Whether you want to make writing your career or just want to know how to improve your writing so that you can pass your college courses, there is plenty of reading material out there to help you get inspired and hone your skills. Here's a collection of titles that will instruct you on just about every aspect of writing, from the basics of grammar to marketing your completed novel, with some incredibly helpful tips from well-known writers themselves as well.

Writing Basics

These books address things like structure, plot, descriptions and other basic elements of any story.

Advice from Authors

Who better to give advice on writing than those who have made a name for themselves doing it? These books offer some insights on the craft from those who know it best.

Improving Your Writing

Use the information in these books to hone your writing skills.

Grammar

Whether you struggle with grammar or just want to learn to master it better, these books are great reads and reference tools.

Reference Books

Keep these books on hand to ensure your writing is mastering the basics like spelling, formatting, word use and more.

Writing as a Career

If you're looking to make a career out of writing, these books can be a big help in getting you there.

Genre or Format Specific

These books focus on particular genres like science fiction or mystery or specific types of writing like poetry and nonfiction.

Classics

These classic books on writing, writers and creativity will get you inspired to write more.

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway: Published posthumously, this book details the time Hemingway spent in Paris along with other literary greats, like Fitzgerald, as well as insights into the psyche of the artist himself.

Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce: This fictional account of the life of Joyce is not only a good read but an interesting insight into the events that shaped the life of one of the world's most acclaimed authors.

Poetics by Aristotle: This ancient Greek text is all about constructing the perfect tragic drama, but offers invaluable insights into the essentials of any genre of writing.

Walden by Henry David Thoreau: Check out this book to learn what it means to disconnect from society and focus on nature. Thoreau's lessons on simplicity can be applied to the art of writing as well, where less can often say more.



Creativity and Motivation

Get some tips and advice on finding your creative spark and getting motivated to finally write your own book, essay, or short story.