Over time we've compiled a list of suggested resources we share with writers and writing contest participants. We count these books as main resources in our �how to write� library. They may be available from your local library and if you�d like to buy them a great place to check is www.addall.com, where you type the book ISBN and www.addall.com will search for many online booksellers and tell you where you can get it at the best price. We've also linked each title to amazon.com, where titles are often available at good discounts. [NOTE: From time to time a particular title is listed at amazon.com at an outrageous price. This normally happens when amazon.com is out of stock and third party sellers hike up the book's price. A customer recently brought this to our attention regarding Debra Dixon's title "Goal, Motivation and Conflict." It was offered at amazon.com for close to $60. We've now delinked that title to amazon and linked it to Gryphon Books, which retails it for $19.95. Let us know if you find other such problems as you click on the various titles we recommend on this page.]
Bettelheim, Bruno. The Uses of Enchantment: the Meaning and Importance of Fairy Tales. New York: Knopf : distributed by Random House, 1976. [ISBN: 0394497716]. Storytelling is a very powerful means of getting a thought, a truth across...but only when the emphasis is on the storytelling and not on the message.
King, Stephen. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. New York: Scribner, 2000. [ISBN: 0-684-85352-3]. This is an awesome book. Not only do you get King�s biography at the beginning where he reveals who he is in all its vulnerability but you also get some of the best advice on how to write.
Maass, Donald. Writing the Breakout Novel. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 2001. [ISBN: 0898799953]. Both this and the workbook by the same title are excellent resources.
Noble, William. Show, Don't Tell: A Writer's Guide. [Recommended by Jane Heitman].
Paterson, Katherine. The Invisible Child: On Reading and Writing Books for Children. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2001. [ISBN: 0525464824]. Katherine Paterson, two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal has much to teach us on writing for children.
Swain, Dwight V. Techniques of the Selling Writer. [New ed.]. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1974. [ISBN: 0806111399]. This book walks you thru step-by-step on not just how to write your book but also what your story needs to have in order to sell.
We'll continue to add to this list as we come across other titles we find helpful. Write back and let us know what your favorite books on writing are and we'll add those to the list as well.
Printer page
Email article
. New York: Knopf : distributed by Random House, 1976. [ISBN: 0394497716]. Storytelling is a very powerful means of getting a thought, a truth across...but only when the emphasis is on the storytelling and not on the message.
. Memphis, TN: Gryphon Books for Writers, 1996.
. Boston: Little, Brown, 1990. [ISBN: 0316537225].
. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 2001. [ISBN: 0898799953]. Both this and the workbook by the same title are excellent resources.
. Cincinnati, Ohio: Writer's Digest Books, 2004. [ISBN: 158297263X].
. Memphis, Tenn.: Gryphon Books for Writers, 1998. It gives great insight on how to put a synopsis together.
. New York: Dutton Children's Books, 2001. [ISBN: 0525464824]. Katherine Paterson, two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal has much to teach us on writing for children.
. [New ed.]. 
Top of Page
