How I Became a Famous Novelist (English)

Motivated by a desire to humble his ex-girlfriend at her upcoming wedding, a deadbeat name Pete Tarslaw sets out to write the great American novel, a distinction which in his mind is dictated purely by revenue, rather than critical reviews. Tarslaw researches the top-selling books of the day and compiles a simple formula for creating a literary hit, ranging from abstract ideas like "Do not waste energy striving for quality," to specific tips such as "Always include a murder" and "When in doubt, describe a delicious meal." The result of his endeavor is "The Tornado Ashes Club," which incorporates all of the essential components of a bestseller into one outrageous adventure. As predicted, the book transforms Tarslaw into an overnight sensation, but when he reveals the dirty secret behind its creation, the backlash from publishers and his fellow authors threatens to obliterate his newfound success. In his first (and possibly his last) novel, Steve Hely hilariously skewers the book industry, as readers are sure to recognize many of today's top titles and writers among the parodied subjects. minimize