Books for Writers (and Readers too)
I’m often asked what I would recommend, so this is the beginning of a possibly infinite list. Never too obvious to add the old advice: read, read, read. Thanks to all who made suggestions here. If you have a favourite book I’ve missed out, do please let me know and I’ll add it to the list.
Teach Yourself has a fabulous creative writing community blogsite called The Future Bookshelf. Worth paying them a visit!
Getting Published
Write to be Published Nicola Morgan – Nicola Morgan provides fantastic advice for writers on her website. Approachable, straightforward and very wise! Follow her on Twitter @nicolamorgan.
The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook
Becoming a Better Writer
Becoming a Writer Dorothea Brande
Zen in the Art of Writing Ray Bradbury
Into the Woods: a 5 Act Journey into Story John Yorke
Negotiating with the Dead: a writer on writing Margaret Atwood
On Writing: a memoir of the craft Stephen King (and if you haven’t read Stephen King, you should)
The Practice of Writing & Writing Fiction David Lodge
How to Write (Guardian) Philip Olterman
Bird by Bird: some instructions on writing and life Anne Lamott
The Forest for the Trees: an editor’s advice to writers Betsy Lerner
The Seven Basic Plots: why we tell stories Christopher Booker
The Writing Life: authors speak British Library audio
The Writing Life Annie Dillard
Writers’ Groups
Either on a local or regional level (e.g New Writing North) these are extremely helpful with advice, support and company! Find out what’s available in your area,
Helpful websites/articles
Brain Pickings: 9 Books on Reading & Writing
Neil Gaiman’s 8 Rules of Writing
Books About Books
Howards End is on the Landing: a year of reading from home Susan Hill
Ex Libris: confessions of a common reader & At Large and at Small: confessions of a literary hedonist Anne Fadiman
Outside of a Dog: a bibliomemoir Rick Gekoski
The Reading Promise: 3218 nights of reading with my father Alice Ozma
The Yellow-Lighted Bookshop: a memoir, a history Lewis Buzbee
The Child That Books Built Francis Spufford
So Many Books So Little Time: a year of passionate reading Sara Nelson
Misc
Read William Goldman on screenwriting, Diana Athill on editing (and her life)
Read fairy stories, and above all, and once again, read read read.