On Revision The Only Writing That Counts

"Revision is a kind of writing, argues William Germano, indeed the only writing that ultimately counts. That's because only revision makes a piece of writing worth the time and attention of readers. With the wit and wisdom that distinguished his now classic guides Getting It Published and From Dissertation to Book, Germano explains how to get your writing up to the level where it matters not just to yourself but to others. Revision goes far beyond the usual advice to cut for concision, discussing revision as expansion, structural revision across the larger span of a work, revision as response to one's audience, and revision as rethinking. Although full of practical advice, this book is no mere how-to, and to approach it only as a guide wouldn't do it justice. It is also a learned, deeply thoughtful essay on what impels revising, and on the writer's task"--