The 15 Best Craft Books for Fiction Writers

Below are the craft books I keep at my desk at all times. I've found each of them extremely helpful when I need a reference book for a particular element of fiction writing. These are not all of the books I use--just the ones I find the most comprehensive in terms of helping me overall during the writing process.

I recommend purchasing The 15 Best Craft Books for Fiction Writers, or borrowing them, or taking them out at the local library, but get your hands on them and read them from front to back. Refer to them when you need help with your own fiction. The authors below are fantastic writers and educators, and have been helping writing students for decades (the ones still alive, anyway--the ones that have passed have left behind a fantastic legacy).

Is Life Like This: A Guide to Writing Your First Novel in Six Months- John Dufresne

Think Writing a Novel Will Take Too Long? Read a Guide to Writing Your First Novel in Six Months

Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life - Anne Lamott

Bird by Bird is a Classic, Pointed Dive into Writing

Fiction Writer's Workshop: The Key Elements of a Writing Workshop - Josip Novakovich

Novakovich's Books are Fantastic. His Fiction Writer's Workshop is a Must Have.

The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers - John Gardner

Gardner's The Art of Fiction is a Creative Writing Classic Taught in Many a Creative Writing MFA

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft - Stephen King

Stephen King's On Writing is Worth the Read

Writing Fiction: A Guide to Narrative Craft - Janet Burroway

Burroway's Writing Fiction is on my Bookshelf. She's also a Very Approachable Author.

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Save the Cat Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need - Jessica Brody

Save the Cat is Geared More Towards Film, but the Lessons Within are Applicable to all Writing

Aspects of the Novel - E.M. Forster

An Oldie but Goodie, Aspect of the Novel Dives into the 7 Elements Critical to a Novel

For Writers Only: Inspiring thoughts on the exquisite pain and heady joy of the writing life, from its great practitioners - Sophy Burnham

Burnham's For Writers Only Shows You You Aren't Alone in Your Writing Struggles

Revising Fiction: A Handbook for Writers: A Handbook for Writers: 185 Practical Techniques for Improving Your Story or Novel - David Madden

Madden's A Handbook for Writers is Just That--Chock Full of Tips on Every Page

The Complete Book of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Create and Sell Your Work - Writer's Digest Books

Writer's Digest is the End All Be All of Tips with The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing

On the Art of Writing - Arthur Quiller-Couch

Aspiring Writers and Pros Should Keep On the Art of Writing Close to Their Writing Desk. Real Close.

Master Class in Fiction Writing: Techniques from Austen, Hemingway, and Other Greats - Adam Sexton

Sexton's Master Class in Fiction Writing is Just That and More. It's Like Taking a Creative Writing Class.

The Elements of Style -Strunk & White

There is no More Important Book than The Elements of Style When Writing. At. All.

The Truth That Tells a Lie - John Dufresne

Dufrense is a Living Creative Writing Teaching Legend, and The Truth That Tells a Lie Proves It.

Cully Perlman is author of a novel, THE LOSSES, a blogger, and a substantive editor. He can be reached at Cully@novelmasterclass.com

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