Underqualified Advice

(and Other Amusing Diversions)

By: Drew Hayes

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

Length: 11 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

My name is Drew Hayes, and for the past six years I've made my living as a writer. In that time, I've published 20 books, written hundreds of thousands of words, and made countless mistakes - most of which I like to think I've learned from.

Underqualified Advice (and Other Amusing Diversions) is my attempt to compile those lessons and share them with others, as well as have some fun along the way. Half of the book is dedicated to detailing specifics about writing, maneuvering the industry, and keeping fiscally afloat in largely unstable waters. The other half, however, is dedicated to pure fun: essays on extremely specific topics, flash fiction, and some bits that not even I know how to classify.

Even if you don't particularly need the advice, we could all use an amusing diversion from time to time.

©2019 Andrew Hayes (P)2020 Tantor

Drew Hayes is Hilarious and Quasi Helpful

Excellent Choice for Kirby to narrate. I have read a number of your posts on your website, but having Kirby read them brought life to each.

Brilliant idea of structuring your witty writing advice/ramblings and funny stories, so to keep your listeners enjoying each one.

I love every Thunder Pear Publishing Memo skit and so very very much want Drew to write the full Thunder Pear Publishing "Lost Christmas Special".

Great Underqualified Advice!

I loved this book! (Psst, and I’m not a writer, either). It was really great to hear the workings behind the creation of books and becoming a full time artist. As well as some kooky anecdotes. Watch out for brain spiders! As a voice actor I’m going to pull many tips from here to hone my own craft. Anyone in the creative field should listen (or read, who does that anyway?) this book!

You Rock Drew!

I enjoyed this book as I've enjoyed every single other books of yours that I've listened to (time constraints and brain squirrels prevent reading with my eyes). The mix of advice to writers and miscellaneous musing hit a good spot in my brain. For those reading this review, if you like Drew's other works and would like to know more about his process and brain spiders start listening as soon as possible. If you don't know who he is, start with "The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, The Vampire Accountant" and then come back. There's a few in the series, I'm sure he would understand if you get distracted and have to listen to all of them before coming back for this gem. it's the same narrator, which is fun. Um. I guess a few descriptors might be appreciated. Quirky, witty dialogue, funny, good pacing. If you're looking deep dark Game of Thrones level of sadistic story plots, Drew is not your guy. BUT if you like bright, witty and SHINY narratives, sign up and check him out!!

I am not a writer, still enjoyed this book!

I got this book because it was up on a 2-for-1 deal and so far I've listened to other Drew Hayes books so I knew the style of snark I was getting in to. At first I wasn't sure about a different narrator, having heard Drew on podcasts, and Kirby does bring a different voice in but after all the Fred series Kirby does have a good voice for Drew's styles.

I love the format of breaking up the advice and the other diversions. If you're not a writer, don't skip all the advice ones. Some of course he's going to get into the weeds, and there's people for that. But also you'll get a conversation on how pro-wrestling set up tropes. The other diversions, well if you're a writer and listening to Drew, I'm pretty sure you know EXACTLY what you're getting into.

I honestly had fun with this one.

Very interesting

As always drew gives back in his books. This has a solid amount of writing advice while still being good for information to those of us who are not writers. Thanks Drew

An interesting variety that really works...

Over the last couple years, Drew Hayes has become easily one of my favorite authors. As such, when this audiobook was released I didn't hesitate to scoop it up and can honestly say it did not disappoint. I found this book to be a fascinating blend of genuine advice, entertaining stories and even a bit of insight into the mind and life of the author himself. The advice portion, though directed toward aspiring writers, often felt adaptable to other careers and sometimes even just life in general. I often found myself listening to the advice sections with curiosity as (like Drew points out several times) the general public's perception of authors is heavily influenced by TV/movies and therefore not always accurate. The narrator (who also narrates Drew's Fred series) has an enjoyable voice that fits the tone of this book quite well. Overall I really enjoyed this listen!

Exactly what I wanted

It's as it advertises, an in depth look at the writing industry as seen from the author I trust the most.

Funny and informative

A fun ride that pairs a number of useful tips for would-be writers with fun side trips into some delightful short stories. Based on the tips I am sure it was an ideal mechanism for releasing an accumulation of great work that was too good to let languish and too small to release each on their own. I am quite pleased that Drew found a way to deliver all of these glorious nuggets to his readers.

Kirby's narration was amazing, as always, and proves he is a credit to his craft.

The advice feels genuine and easy to understand.

I don't exactly know how I feel about how much I enjoyed a book about writing advice but it was really what I needed I think. Sincerity in his advice really shows through and he backs it up with experience and easy to absorb suggestions.

Thank you for writing this book.

Enter the mind of a madman.

I am not even sure what the hell this was but, I enjoyed it. Partly a collection of short stories and insight into one man’s ramblings.

It was fun and different, definitely not one to go back and listen to over and over again. Without a doubt memorable.