In 2025, bestselling Martin L. Shoemaker taught The Jazz Sessions, Zoom classes on writing. Once a week for twenty-six weeks, he and his students discussed craft, business, and occasional tributes to his mentors—because his mentors believed in Pay It Forward. Those classes and this book were his chance to pay it forward to you.
This book goes into more depth on thirteen of the most popular sessions, emphasizing craft and business… and soul.
Table of Contents
Introduction. Down, but Not Out
Part I: The Craft of Writing
Session 1. Dwarves in the Woods
Session 2. Panning for Gold: The Bradbury Method
Session 3. The South Park Secret
Session 4. The Heart of the Story
Session 5. Ruthless Consistency: World Building by Accretion
Session 6. How I Met Your Story
Session 7. How Long Is a Piece of String?
Session 8. 12 Things That Aren’t Writer’s Block
Part II: The Business of Writing
Session 9. Where Do I Sell This Thing?
Session 10. Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
Session 11. Oh, Hell, No!
Part III: The Soul of Writing
Session 12. A Tribute to Barry B. Longyear
Appendix: Writing Games.
Character Arc Games
Prompt Games
This book goes into more depth on thirteen of the most popular sessions, emphasizing craft and business… and soul.
Table of Contents
Introduction. Down, but Not Out
Part I: The Craft of Writing
Session 1. Dwarves in the Woods
Session 2. Panning for Gold: The Bradbury Method
Session 3. The South Park Secret
Session 4. The Heart of the Story
Session 5. Ruthless Consistency: World Building by Accretion
Session 6. How I Met Your Story
Session 7. How Long Is a Piece of String?
Session 8. 12 Things That Aren’t Writer’s Block
Part II: The Business of Writing
Session 9. Where Do I Sell This Thing?
Session 10. Never Give a Sucker an Even Break
Session 11. Oh, Hell, No!
Part III: The Soul of Writing
Session 12. A Tribute to Barry B. Longyear
Appendix: Writing Games.
Character Arc Games
Prompt Games
Used availability for Martin Shoemaker's The Jazz Sessions (Nine and Sixty Ways)