"David Starkey has done a marvelous job, and this textbook is sure to become a staple in introductory creative writing courses across the country. His clear instruction is obviously informed by long experience teaching student-centered creative writing courses. Perhaps most remarkable, however, is Starkey’s unique focus on shorter works of literature, making Creative Writing: Four Genres in Brief practical for both students and instructors. It is a rare textbook, indeed."
— Jeremy Schraffenberger, Binghamton University
"The examples are wonderful! I love the practical nature of the checklists. The Kick-starts are marvelous. Nearly all of them could conceivably lead students to finished creative work. They do more than keep students busy."
— Julie Hensley, Cameron University
"This book is beautifully tailored to the beginning writer. It is the textbook that I have been seeking."
— Jeannie DeQuine, Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus
"The book’s greatest strength lies in its clarity, which is extraordinarily valuable for a beginning student of creative writing."
— Daryl Brown, University of North Alabama