How to Fail in Literature: A Lecture

"How to Fail in Literature: A Lecture" by Andrew Lang is a funny yet smart talk put into writing, that explores why many writers don't make it big. Lang uses a funny and sarcastic tone to show the common mistakes writers make, like not getting a good education, not paying attention to the world around them, and writing poorly. He points out that copying other writers badly, having nothing important to say, and making enemies with powerful critics are all paths to failure. But, Lang also believes that even if someone doesn't become famous, there's still value in writing and reading just for the love of it, saying that real success comes from hard work, being original, and writing from the heart, not just from wanting praise.