Essential Books Every Author Should Read
A Reading List By Authors, For Authors
As someone who works with authors daily, I'm constantly asked: "What books should I be reading to improve my craft?"
The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer, because your reading list should be as unique as your writing journey.
That's why I've created this living list of book recommendations tailored to specific author needs.
Whether you're struggling with prose, plotting your first novel, or navigating the business side of publishing, there's something here for you.
I'll be updating this list regularly as I discover new gems, so bookmark this page and check back often!
If You're Looking to Improve Your Creativity
Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
Elizabeth Gilbert's “Big Magic” isn't technically a craft book, but it might be the most important book any author can read about the creative process.
Gilbert dismantles the tortured artist myth and replaces it with something far more sustainable: the idea that creativity should be approached with curiosity rather than fear.
What makes this book essential is Gilbert's practical wisdom about living a creative life.
She addresses the fears that paralyze writers—fear of not being good enough, fear of being judged, fear of failure—and offers tools for moving through them.
Her concept of ideas as living entities that come and go is both whimsical and oddly comforting for writers who struggle with perfectionism or creative blocks.
Gilbert's approach to creativity is revolutionary in its simplicity.
She argues that you don't need to suffer for your art or wait for divine inspiration to strike.
Instead, she shows you how to show up consistently, trust the creative process, and maintain your curiosity even when the work feels difficult.
If you're feeling stuck or questioning whether you have what it takes to be a writer, this book will remind you why you started in the first place.
If You Want to Master the Writing Process
On Writing by Stephen King
Stephen King's On Writing is part memoir, part craft guide, and entirely essential reading for any serious writer.
King opens with stories from his own writing journey—from his childhood to his recovery from a near-fatal accident—that illuminate how writers are made, not born.
The craft section is refreshingly practical and unpretentious.
King doesn't believe in overthinking the process; instead, he advocates for daily writing, trusting your subconscious, and treating writing like the job it is.
His advice on dialogue, description, and revision cuts through the noise of more academic craft books to focus on what actually works.
What makes this book special is King's honesty about both the joys and struggles of a writing life.
He doesn't romanticize the process or promise easy success, but he does make a compelling case for why writing is worth pursuing.
Even if you don't write horror, King's insights about storytelling and the writer's relationship with their work are universally applicable.
If You're Struggling with Plot Structure
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Jessica Brody takes Blake Snyder's famous screenwriting methodology and adapts it brilliantly for novelists.
If you've ever stared at a blank page wondering how to structure your story, this book provides a clear, actionable roadmap.
The genius of the "Save the Cat!" method is its specificity.
Instead of vague advice about rising action, Brody gives you exact page counts and story beats.
She breaks down popular novels using this structure, showing you how books like The Hunger Games and Harry Potter follow these proven patterns.
For pantser writers who resist outlining, this might feel constraining at first, but even a loose adherence to these beats can strengthen your storytelling.
What sets this apart from other plotting books is Brody's understanding that story structure serves character development, not the other way around.
Each beat connects to your protagonist's internal journey, ensuring your plot feels meaningful rather than mechanical.
The transformational arc she outlines will help you create characters readers actually care about.
Save the Cat! Writes a Young Adult Novel by Jessica Brody
Building on her successful adaptation of the Save the Cat! method for novelists, Jessica Brody takes the structure even deeper into YA-specific territory.
While the original Save the Cat! Writes a Novel gives you the foundation, this book addresses the unique challenges of writing for teen readers.
The YA market has its own rhythm and expectations, and Brody understands this intimately.
She breaks down how the classic story beats work differently in YA—how the "catalyst" moment hits differently for a teenage protagonist, how the "dark night of the soul" reflects adolescent emotional intensity, and how the resolution needs to feel earned rather than handed to young characters.
What makes this worth reading even if you've already absorbed the original is Brody's analysis of popular YA novels through this lens.
She shows how books like The Hate U Give, Eleanor & Park, and The Fault in Our Stars use these beats to create emotionally resonant stories that speak directly to teen experiences.
If you're writing YA, this book will help you understand not just how to structure a story, but how to structure a YA story.
If You're Ready to Revise and Edit
The Artful Edit by Susan Bell
Susan Bell's The Artful Edit transforms the often-dreaded revision process into something approaching art.
Using examples from literary masters like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Vladimir Nabokov, Bell shows how great books are made in the revision process, not the first draft.
What sets this book apart is Bell's analysis of how authors like Fitzgerald revised The Great Gatsby provides concrete examples of revision techniques in action.
Her before-revision-versus-after-revision examples are both encouraging and enlightening in how to apply the concepts she teaches.
The book also addresses the psychological challenges of revision.
Bell understands that cutting beloved passages and restructuring scenes can feel like destroying your work, and she offers practical strategies for approaching revision with objectivity and purpose.
This isn't about line editing or grammar; it's about seeing your work clearly and making the hard decisions that separate published authors from aspiring ones.
Is A Book Missing From This List?
This list will grow as I discover new books that offer genuine value to authors.
Have a recommendation that changed your writing life? I'd love to hear about it! Please reach out through my contact page and share your favorite read.
