ABSTRACT
Writing book reviews does not carry much weight in academia and, until recently, has not been much discussed by creative writing programmes as part of one’s professional career. Writing book reviews, however, can be useful, not only as service to the field or as literary citizenship but in building a record of publication and in sustaining one’s writing over a lifetime. Writing and publishing book reviews supports three distinct, interconnected areas of a writer’s work: (1) the attentive, writerly reading to keep up with one’s field; (2) thoughtful, expert engagement in the conversation of one’s field; and (3) connection with editors and readers. Because the workshop approach to teach creative writing focuses on the same kinds of skills as are required for writing book reviews, the book review is a logical bridge between creative and critical work, as well as between modes of writerly reading and creative writing. The book review is a useful professional option for creative writers that can be supported at the course, programme, and discipline levels.
