If you’re interested in being a writer or pursuing any kind of art, here are the non-fiction books that I’ve found helpful and/or inspiring to me. YMMV. I will try to keep this updated (I’ve removed some through the years as it becomes less relevant and added some too…)
****UPDATED in 2021!****
About the Muse and Creativity...
The Artisan Soul - Erwin Raphael McManus - comes at creativity from a Christian/ religious perspective
Big Magic - Elizabeth Gilbert - I also highly recommend the podcast by the same name. Not a Christian perspective but definitely some #woowoo there.
The Practice - Seth Godin - get this one in a paper version so you can outline/ highlight to your heart’s content.
About Goal Setting...
The Pro Writer Mindset - Jennifer Blanchard - practical advice on goals, writing and business. Loved this.
Dear Writer, You Need to Quit - Becca Syme - I highly recommend Becca’s Better Faster Academy courses to every writer I meet (she’s my writing/life coach/guru) but this book is a nice introduction to her methods and madness and empowers you to make the best choices that work for you. (Check out my Women With Books episode interviewing Becca for more information.) (This Book has turned into a whole series. I recommend all of them and they don’t need to be read in order.)
The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women - Valerie Young - a good and empowering read about conquering your imposter syndrome
You are a Badass at Making Money - Jen Sincero - really, any of Jen Sincero’s books help you level up, but this one’s my favorite because cha-ching.
Atomic Habits - James Clear - I’ve decided that most productivity books don’t really apply to most multi-tasking women but this one actually spoke to me and I recommend it all the time.
About Marketing…
Romance Your Brand - Zoe York - Probably an upper level book - not for beginners, but not doctoral advice. Shows one perspective on how to organize a career in genre fiction.
Your A Game - Damon Suede and Heidi Cullinan - about promotion and marketing and how different personality types can approach it.
Newsletter Ninja - Tammy Labrecque - the ultimate bible on how to build and engage the most powerful marketing tool; a newsletter
About Writing ...
Romancing the Beat - Gwen Hayes - a concise, easy to read guide on how to plot a romance novel
Save the Cat - Blake Snyder - I'm a disciple of this storytelling method. It doesn't click for everyone but once you see stories through a Save the Cat lens, you'll never go back.
Writing Love: Screenwriting Tricks for Authors II: Story Structure for Pantsers and Plotters - Alexandra Sokoloff - another writing book from a screenwriter, this one focuses on cinematic love stories. Similar to Save the Cat, but a different angle.
Writing the Cozy Mystery - Nancy J. Cohen - another great, concise and practice guide to writing a popular genre
Some links on this page may be affiliate links, which means I could receive a few coins for posting them. As always, thank you for your support and encouragement!