Book cover of Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow: A DIY Manual for the Construction of Stories

Book description

"Truth Is the Arrow, Mercy Is the Bow is one of the best books on writing I've ever read. It's also the funniest by a country mile." -Richard Russo, author of the North Bath trilogy

The long-awaited craft book from Steve Almond, based on three decades of writing, failing, and…


When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Most writing books all seem preachy: Do this, and you'll "succeed." Steve Almond uses examples to draw conclusions that can help all writers—while giving us greater perspective as both writer and reader.

If you love Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow...

Book cover of The Rosewood Penny

The Rosewood Penny by J.S. Fields,

2023 Queer Indie Award Nominee!

The dragons of Yuro have been hunted to extinction.

On a small, isolated island, in a reclusive forest, lives bandit leader Marani and her brother Jacks. With their outlaw band they rob from the rich to feed themselves, raiding carriages and dodging the occasional vindictive…

Want books like Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 2 books like Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow.

Browse books like Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow

Share your top 3 reads of 2025!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,340

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Truth is the Arrow, Mercy is the Bow, you might also like...

Book cover of Murder, Lies and Chocolate

Murder, Lies and Chocolate by Sally Berneathy,

Book 2, Death by Chocolate series.

Rodney Bradford comes into Lindsay's restaurant, offers to buy her small house for double its value, eats her brownies, and drops dead on the sidewalk in front. Next, her almost-ex-husband offers to sign the divorce papers, but only if she'll give him her small,…

Book cover of Tangle of Time

Tangle of Time by Maureen Thorpe,

A spellbinding journey through time and cultures.

When Annie Thornton, midwife and apprentice witch, falls through time to a 15th-century Yorkshire village with her telepathic cat, Rosamund, she befriends Will and Jack, two soldiers returning from the French Wars. Mistress Meg, Annie’s ancestral aunt living in the 15th century, is…