An inspirational guide for writers to help them face the challenges that follow completing their work, from navigating the publishing world to maintaining hope.

"The best gift you can give a struggling writer—especially if that writer is yourself." —Betsy Lerner, author of The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers

Having helped writers face their fears in his acclaimed The Courage to Write, Ralph Keyes now turns to the challenges that invariably follow. Frustration is as much a part of the writing process as smiles and semicolons, he suggests, and all writers get discouraged at times. Drawing on his long experience as a writer and teacher of writing, Keyes discusses how writers cope with day-to-day frustration and the struggle to publish. He provides fresh insight into the mind-set of publishers and suggests ways to deal with "discouragers" and to find the "encouragers" every writer needs to know to keep hope alive. Keyes also details the many unconventional tactics writers come up with to kindle the flame of hope, and concludes with well-informed thoughts on why there has never been a better time to write and to publish.

"A perfect companion for every writer. Keyes gives you solid information you can put to use while he bolsters the faith you need to keep going." —Judith Appelbaum, author of How to Get Happily Published

"Chatty, practical advice for novice and veteran alike. Clever, well-written, and inspirational." —Linda Barnes, author of The Big Dip

"Writers seeking reasons to hope should get a boost from this gently reassuring handbook." — Publishers Weekly