Spider, Spin Me a Web: A Handbook for Fiction Writers
Worth buying if: You want a focused book about the craft of fiction writing from Lawrence Block.
Skip it if: You are looking for a novel, memoir, or work of literary criticism rather than a writing handbook.
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780688146900. The Amazon link uses this ISBN, so the product page should open to the edition shown here.
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Summary
This writing book is explicitly framed as a handbook for fiction writers. Its focus is the craft of writing fiction, presented through Lawrence Block’s authorial perspective.
Why this book now
Read it now as a practical snapshot of how a major crime writer approached the teaching of fiction in 1996.
30-second preview
Two quick cards, fifteen seconds each.
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Best for readers who...
Good fit if you want...
- You want a focused book about the craft of fiction writing from Lawrence Block.
- You enjoy studying writers’ handbooks alongside your own drafting and revision.
- You are looking for a novel, memoir, or work of literary criticism rather than a writing handbook.
- You want a contemporary guide whose examples and publishing context reflect the 2020s.
- You only want something with very current references and examples.
Decided it fits?
Exact edition: Edition shown · ISBN-13 9780688146900
Worth buying if: You want a focused book about the craft of fiction writing from Lawrence Block.
Skip it if: You are looking for a novel, memoir, or work of literary criticism rather than a writing handbook.
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.
Reader guide
Cues to help you decide faster.
Reading commitment
Light Short sit-downs
At 243 pages, this is a substantial but contained handbook suited to steady reading with pauses for reflection or writing.
What stands out here
This record describes the 1996 HarperCollins edition, running 243 pages and presenting Block’s fiction-writing handbook in its original period context.
Best way to approach it
Read it as a working craft book: take the title’s handbook framing seriously, and pause to test its ideas against your own fiction.
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Exact edition: ISBN-13 9780688146900
Check Amazon for the current price and availability of this exact edition.