My Top 5 Recommendations for Books on Writing

Letters to a Young Writer by Colum McCann

This craft book is formatted as many books on writing are–as essays. McCann’s book was one I read in high school and appreciated. While textbook-like craft books have their benefits, specifically in the knowledge department, they can be intimidating. McCann breaks his essays up into easily digestible sections. They are an easy read, filled with useful advice. I would recommend this book to someone who may want to learn more about creative writing but has never picked up a book on it before. It’s a pleasant, charming collection of essays that focus on improving your writing and what it means to be a writer. 

On Writing by Stephen King

“On Writing” is a craft book I had recommended to me while pursuing creative writing. King is a wildly recognizable name in the literary world, and this book helps to show why. Formatted as a combination of a memoir and his advice on writing, King wrote a craft book that doesn’t read like one. He uses the creative nonfiction essay to cultivate a book that you will get lost in. As he contextualizes what he has learned about writing with his own life stories, it emphasizes how personal being an author is. Sure, there are pretty universal narrative skills that most writers preach about, but there is a level of subjectivity and personal taste that King provides.

Daemon Voices by Philip Pullman

Pullman’s craft book is the beefiest on the list, nearly 100 pages longer than King’s. It covers more than just writing advice, but how fiction functions in our society, how it has evolved, and why it is important. Pullman’s collection of essays was written over twenty years, allowing him to express thoughts that came to him through his age and experience. He’s written books for children and adults, so his advice and topics vary more widely from the previous two books. It may be thick, with an index and permissions section, but Pullman’s book is worth taking the time to read and reflect on. Much like the other two books mentioned so far, the essays have a creative flair, making them much easier to consume and digest. If you’re looking for a more “catch-all” craft book, then this one might suit you. 

Welcome to the Writer’s Life by Paulette Perhach

If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to the actual realities of being a writer in the 21st century, this one is for you. Perhach’s book acts more as a guide to being a writer than advice on the craft itself. While it gives valuable tips on improving your writing and stories, it primarily focuses on lifestyle habits that can benefit someone who wants to be a writer full-time. Perhach provides the reader with actionable exercises and advice on how to write consistently, get your work out to publishers, how to start writing, and resources to expand your writing community. Filled with advice from other writers and recommendations for writing resources, this book is an excellent starting point for anyone thinking of pursuing a writing career.

Zen in the Art of Writing by Ray Bradbury

This is my favorite and has been since high school. I am not someone who typically enjoys science fiction, but I have always been fond of Bradbury’s work, and his craft book is no different. This book goes back to the format of the creative essay coupled with advice on writing. Like King, Bradbury creates an immersive read by contextualizing his guidance through his life experiences. While he certainly does touch on important technical elements of a successful story, he also delves into the philosophy of being a writer. He does an excellent job showing how someone’s perspective on life, emotional state, anxieties, and preconceptions will impact the quality of their work. The book is filled with Bradbury’s passion for writing and his desire for others to experience the same. He emphasizes curiosity, creativity, and tapping into the joy that leads people to creative writing. I go back to this book anytime I need inspiration because it reminds me how much I love writing, too. It never fails to invoke that creative excitement inside me.