Books on How to Write a Book: 10 Essential Picks for Authors

If you’re serious about writing, books on how to write a book are your best investment before you even crack open a blank document. These guides cut through the noise, give you real frameworks, and honestly? They save you years of trial-and-error learning. Whether you’re tackling your first novel, memoir, or non-fiction work, the right writing guide can transform your approach from scattered to strategic.

Why Writing Guides Matter

Look, I get it. You want to just sit down and write. But here’s the thing: most writers who skip the foundational learning spend months (or years) unlearning bad habits. Books on how to write a book aren’t about stifling creativity—they’re about giving you a toolkit so your creativity actually lands on the page the way you intend it.

The best writing books distill decades of professional experience into actionable lessons. They show you what works, why it works, and how to apply it to your specific project. Think of them as mentorship in paperback form. You’re not paying for theory; you’re paying for shortcuts that took other writers a lifetime to figure out.

Craft Fundamentals Everyone Needs

“Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott is the warm hug every writer needs. Lamott talks about writing in small chunks (“bird by bird,” literally), dealing with perfectionism, and finding your voice. It’s part memoir, part instruction manual, and entirely genuine. You’ll laugh, you’ll recognize yourself, and you’ll feel less alone in the struggle.

Another cornerstone is “The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White. Yes, it’s old. Yes, some rules have evolved. But this slim volume teaches clarity and precision that apply whether you’re writing a tweet or a 400-page novel. Keep it on your desk as a reference.

For understanding how sentences actually work, “Syntax Deconstructed” or “The Sense of Style” by Steven Pinker breaks down why certain sentence structures feel right while others clunk. Pinker makes linguistics accessible without being pretentious—a rare gift.

Fiction-Specific Resources

“Save the Cat! Writes a Novel” by Jessica Brody takes the screenwriting framework and applies it to prose fiction. It’s formulaic in the best way—you get a clear roadmap for hitting emotional beats and keeping readers invested. Even if you don’t follow it exactly, understanding the structure helps you know when (and how) to break it.

If you’re writing literary fiction, “The Art of Fiction” by John Gardner digs into creating vivid, believable worlds and characters. Gardner emphasizes “showing” over telling, and his exercises actually work. This one requires patience, but it pays off.

“Story” by Robert McKee is dense but invaluable for understanding narrative structure at a deep level. McKee’s framework applies to screenwriting, novels, and any story-based medium. Fair warning: it’s a commitment, but writers who work through it consistently cite it as transformative.

Non-Fiction & Narrative Books

For memoir and personal essay, “The Art of Memoir” by Mary Karr is essential. Karr shows how to mine your life for stories that matter, how to be honest without oversharing, and how to structure a narrative arc from real events. Her voice is encouraging without being saccharine.

“Steal Like an Artist” by Austin Kleon works for non-fiction writers too. It’s about finding inspiration ethically, developing your unique perspective, and understanding that all writing builds on what came before. Short, visual, and immediately applicable.

If you’re tackling narrative non-fiction or reportage, “The Journalist and the Murderer” by Janet Malcolm (or “Killers of the Flower Moon” by David Grann as a study in narrative technique) shows how to weave research into compelling storytelling. These are more case studies than instruction manuals, but learning by example is powerful.

Editing & Revision Guides

“Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” by Renni Browne and Dave King is the practical workbook you need after that first draft. They break down common mistakes—telling instead of showing, purple prose, inconsistent pacing—and give you concrete fixes. This book pays for itself on the first read-through.

For deeper revision work, “Revision and Self-Editing” by James Scott Bell focuses on structural issues and how to diagnose problems in your manuscript. Bell’s approach is systematic without being mechanical.

Story Structure Deep Dives

“The Anatomy of Story” by John Truby offers an alternative framework to the Hero’s Journey. Truby focuses on character arcs and moral growth, which resonates with writers interested in character-driven narratives. His “22 Building Blocks” give you a different lens than the three-act structure.

For understanding how tension works on every page, “Techniques of the Selling Writer” by Dwight V. Swain is old-school but gold. Swain teaches about stimulus-response units and how to maintain reader engagement through pacing. It’s academic in style but practical in application.

Character & Dialogue Mastery

“Dialogue” by Gloria Kempton is the go-to for writing conversations that feel natural but serve your story. Most writers struggle with dialogue; Kempton gives you permission to break grammar rules for authenticity while still maintaining clarity.

For character development, “The Anatomy of Character” by John Truby (yes, same author, different book) digs into how characters grow and change. Understanding character arcs is crucial for any narrative, and Truby’s framework is one of the clearest.

Publishing & Business Side

Once your manuscript is ready, you need to understand the business. “The Business of Being a Writer” by Jane Friedman covers traditional publishing, self-publishing, and hybrid approaches. Friedman’s no-BS approach helps you make informed decisions about your path forward.

For self-publishing specifically, “The Self-Publishing Manual” by Dan Poynter or “Author, Publisher, Entrepreneur” by various authors give you the logistics and strategy. These books cover everything from formatting to marketing to distribution.

How to Choose the Right Book

Not every writing book works for every writer. Here’s how to pick:

Match your project: Writing a thriller? Focus on structure and pacing books. Writing memoir? Grab Karr’s guide. Writing literary fiction? Start with Gardner.

Consider your learning style: Some writers need theory and frameworks (McKee, Truby). Others need encouragement and permission (Lamott, Kleon). Most need both.

Start with fundamentals: If you’re new to writing, begin with Lamott or Strunk and White. Build from there based on what you discover about your own needs.

Use books as reference: You don’t need to read every book cover-to-cover. Keep them on your shelf and return to specific chapters when you hit a problem. A good writing book earns its place through repeated consultation, not one-time reading.

Building Your Writing Library

Start with three books: one on craft fundamentals (Lamott), one on structure (Brody or McKee depending on your genre), and one on editing (Browne and King). These form your foundation.

As you write, you’ll discover gaps in your knowledge. That’s when you add books. Need help with dialogue? Grab Kempton. Struggling with character? Add Truby. Planning to self-publish? Get Friedman.

Pro tip: Many writing books have companion workbooks or websites with exercises. Do the work. Reading passively won’t improve your writing; applying the lessons will. If you’re also managing your manuscript in Word, understanding how to insert a line in Word or delete section breaks in Word will help you format as you go. For more complex document management, knowing how to insert checkboxes in Word can help you track revisions and planning notes.

Join a writing community too. Books teach you the craft; communities keep you accountable and sane. Many of these authors have online communities or workshops where you can connect with other writers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I really need books on how to write a book?

Not strictly, but they accelerate your learning dramatically. Self-taught writers often develop bad habits that take years to break. Books give you shortcuts and frameworks that would otherwise take decades to discover.

Should I read multiple writing books at once?

No. Read one, apply it, then move to the next. Reading five books simultaneously creates confusion and decision paralysis. Deep work with one resource beats shallow skimming of many.

Are older writing books still relevant?

Yes. “The Elements of Style,” “Story,” and “Techniques of the Selling Writer” are decades old but their core principles are timeless. Writing fundamentals haven’t changed; technology and publishing methods have.

What if I’m writing in a niche genre?

Start with the fundamentals, then look for genre-specific guides. Romance, sci-fi, mystery, and horror all have excellent craft books written by authors in those fields. These go deeper than general writing guides.

Can I learn to write from free resources online?

You can find good information free, but books offer curated, organized knowledge from experts. A $20 book is cheaper than the time you’ll waste sorting through mediocre online content.

How do I know if a writing book is any good?

Read reviews on Goodreads and Amazon, but filter for reviews from actual writers. Check if the author has published successfully in your genre. If possible, read the first chapter or a sample before buying.

Final Thoughts

Books on how to write a book are investments in your craft and your future as a writer. They’re not shortcuts to success—there’s no such thing—but they’re legitimate tools that every professional writer uses. Start with the fundamentals, match books to your specific challenges, and actually do the exercises. The difference between writers who improve and writers who plateau is often whether they actively study their craft or just hope their natural talent carries them.

Your first draft won’t be perfect. Your second won’t either. But with the right resources, your tenth will be significantly better than your first. That’s the real promise of these books: not instant mastery, but steady, measurable improvement over time. Build your library, do the work, and keep writing.