20 Best Books For Fiction Writers (2023 Update)

"a straightforward, friendly guide for aspiring writers" (los angeles times): no more excuses. with award-winning author walter mosley as your guide, you can write a novel now. "let the lawn get shaggy and the paint peel from the walls," bestselling novelist walter mosley advises. in this invaluable book of tips, practical advice, and wisdom, mosley promises that the writer-in-waiting can finish their novel in one year. intended as both inspiration and instruction, this book provides the tools to turn out a first draft painlessly and then revise it into something finer. mosley teaches you how to: create a daily writing regimen to fit any writer's needs — and how to stick to it. determine the narrative voice that's right for every writer's style. hook readers with dynamic characters. get past those first challenging sentences and into the heart of a story. and much more. "no-nonsense advice that is sure to set beginning writers along the righteous path to real authorhood." –seattle post-intelligencer

Story-structure series, which reveals the 15 essential plot points needed to make any novel a success.novelist jessica brody presents a comprehensive story-structure guide for novelists that applies the famed save the cat! screenwriting methodology to the world of novel writing. revealing the 15 "beats" (plot points) that comprise a successful story–from the opening image to the finale–this book lays out the ten story genres (monster in the house; whydunit; dude with a problem) alongside quirky, original insights (save the cat; shard of glass) to help novelists craft a plot that will captivate–and a novel that will sell.

The new york times book review said james thayer's "writing is smooth and clear. it wastes no words, and it has a rhythm that only confident stylists achieve." the essential guide to writing a novel is a practical, step-by-step manual on how to craft your novel. the essential guide presents a set of tools for large issues such a story development and scene construction (kirkus reviews said thayer's novels are "superbly crafted,") and it also examines techniques that will make your sentence-by-sentence writing shine "thayer's prose is clear and clean," said the seattle times. how do the masters do it? the essential guide shows you the techniques of writers such as john grisham, maeve binchy, jeffery deaver, and charles dickens. what makes their novels hard to put down? how do mario puzo, sinclair lewis, patricia cornwell, and tom wolfe make their stories so riveting and their prose so good? the essential guide sets out their techniques in concise detail. just beginning your novel? or in the middle of the novel and needing some guidance? the essential guide to writing a novel will show you the way. among the many topics: the six traits necessary for a successful protagonist and three more traits that will make him or her stand out. twenty-two techniques that will make your character's dialogue compelling. creating dynamic settings that advance the story. point of view-a critical skill–made easy. five pace-killers and how to avoid them. plotting the novel using the advantage shift. constructing scenes to propel the reader to the next scene. "thayer writes a vivid tale," the cleveland plain dealer said. in the essential guide to writing a novel, he'll help you write your own vivid tale.

The extraordinary #1 new york times bestseller that will be in movie theaters on november 15, 2013, markus zusak's unforgettable story is about the ability of books to feed the soul. it is 1939. nazi germany. the country is holding its breath. death has never been busier, and will become busier still. liesel meminger is a foster girl living outside of munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she cant resistbooks. with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the jewish man hidden in her basement. in superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author markus zusak, author of i am the messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time.

One good way is to press a beloved book into another's hands. read the sentence and then do just that."–usa today, four stars in this new york times bestselling novel, pulitzer prize and national book award-winning author louise erdrich creates a wickedly funny ghost story, a tale of passion, of a complex marriage, and of a woman's relentless errors. a small independent bookstore in minneapolis is haunted from november 2019 to november 2020 by the store's most annoying customer. flora dies on all souls' day, but she simply won't leave the store. tookie, who has landed a job selling books after years of incarceration that she survived by reading "with murderous attention," must solve the mystery of this haunting while at the same time trying to understand all that occurs in minneapolis during a year of grief, astonishment, isolation, and furious reckoning. the sentence begins on all souls' day 2019 and ends on all souls' day 2020. its mystery and proliferating ghost stories during this one year propel a narrative as rich, emotional, and profound as anything louise erdrich has written.

Sequel to the #1 new york times bestseller! maas's sexy, groundbreaking crescent city series continues with the second installment.bryce quinlan and hunt athalar are trying to get back to normal—they may have saved crescent city, but with so much upheaval in their lives lately, they mostly want a chance to relax. slow down. figure out what the future holds.the asteri have kept their word so far, leaving bryce and hunt alone. but with the rebels chipping away at the asteri’s power, the threat the rulers pose is growing. as bryce, hunt, and their friends get pulled into the rebels’ plans, the choice becomes clear: stay silent while others are oppressed, or fight for what’s right. and they’ve never been very good at staying silent.in this sexy, action-packed sequel to the #1 bestseller house of earth and blood, sarah j. maas weaves a captivating story of a world about to explode—and the people who will do anything to save it.

For an aspiring novelist, nothing is more intimidating than a blank page or computer screen. this step-by-step guide helps you get past that hurdle, start writing, and cross the finish line to first draft in only twenty-six weeks! this guide covers the entire novel-writing process–from polishing an idea to finding an agent and submitting to publishers. this practical guide takes you through the ins and outs of writing and publishing your first book, including how to: create authentic characters, engaging plotlines, and believable settings edit for tone, structure, and pacing find the right agent market and sell your work to publishers build a career as a novelist complete with writing exercises, inspiring examples, and expert advice from bestselling novelists, this book is an excellent starting place for anyone interested in the art, craft, and business of writing fiction.

#1 new york times bestseller – one of time magazine’s 100 best ya books of all timethe extraordinary, beloved novel about the ability of books to feed the soul even in the darkest of times.when death has a story to tell, you listen. it is 1939. nazi germany. the country is holding its breath. death has never been busier, and will become busier still. liesel meminger is a foster girl living outside of munich, who scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can’t resist–books. with the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the jewish man hidden in her basement. in superbly crafted writing that burns with intensity, award-winning author markus zusak, author of i am the messenger, has given us one of the most enduring stories of our time. “the kind of book that can be life-changing.” —the new york times “deserves a place on the same shelf with the diary of a young girl by anne frank.” —usa todaydon’t miss bridge of clay, markus zusak’s first novel since the book thief.

More than 250,000 copies sold! a creative writer’s shelf should hold at least three essential books: a dictionary, a style guide, and writing fiction. janet burroway’s best-selling classic is the most widely used creative writing text in america, and for more than three decades it has helped hundreds of thousands of students learn the craft. now in its tenth edition, writing fiction is more accessible than ever for writers of all levels—inside or outside the classroom. this new edition continues to provide advice that is practical, comprehensive, and flexible. burroway’s tone is personal and nonprescriptive, welcoming learning writers into the community of practiced storytellers. moving from freewriting to final revision, the book addresses “showing not telling,” characterization, dialogue, atmosphere, plot, imagery, and point of view. it includes new topics and writing prompts, and each chapter now ends with a list of recommended readings that exemplify the craft elements discussed, allowing for further study. and the examples and quotations throughout the book feature a wide and diverse range of today’s best and best-known creators of both novels and short stories. there is a very good chance that one of your favorite authors learned the craft with writing fiction. and who knows what future favorite will get her start reading this edition?

Here's what i tell my students on the first day when i teach one of my creative writing courses: you will be published if you possess three qualities–talent, passion, and discipline.in write away, new york times bestselling author elizabeth george offers would-be writers exactly what they need to know about how to construct a novel. she provides a detailed overview of the craft and gives helpful instruction on all elements of writing, from setting and plot to technique and process. to illustrate her points, george presents excerpts from a number of well-known writers, including barbara kingsolver, harper lee, e. m. forster, john irving, toni morrison, stephen king, ernest hemingway, and alice hoffman.in addition to being a clear and concise guide to fiction writing, write away also opens a window into the life of elizabeth george. it reveals the inspiring personal story of how the distinguished author came to be published and how she meticulously researches and crafts her novels.i have a love-hate relationship with the writing life. i wouldn't wish to have any other kind of life . . . and on the other hand, i wish it were easier. and it never is. the reward comes sentence by sentence. the reward comes in the unexpected inspiration. the reward comes from creating a character who lives and breathes and is perfectly real. but such effort it takes to attain the reward! i would never have believed it would take such effort. george's solid understanding of the craft is conveyed in the enticing manner of a true storyteller, making write away not only a marvelous, interesting, and informative book but also a glimpse inside the world of a beloved writer.

A rare work of nonfiction from edith wharton, the writing of fiction contains timeless advice on writing and reading well from the first woman ever to win a pulitzer prize—now with a new introduction by brandon taylor.in 1921, edith wharton won a pulitzer prize for her first novel, the age of innocence. over the course of her career, she would continue to produce beloved, bestselling work—from the house of mirth to the custom of the country—and gained a reputation for her incisive critiques of her upper-class social circle. to each new generation of readers, her work remains fresh, formally remarkable, and endlessly entertaining. the writing of fiction is a window into wharton’s mind as she ponders the intertwined arts of writing and reading. wharton provides invaluable insight on the subjects of character, the challenge of finely-tuned short stories, the construction of a novel, and more. beyond a treatise on craft, the writing of fiction is a sweeping meditation by a masterful practitioner and a rare chance to experience the inimitable voice of one of america’s most influential novelists.

Now a hit netflix series a new york times and usa today bestseller “hypnotic and scary.” —stephen king “i am riveted, aghast, aroused, you name it. the rare instance when prose and plot are equally delicious.” —lena dunham from debut author caroline kepnes comes you, one of suspense magazine’s best books of 2014, and a brilliant and terrifying novel for the social media age.when a beautiful, aspiring writer strides into the east village bookstore where joe goldberg works, he does what anyone would do: he googles the name on her credit card. there is only one guinevere beck in new york city. she has a public facebook account and tweets incessantly, telling joe everything he needs to know: she is simply beck to her friends, she went to brown university, she lives on bank street, and she’ll be at a bar in brooklyn tonight—the perfect place for a “chance” meeting. as joe invisibly and obsessively takes control of beck’s life, he orchestrates a series of events to ensure beck finds herself in his waiting arms. moving from stalker to boyfriend, joe transforms himself into beck’s perfect man, all while quietly removing the obstacles that stand in their way—even if it means murder. you is a compulsively readable page-turner that’s being compared to gone girl, american psycho, and stephen king’s misery.

Learn the secret of how to write the heart of your story! this writing skills book, full of fiction writing technique, is like no other. – some novelists write with the goal of becoming a best seller, hoping for wealth and fame. some just want to write novels that earn them a steady income so they can feed their families and pay their bills. some write to express their creativity and don't care if anyone ever reads their books. – then there are the other writers. they want to write an unforgettable novel-the kind of book that gets called a classic, that endures the ravages of time, that stays long in readers' hearts and changes their lives. – these writers want to know the secret of how to reach the heart of their readers. if you are one of those writers, writing the heart of your story is the book you've been waiting for. – inside, you'll learn: what the most important key elements are that must be in the very first scene of your novel-and some in the first paragraph.how to tap into the heart of your story, characters, setting, plot, and themes by employing specific writing exercises.ways to brainstorm ideas for plot, themes, motifs, setting, and rich characters through asking a series of questions that will take you deeper below the surface of your story.what the most important question is that must be asked in the opening scene in order to write an unforgettable novel.what three things each character must be asked for them to become truly believable and compelling.the secrets to structuring powerful scenes by focusing on the "high moment." don't just write a good novel. write a great one-by mining the heart of your story! here's what the best writing instructors and bloggers have to say about this essential writing craft book: "a fresh and motivating take on conventional wisdom, but with unconventional heart. this is highly accessible teaching that transcends 'how to' and goes deep into 'why to' in a way that will force you to choose between reading it again and jumping on your own project. this book will teach you how to delve into your own heart in order to impact those who read your words." -joanna penn, author of from idea to book "a veritable compendium of sound writing advice and technique. written in a style that is both accessible and fun, lakin's book will be a welcome companion on your writing journey."-james scott bell, best-selling author of conflict and suspense and plot and structure"i read dozens of writing craft books every year. all too many of them are ho-hum, been-there-done-that. this one is absotively posolutely not. lakin offers a refreshingly structured-and yet freeing-approach to not just creating a solidly entertaining story but to crafting a tale of emotional resonance and resilience. her useful writing exercises and spot-on story sense offer epiphany after epiphany. this is one i will read and reread."-k. m. weiland, author of outlining your novel and structuring your novel"c. s. lakin once again shares her generous heart and knowledge and experience with writers in this inspiring and inspired writing the heart of your story. ready to take your writing to the next level? lakin offers practical exercises to help you bring heart to your own stories." -martha alderson, author of the plot whisperer series of writing books

A new york times bestseller a new york times notable book of the year "a spectacular novel that only this legend can pull off." -ibram x. kendi, #1 new york times-bestselling author of how to be an antiracist, in the atlantic "an exquisite tale of family legacy…. the power and poetry of woodson’s writing conjures up toni morrison." – people "in less than 200 sparsely filled pages, this book manages to encompass issues of class, education, ambition, racial prejudice, sexual desire and orientation, identity, mother-daughter relationships, parenthood and loss…. with red at the bone, jacqueline woodson has indeed risen — even further into the ranks of great literature." – npr "this poignant tale of choices and their aftermath, history and legacy, will resonate with mothers and daughters." –tayari jones, bestselling author of an american marriage, in o magazine an unexpected teenage pregnancy pulls together two families from different social classes and explores their histories – reaching back to the tulsa race massacre of 1921 — and exposes the private hopes, disappointments, and longings that can bind or divide us from each other, from the new york times-bestselling and national book award-winning author of another brooklyn and brown girl dreaming. moving forward and backward in time, jacqueline woodson's taut and powerful new novel uncovers the role that history and community have played in the experiences, decisions, and relationships of these families, and in the life of the new child. as the book opens in 2001, it is the evening of sixteen-year-old melody's coming of age ceremony in her grandparents' brooklyn brownstone. watched lovingly by her relatives and friends, making her entrance to the music of prince, she wears a special custom-made dress. but the event is not without poignancy. sixteen years earlier, that very dress was measured and sewn for a different wearer: melody's mother, for her own ceremony– a celebration that ultimately never took place. unfurling the history of melody's family – reaching back to the tulsa race massacre in 1921 — to show how they all arrived at this moment, woodson considers not just their ambitions and successes but also the costs, the tolls they've paid for striving to overcome expectations and escape the pull of history. as it explores sexual desire and identity, ambition, gentrification, education, class and status, and the life-altering facts of parenthood, red at the bone most strikingly looks at the ways in which young people must so often make long-lasting decisions about their lives–even before they have begun to figure out who they are and what they want to be.

“an extraordinary novel . . . a triumph of insight and storytelling.” —associated press“a true masterpiece.” —glennon doyle, author of untamed an extraordinary story set in the first century about a woman who finds her voice and her destiny, from the celebrated number one new york times bestselling author of the secret life of bees and the invention of wingsin her mesmerizing fourth work of fiction, sue monk kidd takes an audacious approach to history and brings her acclaimed narrative gifts to imagine the story of a young woman named ana. raised in a wealthy family with ties to the ruler of galilee, she is rebellious and ambitious, with a brilliant mind and a daring spirit. she engages in furtive scholarly pursuits and writes narratives about neglected and silenced women. ana is expected to marry an older widower, a prospect that horrifies her. an encounter with eighteen-year-old jesus changes everything. their marriage evolves with love and conflict, humor and pathos in nazareth, where ana makes a home with jesus, his brothers, and their mother, mary. ana's pent-up longings intensify amid the turbulent resistance to rome's occupation of israel, partially led by her brother, judas. she is sustained by her fearless aunt yaltha, who harbors a compelling secret. when ana commits a brazen act that puts her in peril, she flees to alexandria, where startling revelations and greater dangers unfold, and she finds refuge in unexpected surroundings. ana determines her fate during a stunning convergence of events considered among the most impactful in human history. grounded in meticulous research and written with a reverential approach to jesus's life that focuses on his humanity, the book of longings is an inspiring, unforgettable account of one woman's bold struggle to realize the passion and potential inside her, while living in a time, place and culture devised to silence her. it is a triumph of storytelling both timely and timeless, from a masterful writer at the height of her powers.

Fiction writing: how to write your first novel has only one purpose – to guide the new writer toward producing a first class novel. experienced authors have found this little gem so valuable that they keep it next to their computers. its size is perfect for tucking into a laptop carrying case. it is a no-nonsense, easy to read book packed with the nitty-gritty of creative writing; a cut-to-the-chase work that will become your fiction writing bible.

Fiction writing: how to write your first novel has only one purpose – to guide the new writer toward producing a first class novel. experienced authors have found this little gem so valuable that they keep it next to their computers. its size is perfect for tucking into a laptop carrying case. it is a no-nonsense, easy to read book packed with the nitty-gritty of creative writing; a cut-to-the-chase work that will become your fiction writing bible.

The second book in the writer's compass series from professional writing instructor elizabeth lyon offers both aspiring and established authors the fundamentals of writing and selling a great novel or short story. in addition to the basics of characterization, plot, pacing, and theme, a writer's guide to fiction also features a plan for revising fiction, a guide to marketing, samples of cover and query letters, and methods of honing the writing craft.

One of today's leading novelists gives practical advice on how to write publishable fiction. planning a novel, characterization, suspense, flashbacks, beginnings, and endings are all covered; a checklist for revision is also included.

In essays drawn primarily from writer's digest magazine, noted novelists, leading editors, and teachers address the specifics of novel writing–from how to create dialogue to how to negotiate a contract with a publisher. annotation copyrighted by book news, inc., portland, or