10 Books No Author Should Write Without by Melinda Copp

All writers love books, but some are handier than others. Make room on your shelf for the following ten suggested by author and writing coach, Melinda Copp:

1. The Elements of Style by William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White: Good writing means good style, and this book covers all the basics every writer needs to know. If you buy only one book on writing, make this the one you choose.

2. Writing Tools; 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer by Roy Peter Clark: This is another book on style. For those of you who have mastered Strunk and White, the tools in Clark’s book can take your writing to the next level.

3. Coaching the Artist Within by Eric Maisel: Anyone who struggles with creative blocks can use this book to help get your writing on track. It shows you how to recognize self-doubt, anxiety, and other challenges that come with the blank page, and then manage these obstacles to create the meaningful creative life you want.

4. Bird by Bird; Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott: For anyone who’s ever wanted to write, this book provides practical advice and thoughts on the writing life. It’s inspiring, insightful, and funny all at once.

5. On Writing Well by William Zinsser: Geared toward nonfiction writers, this book addresses style, voice, audience, and other critical elements of writing well. It can make your work more effective, and help you clean up your prose.

6. The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters that Rock by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell: This is my favorite book on the all-important magazine query letter. If you hope to earn a living by selling magazine articles, the query is your way in, and this book gives excellent advice on how to rise to the top of the slush pile.

7. The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Tom and Marilyn Ross: If you’ve ever considered self-publishing, then check out this book. Self-publishing is a business, and this guide can help you create a product that people want to buy.

8. How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen: Almost all nonfiction books that are published by commercial publishers are sold based on a book proposal. This document tells agents and editors why your book absolutely must be published, and Larsen’s book is the most in-depth guide to getting your book proposal right.

9. Guerrilla Marketing for Writers; 100 Weapons for Selling Your Work by Jay Conrad Levinson, Rick Frishman, and Michael Larsen: Both fiction and nonfiction authors will find strategies they can use to sell more books in this marketing guide.

10. 1001 Ways to Market Your Books by John Kremer: Another book on selling books that can help you think creatively about how and where to find readers. No matter who publishes your book, you are the one responsible for spreading the word about it. And all the tips in this book will keep you busy for months!

Melinda Copp is the founder and executive editor of
The Writer’s Sherpa | Helping experts write their way to the peak of success.
P.O. Box 3673 | Bluffton, SC 29910
Phone: (843) 298-4757 | Fax: (843) 815-5434