First You Write a Sentence.

Joe Moran has a genius for turning the prosaic poetic – Peter HennessyThoughtful reflections on how to write well – John Mullan * Guardian Review *Joe Moran is the most perceptive and original observer of British life that we have – Matthew EngelMoran has fast become Britain’s foremost explorer and explainer of the disregarded – Juliet Gardiner, author of ‘Wartime: Britain 1939-1945’Moran is a wonderful, witty writer, and here he surpasses himself – Marcus Berkmann (on Shrinking Violets) * Daily Mail *Compelling … There’s plenty in Moran’s book to delight grammar and language nerds – Daniel Hahn * The Spectator *Humane and witty … as a primer in generous and lively writing, First You Write a Sentence is blithe and convincing * New York Times *Exquisite…Moran’s own sentences are so deliciously epigrammatic that I considered giving up chocolate in favour of re-reading his book…He is more mentor than instructor – Irina Dumitrescu * TLS *

Joe Moran is Professor of English and Cultural History at Liverpool John Moores University and is the author of seven books, including Queuing for Beginners- The Story of Daily Life from Breakfast to Bedtime, Armchair Nation- An Intimate History of Britain in Front of the TV, Shrinking Violets- The Secret Life of Shyness and First You Write a Sentence. He writes for, among others, the Guardian, the New Statesman and the Times Literary Supplement.