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Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need

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Save the Cat! Writes a Novel

By: Jessica Brody
Narrated by: Jessica Brody
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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The first novel-writing guide from the best-selling Save the Cat! story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.

Novelist Jessica Brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed Save the Cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of novel writing. Revealing the 15 "beats" (plot points) that comprise a successful story--from the opening image to the finale--this book lays out the Ten Story Genres (Monster in the House; Whydunit; Dude with a Problem) alongside quirky, original insights (Save the Cat; Shard of Glass) to help novelists craft a plot that will captivate--and a novel that will sell.

With a PDF that includes charts, lists, and exercises from the book. Words, Language & Grammar Writing & Publishing Thought-Provoking Creative Writing
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Critic reviews

“Every novelist should own a copy of this book. It will change the way you think about stories—and your writing. Jessica Brody takes the mystery and frustration out of plotting a novel. I’ll never write another book without a copy of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.”—Kami Garcia, #1 New York Times best-selling coauthor of Beautiful Creatures and author of Broken Beautiful Hearts

“Good plotters aren't born. They're formed by studying the twists and turns of others' stories. Save the Cat! Writes a Novel is a perfect plot study tool for all levels of writer. It will help you dissect any plot conundrum, conceive your story's blueprint, and give a beat to every pivot of your hero's journey.”—Grant Faulkner, executive director of National Novel Writing Month and author of Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo

“Through its insightful use of beat sheets, genres, and trade secrets, this book is an invaluable guide through the daunting task of writing a novel.”—Jessica Khoury, author of The Forbidden Wish and Last of Her Name

“This playful, illuminating book is a godsend for anyone seeking to understand story structure for novels.”—Emmy Laybourne, author of the international bestselling Monument 14 trilogy, and the novels Sweet, Berserker and Ransacker
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Good enough that I bought a hard copy as well so I could mark pages and reference easily. Occasionally repetitive but that is a minor quibble as many of the repetitions are also very helpful to clarify points made.

Useful and insightful

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"Save the Cat! Writes a novel" delivered everything I wanted from it and more. I can't recommend it enough. Writing truly is a craftsmanship and after those hours of listening (all at once, it sucked me right in!) I feel like a different person, now a little closer to being a craftsman.
Regardless of your experience and knowledge, you will definitely find something valuable in this book. If you have anything to do with writing and plotting of any kind, you should absolutely check it out!

Save the Cat? More like Save my Wiriter Dreams!

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A very comprehensive and detailed exploration of plot, something I have always struggled with. Hopefully no longer the case.

Expert advice

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I lived with this audio book and the written book for months and (having read a number of novels on writing) found this to be the perfect fit for me. I used it (and make adaptations as necessary as suggested) to write my first novel (An urn for the worse). Thanks Jessica Brody! You kept me inspired and I look forward to using the method for my next book!

A really clear guide which helped me write my first novel!

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good book but can't finish it due to vocal fry of narrator. just can't bear it. sorry

nobody likes vocal fry! why do it?

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