Janet Burroway

Janet Burroway is an American author, playwright and writing instructor best known for her textbook Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft, which has become a standard text in creative writing programs across the United States. Throughout her career spanning over five decades, Burroway has published eight novels including The Buzzards, Raw Silk, and Opening Nights. Her literary work has earned numerous accolades, including Notable Book of the Year selections by The New York Times and nominations for the National Book Award. Beyond fiction, Burroway has written children's books, poetry collections, plays, and non-fiction works including Losing Tim, a memoir about her son who died by suicide while serving in the U.S. military. She has held teaching positions at several institutions and served as the Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor at Florida State University. Her academic work has significantly influenced how creative writing is taught in American universities, with her craft books offering detailed analyses of literary techniques and practical guidance for developing writers. Her textbooks continue to be widely used in undergraduate and graduate writing programs.

Students and writers consistently highlight Writing Fiction as a thorough resource for learning narrative craft, with readers noting its clear explanations and useful examples. Reviews cite the detailed chapters on character development and point of view as particularly helpful. Readers appreciate: - In-depth analysis of craft elements - Real story examples that illustrate concepts - Practical exercises and prompts - Regular updates in new editions Common criticisms: - Dense academic tone can be overwhelming for beginners - High price point for textbook - Some find the example stories too literary/traditional - Occasional repetitive content between editions Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (450+ ratings) Writing Fiction consistently ranks highest among her works in reader reviews. Her novels and memoir receive fewer ratings but similar scores, typically 4/5 stars. One reader notes: "The exercises alone are worth the price - they force you to examine writing from new angles." Another states: "Could be more accessible for new writers, but the depth of instruction is unmatched."

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft A comprehensive textbook examining the elements of fiction writing through contemporary examples and practical exercises.

The Buzzards A novel following the lives of an extended family in rural Illinois during the Great Depression.

Raw Silk A novel chronicling an American woman's journey of self-discovery in Thailand during political upheaval.

Opening Nights A novel set in a university theater department, exploring the intersections of art, ambition, and personal relationships.

The Giant Jam Sandwich A children's picture book telling the story of how villagers solve their wasp problem by creating an enormous sandwich.

Losing Tim A memoir documenting the author's experience of loss and grief following her son's death while serving in the military.

Imaginative Writing: The Elements of Craft A textbook covering the fundamentals of creative writing across multiple genres.

Bridge of Sand A novel about a widow who journeys south following her husband's death, confronting issues of race and identity.

Material Acts A poetry collection exploring themes of physicality, relationships, and personal history.

John Gardner His book "The Art of Fiction" provides similar detailed instruction on writing craft as Burroway's textbooks. He taught creative writing at multiple universities and influenced a generation of writers through both his fiction and his teaching methods.

Alice LaPlante Her writing guide "Method and Madness" takes a comparable approach to teaching fiction through analysis of craft elements and practical exercises. LaPlante's background as both a creative writing professor and working novelist mirrors Burroway's dual career path.

Charles Baxter His craft book "Burning Down the House" examines fiction writing techniques with the same analytical depth as Burroway's work. Baxter combines his experience as a creative writing professor with insights from his career as a novelist to explain narrative construction.

Madison Smartt Bell His book "Narrative Design" breaks down fiction writing into structured elements similar to Burroway's methodical approach. Bell's teaching career at Goucher College and his extensive publishing history give him parallel expertise in both pedagogy and practice.

Anne Bernays Her writing guide "What If?" provides writing exercises and craft analysis that complement Burroway's teaching methods. Bernays taught at Harvard Extension School and co-founded a creative writing center, sharing Burroway's commitment to writing education.