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1. ‘Solutions for Novelists, Secrets of a Master Editor’ by Sol Stein
I’d recommend this to anyone wanting to learn more about the craft of novel writing. Chapters include The Reader is Looking for an Experience; Is Conflict a Necessity?; Capturing the Reader; Characters Who Are Characters; How to Pilot Words Precisely; The Little Things That Damage the Writer’s Authority.
2. ‘How Novels Work’ by John Mullan
Guardian writer John Mullan discusses the literary techniques of a number of well-known novels.
3. ‘Marketing Your Book – An Author’s Guide’ by Alison Baverstock
To remind you that the hard work doesn't stop once the book is written.
4. ‘The Seven Basic Plots – Why We Tell Stories’ by Christopher Booker
A weighty book which explores the archetypal themes that recur in storytelling. Interesting to discover which of the basic stories yours most resembles.
5. ‘The Penguin Reference Dictionary of First Names’
The strap-line reads ‘The essential guide for all parents’. The publisher should add, ‘and writers’. This reference book will help you solve struggles for characters’ names, and strengthen the characterisation of those you have already named. It gives the meaning or origin of each name, and will even set you right on period detail, as it shows how names have changed in use and popularity over time.
6. ‘Roget’s Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases’
To stop you repeating yourself.
7. ‘New Oxford Dictionary for Writers and Editors – the Essential A – Z Guide to the Written Word’
Lots of publishers refer to this little book while editing. Deals with the common difficulties met by writers and editors (e.g. gives examples of words where more than one spelling is in use, tells you where a foreign phrase in common usage needs italics or not, contains lots of words which are difficult to spell). Do some of the hard work for them.
8. ‘New Hart’s Rules – the Handbook of Style for Writers and Editors'
This is a companion book to the title above (they can be bought in a set with the ‘New Oxford Spelling Dictionary, which sets out how words can be split over lines – for publishing folk). Hart’s Rules is good for writers who want to be able to check issues of grammar and presentation.
9. ‘The Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook’
For making lists of where to send your manuscript once it is finished.
10. 'On Writing' by Stephen King
Horror writer Stephen King once worked as a creative writing lecturer, and this mixture of memoir and creative writing handbook is as illuminating as it is entertaining. The first part takes the reader through King's early years and his formation as a mass-market writer; the second details what King calls 'the writers' toolbox', giving practical advice on the craft of writing.
11. Short Circuit – A Guide to the Art of the Short Story
An excellent collection of essays on writing short stories. Each essay is followed by exercises that would be useful for writers in any form, and for those going on to teach creative writing. A variety of voices makes this a very readable writing guide.
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