The best books about writing according to published authors
When it comes to writing, the internet is flooded with advice. Seriously. There are hundreds of writing books out there, and if we’re being so real, half of them feel like homework. So, how do you know which ones are worth your precious coffee money? Simple: you look at what the pros are reading. I did a deep dive into what actually published, bestselling authors constantly recommend, and I weeded out the boring stuff. So you don’t have to. These are the holy grail best books on writing craft that will help you finish your manuscript instead of staring at a blank cursor for three hours.
It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for writing books for beginners or you’re already on draft three, these 7 books are about to become your new besties.
The best books on writing craft
On Writing: A Memoir of Craft by Stephen King
What it teaches: Part memoir, part masterclass, this book demystifies the writing process. King strips away all the pretentious artistic nonsense and teaches you the raw mechanics of building a daily writing habit. In the best way possible, you can learn how to treat writing like a job (even if you already have a 9-5).
Who it’s best for: Literally? Everyone. Especially pansters and fiction writers who need a serious motivational kick in the butt.
Standout piece of advice: “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart.” (Basically, if a scene doesn’t serve the story, delete it, no matter how pretty the prose is! Or, kill every character on page #RedWedding style.).
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
What it teaches: This is the ultimate blueprint for plotting. Based on a super famous screenwriting method, it breaks down a novel’s structure into 15 essential “beats” (or plot points) that every commercially successful story needs to keep readers turning pages. There’s also a young adult novel version!
Who it’s best for: Hardcore plotters, beginners who have no idea how to pace a book, and pantsers who are stuck in a major Act 2 plot hole. Not for you if you already have a couple of books under your belt and understand story structure in-and-out!
Standout piece of advice: The “Save the Cat” concept itself. Which is essentially, your main character needs to do something uniquely likable or empathetic right at the start so the audience immediately roots for them.
Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
What it teaches: This book is basically a warm hug for your anxious creative soul. Lamott teaches you how to overcome perfectionism and handle writer’s block. If you’ve ever experienced the emotional rollercoaster of being a writer, this one is for you.
Who it’s best for: Beginners who are too paralysed by self-doubt to start, and anyone who writes creative nonfiction or deeply emotional fiction.
Standout piece of advice: Give yourself permission to write a shitty first draft. You can’t fix a blank page, so just get the words down and fix them later!
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
What it teaches: This is like the degree-level of writing books, but in a totally genius way. Truby teaches a 22-step story masterclass that focuses on building your plot organically from your main character’s internal flaws and moral growth, rather than just forcing them into a random structure you find off the internet.
Who it’s best for: Advanced plotters and fiction writers who want to write deeply complex, character-driven epics (perfect for fantasy or sci-fi world-builders).
Standout piece of advice: A great plot only happens when the hero’s internal weakness directly clashes with the external plot obstacles.
Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting by Robert McKee
What it teaches: Okay, yes, it’s technically for screenwriters, but novelists swear by it because it teaches the absolute purity of story structure. It dives deep into what makes a scene dramatic, how to create genuine conflict, and why “turning points” are crucial for keeping an audience hooked.
Who it’s best for: Fiction writers who struggle with boring, flat scenes. Or, anyone looking to write high-drama or high-stakes narratives.
Standout piece of advice: True character is revealed through the choices a person makes under pressure. What they do matters way more than what they say. It’s the age-old saying: actions speak louder than words.
Draft No. 4: On the Writing Process by John McPhee
What it teaches: Written by a legendary New Yorker writer, this book is all about the art of structure, word choice, and the gruelling (but rewarding) process of editing. It shows you how to take a messy mountain of information and organise it into a masterpiece.
Who it’s best for: Nonfiction writers, journalists, and essayists, but also fiction writers who want to elevate their line-level editing game.
Standout piece of advice: Editing is all about selecting the exact right word; using a thesaurus should be used to find the word that fits the rhythm perfectly.
Anything in the QuitBooks for Writers series by Becca Syme
What it teaches: These are hidden gems that published authors talk about constantly. Syme’s series covers everything including writers block, burnout, and intuition.
Who it’s best for: Anyone struggling with burnout, or writers who feel guilty because standard plotting advice just doesn’t work for them.
Standout piece of advice: Quit trying to write like your favourite author; figure out how your brain naturally processes stories and lean into that system instead.
What do I recommend?
If you are totally overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, I cannot recommend Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody enough. Honestly, it completely changed the game for me. It makes plotting feel less like a terrifying mountain and more like a fun, fill-in-the-blank puzzle. It gives you instant clarity on your story, and it’s so conversational that you’ll fly right through it. Go buy it right now, trust me!
Which one of these sounds like it would save your current WIP? Let me know through email or come scream about your plot holes with me over on Insta!
