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The No Rules Handbook

The No Rules Handbook for Writers is a timely, creative and refreshing antidote to prescriptive guides for writers. It will inspire playwrights, screenwriters and novelists; offer fresh insights to teachers, editors, dramaturgs, directors and producers.


Lisa Goldman takes 40 established conventions of creative writing. She explores why these rules persist, how to master them, bend or break them and why the most important rules to overturn are your own. The book weaves together industry experiences, psychological observations and inspirational tips.


With practical advice from 40 rule-breaking writers including:

Hassan Abdulrazzak, Oladipo Agboluaje, Ronan Bennett, Sita Bramachari, Trevor Byrne, Anthony Cartwright, Matthew Greenhalgh, Tanika Gupta, Neil Hunter, M.J. Hyland, Gurpreet Kaur Bhatti, Dennis Kelly, Bryony Lavery, Chris Paling, Stacy Makishi, Neel Mukherjee, Hattie Naylor, Anthony Neilson, Kim Noble, Tom Palmer, Lucy Prebble, Philip Ridley, Paul Sirett, Edmund White, Roy Williams.

See Amazon Books for 5* reviews, look inside and Kindle version here


See Oberon Books for 40% discount using the coupon code ONNORULES here.

Press Comments…


"Lisa Goldman’s book is like the best of British new writing: it is personal, well-written, clearly thought out and resonant. Its advice is passionately felt but perfectly controlled. And its ideas sing and inspire."

Aleks Sierz (author of In-Yer-Face Theatre)


"Feisty, helpful, liberating stuff”

The Stage


“What emerges is the primacy of the writer’s unique voice, a voice that Goldman seeks to liberate rather than stifle... It is a refreshing approach that quite rightly places the writer as individual at its centre.”


The Public Reviews


"Full of sensible advice"

Lyn Gardner(The Guardian)


What writers are saying…


"At last... a book about writing for writers, by someone who is a writer and understands the writing process. This is now my favourite book about writing. Better than any of those expensive writing courses."

In-Sook Chappell winner of 2007 Verity Bargate Award

"This is truly liberating for any writer who is 'stuck' or struggling with the 'rules' one is told to adhere to in conventional writers handbooks. The quotes are inspriring, the excercises useful and imaginative, and Lisa Goldman's experience and insight supportive and spot on. This book makes writing magical and exciting again. A breath of fresh air."

Natasha Langridge winner of 2010 Meyer-Whitworth Award

"I can't recommend this highly enough! "

Sarah Dickinson Writer and senior reader Soho Theatre


"Will add to my reading list and recommend for other modules I teach on. I think students will love it!"

Judith Bryan Writer and teacher MA novel writing at Roehampton


"Love the book! A genuinely welcome alternative to all the navel-gazing 'How to....' books.”

Paul Sirett Multi-award winning playwright and ex-dramaturg of RSC


"Written by someone who truly cares about the writer's process. Right up there with Truby and Mckee."

Simon Allen Casting director, actors agent and screenwriter.

"It’s going up on my bookshelf up alongside the essential reads....this book is a treasure trove of advice, and one I hope will be in print for many years to come. You've done writers around the world proud."

Mohsen Shah Playwright and works at RCW Literary Agency

 "An easy to read, funny, straightforward, sensible and inspirational book for writers at all stages of their career. Read it right through and continue to dip in and out. I don't like/read books about writing or acting. This no rules handbook- broke that rule, for me. "

Terri-Ann Brumby Writer and actor

The No Rules Handbook for Writers

by Lisa Goldman


The No Rules Handbook for Writers will be a valuable read for anyone curious about the craft, context and process of writing.


Published: Published Oberon Books April 2012

Binding: PaperBack

Page extent: 260

ISBN: 9781849431118

£14.99


Read Lisa's blog for the London Writers' Club…

...and in conversation with Aleks Sierz for Theatre Voice

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