Books About Writing: A Genre Unto Itself

1.
Bird by Bird
Bird by Bird 4.24 avg rating — 108,479 ratings
2.
Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings
Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings 4.27 avg rating — 1,319 ratings
3.
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within 4.21 avg rating — 31,305 ratings
4.
Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft
Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft 4.11 avg rating — 3,832 ratings
5.
Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You
Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You 4.08 avg rating — 20,955 ratings
6.
Writing 21st Century Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling
Writing 21st Century Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling 4.34 avg rating — 872 ratings
7.
The Elements of Style [Illustrated]
The Elements of Style [Illustrated] 4.18 avg rating — 86,241 ratings
8.
The Writing Life
The Writing Life 3.98 avg rating — 18,001 ratings
9.
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft 4.34 avg rating — 310,116 ratings
10.
A Poetry Handbook
A Poetry Handbook 4.23 avg rating — 8,985 ratings
11.
A Writer's Diary
A Writer's Diary 4.16 avg rating — 6,457 ratings
12.
Characters & Viewpoint
Characters & Viewpoint 4.04 avg rating — 4,698 ratings
13.
Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence
by: Lisa Cron
4.21 avg rating — 5,391 ratings
14.
Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction
Wonderbook: The Illustrated Guide to Creating Imaginative Fiction 4.33 avg rating — 4,141 ratings
15.
Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints
Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints 4.05 avg rating — 2,188 ratings
16.
Take Joy: The Writers Guide To Loving The Craft
Take Joy: The Writers Guide To Loving The Craft 4.06 avg rating — 527 ratings
17.
In the Palm of Your Hand: A Poet's Portable Workshop
In the Palm of Your Hand: A Poet's Portable Workshop 4.08 avg rating — 1,131 ratings
18.
The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers
The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers 4.10 avg rating — 10,249 ratings
19.
Writing Course: Teaching the Time-Efficient Principles of Planning and Writing a Book
Writing Course: Teaching the Time-Efficient Principles of Planning and Writing a Book 4.70 avg rating — 10 ratings
19.
How to Write Fiction: Tools and Techniques
How to Write Fiction: Tools and Techniques 3.88 avg rating — 8 ratings
19.
Living Revision: A Writer's Craft as Spiritual Practice
Living Revision: A Writer's Craft as Spiritual Practice 4.70 avg rating — 61 ratings
19.
Author for Life or for a Living?: How to Stay Sane & Alive when Everything & Everyone Brings you Down: Manifesto for Real Writers
Author for Life or for a Living?: How to Stay Sane & Alive when Everything & Everyone Brings you Down: Manifesto for Real Writers it was amazing 5.00 avg rating — 7 ratings
19.
Painting Dragons: What Storytellers Need to Know About Writing Eunuch Villains
Painting Dragons: What Storytellers Need to Know About Writing Eunuch Villains 4.53 avg rating — 17 ratings
19.
The Young Adult Writer's Journey: An Encyclopedia for YA Writers
The Young Adult Writer's Journey: An Encyclopedia for YA Writers 3.84 avg rating — 31 ratings
19.
The Influential Author: How and Why to Write, Publish, and Sell Nonfiction Books That Matter (2nd Edition)
The Influential Author: How and Why to Write, Publish, and Sell Nonfiction Books That Matter (2nd Edition) 4.59 avg rating — 107 ratings
19.
Writers Revenge: Four Authors and the Publisher from Hell
Writers Revenge: Four Authors and the Publisher from Hell 2.87 avg rating — 31 ratings
19.
Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book
Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book 4.08 avg rating — 247 ratings
19.
Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words
Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life with Words 4.16 avg rating — 2,534 ratings
19.
The Storytellers: Straight Talk from the World's Most Acclaimed Suspense & Thriller Authors
The Storytellers: Straight Talk from the World's Most Acclaimed Suspense & Thriller Authors 4.01 avg rating — 137 ratings
19.
Write for Life: Creative Tools for Every Writer
Write for Life: Creative Tools for Every Writer 3.96 avg rating — 984 ratings
31.
Letter to Artists
Letter to Artists 4.65 avg rating — 119 ratings
31.
The Art of Memoir
The Art of Memoir
by: Mary Karr
4.14 avg rating — 8,175 ratings
31.
Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story
Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story 4.32 avg rating — 3,424 ratings
31.
Writing the Sacred Journey: Art and Practice of Spiritual Memoir
Writing the Sacred Journey: Art and Practice of Spiritual Memoir 4.24 avg rating — 159 ratings
31.
Writing on Empty: A Guide to Finding Your Voice
Writing on Empty: A Guide to Finding Your Voice 3.63 avg rating — 321 ratings
36.
The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative
The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative 3.92 avg rating — 2,748 ratings
36.
Bullies, Bastards and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction
Bullies, Bastards and Bitches: How to Write the Bad Guys of Fiction 3.97 avg rating — 686 ratings
38.
The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art
The Faith of a Writer: Life, Craft, Art 3.79 avg rating — 1,267 ratings
38.
Write. Publish. Repeat. (The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success)
Write. Publish. Repeat. (The No-Luck-Required Guide to Self-Publishing Success) 4.28 avg rating — 2,796 ratings
40.
Mugging the Muse
Mugging the Muse 4.09 avg rating — 213 ratings
40.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print 4.25 avg rating — 7,005 ratings
40.
Creating Characters: How to Build Story People
Creating Characters: How to Build Story People 3.93 avg rating — 237 ratings
43.
2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love
2,000 to 10,000: How to Write Faster, Write Better, and Write More of What You Love 4.19 avg rating — 4,633 ratings
44.
Thinking About Memoir
Thinking About Memoir 4.16 avg rating — 440 ratings
44.
Mastering Showing and Telling in Your Fiction (Busy Writer's Guides, #4)
Mastering Showing and Telling in Your Fiction (Busy Writer's Guides, #4) 4.37 avg rating — 254 ratings
44.
Million Dollar Outlines
Million Dollar Outlines 4.16 avg rating — 835 ratings
47.
The Art of Time in Fiction: As Long as It Takes
The Art of Time in Fiction: As Long as It Takes 3.89 avg rating — 693 ratings
47.
How to Write Dialogue (Busy Writer's Guides, #3)
How to Write Dialogue (Busy Writer's Guides, #3) 4.27 avg rating — 177 ratings
47.
Style is the Rocket: and Other Essays on Writing
Style is the Rocket: and Other Essays on Writing
by: Tom Simon
4.29 avg rating — 14 ratings
50.
The Art of Time in Memoir: Then, Again
The Art of Time in Memoir: Then, Again 4.07 avg rating — 538 ratings
50.
Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing
Finding Your Voice: How to Put Personality in Your Writing 3.78 avg rating — 223 ratings
50.
Death Carries a Camcorder: Essays on fantasy writing
Death Carries a Camcorder: Essays on fantasy writing
by: Tom Simon
4.29 avg rating — 17 ratings
53.
179 Ways to Save a Novel: Matters of Vital Concern to Fiction Writers
179 Ways to Save a Novel: Matters of Vital Concern to Fiction Writers 3.78 avg rating — 88 ratings
53.
Writing Fight Scenes: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 1)
Writing Fight Scenes: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors (Writer's Craft Book 1) 4.13 avg rating — 509 ratings
53.
Writing Down the Dragon: and Other Essays on the Tolkien Method and the Craft of Fantasy
Writing Down the Dragon: and Other Essays on the Tolkien Method and the Craft of Fantasy
by: Tom Simon
4.43 avg rating — 35 ratings
56.
The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction
The Lie That Tells a Truth: A Guide to Writing Fiction 4.04 avg rating — 596 ratings
56.
Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish
Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish 4.11 avg rating — 5,936 ratings
56.
The Pursuit of Perfection: And How It Harms Writers
The Pursuit of Perfection: And How It Harms Writers 4.27 avg rating — 205 ratings
59.
Making Shapely Fiction
Making Shapely Fiction 3.97 avg rating — 1,178 ratings
59.
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression 4.53 avg rating — 6,247 ratings
59.
Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer's Craft
Thunder and Lightning: Cracking Open the Writer's Craft 4.05 avg rating — 1,433 ratings
62.
The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers
The Rose Metal Press Field Guide to Writing Flash Nonfiction: Advice and Essential Exercises from Respected Writers, Editors, and Teachers 4.18 avg rating — 442 ratings
62.
Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success
Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success 4.11 avg rating — 4,787 ratings
62.
Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life
Wild Mind: Living the Writer's Life 4.14 avg rating — 6,528 ratings
65.
Truth of the Matter, The: Art and Craft in Creative Nonfiction
Truth of the Matter, The: Art and Craft in Creative Nonfiction 4.01 avg rating — 159 ratings
65.
Language Of The Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction
Language Of The Night: Essays on Fantasy and Science Fiction 4.27 avg rating — 1,958 ratings
67.
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running 3.87 avg rating — 193,989 ratings
67.
Wrede on Writing: Tips, Hints, and Opinions on Writing
Wrede on Writing: Tips, Hints, and Opinions on Writing 4.16 avg rating — 166 ratings
69.
The Spooky Art: Thoughts on Writing
The Spooky Art: Thoughts on Writing 3.64 avg rating — 650 ratings
69.
Writing Down The Bones: Freeing The Writer Within
Writing Down The Bones: Freeing The Writer Within 4.21 avg rating — 31,305 ratings
71.
Fact and Artifact: Writing Nonfiction
Fact and Artifact: Writing Nonfiction 3.73 avg rating — 15 ratings
71.
Write Like the Masters: Emulating the Best of Hemingway, Faulkner, Salinger, and Others
Write Like the Masters: Emulating the Best of Hemingway, Faulkner, Salinger, and Others 4.11 avg rating — 161 ratings
73.
Working on a New Play: A Play Development Handbook for Actors, Directors, Designers & Playwrights
Working on a New Play: A Play Development Handbook for Actors, Directors, Designers & Playwrights 3.73 avg rating — 15 ratings
73.
A Reader's Manifesto: An Attack on the Growing Pretentiousness in American Literary Prose
A Reader's Manifesto: An Attack on the Growing Pretentiousness in American Literary Prose 3.90 avg rating — 596 ratings
75.
Creating Poetry
Creating Poetry 3.96 avg rating — 179 ratings
75.
Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need
Save the Cat: The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need 4.02 avg rating — 21,031 ratings
77.
The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry
The Poet's Companion: A Guide to the Pleasures of Writing Poetry 4.14 avg rating — 2,306 ratings
77.
How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One
How to Write a Sentence: And How to Read One 3.48 avg rating — 3,304 ratings
79.
Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within
Ordinary Genius: A Guide for the Poet Within 4.11 avg rating — 952 ratings
79.
A Rhetoric of Irony (Phoenix Books)
A Rhetoric of Irony (Phoenix Books) 3.92 avg rating — 87 ratings
81.
Writing Creative Nonfiction
Writing Creative Nonfiction 3.84 avg rating — 308 ratings
81.
The Rhetoric of Fiction
The Rhetoric of Fiction 4.01 avg rating — 1,258 ratings
83.
Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction
Keep It Real: Everything You Need to Know About Researching and Writing Creative Nonfiction 3.57 avg rating — 317 ratings
84.
To Show and to Tell: The Craft of Literary Nonfiction
To Show and to Tell: The Craft of Literary Nonfiction 3.94 avg rating — 1,027 ratings
84.
Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands
Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands 3.69 avg rating — 4,269 ratings
86.
The Art and Craft of Playwriting
The Art and Craft of Playwriting 3.80 avg rating — 220 ratings
86.
Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose
Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose 4.27 avg rating — 3,843 ratings
88.
Shadow Boxing: Art and Craft in Creative Nonfiction
Shadow Boxing: Art and Craft in Creative Nonfiction 3.75 avg rating — 28 ratings
88.
On Becoming a Novelist
On Becoming a Novelist 4.10 avg rating — 3,090 ratings
90.
Aspects of the Novel
Aspects of the Novel 3.80 avg rating — 4,858 ratings
91.
Tell It Slant: Writing and Shaping Creative Nonfiction
Tell It Slant: Writing and Shaping Creative Nonfiction 4.08 avg rating — 1,269 ratings
91.
Characters & Viewpoint
Characters & Viewpoint 4.04 avg rating — 4,698 ratings
93.
Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction
Writing True: The Art and Craft of Creative Nonfiction 3.92 avg rating — 128 ratings
93.
The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers
The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers 3.99 avg rating — 6,231 ratings
95.
Fourth Genre, The: Contemporary Writers of/on Creative Nonfiction
Fourth Genre, The: Contemporary Writers of/on Creative Nonfiction 4.02 avg rating — 169 ratings
95.
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting 4.27 avg rating — 17,105 ratings
97.
Poetry Writing: Theme and Variations
Poetry Writing: Theme and Variations 4.33 avg rating — 6 ratings
97.
How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling
How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling 3.87 avg rating — 2,675 ratings
99.
Beginnings, Middles, and Ends
Beginnings, Middles, and Ends 3.99 avg rating — 2,491 ratings
100.
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction 4.24 avg rating — 30,210 ratings
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