Writing Books Recommended by Writers

Writing and Illustrating Books Recommended by Writers and Illustrators

I would like to thank my writing groups (WRT4KDZ and RMC-SCBWI for recommendations of these books). For your convenience I've included a link to Amazon, but you can also get these books at your local bookstore (recommended) or at your library.

20 Master Plots
by Tobias, Ronald, publisher: Writer's Digest Books, 1993.

A Sense of Wonder: On Reading and Writing Books for Children
by Paterson, Katherine, publisher: Plume Books, 1995.

Katherine Paterson's book, A Sense of Wonder is about both reading and writing and is the best book I have read on the subject of children's lit. -- From Michelle Westenbroek, an aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

The Art Of Writing For Children: Skills And Techniques Of The Craft
by Epstein, Connie, publisher: Archon Books, 1991

The Artist's Way
by Cameron, Julia, publisher: J P Tarcher, 1992

I would definitely agree with Linda about The Artist's Way. It is a great book for anyone trying to tap into their CREATIVITY. -- From Michelle Westenbroek, an aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

For writing I'd recommend The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It's not strictly a book on how to write, or what to write, but rather a book on learning to live the writer's life. I did the twelve week program nearly two years ago and have written morning pages ever since. (The book, as its title indicates, is actually for all artists, not just writers, but I know others who have done it and it seems to work especially well for writers.) -- From Linda Anthony. Her publishing credits include articles and stories in New Moon, Spider, Highlights For Children, On the Line. She also has the title story in one of the Highlights anthologies: Mystery of the Stolen Jewels.

Author to Editor: Query Letter Secrets of the Pros
by White, Linda Arms, publisher: Children's Book Insider.

Bird By Bird
by Lamotte, Anne, publisher: Anchor Books/Doubleday, 1995.

I have read so many books on writing that I don't have room for them on my bookshelf. As far as INSPIRATIONAL books, my favorites are The Courage To Write by Keyes, and Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott. -- From Michelle Westenbroek, an aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

Break Writer's Block Now!
by Mundis, Jerrold, publisher: St. Martin's Press,

Breaking into Print: How to Write and Publish Your First Book
by Evanson, Jane and Dowling, LuAnne, publisher: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company.

Chicago Manual of Style
by Grossman, John (Preface), publisher: Univ of Chicago Pr, 1993.

Old reliables [with this and the Strunk & White (you've got the answers to almost any arcane question in these two books). -- From Nick Cook, Author of Roller Coasters, or I Had So Much Fun I Nearly Puked, (Carolrhoda, 1998).

Children's Picture Book, The: How to Write It, How to Sell It
by Roberts, Ellen E.M., publisher: Writer's Digest, 1981.

For children's PICTURE BOOKS: The Children's Picture Book, by Roberts (Old, but still the best on the topic). -- From Darcy Pattison, Author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market 2000
by Pope, Alice (Editor), publisher: Writer's Digest, 2000.

The Children's Writer's Reference
by Suben, Eric; Amoss, Berthe, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1999.

What type of animals work best in picture books? What periods in history are most popular with kids? Which problem stories are right for which ages? This guide gives children's writers all the answers they need to write and illustrate stories kids will love and publishers will buy. From pre-reader to young adult, children's writers of any age group and genre will find the special market information they need here. This guide breaks down children's writing into 8 easy-to-reference chapters, covering: Children and Books, Ideas, Age Groups and Format, Characters, Setting, Plot, Writing and Thinking Visually. -- From Phyllis Cahill.

Children's Writer's Word Book
by Mogilner, Alijandra, publisher: Writer's Digest, 1999.

A REFERENCE tool I like is Children's Writer's Word Book by Alijandra Mogilner, a Writer's Digest Book. -- From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Copyright Handbook, The: How to Protect & Use Written Works (5th Edition)
by Fishman, Stephen, publisher: Nolo Press, 2000.

The Courage to Write
by Keyes, Ralph, publisher: Henry Holt, 1996

I have read so many books on writing that I don't have room for them on my bookshelf. As far as INSPIRATIONAL books, my favorites are The Courage To Write by Keyes.. -- From Michelle Westenbroek, An aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

I wholeheartedly agree about Courage To Write being a great INSPIRATION. Wonderful book. -- From Jane Buchanan, Author of Gratefully Yours, a middle grade historical novel about an Orphan Train rider.

Creating Unforgettable Characters
by Seger, Linda, publisher: Henry Holt, 1990.

For CHARACTERS: Creating Unforgettable Characters, by Linda Seger -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

The Elements of Style
by Strunk, William and White, E.B., publisher: Allyn & Bacon, 1999.

Old reliables, with this and the Chicago Manual of Style (you've got the answers to almost any arcane question in these two books). -- From Nick Cook, author of Roller Coasters, or I Had So Much Fun I Nearly Puked, (Carolrhoda, 1998).

Fast Fiction : Creating Fiction in Five Minutes
by Allen, Roberta, publisher: Story Pr, 1997

Another good one, although I haven't yet finished it is Fast Fiction by Roberta Allen. It's a good book just to keep you writing. The idea is to pick an idea starter from the lists provided and write a story about it in 5 minutes. It's fun. -- From Patricia S. Trattles

First Five Pages: A Writer's Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile
by Lukeman, Noah, publisher: Fireside, 2000.

I found it so wonderful because it really reminds you to "write tight". Stuff that I thought I know, but the book had some concrete examples of where I had failed. I used it on a revision and managed to cut 40 or so words in the first three chapters. Noah Lukeman is the author and he also has some great insight into how agents/editors think/read manuscripts, etc. It's reasonably priced (I think around $11) and a good read. -- From Marlene Perez.

I recently found THE FIRST FIVE PAGES at my library and read it and agree that it's a great book. Another good one along the same lines is SELF-EDITING FOR FICTION WRITERS. It discusses the same basic writing issues. Actually, I think that if someone studies and applies these two books, their writing will improve about 90%--competent writing is fairly easy to accomplish if you just apply the basic issues they discuss. You can easily get into the top 5% of manuscripts submitted. It's getting into the top .5% that actually get published that is hard! -- From Darcy Pattison, <http://www.darcypattison.com>, resources in Selecting Children's Books & Teaching Writing to Children. Coming October, 2000 from Greenwillow Books, THE WAYFINDER.

From Cover to Cover: Evaluating and Reviewing Children's Books
by Horning, Kathleen, publisher: HarperTrophy, 1997.

Get Published: 100 Top Magazine Editors Tell You How
by Gage, Diane, publisher: Henry Holt, 1994.

Get Published:100 Top Magazine Editors Tell You How by Diane Gage and Marcia Coppess is the best single resource I have found for breaking into the MAGAZINE MARKET. The book includes helpful, basic tips on marketing, queries and freelancing, as well as specific insider information about improving your odds with 100 diverse magazine markets. Some children's magazines are included. (Highlights, Boy's Life, YM, Family Fun, Sesame Street Parents Guide). This It inspired me to make 5 inquiries and/or submissions in 48 hours. -- From Kim Marie Wood, author of a monthly children's feature called "Young Rider Roundup," which was in The Equine Times April 98 issue. Kim also has an article in appearing in the April issue of National Writer's Monthly. (She is the listserv "goddess" for the SCBWI-Michigan chapter).

Guerilla Marketing
For getting PUBLICITY for your book: the Guerilla Marketing book (great ideas on press releases, getting on TV, etc). -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

Guide to Literary Agents, 2000 : 500 Agents Who Sell What You Write
by Dickerson, Donya (Editor), publisher: Writers Digest Books, 2000.

How Does a Poem Mean?
by Ciardi, John and Williams, Miller, publisher: Houghton Mifflin Co, 1981.

For LANGUAGE: How Does a Poem Mean? by John Ciardi and Miller Williams (Yes, it's poetry, but who does language better? Read and re-read this one to see how to strengthen the language of anything, but particularly picture books. Not particularly easy to read, so take your time and read it over a period of several months. Old book, not sure if still in print.) -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

How To Write a Children's Book and Get It Published
by Seuling, Barbara, publisher: IDG Books Worldwide, 1991.

How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books and Get Them Published
by Bicknell, Treld, publisher: North Light Books, 1988.

How to Write and Sell Children's Picture Books
by Karl, Jean E., publisher: Writer's Digest Books, 1994.

I used to prefer Roberts The Children's Picture Book over some others, but now I tend to recommend How To Write And Sell Children's Picture Books by Jean Karl (Writers' Digest Books 1994) to my students. -- From Mary K. Whittington.

How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters
by Wood, John, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1996.

For QUERY LETTERS:…How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query & Cover Letters, by John Wood. -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website:http://www.darcypattison.com.

How To Write for Children and Young Adults
by Fitz-Randolph, Jane and Steiner, Barbara, publisher: Johnson Publishing, 1987.

How to Write Irresistible Query Letters
by Cool, Lisa Collier, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1990.

Irresistible Query Letter -- Cool (written by, as well as being). -- From Nick Cook, author of Roller Coasters, or I Had So Much Fun I Nearly Puked, (Carolrhoda, 1998).

For QUERY LETTERS: Writing Irresistible Query Letters, by Lisa Collier Cool or How to Write Attention-Grabbing Query. -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

How to Write, Illustrate and Design Children's Books
by Gates, Frieda, publisher: Library Research Associates, 1986.

Illustrating Children's Books
by Hands, Nancy, 1986.

Jump Start Your Book Sales
by Ross, Marilyn and Ross, Tom, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1999.

Make Your Words Work
by Provost, Gary, publisher: Writer's Digest

Nonfiction Books Proposal Anybody Can Write
by Lyon, Elizabeth, publisher: Blue Heron Pub, 2000.

For MARKETING, The Sell-Your-Novel Toolkit and Nonfiction Books Proposal Anybody Can Write both by Elizabeth Lyon are very helpful. --From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Nonfiction For Children: How To Write It, How To Sell It
by Roberts, Ellen E. M., publisher: Writer's Digest, 1986.

On Writing Well
by Zinsser, William Knowlton, publisher: Harperreference, 1998.

The Passionate Accurate Story
by Bly, Carol, publisher: Milkweed Editions, 1990.

To put PASSION into a story: The Passionate Accurate Story, by Carol Bly (Not my favorite book, but has some interesting ideas to develop passion in a story).--From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

Plot (The Elements of Fiction Writing Series)
by Dibell, Ansen, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1988.

For STRUCTURE of a book: Plot, by Ansen Dibell (Worthless book as far as plot goes, but priceless chapters on structuring book in terms of "patterns, mirrors, and echoes", in other words how to tie the book together theme-wise.).-- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard) website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

Queries And Submissions
by Clark, Thomas, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1995.

I've also read Queries And Submissions by Thomas Clark - great coverage of the subject -- From Patricia S. Trattles.

Revision : A Creative Approach to Writing and Rewriting Fiction
by Kaplan, David Michael, publisher: Story Pr, 1997.

Revision by David Michale Kaplan - great coverage of subject matter too -- From Patricia S. Trattles.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
by Browne, Renni and King, Dave, publisher: HarperCollins, 1994.

As far as EDITING, one of the best books I have is Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King, but that might only be applicable to the novelists, not the picture book writers. -- From Michelle Westenbroek, an aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

Sell-Your-Novel Toolkit
by Lyon, Elizabeth, publisher: Blue Heron Pub, 1997.

For MARKETING, The Sell-Your-Novel Toolkit and Nonfiction Books Proposal Anybody Can Write both by Elizabeth Lyon are very helpful. -- From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Stein On Writing
by Stein, Sol, publisher: Griffin Trade Paperback, 2000.

For POLISHING a ms: Stein on Writing, by Sol Stein. -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

Story: Substance, Structure, Style, and the Principles of Screenwriting
by McKee, Robert, publisher: Harpercollins, 1997.

[Here's] another book you might want to put on the books about writing list. Robert McKee, who runs the story structure class, recently published a book version of his course called Story. It came out in December and has sold out of my local bookstores -- I got the last copy, I think. It looks like it's true to the class and, if it is, it's well worth the hardcover price. Problem is, I'm not certain if it's still in print, believe it or not. -- From Ann Manheimer, "The Dollhouse," in Bruce Coville's Book of Nightmares II, article pending at Cricket called "Clara's Foolish Pursuit," and many newspaper, magazine, and professional articles to her credit.

Techniques of the Selling Writer
by Swain, Dwight V., publisher: Univ of Oklahoma Pr, 1982.

And by far one of the best books that I have read in regard to getting my WORK PUBLISHED is Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain. --From Michelle Westenbroek, an aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

Ten Steps to Publishing Children’s Books: How to Develop, Revise
by Amoss, Berthe, publisher: Writer's Digest.

What's Your Story? : A Young Person's Guide to Writing Fiction
by Dane Bauer, Marion, publisher: Clarion Books, 1992.

The [books] I recommend are What's Your Story by Marion Dane Bauer and Writing And Publishing Books For Children In The 1990s by Olga Litowinsky. I know to some they are 'basic' books, but I found them quite interesting and still a wonderful reference. I would have recommended Writing Young Adult Novels by Hadley Irwin and Jeannette Eyerly. But Amazon.Com said that book is out of print (which is a terrible thing). But if Amazon says it's out of print, that's the closest thing to word of God on that. -- From Louis J. Launer.

Woe Is I : The Grammarphobe's Guide to Better English in Plain English
by O'Connor, Patricia T., publisher: Riverhead Books, 1998.

One I might add for checking grammar : Woe Is I by Patricia T. O'Connor. -- From Patricia S. Trattles

Wrestling With Your Angels: a Spiritual Journey to Great Writing
by Hagberg, Janet O., publisher: Adams Media Corporation, 1995.

My favorite INSPIRATIONAL writers' book is Wrestling with your Angels: A Spiritual Journey to Great Writing by Janet O. Hagberg. -- From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Writer's Journey, The: Mythic Structure for Storytellers
by Volger, Christopher, publisher: Michael Wiese Productions, 1998.

I originally wanted to mention The Writer's Journey by Christopher Volger also, because it is one of the best books that I have read about the history and TRADITION OF FICTION, and the specific roles that our CREATIVE minds naturally fill when creating fiction. I didn't mention it because I didn't know if it would be as helpful for writing for very young children, but since so many others have mentioned it, I'd like to chime in on that one too. -- From Michelle Westenbroek, an aspiring writer, just completed her first YA novel.

For PLOT: The Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Storytellers & Screenwriters, by Christopher Vogler (talks about the hero's journey). -- From Darcy Pattison, author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard), website: http://www.darcypattison.com.

Writing and Illustrating Children's Books for Publication: Two
by Amoss, Berthe and Suben, Eric, publisher: Writer's Digest, 1995.

Writing and Publishing Books for Children in the 1990s
by Litowinsky, Olga, publisher: Walker, 1992.

Writing Books for Children
by Yolen, Jane, 1983.

Look for these books at the library.

Alas Writing Books For Children is out of print. As is its revision Guide To Writing For Children. -- From Jane Yolen, author of Writing Books for Children, Guide To Writing For Children, and many books for children.

A couple of books not mentioned but very worthwhile are our own Jane Y's Writing Books for Children, 1983. I found her description of FANTASY SUB-CATEGORIES unique and very helpful.-- From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Writing Books for Young People
by Giblin, James, publisher: The Writer, 1990

I've found USEFUL. -- From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within
by Goldberg, Natalie, publisher: Shambhala Publications, 1986.

Valuable. -- From Linda Moore Durston, author of Home of the Heart (Avalon 1996), a wholesome career romance (pen name, Linda Moore). Also published Keiko's Story: A Killer Whale Goes Home (Twenty First Century Books 2000), a story about Keiko, the whale star of Free Willy.

Writing For Children and Teenagers
by Wyndham, Lee, publisher: Writer's Digest, 1989.

Writing For Story
by Franklin, Jon, publisher: Writer's Digest, 1989.

For non-fiction, truly excellent. -- From Ann Manheimer "The Dollhouse," in Bruce Coville's Book of Nightmares II, article pending at Cricket called "Clara's Foolish Pursuit," and many newspaper, magazine, and professional articles to her credit.

Writing for Young Adults
by Garland, Sherry, publisher: Writers Digest Books.

It has lots of good information for any kind of writing, and she brings out specific points for YA. -- Lisa Hark

Writing for Young Children
by Lewis, Claudia, publisher: Doubleday, 1981.

Writing on Both Sides of the Brain
by Klauser, Henriette Anne, publisher: Harper San Francisco, 1987.

Writing the Blockbuster Novel
by Zuckerman, Al, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1994.

For creating better STORIES in general: Writing a Blockbuster Novel, by Al Zuckerman. -- From Darcy Pattison , author of The River Dragon (Lothrop, Lee & Shepard) website:http://www.darcypattison.com.

Writing With Pictures, How to Write and Illustrate Children's Books
by Shulevitz, Uri, publisher: Watson Guptill, 1997.

The "Writing with Pictures" by Uri Shulevitz is an excellent book. I think it does the best job of helping an artist design a picture book. So many of the books that claim to show you how to write and illustrate, concentrate mainly on the writing. This book is for the artist. -- From Anna-Maria Crum

...And especially for prospective picture book illustrators as well as writers, Uri Shulevitz's Writing With Pictures. -- From Mary K. Whittington, author of 4 children's picture books, including The Patchwork Lady ...

Writing Young Adult Novels
by Irwin, Hadley and Eyerly, Jeannette.

You Can Write For Children
by Dils, Tracey, publisher: Writers Digest Books, 1998.