50 Top Resource Books for Fiction Writers

Aspiring Writer Academy recommends these 50 Top Resource Books for Fiction Writers. While there are numerous books available in bookstores and online that offer fantastic teaching, inspiration, and advice about the writing and publishing industry, we have narrowed the options down to help you boost your fiction writing career. #Writing #writingfiction #WritingAdvice #writingtip #writingtips #GetPublished #writingbooks
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50 Top Resource Books for Fiction Writers

As a multi-published author, mentor, and Aspiring Writer Academy coach, I am often asked which books I would recommend to those passionate about pursuing a fiction-writing career.

While there are numerous books available in bookstores and online that offer fantastic teaching, inspiration, and advice about the writing and publishing industry, I am going to suggest 50 Top Resource Books for Fiction Writers to help you get started.

First, I would highly recommend any book on writing and publishing by literary agent, Donald Maass. His books contain a wealth of information that should be studied numerous times over. If you can only afford to buy one book to study and further your writing career, start with one of his.

I also want to make sure that you do not skip over any of the screenwriting books on this list because you think it does not apply to you. Some of the best teaching for fiction comes from books that are labeled ‘for screenwriting.’ Michael Hauge is a master storytelling consultant.

The other books I recommend are also some of the best in the industry, great additions to add to your literary bookshelf. Put the information you learn into practice and soon you will be on your way to an extraordinary writing career!

Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass & (Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook)  

by Donald Maass 

(Best if you get both the book and the workbook)


The Fire in Fiction: Passion, Purpose and Techniques to Make Your Novel Great 

The Emotional Craft of Fiction: How to Write the Story Beneath the Surface 

Writing 21st Century Fiction: High Impact Techniques for Exceptional Storytelling 

The Breakout Novelist: How to Craft Novels That Stand Out and Sell Revised ed. Edition

Hooked: Write Fiction That Grabs Readers at Page One & Never Lets Them Go 

Shop Now

Writing With Emotion, Tension, and Conflict: Techniques for Crafting an Expressive and Compelling Novel 

Write Smart, Write Happy: How to Become a More Productive, Resilient and Successful Writer 

The Productive Writer: Strategies and Systems for Greater Productivity, Profit and Pleasure 

Pen on Fire: A Busy Woman's Guide to Igniting the Writer Within 

Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Write Great Fiction) 

Conflict, Action & Suspense (Elements of Fiction Writing)

GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

Scene & Structure (Elements of Fiction Writing) 

Writing the Short Story: A Hands-On Program

Book In a Month: The Fool-Proof System for Writing a Novel in 30 Days 

Techniques of the Selling Writer Revised ed. Edition

Successful Self-Publishing: How to self-publish and market your book in ebook and print 

The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success 

Save The Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need 

How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method (Advanced Fiction Writing) (Volume 1) 

Writing Fiction For Dummies (Language & Literature) 2nd Edition

Believable Characters: Creating With Enneagrams

Creating Character Arcs: The Masterful Author's Guide to Uniting Story Structure (Helping Writers Become Authors) 

Structuring Your Novel: Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story 

Best if you get both the book and the workbook


Writing for Emotional Impact: Advanced Dramatic Techniques to Attract, Engage, and Fascinate the Reader from Beginning to End 

How to Write Dazzling Dialogue: The Fastest Way to Improve Any Manuscript

Revision and Self-Editing for Publication: Techniques for Transforming Your First Draft into a Novel That Sells 

The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell (& The Hero with a Thousand Faces -the collected works of Joseph Campbell)


The Hero's 2 Journeys Audible Audiobook

Writing Screenplays That Sell 

Storytelling Made Easy: Persuade and Transform Your Audiences, Buyers, and Clients — Simply, Quickly, and Profitably 

Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds: The Guaranteed Way to Get Your Screenplay or Novel Read

Writing Blockbuster Plots: A Step-by-Step Guide to Mastering Plot, Structure, and Scene Illustrated Edition

The Plot Whisperer by Martha Alderson (& Plot Whisperer Workbook)


Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript 

Writing Active Setting (3 book series)

by Mary Buckham (Author)

Writing Active Hooks (2 book series)

by Mary Buckham (Author)

Break Into Fiction®: 11 Steps To Building A Powerful Story (Volume 1) 

The Weekend Novelist 

Novelist's Boot Camp: 101 Ways to Take Your Book From Boring to Bestsell 

Make a Scene Revised and Expanded Edition: Writing a Powerful Story One Scene at a Time 

The Writer's Digest Sourcebook for Building Believable Characters

The Story Equation: How to Plot and Write a Brilliant Story from One Powerful Question (Brilliant Writer Series) Kindle Edition

Stephen King On Writing (A Memoir of the Craft Twentieth Anniversary Edition with Contributions from Joe Hill and Owen King) 

Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies 

The Elements of Style, 

How to Write a Brilliant Novel Workbook: The easy, step-by-step method for crafting a powerful story (Brilliant Writer Series)

Plotting Your Novel: Ideas and Structure (Foundations of Fiction) and Workbook


Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting 

While some of the books listed above are how-to books to teach the writing craft, others provide inspiration, motivation, and practical templates that can be used to create your own work of fiction. I hope the list of 50 Top Resource Books for Fiction Writers will help you as you learn the skills you need to grow as an author and pursue a fiction writing career.

I also invite you to download our free First Steps Resource Guide for Aspiring Writers and contact us at www.aspiringwriteracademy.com if you have any questions.

Do you find it difficult to create compelling antagonists and villains for your stories? Do your villains feel cartoonish and unbelievable? Do they lack motivation or a specific game plan? Discover the secrets to crafting villains that will stick with your readers long after they finish your story, with our How to Create Antagonists & Villains Workbook.

 

This 32-page instructional workbook is packed with valuable fill-in-the-blank templates and practical advice to help you create memorable and effective antagonists and villains. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, this workbook will take your writing to the next level.

If you have any questions or would like to leave a comment below, we would love to hear from you!

Our Goal for Aspiring Writer Academy is to help people learn how to write quality fiction, teach them to publish and promote their work, and to give them the necessary tools to pursue a writing career.

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