The book falls into two major divisions,- poetry and the novel. Within these, the contributors say their may on their own arts, by definition, by discussion of the ends and uses, the subject matter, the symbolism, the nature of poet or novelist. Style- structure- essentials are viewed, sometimes with jaundiced eye. The material spans centuries of writing, and is drawn from letters, diaries, essays- and occasionally from creative works, in which the writer speaks through his characters. An odd kind of anthology, for rather special reference.