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The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback

The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback

Best price now

$1.64at alibrisChecked Nov 8

88% under what the other stores charge

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Price facts

  • Last seen at $1.64 at alibris on Nov 8.
  • Checked at 3 stores.

Our take on the The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback

Jeffrey Hatcher's The Art and Craft of Playwriting is a practical guide for writers who want to move from idea to finished script. Hatcher, a working playwright, walks through structure, character, dialogue, and revision, with exercises and examples drawn from stage work. It is a craft book rather than a theory text, so it suits beginners and early-career writers who want concrete steps. Compared with broader screenwriting guides, it stays focused on the stage: dialogue that must carry the story, live actors, and a limited set.

Best forFirst-time playwrightsWriters moving from fiction or screenwriting to the stageDrama students and workshop groupsTeachers looking for a structured playwriting text
Pros
  • Clear, step-by-step approach to building a play
  • Written by a produced playwright with stage experience
  • Covers structure, character, dialogue, and revision
  • Exercises that push a draft forward
  • Short chapters that are easy to work through
Cons
  • Published in 2000, so examples feel dated
  • Light on contemporary and experimental theater
  • Focuses on conventional dramatic structure
  • Few detailed case studies of full scripts

The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback prices at every store

  • alibrisNew

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    $1.64Checked Nov 8
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  • WalmartNew

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  • TargetNew

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    $15.75+ $5.99 shippingChecked Nov 8
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Store links may earn us a commission. Some prices via Klarna.

The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback price history

Lowest price we've seen: $1.64 on Nov 9 at alibris. Tracked across 3 stores since Nov 9.

What reviewers say

Readers who use it as a working guide tend to find it clear and practical, especially for learning structure and rewriting. Some find the examples old-fashioned and the approach conventional.

What people mention
  • StructurePraisedReaders say the chapters on plot and scene structure give them a clear method for shaping a script.
  • ExercisesPraisedThe writing prompts are described as useful for getting past a stalled draft.
  • ExamplesCriticisedSome readers find the plays cited old-fashioned and not representative of current theater.
  • ApproachMixedBeginners find the conventional model helpful, while others want more on experimental forms.

Specifications

Format
PaperbackSource
Release Year
2000Source
Language
EnglishSource
Genre
Dictionaries & Languages, Art, Photography & DesignSource
Publisher

Questions and answers

Is this book good for a complete beginner?
Yes. It assumes no prior playwriting experience and starts with basic questions about character, conflict, and structure. The exercises are designed to be done alongside a first draft.
Does it cover screenwriting too?
No. It is specifically about writing for the stage, with attention to live performance, dialogue, and limited staging. Screenwriters can use the structure advice but will need other sources for film.
Is it dated?
The book was published in 2000, so its examples and references come from earlier theater. The craft principles still apply, but readers wanting contemporary examples should supplement it.
Does it include exercises?
Yes. Each chapter ends with writing exercises that build toward a full draft. Readers say the prompts are one of the book's strongest features.
Is it useful for a playwriting class?
It works well as a course text because the chapters are short and sequential. Teachers may want to add newer plays as examples.
Where is the The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback cheapest?
At alibris, for $1.64, 88% under what the other stores charge, as of our latest check.
Where can I buy the The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback?
3 stores we checked sell it, including alibris, Walmart, Target.

Stores we've priced the The Art and Craft of Playwriting Paperback at

  • Target deals and prices
  • Walmart deals and prices

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STORY PR
Source
Release Date
2000-03Source