The Writer's Friend brims with thoughtful advice and insights into what makes writing work. It deals forthrightly with problems writers and editors confront every day such as when and where to use attribution, how to make copy more readable and how to recognize cliches. It also covers headlines and cutlines at length.
This educational and enjoyable book incorporates thoughts expounded in two columns that Gibson writes monthly. One, just on writing, appears in Publisher's Auxiliary. The other, on a variety of newspaper subjects, appears in the Texas Press Messenger
Gibson uses direct address to tell readers about things they need to know, want to know and will find helpful
in improving writing and editing for American newspapers.
Throughout, The Writer's Friend maintains the comfortable tone that has made the author a popular speaker at newspaper meetings across the country.