Sportswriting college textbooks, anyone?

Deepest and most profuse apologies, because this Subject has been broached here before (alas, i cannot unearth it from the archives).

So, please, could you folks kindly suggest books -- besides "Pond Scum" or BASW -- that you firmly believe the modern-day college student must read to know something about our business?

Deep-thinking, analytical texts are also welcome.

And no fair plugging your own (or relatives') books.

thanks muchly

 

I think you should read as many collections of great writings as you can get your hands on...

I remember reading ones by Jim Murray, Red Smith, Dan Jenkins to name a few when I was in school and to this day I still try to read those books whenever I can... SI has a few books out that are collections of great writing and are all great reads... Jim Murray's autobiography should be a must...

 

There was a book about sportswriting which was posted a while ago. I think it was by somebody named Christopher Walsh and, although he had something on the thread, I don't think he started it. The reason it was posted was because of the picture, which showed a sportswriter eating a hot dog over a manual typewriter.

Of course, some people started mocking out the picture and the truth is, it wasn't a great picture. It turned out the picture was of a horse racing writer of some renown, but the picture was unflattering. It turned out Christopher Walsh had nothing to do with selecting the picture, but he came on here and seemed like a decent enough guy.

I haven't read the book, but one thing which might seem to be an asset is that the book would be pretty current. Since Christopher Walsh isn't a sportswriting superstar - and I mean no disrespect, for he seems to have a lot of experience - that might be another plus because it would be a realistic image of what sportswriting is all about.

 

True, the book's called "No Time Outs: What It's Really Like To Be a Sportswriter Today." It basically goes through the druthers and experience of covering sports, starting from day 1 when Chris covered high school beats, to his experiences as a college and pro beat writer.

It's a really good read, and I would definitely recommend it.

 

try this one: Real Sports Reporting, Indiana University Press

http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=21851

 

Here's an actual textbook for you:

http://www.amazon.com/Sportswriting-Lively-Conrad-C-Fink/dp/0813822467/sr=1-2/qid=1163695432/ref=sr_1_2/103-4048449-2401444?ie=UTF8&s=books

 

SI's 50 years of great sportswriting is a great source. I have it sitting on my desk, and whenever I think I've written a good story, I open it up and remind myself of how woefully inept I am at my job!

 

AP Stylebook, Sports section.

 

Associated Press Sportswriting Handbook

http://www.apbookstore.com/apsporhan.html

 

Here's that other thread, with a big freaking pic of the cover.

http://www.sportsjournalists.com/forum/threads/22700/