On Becoming a Writer and Other Essays

August Derleth was not only a prolific writer, but a careful student of the craft of writing. Throughout his life, he wrote essays addressed to novice writers, offering them advice on how to write, how to work with editors and publishers, and related issues. In 1952-53 he wrote a series of articles, "On Becoming a Writer," that outlined his views in some detail. But he went on to address related topics such as censorship (an issue that has once again become timely), the role of teachers in fostering literary work, and the status of the writer as a public figure. He applied all these lessons to his own work, keeping a journal that covered millions of words and drawing upon his personal experiences for some of his most powerful novels and tales. All his essays on writing reflect a deep understanding of the job of an author and the role he plays in society, and his words remain vital to this day.