Dear Writer

Pep Talks and Practical Advice for the Creative Life

'How I wish I’d had access to this book when I was first starting out as a writer! Maggie Smith has created an offering here of great substance and generosity — walking writers of all levels through the sometimes wild and terrifying landscape of literary endeavour' ELIZABETH GILBERT

Drawing from her twenty years of teaching experience, bestselling writing career and popular newsletter, in Dear Writer Maggie Smith breaks down the craft of writing and creativity into ten essential elements: attention, wonder, vision, play, surprise, vulnerability, restlessness, tenacity, connection and hope.

Each element is explored through short, inspiring and focused essays on everything from writing habits to word choice, white space and redrafting. Throughout, Maggie offers practical writing prompts and generative activities that apply to the area of focus and sharpen creative skills. Dear Writer provides tools that artists of all experience levels can apply to their own creative practices and carry with them into all genres and all areas of life.

©2025 Maggie Smith (P)2025 Canongate Books Ltd