A review by textpublishing
Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process by John McPhee

‘Anyone aspiring to make a living from writing long-form journalism or literary non-fiction should read this book, absorb its lessons on the art of crafting clear and compelling prose, and then accept that the professional world McPhee was lucky enough to inhabit is now gone.’
Scotsman

‘Draft No. 4 belongs on the short shelf of essential books about the craft.’
Wall Street Journal

‘Eight crisply instructive and drolly self-deprecating essays [are] gathered here in this exceptionally entertaining and illuminating book … [Draft No. 4] is expert, charming, and invigorating.’
Donna Seaman, Booklist

‘McPhee has set the standard for the genre of creative nonfiction … With humor and aplomb, he recalls anecdotes about how he approached a story: from interviewing and reporting to drafting and revising, to working with editors and publishers … A well-wrought road map to navigating the twists and turns, thrills and pitfalls, and joys and sorrows of the writer’s journey.’
Donna Marie Smith, Library Journal

‘[Draft No. 4 is] not a general how-to-do-it manual but a personal how-I-did-it of richer depth—not bouillon cubes, but rich stock … McPhee lays it all out with the wit of one who believes that writing has to be fun at least once in a pale blue moon.’
Publishers Weekly

‘A master class in writing … Almost every sentence sparkles … A superb book.’
STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

‘Matchless teaching from a master of the form—seductive, trustworthy and endearingly modest.’
Helen Garner

‘A marvellous new book…A fascinating book for anyone interested in writing.’
Australian