As a former English professor, I approach books about writing with a keen interest in their insights and guidance for aspiring authors. Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t: Why That Is And What You Can Do About It by Steven Pressfield is a book that offers advice on writing and storytelling. However, I found the tone and presentation of the information to be problematic, which ultimately led me to not finish the book.
The central premise of the book—that nobody wants to read your writing—is an important and realistic point for writers to consider. It encourages authors to shift their perspective and approach their work with a reader-focused mindset. While this concept holds merit, the way it is presented in the book comes across as condescending and arrogant. The repeated emphasis on the phrase “nobody wants to read your sh*t” can be off-putting and may discourage readers from engaging with the content further.
The Advice in Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t
Effective writing advice should be delivered in a manner that is both informative and respectful. The author’s approach in this book often lacks that sense of respect for the reader. The dismissive tone undermines the valuable insights the book could provide and instead creates a barrier between the author’s message and the reader’s willingness to absorb it.
As an educator and avid reader, I value books that contribute positively to the understanding and practice of writing. While some readers may connect with the blunt and straightforward style employed by Pressfield, I believe that effective writing advice can be delivered in a way that respects the reader’s intelligence and desire to learn. As such, I found the tone of Nobody Wants to Read Your Sh*t to be a significant obstacle to fully engaging with the material, ultimately leading to my decision to not finish the book.
