Sports Writing

VOYA

Only those young adults who long to write about sports will find something to enjoy or take away from Craig's new guide. He writes in an amiable and approachable manner and offers good, valuable tips to the future journalists who might one day find themselves standing on the sidelines of a sporting event. He gives hints on interviewing players and coaches, relays the importance of telling the truth without embellishing it, and emphasizes the value of getting the little things right, such as spelling names correctly or knowing the players. As with most how-to writing guides, Craig occasionally strays into territory where his advice can only be viewed as reflecting his own personal method of writing. Of course everyone's style is different, and readers should take away only the guidance that they find valuable and useful, discarding the rest to learn for themselves. Interestingly enough, the author's biographical information does not say where he has worked as a sportswriter, giving no indication why readers should value or heed his advice. They get only the vague declaration that he is "an award-winning sportswriter turned sports editor who is now a freelance writer and author," but no references, or better yet, examples from his own experiences are provided. Although he seems credible and indeed gives good advice, it would be nice for readers to know from whence it came. VOYA Codes: 3Q 2P M J S (Readable without serious defects; For the YA with a special interest in the subject; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2002, Discover Writing Press, 162p,
— Matthew Weaver