This is an essential book if you are an aspiring writer - especially if you are looking to pitch your stories to a magazine! Susan Shapiro talks about the art of writing essays, and how you can get better at the task. As a journalist, I can definitely see myself using the tips on this book in my daily life - even if it just for writing a blog post or a book review. I love how it is packed with tips and examples, from Susan Shapiro herself and also from the students she had in her writing courses over the years. You can see what worked and what didn't work, and even learn how to prepare your cover letter that accompanies your story. A must read for all aspiring writers and bloggers out there!