Every Word Matters - by Ranjana Srivastava (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Every Word Matters is an essential guide for writers who want to make a difference.

Renowned for her insightful columns in the Guardian, Dr Ranjana Srivastava brings her signature clarity and intelligence to the art of writing opinion columns, advocacy pieces and essays.

With wisdom and warmth, she skilfully guides readers through the challenges and rewards of writing. From simplifying complex ideas to developing a distinctive voice and engaging the audience, Srivastava offers practical advice drawn from her own experiences of both setbacks and successes.

Whether your goal is to educate, inspire, or advocate, this book will help you transform your ideas into compelling writing.

What makes Every Word Matters especially powerful is Srivastava's dual perspective as both an oncologist and a writer, giving her a unique understanding of the power of language to inform, persuade and heal.

A must read for aspiring writers, professionals, and anyone curious about the writing process, Every Word Matters is a powerful reminder of why writing well truly matters.

Review Quotes

'In Every Word Matters, Ranjana Srivastava takes up the most important question for any writer who wants to make change in the world. Who are you writing for? With the rich and compelling stories that have made her Guardian column a joy to read for years, this little book is a masterclass, filled with the essential writing tips, tools, and strategies for finding and using your voice as a writer.' - Alex Green, Harvard Kennedy School

'In a smart and insightful how-to manual that upends a traditionally dry genre, Ranjana Srivastava gives us a window into the process, puzzles, risks, and rewards of writing essays, op-eds, and advocacy pieces. Drawing on her own rich career as a physician-writer, she takes readers behind the scenes to elucidate key motives, steps, and missteps and helps them plan for the potential reactions when their writing takes on a life of its own. A skilled and compelling storyteller, Srivastava carries readers along, demonstrating essential writing strategies even as she articulates them, offering many spoonfuls of delightful sugar to help the instructional medicine go down.' - Debra Malina, Perspective Editor, The New England Journal of Medicine

'Dr Srivastava's columns have always made me think philosophically about what it means to live a meaningful life, although she is never didactic. This is writing with a clear and strong heartbeat, that places the human being at the centre of the story.' - Alice Pung, author of Unpolished Gem

'A piece of writing from Ranjana Srivastava is a gift. Few full-time writers, let alone physician writers, ever achieve the clarity, truthfulness and courage that have become the hallmarks of Srivastava's work. I always learn something from reading her words; she helps me see my patients and my work anew.' - Melanie Cheng, author of The Burrow

'Ranjana Srivastava is a natural storyteller with a faithful following among readers. Her empathy and kindness, as well as her fierce intelligence and deep knowledge of her profession and the human condition shine through in everything she writes. Any aspiring writer would benefit from the clear-eyed and compassionate advice in this book.' - Svetlana Stankovic, Opinion Editor, The Guardian Australia

'In Every Word Matters Ranjana Srivastava warmly welcomes readers into her journey from aspiring writer to columnist, offering an honest account of the rewards and challenges of her work. Srivastava's candid exploration of the writing process is surprisingly relatable. She provides guidance on how writers can make space to write, seek the human angle in complex topics, weave evidence into compelling narratives, and cultivate a vibrant practice fuelled by curiosity and consistent reading. Packed with helpful tips and example columns, this book is an inspiring read for both budding and seasoned columnists.' - Lauren Brodsky, Senior Director, Communications Program, Harvard Kennedy School