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Prolific Writer, Robert W. Bly Pens His Last Book

By Michael Stelzner

Robert W. Bly, known by those who know him as Bob, has decided to call it quits after more than 70 books. He announced today that he has penned his last volume.

Best known for writing books such as The Copywriters Handbook, The Elements of Business Writing and Become a Recognized Authority in Your Field and The White Paper Marketing Handbook, Bob has encouraged literally thousands of writers around the world.

I have emailed and spoken with Bob on numerous occasions. He is a really nice guy.

I would like to take this opportunity and ask you to share how Bob’s work has impacted your life.

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This entry was posted on Thursday, October 5th, 2006 at 4:19 pm and is filed under Random Thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  • John Buckle
    I am just starting out on the road and have never heard of Bly, after reading the comments here I have some reading to do.
  • Um, there are two Bob Bly's.

    Robert Bly is the poet and author of the men's movement classic "Iron John" while Bob Bly is the copywriter and prolific non-fiction book author. I think Eric has mixed them up. I assume Bob goes by the name he does because this has happened more than once in the past.
  • It's Bly's enormous energy that has changed my life - his bold, passionate phrasings, his unapologetic truthfulness, his startling word combinations. We plan a retrospective of Bly's work in the winter edition of www.nationalliteraryreview.org. Thank you for this invitation to reflect on not only Bly's work but the remarkle life force that is this one man.
    Erie Chapman, Editor
    National Literary Review
  • I have half a book shelf devoted to Bob Bly, and when I just looked at it, ALL of his books have bookmarks, folded over corners, are profusely highlighted and have copious notes in the margins.

    Bob is truly a guy who knows his stuff and generously shares that knowledge with others. I have never met or spoken to the guy, but I have always heard how genuinely nice he is.

    Each of us hopes to leave a mark on this world after we're gone, and Bob truly has. So many writers owe their lifestyles to this one man. What a legacy!

    Charles Brown
  • When I started my copywriting business, Bob was the only copywriter who openly shared his secrets about effectively marketing one's services. It's all I had to go on, so I followed his advice. Some of it worked, some didn't. But I wouldn't be where I am today without those books.

    I’ll always be thankful for his openness and wisdom.
  • Jonathan,

    I agree.

    Nettie
  • The industry will miss his great wisdom on the topic of writing that has been a source of inspiration for a quite long time.

    Somehow I feel that we will continue to hear from Bob from time to time, perhaps in a host of different venues.
  • As I look at the bookshelves in my office, I count four of Bob's books that keep close at hand. And there are more on the shelves in my living room. I am amazed at how much he produces, and how helpful all of it is. I tend to agree that he may not be finished yet, and if Bob "comes out of retirement" with a farewell book, I won't be at all surprised. In the meantime, he should enjoy a little downtime. He's certainly earned it!
  • Dianna, I agree with you about giving up too soon. When I lost a major client early on in my career (I was part-time then), I wondered if I should be doing this profession... five years later, I went full-time.
  • I read my first Bly book back in 1998 -- "How To Make $85K a Year Freelance Writing." I had just started my business and had zero clients.

    One thing from that book: Bob states in it that too many people give up too soon. Like most people I had my ups and downs and during the downs I would re-read that section. I think he said something like, "Don't give up." So I didn't.

    One day a few years later I received an email from Bob -- "Terrific newsletter!" I just about died. By that time I had read many of his books -- and getting a note from Bob that he read and enjoyed my newsletter really made my day (ok, week and month!). We've since spoken on the phone and one day I'll get out to NJ and actually meet him.

    I agree with everyone else -- Bob is a great guy and yes, he really does answer all his emails!
  • Britton!

    That made me laugh out loud. Perhaps "Captain Bly" is going to take up sailing and then write a book on it! Or perhaps like Streisand he'll do private singing engagements and raise thousands for a freelance writers foundation, which will then with all the funding from Bly's private engagements go on and become one of the biggest publishing houses of the world with Captain Bly at the helm.

    Either way I say to Bob "writespeed" and may the wind always be at your sails!

    Go BOb!
  • Oh, come on. I don't believe it. This sounds like Barbra Streisand's "farewell" tour. We seem to hear more about her now that she is retired -- and her benefit shows still bring in the big bucks. I want to know what the real story is here. I simply can't take this one at face value. Captain Bly isn't ready to sail off into the sunset.
  • What a surprise and sad. I don't know how Bob does it -- pours out books that are of high quality. My heart pumps harder just thinking about writing single book. He always responds to my emails, which is impressive as not all prolific and popular writers even bother to do one time.

    He deserves his rest and to move on to other things.
  • I already put a post on Bob's web site, but the only thing I can say is how sad! I'm crazy about Bob and his books literally enabled this "Mom in Pajamas Interviewing CEOs" (me) to stay inspired and working at home and as writer and build a career so I could stay at home with my children. They're now both in school and how sad for me that one of my writing heroes will pen books no more!

    Nettie Hartsock
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