In my writing room I have a shelf where I keep all of my books on writing. Through trial and error, I’ve figured out which ones are the most help to me and which ones will probably get opened rarely, if ever again. I love books. I love holding them and keeping them around. Even if I know I’ll never read them again, for me happiness is a full book shelf.
I’ve compiled this list to help sort the wheat from the chaff and to give you writers out there either a starting point for your writing library, or some helpful additions to your current stock. it occurs to me that this would also be an excellent holiday gift list for those of you with a writer in your life.
Ready? Ok, let’s go!
- The current edition of 2009 Writer’s Market
. It really is a must have for a writer interested in getting their work published. In addition to the obvious, it is also loaded with tips on submission and a wealth of other little gems.
- Strunk and White - The Elements of Style: 50th Anniversary Edition
. This is a classic. Easy reference and writers have been relying on the advice here for years.
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
, by Stephen King. Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue with his formula for writing success. Clean, straightforward approach to writing. No magic here, just great advice.
- Even if you have been writing for a while I highly recommend Beginning Writer’s Answer Book
This book was an amazing find for me. It answered all of my questions as well as ones I had not even considered. I use it as a reference tool all the time.
- To help keep you inspired and motivated, How I Got Published: Famous Authors Tell You in Their Own Words
is filled with excellent reminders to never give up.
- Economy of words is the focus of Write Tight: How to Keep Your Prose Sharp, Focused and Concise
I guarantee you will be amazed by how much fluff you have in your writing. The author knows how to pack a punch and has a “take no prisoners” approach to wordsmithing.
- The author of The Book on Writing: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Well
has impeccable credentials and her tips and methods reinforce her experience. A highly recommended book for any writer.
- If you are considering the self publishing route then go get Dan Poynter’s Self-Publishing Manual, 16th Edition: How to Write, Print and Sell Your Own Book (Self Publishing Manual)
. I’m serious. This will be your reference guide for everything you need to know to get your writing into the hands of readers.
- If your day job involves writing in any way then Writing At Work : Professional Writing Skills for People on the Job
is for you. In a corporate environment of any size, people will judge you based on the written word that you put out there. Make a good impression by writing good well.
- A serious writer needs serious connections. Jeff Herman’s Guide To Book Publishers, Editors, & Literary Agents 2009: Who They Are! What They Want! How To Win Them Over!m19th Edition (Jeff Herman’s … Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents)
will get you headed that direction. Truly a must have for breaking into print.
There you have it. No writer’s library is complete without these complete
without these. I’d recommend these books to any teacher of online masters degree programs in English or Journalism. Get them for yourself or as a holiday gift for the writer in your life.
My question for the writers out there is simple: What “Must Have” books are in YOUR library?
Funnily enough I’m sitting with my favourite writing books round about me as I do some research for a project. King’s ‘On Writing’ is a definite must have. I read it in one sitting (a long plane journey) and was itching to get writing again at the end of it.
Another one I’d add is Zinsser’s “On Writing Well” – he knows how to get to the heart not just of the writing craft but the way a writer thinks and looks at the world
Joanna Young´s last blog post..Thinking About Self-Publishing? Read This Book
Hi Joanna,
I’m going over to Amazon right now and check that out. Yeah, King’s On Writing actually got me writing again and gave me incentive to start my fiction writing.
Cheers
George
You certainly did a lot of reading and research, well done George.
100kjob´s last blog post..Is it Still Profitable in Buying and Selling Domain Names
George, thank you for the recommendations. I’ve got 6 books queued up but am going to add at least a couple more as a result of this post. One thing I noticed … Write Tight: How to Keep Your Prose Sharp, Focused and Concise. Is that subtitle at all redundant?
Brad Shorr´s last blog post..What Are You Thankful For?
@Brad:
Ohhh. You’re GOOD! Hehe. Geez, I never thought I’d find someone with a sense of humor as goofy as mine…
It’s a small club. Check out my buddy/sometimes collaborator -
http://personanongravy.com/
Brad Shorr´s last blog post..What Are You Thankful For?
@Brad: Hehe. Went there. Thank goodness it’s a small club. And just to make certain we’re clear, here’s a little gem for ya:
A neutron walks into a bar. Says, “Bartender! How much for a drink?”
Bartender says, “For you, no charge.”
@100kjob: Always good to see you here, you know. Thanks and it was a labor of love to research those…
I am interested in taking a writing course possibly in the spring semester at our local college. In the meantime, I think I will take a look at the “Beginning Writer’s Answer Book”. Thanks for the list.
Congrats on your article on small biz bee…great job.
Dee Langdon – BloggerNewbie´s last blog post..3 Steps To Achieving Your Goals
Hi Dee,
Good End-of-Weekend to ya! It really is an incredibly awesome book. I read it in about two sittings, I couldn’t get enough. Hey thanks for the words about the SmallBizBee post. That one was a bit different, eh?
cheers
George
Ooh I think I may have to come back to this. If only books were free. Ha. Maybe the library will have some of the self-publishing ones.
Ashley´s last blog post..Nineteen and Fifteen
Hi Ashley,
You’ve mentioned that you want to self publish. I just sent you an Amazon gift certificate you can use to purchase Dan Poynter’s Self Publishing manual. It should cover the book and shipping.
Merry Christmas and Cheers
George
This is a great list and I cannot wait to purchase the books mentioned. I believe these will come in handy in the future.
Hi Mikia,
Always a pleasure to see you here. I’m glad you like the list. I hope the books do come in handy, I know they have for me.
George
You said that “happiness is a full book shelf”. Do you only have one? Fess up – I bet you’ve got tons of shelves as well as books piled on the floor.
I think I’ll check out that Stephen King one.
Kim Woodbridge´s last blog post..(Anti) Social-Lists 11/23/08
Hi Kim,
Welcome back. Ok, you caught me. Yup, I’ve got a slew of books hanging around. You know, I think it goes back to my old middle school/high school days where I spent most of my free time in the school library. Never was much of a jock, stoner or popular guy. For whatever reason I always found great comfort there, and I guess having books around does the same thing for me today.
The King book is truly excellent. I think you will enjoy it.
Cheers
George
Wow, thanks George! You rock! Just ordered it! I’m super excited!
I do have a question for you, though…
What are the pros and cons of self publishing AND the other way?
Ashley,
Yay! You are welcome and I hope the book works for ya.
I’m putting together a post to drill down a bit into the self publishing model. It will include a compare/contrast of standard-vs-self publishing routes.
Cheers
George
Thanks! Once I am done with NaNo at the end of the month I will be catching up on my reading. You have given me enough books to get me going.
CJ Harley´s last blog post..NaNoWriMo Update – The Home Stretch
Cj: Thanks for dropping by. I hope NaNoWriMo went well for ya!
Cheers
George
WOW, great list. I actually was thinking of buying my friend who is a writer a really good book for this Christmas. Thank you so much for the great tips!
Mattress,
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad the list was helpful!
George
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