Underqualified Advice

(and Other Amusing Diversions)

By: Drew Hayes

Narrated by: Kirby Heyborne

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

Pick up this title

Fun book full of excellent advice for aspiring writers (I don't even fall into this camp, but it was interesting to read about "behind the scenes" stuff authors deal with... plus, there are great productivity tips/suggestions that can help anyone) and funny side stories. I've never read a book like this before, and I'm glad I did.

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.