to fail again. The illustrations dotted throughout were brilliant. A real throwback to newspaper strips (not sure it they exist anymore?) which I loved when I was younger. Nice simple and comical images to draw the eye. A great little book which, for me, highlights the importance of supporting our indie authors and publishers, gives us a chuckle and throws in a bit of history too.” Dee
“This short book was a humorous look at the life and frustrations of a writer. Told from the perspective of a man called Norman, it covers the period of Ancient Norman from 4500 BCE right through to Modern Day Norman which covers the period from 1900 until the present day. I liked the quirky illustrations of the time line at the beginning of the book, taking us through eight generations of Norman. In fact, Fiona Wilson has done a great job with illustrating this book, and they really add something to this short volume. It is both witty and original, and I do not think I have ever read anything quite like it before.” Donna’s Interviews and Reviews
“I really enjoyed reading about Norman and the different modes of writing through the ages. You gained quite an insight into the history of writing and publishing and the writing was both humorous and witty. I must also mention the lovely illustrations by Fiona Wilson as they compliment the book brilliantly. The Writer’s Guide to Obscurity is a lovely little book which makes you smile. I loved it.” Just One More Chapter
“As a writer myself, I was captured by the title of this book and wondered what I’d let myself in for. I needn’t have worried, as it was a joy to read from beginning to end. The Writer’s Guide to Obscurity was short and sweet read all about the trials and tribulations of a writer through the ages. Poor Norman and all his ancestors! All they want, from Ancient Norman through to modern day Norman, is success, but something always seems to go wrong for them. Also, I have to give a shout out to Fiona Wilson for the cute and fun illustrations throughout the book, too. The Writer’s Guide to Obscurity is a perfect read if you are a struggling writer and need a bit of cheering up.” LJ Writes
“A very short book which follows different ‘Normans’ through the ages, from seeking materials and making your own ink, to the invention of the printing press. A ‘Norman’ is always there, but rather than publishing his own work, he is helping someone else, even Shakespeare at one point. This was a lot of fun – I sat and read it in one go – it’s witty, cynical, has hilarious illustrations, and gives us a historical insight into the development of writing and being an author. In fact I read it again in order to pen this review.” The Cookie Biscuit
“This is such a short read, leaving it very easy to finish, especially if you need something you can read on only a small portion of time. Plus, it is so cheeky and really grabs at your imagination. I loved Norman and his determination to dm continue writing and telling the stories of all the Normans before him, as it was done in such a light-hearted manner. We have lots of wee tragedies or mistakes, with little springs forward of successes, as life and the times move on. It was such a true account of how life goes, not just for writers, but for anyone trying to make it in a new field. I really liked the unique details for each Norman, how he learned from those before him and how he was unwavering in his passion for creating and writing. Overall a brilliant wee book and one that you should definitely grab.” Pause the Frame
“I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I absolutely loved it. It was a fantastically satirical look at writing through history. Satire is definitely a genre that I am loving. I loved seeing the different sides to writing through the centuries from writing on stone tablets to playwrights to the rise and differing eras of media, it was both interesting and funny. I found myself loving Norman, not only in the present but also the Normans that have strived to write for centuries, I really warmed to all of them. I loved the illustrations as well which really added something extra to the story.” Fiction Vixen
“At 44 pages, this is a very quick novella with a tongue-in-cheek approach towards writing and publishing, right from 4500 BC to date. The approach is somewhat humorous, though one can’t help but sympathise with each Norman for struggling so hard to fulfil his dream of being a successful author. (The key word is ‘successful’.) The final twist is strangely abrupt and yet wholly accurate, as it seems to be the reason behind the success of many modern-day authors. (I still won’t tell you what it is.) To a certain extent, this novella is almost like a look at the evolution of writing, as it highlights how the art developed from cave paintings to digital publications. Of course, it is all better taken as humour rather than as history, though the historical elements are also accurate. The jokes are quite subtle, almost ironic in style. The writing also has some interesting wordplay, as is a must in a book about writing.” Rosh Reviews
“This was a fun and vibrant look at the life of a writer across the ages. It is a quick and short read that made me audibly laugh out loud at points. I loved the wit and satire contained within in. Throughout the book there are simple and fun illustrations. These really enhanced the story and added to the humour of the novel. I found it fascinating to learn about how writers were treated and honed their craft through the ages. The book spans travels through the Greeks, Romans, Normans, Dark and Middle Ages and modern day. I enjoyed reading this and found it funny as well as informative!” Bookish Belfast
“The Writer’s Guide To Obscurity is a short but nevertheless enjoyable look at writing through the ages. Owing to the short length, there isn’t time to explore any of the historical periods in detail, but I still found there were some points that gave me pause for thought. John Steinberg writes with a unique, conversational style that easily engages the reader. I loved the humour throughout the novel. There are some brilliant illustrations in The Writer’s Guide To Obscurity and these add to the humour and help to bring the words to life.” Portable Magic
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Stories by John Steinberg 