Five Books Every Writer Should Own
No matter your specialty, there are some books that every writer should have on hand. Whether you are a novelist, a nonfiction ghostwriter, fantasy world builder, technical editor, or a copywriter, these books will strengthen your understanding of language, story, and guide you through the ins and outs of the freelance industry.
1. The Writers Market Guide. If you have not heard of this book or have not put it to use yet, ready yourself for a life-changing experience. This book lists thousands of publications, their contact information, submission guidelines, and how much they pay—all sorted by medium and genre. The front and back matter are packed with helpful guides like standard payrates, sample query letters, and practical essays on the legal and tax side of freelancing. The listings are updated every year so be sure to either purchase a membership online or buy the latest edition. For seasoned freelancers ready to take their work to the next level, or for beginners just starting out, this book is a must-have.
2. The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Long considered the writer’s Bible, this little book is gold. Barely 100 pages, The Elements of Style cuts through the subjective complexities of the English language and offers a pure and succinct guide to stellar writing. But it’s not a boring read, as it might sound. Strunk and White are humorous, engaging, and profound. I make it a habit to read it through once a year and to reference it often.
3. The Chicago Manual of Style and The Associated Press Stylebook. Depending on the type of work you do, you might need one or both books. For the book writer, CMS is your go-to. AP for the journalists and magazine writers. If, like me, you work in both fields, you’ll want easy access to both books. Answering all your grammar and usage questions—like when, if ever, a semicolon is appropriate, space or no space after an em dash, how to handle in-text citation and punctuation for special titles— these resources will make sure that your writing is on the right side of the grammar rules. A new edition is published every couple of years to keep up with the changes in the English language, but if you prefer pixels to print, online subscriptions might be most helpful medium for you.
4. Reading Like a Writer by Francine Prose. I keep this book in view because it helps me remember the better things about story and good writing. Francine Prose (let's take a second to appreciate that name) dives into the classic books and their writers, highlighting and illuminating the beauty of words and sentences, the complexities and color of character, the variety in narration styles, and the punch and eloquence of dialogue. Every time I pick up this book, I fall in love all over again with reading and the writing craft.
5. The Lost Prince of Samavia by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This book is not at all about writing, but then most of the best writing books aren’t. But I keep this book on my desk for purely sentimental reasons. One of my first ever published pieces was a review about this abridged edition and so I keep it as a memento of where I’ve come as a writer. But more than that, this beautiful tale always touches my heart. It reminds me that story has the power to inspire, challenge, and change. What book inspires you? Maybe it was the first story that made you fall in love with reading, maybe it’s a title from the author you aspire after, maybe it was a book that changed your life. There are a lot of days when we writers feel like we’re merely shouting in the dark. And we need reminders that what we do is purposeful, that our words really do carry light to dark spaces.
There are a hundred more books on writing that are equally worthy to be listed. I’m always reading new and powerful books on the subject. In fact, I doubt this will be the only list I’ll post. But these five will set you up for a productive, informed, and inspired writing day. Happy writing, friends.
