MFA in a Box: A Why to Write Book
Dream of Things, 2010
“The essential truths about excellent writing.”
—Eric Hoffer Book Awards
By exploring the relationship between the writer and love, grief, place, family, race and violence, John Rember helps you see how to go deep in your writing. He also tells you what you’ll find there and how to get back. Along the way, you’ll learn how to see the world as a writer sees it.
“If you have real talent,” says Rember, “and choose to go it alone without learning from all of the thousands of writers who have gone before you, for a long time you’re going to write like Grandma Moses paints.”
MFA in a Box will help you take language from translucency to transparency, and make your readers feel like you’ve written for them alone.
Awards
Silver Winner in the Writing/Creative Process category for the 2011 Nautilus Book Awards
Finalist for the 2011 Midwest Book Awards (Reference category)
Short listed for the Grand Prize of the 2011 Eric Hoffer Book Award
Reviews
Jeff Baker, Book Editor, The (Portland) Oregonian
“What makes [this book] different than the many, many books about writing on the market today is the way Rember engages his readers in some of the issues every writer faces—writing about place, about family, about grief—not as problems to be overcome but as issues to be understood.”
Randy Richardson, President, Chicago Writers Association
“MFA in a Box should be on every writer’s bookshelf.”
Kent McDaniel, Windy City Reviews
“Not your father’s writer’s manual. Rember’s humor is dry, mordant, and merciless.”
Renee D’Aoust, author of Body of a Dancer
“For writers and teachers searching for rejuvenation of their work and affirmation of it, this book is a sacred read.”
Sharon Harrigan, author of Playing with Dynamite
“If you are ready to plunge into the depths of your writer’s soul and uncover the secrets that you might be holding back, then MFA in a Box could change the whole way you think about the process of writing.”
Gretchen Little, “A Book Review and More,” Squidoo
“The best book I’ve read about writing and living the creative life.”
Rebecca Elgin, author of Journey: The Amazing Story of OR-7, the Oregon Wolf that Made History
“There is such a wealth of life in each essay...deep, authentic stuff about relationships, politics, religion, mythology, and everything is discussed with such perfect humor. This is so much more than a craft book...this is an inspiration. It makes me want to write, helps me find the courage to do so, and allows me to see the purpose in the hard work of it.”
Jo-Ann Mapson, author and co-creator of the University of Alaska Low-Residency MFA Program
“Beyond Burroway. This is the book for the serious student of writing.”
Robin Metz, author of Unbidden Angel
“Witty, audacious, and wise, John Rember’s MFA in a Box is a unique and valuable book…. You’ll be enthralled. And walk away a more astute and vibrant writer.”
Richard P. Flanagan, Colby College
“Maybe not a book for the faint-hearted writer—unless you want to stop being faint-hearted.”