Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel

Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel is a tutorial guide/workshop for writers (and would-be-writers) by Jessica Brody with guides for producing a finished YA novel. Released 18th July 2023 by Penguin Random House on their Ten Speed Press imprint, it's 432 pages and is available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. 

This is a practical and logically arranged guide to the craft of writing; specifically young adult narrative fiction. The chapters progress from creating worthy protagonists to blueprints/charts/storyboards for creating a narrative arc, through denouement and resolution. There are also tutorials for polishing, finishing, marketing, and planning sequels and series. 

Nearly all the books on writing craft seem to be dry and so full of detail that it's easy to get overwhelmed. The Save the Cat! series is humorous, very useful, and accessible. 

Four and a half stars. This would be a great public or school library acquisition, reference for aspiring writers, writing/bookclub groups and similar. 

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.