"One of the most down-to-earth, user-friendly texts I've seen."—Erika Dreifus, Writer
“What a treasure to have a second how-to book of this caliber enter the world for developing writers. . . . [T]his is a practical, down-to-earth, advice-driven collection of smart, unpretentious chapters on the work of becoming a writer. . . . The section on self-publishing and electronic publishing will be especially important to today’s younger writers. . . . The greatest strength of this book is its friendly, don’t-be-afraid-we’ll-help-you tone, a must for people who are just beginning their writing endeavors. . . . [This] will be an essential tool for anyone considering the adventure of writing.” —Anne-Marie Oomen, ForeWord
“It’s hard to imagine any aspiring writer whose fear, self-doubt and bewilderment won’t be blown to bits by reading this book. Ted Kooser and Steve Cox offer excellent practical advice, liberating encouragement, and an infectious attitude that revels in the sheer joy of creative writing.”—Lawrence W. Cheek, author, architecture critic for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and instructor in the University of Washington Writers Program
“The gentle, conversational voice of team Kooser and Cox offers courage and wisdom to new writers. You can do it, they say, we know you can, and we’re here to show you how. Practical and inspirational, they lead writers to the pleasures of shaping, to the surprising stories that no one else can write, to expeditions into the deep-woods territory of memory, and to demystification of the publishing process. ‘The writer’s goal,’ our coaches say, ‘is to light up the sky.’ They have practiced what they preach. Writing Brave and Free is a liberating, illuminating guide.”—Meg Files, author, and chair of the English Department at Pima Community College
“If you’ve yearned for the courage to put pen to paper, or hands to keyboard, after reading Writing Brave and Free, you probably will.”—Marge Pellegrino, Tucson Weekly
"These two are a pair of crafty old uncles who anticipate your writing dilemmas and offer you examples of how they and others have resolved them. While they'd never be so bold as to tell you what to do, they'll politely steer you along the proper path."—Arizona Daily Star
"Practical and upbeat advice."—UU World