The oversimplified summary of this book could be boiled down to "Have fun and be yourself" — not inherently bad advice, but it wouldn't be especially helpful if Bradbury didn't include specific writing exercises and attitudes to go along with it. Luckily he does.

Honestly, though, I don't think his poetry is particularly good (at least, the poems included in this book). I also found it a little tiring every time he name-dropped another person or magazine that he worked with. Of course it all does help establish credibility for dispensing advice, but I found it a bit incongruous with all his talk about focusing on the craft instead of the fame or money associated with mainstream writing success.

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CONVERSION: 11.25 / 15 = 4 stars

Prose: 9 / 10
Intellectual Engagement: 8 / 10
Credibility: 10 / 10
Organization / Structure: 6 / 10

Emotional Impact / Interest: 3 / 5
Rereadability: N/A
Memorability: N/A