Books on Writing
Writing is a career that requires constant learning and striving to be better, but a lot of the time writers don’t have the resources to continue their education. This is why reading nonfiction on writing by the best writers is key to becoming a better writer.
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Writing Down the Bones - Natalie Goldberg
With insight, humor, and practicality, Natalie Goldberg inspires writers and would-be writers to take the leap into writing skillfully and creatively.
The Artist's Way - Julia Cameron
A revolutionary program for personal renewal, The Artist's Way will help get you back on track, rediscover your passions, and take the steps you need to change your life.
On Writing - Stephen King
Immensely helpful and illuminating to any aspiring writer, this special edition of Stephen King's critically lauded, million-copy bestseller shares the experiences, habits, and convictions that have shaped him and his work.
The Kick Ass Writer - Chuck Wendig
Whether you're just starting out or you need one more push to get you over the top, two things are for certain--a kick-ass writer never quits, and Chuck Wendig won't let you down in this high-octane guide to becoming the writer you were born to be.
Find Your Voice - Angie Thomas*
The only BIPOC writer on this list of writers. In this guided journal, #1 New York Times bestselling author Angie Thomas shares advice and best practices for developing a true-to-you writing project.
The Forest for the Trees - Betsy Lerner
Quickly established as an essential and enduring companion for aspiring writers when it was first published, Betsy Lerner's sharp, funny, and insightful guide has been meticulously updated and revised to address the dramatic changes that have reshaped the publishing industry in the decade since.
Bird By Bird - Annie Lamont
For a quarter century, more than a million readers--scribes and scribblers of all ages and abilities--have been inspired by Anne Lamott's hilarious, big-hearted, homespun advice.
The Elements of Style - William Strunk, Jr and E.B. White
You know the authors' names. You recognize the title. You've probably used this book yourself. This is The Elements of Style, the classic style manual, now in a fourth edition.
Self Editing for Fiction Writers - Renni Browne and Dave King
"A superb tutorial for anyone wanting to learn from pros how to polish fiction writing with panache."-- Library Journal
How to Write Like Tolstoy - Richard Cohen
A thought-provoking journey inside the minds of the world's most accomplished storytellers, from Shakespeare to Stephen King.
Sin and Syntax - Constance Hale
Everyone needs to know how to write stylish prose--students, professionals, and seasoned writers alike. Whether you're writing to sell, shock, or just sing, Sin and Syntax--now celebrating 20 years in print--is the guide you need to improve your command of the English language.
Save the Cat - Blake Snyder
Here's what started the phenomenon: the best seller, for over 15 years, that's been used by screenwriters around the world! Blake Snyder tells all in this fast, funny and candid look inside the movie business. "Save the Cat" is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying.
The Writer's Journey - Christopher Vogler
A format that once seldom deviated beyond a traditional three-act blueprint, Vogler's comprehensive theory of story structure and character development has met with universal acclaim, and is detailed herein using examples from myths, fairy tales, and classic movies.
A Writer's Guide to Persistence - Jordan Rosenfeld
A Writer's Guide to Persistence is your road map through the rugged terrain of the writer's path. You'll discover advice and techniques for cultivating a fruitful, deeply meaningful writing life by practicing your craft, polishing your work, and persisting through even the toughest challenges.
The Emotional Craft of Fiction - Donald Maass
While writers might disagree over showing versus telling or plotting versus pantsing, none would argue this: If you want to write strong fiction, you must make your readers feel. The reader's experience must be an emotional journey of its own, one as involving as your characters' struggles, discoveries, and triumphs are for you.
Story Genius - Lisa Cron
Following on the heels of Lisa Cron's breakout first book, Wired for Story, this writing guide reveals how to use cognitive storytelling strategies to build a scene-by-scene blueprint for a riveting story.
No Plot, No Problem - Chris Baty
Chris Baty, founder of the wildly successful literary marathon known as National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), has completely revised and expanded his definitive handbook for extreme noveling.
Steal Like An Artist - Austin Kleon
An inspiring guide to creativity in the digital age, Steal Like an Artist presents ten transformative principles that will help readers discover their artistic side and build a more creative life.
Everybody Writes - Ann Handley
In the newly revised and updated edition of Everybody Writes, marketer and author Ann Handley improves on her Wall Street Journal bestselling book that's helped hundreds of thousands become better, more confident writers.
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