[Last updated February 8, 2000]

A writing workshop can be a great boon to a writer, and provide things that a book cannot. Yet many techniques of writing that can be learned in a workshop may also be learned from books about writing, and certain of these techniques can be learned faster from books. Further, there are some matters of technique that lie outside the scope of Critters Workshop (for example, grammar skills). There is a section of book titles below to help with these.

Some of these books (those still in print) may be bought or ordered through bookstores or Internet booksellers, and some may be obtained from libraries (without cost). Your public or institutional libraries, of course, may limit your selection, but this may be augmented if interlibrary loan is available. You will find that this list contains enough entries to torment your reference librarian with interlibrary loan requests for several years to come.

Of course, there are other lists of book titles available on Internet and elsewhere, but most of them are oriented toward selling their entries rather than helping writers select books most useful to them.

Currently this list's titles are arranged roughly by subject category. These are:

Each list entry's notes may contain:

Seven through ten are included to prevent writers from wasting their time or money.

Creating Short Fiction, Damon Knight, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1981.
This would be a good choice by a beginning writing student for his first writers' guide to read. Though oriented to writing fiction of any genre, all of the manuscript examples presented are SF stories by the author. [1]

The Writing of Modern Fiction, Robert Somerlott, The Writer, Inc., Boston, 1972.
A book by a mainstream writer and writing teacher in a format atypical of writers' self-help books. It has a chapter entitled "Mental Transportation" dealing with the use of first-person internal monologue while writing in the third person POV. [1]

Writing Fiction, Arturo Vivante, The Writer, Inc., Boston, 1980.
A book by a mainstream writer that discusses topics in writing on an abstract, philosophical level, as opposed to demonstrating specific writing techniques. A rare chapter devoted to theme is served well in this style, though others not as well. [1]

The Art of Fiction, John Gardner, Alfred A. Knopf, New York, 1983.
This book is much praised by pro writers. It seems aimed at an audience that already knows a lot about writing, so not a good choice for a first writing guide to read. Has a section about poetic technique in prose. [1]

Making Shapely Fiction, Jerome Stern, W. W. Norton & Co., New York, 1991.
A mainstream writer's book in the format of a glossary of literary terms. [1]

The Craft of Fiction, Percy Lubbock, Viking Press, New York, 1957.
First published in 1921. [1]

Revision: A Creative Approach to Writing and Rewriting Fiction, David Michael Kaplan, Story Press, Cincinnati, 1997.
A book about revision with respect to perfecting writing technique. One of the best on this topic. [1]

Revision, Kit Reed, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1989.
Contains checklist-style guidelines for revision, and some discussion of revision techniques. One third of the book is an appendix of reproductions of draft mss. (strikeouts included) of limited interest to those who favor word processors. [1]

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Renni Browne and Dave King, Harper Collins Publishers, New York, 1993.
A book about revision with respect to typical writing problems encountered by editors. [1]

The 10% Solution, Ken Rand, Fairwood Press, Kent, Washington, 1998.
A handy look at self-editing for clarity and punch. Takes a lot of those kernels buried in other books and puts them in an accessible and easily understood format. [3,4]

"Shut Up!" He Explained: A Writer's Guide to the Uses and Misuses of Dialogue, William Noble, Paul S. Eriksson Publisher, Middlebury, Vermont, 1987.
A technique-oriented book about using dialog to control plot, suspense and characterization, and to describe setting. May be the best book exclusively devoted to dialog. Because of its peculiar title, this book has been given an odd place in the Dewey Decimal System (general writing), and will not be shelved among other writer's self-help books. [1]

Dialogue, Lewis Turco, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1989.
A book about dialog written in the form of a Socratic dialog. This book contains useful information, which is, at times, obscured by the gimmick format. [1]

Theme & Strategy, Ronald B. Tobias, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1989.
Based on the theory that there are only 36 possible plot patterns extant in literature. [1]

Characters & Viewpoint, Orson Scott Card, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1988.
A long section on characterization, and a description of POVs. The characterization part is strong and detailed; the POV section has the same listing of types found in most writers' books. [1]

Fiction Is Folks, Robert Newton Peck, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1983.
An informal, often humorous look at creating and sustaining believable characters. Though he is best known as a children's and YA author, Peck's advice applies to almost any genre. [3]

Creating Characters: How to Build Story People, Dwight V. Swain, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1990.
Written by a writer who was once a reporter. Emphasizes the observation of people and description of their character traits. Probably inferior to Card's book. Contains two brief sections (four pages total) relating to SF entitled "The Non-Human Character" and "Future History." [1]

Dynamic Characters: How to Create Personalities that Keep Readers Captivated, Nancy Kress, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1998.
All aspects of creating characters and handling characterization. Sections on plot and theme from a character-based perspective. [1]

Creating Character Emotions, Ann Hood, Story Press, Cincinnati, 1998.
About a single aspect of writing, expressing emotions through dialog, action, and interior monologue. (An important aspect, as it does much toward bringing characters alive.) Broken down into thirty-six headings for different emotions: Anger, Anxiety, Apathy, Confusion, Contentment, Curiosity, Despair…. Has three creative writing class exercises at the end of each section. [1]

Thirteen Types of Narrative, Wallace Hildick, Clarkson N. Potter, Inc., New York, 1970.
A book about points of view in which a short vignette is written in thirteen POV's as an example. Rather dry and scholarly, yet it includes some unusual POV's: as a diary, as a catechism, as and exchange of letters, in all-dialog, as a documentary, in stream of consciousness. [1]

Plot, Ansen Dibell, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1988. [1]

Setting, Jack M. Bickham, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1994.
A good book on how setting effects storytelling in general that grows depressing at times on the subject of stereotyped genre settings. [1]

Scene & Structure, Jack M. Bickham, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1993.
Follows the notion that the ultimate goal in storytelling is to make the scene structure and tension level fit a theoretical model of continual rise followed by a rapid denouement (Fiche's Curve). All discussion of technique is aimed at achieving this. [1]

Beginnings, Middles & Ends, Nancy Kress, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1993.
A good book about fiction writing in general, divided into sections as in the title. Particular advice for openings and endings; the middle part is like other writing books. Contains some of what is covered in Nancy Kress' program Writer's Software Companion.  [1]

First Paragraphs, Donald Newlove, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1992.
A small book collecting the initial paragraphs of renown works of literature, intended to inspire blocked writers. Some of the openings are striking, while many may seem only wordy. [1]

Description, Monica Woods, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1995.
Very concrete advice on description technique. One of the best in the Writer's Digest series. [1]

Voice & Style, Johnny Payne, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1995.
Written for more advanced writers than other books in the Writer's Digest series. [1]

Conflict, Action & Suspense, William Noble, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1994. [1]

Writing Suspense and Mystery Fiction, edited by A. S. Burack, The Writer, Inc., Boston, 1977.
A collection of 37 articles by mystery authors, half on techniques of controlling suspense in fiction, a few on plotting, others on various aspects of writing detective and police stories, the Western legal system, the whodunit structure, etc. Most of them are good. [1]

Writing the Short Story: A Hands-On Program, Jack M. Bickham, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1994. [1]

Manuscript Submission, Scott Edelstein, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1993.
Entirely devoted to ms. format and cover letters for shorts and novels, and their relationship to editorial review. Some advice applicable to SF genre, some not. Warns about lots of things "that will brand you as an amateur." Has some peculiar theories about what happens during the editorial process. [1]

Science Fiction Handbook, Revised, L. Sprague de Camp and Catherine Cook de Camp, McGraw Hill, New York, 1975.
This book has a first half on the origins of modern SF and a second half on writing technique with regard to the SF genre. Originally published as Science Fiction Handbook in 1953. Most of this book, despite its age, is still relevant and full of specific, practical advice. [1]

How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy, Orson Scott Card, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1990.
Very friendly tone toward new and amateur writers. Discusses some techniques and writing errors peculiar to SF. [1]

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy, edited by Gardner Dozois, Tina Lee, Stanley Schmidt, Ian Randal Strock and Sheila Williams, St. Martin's Press, New York, 1991.
A collection of articles by various SF authors and editors. Some article titles: "Good Writing is Not Enough" (SF ideas), "The Creation of Imaginary Worlds," "The Creation of Imaginary Beings," "How to Build a Future" (modeling economic, technological and population growth), "Building a Starfaring Age," "The Ideas that Wouldn't Die" (a list of unpublishable science fiction cliches). Other articles on general writing technique and manuscript format. Contains an outdated market listing. [1]

Science Fiction, Today and Tomorrow, edited by Reginald Brentor, Penguin Books, Baltimore, 1974.
A collection of articles by venerable SF writers. Many are about the social relevance of SF at the time of publication. The most useful articles for writers ("Creation of Imaginary Worlds" and "Creation of Imaginary Beings") have been reprinted in Writing Science fiction and Fantasy, ed. by Gardner Dozois. [1]

The Craft of Writing Science Fiction that Sells, Ben Bova, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1994.
For the most part, a reprint of Notes to a Science Fiction Writer, written while Bova was editor of Analog. This book contains useful information and advice, but has a restricted view of what SF "sells" and at times takes a deprecatory tone toward the amateurs who fill SF editors' slushpiles. [1]

On Writing Science Fiction: The Editors Strike back!, George H. Scithers, Darrel Schweitzer and John M. Ford, Owlswick Press, Philadelphia, 1981.
A book, with a friendly tone, aimed at amateur writers with the aim of selling short stories to SF magazines. Has an extensive appendix on all and pedantic details of submission format. [1]

Time Travel, Paul J. Nahin, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1997.
Delineates which modes and paradoxes of time travel are considered scientifically and logically plausible by those scientists who admit the possibility of time travel. This book is oriented toward SF writers. [1]

Time Machines: Time Travel in Physics, Metaphysics and Science Fiction, Paul J. Nahin, American Institute of Physics, New York, 1993.
Similar to Nahin's other book about time travel, but aimed at a scientific audience. Has an extensive bibliography and discussion on the history of time travel in fantastic literature. [1]

Space Travel, Ben Bova, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1997.
Writer-oriented discussion of space travel by rocket propulsion and other proposed means within the confines of known physics. Describes what it's like in reduced gravity, and the difficulties of surviving in space. [1]

Aliens & Alien Societies, Stanley Schmidt, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1995.
Discussions on how to create scientifically plausible aliens and alien biologies, mainly in relation to the diversity of evolutionary adaptation observed on Earth. [1]

World-Building, Stephen J. Gillett, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1996.
Discussions on how to design planets consistent with Kepler's and Newton's Laws and with what is known about the geology of Earth and other bodies in the Solar System. A final chapter about alien geochemistries is more speculative. [1]

Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe, George Ochoa and Jeffrey Osier, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1993.
This book is about creating scientifically-acceptable SF story worlds (in the sense of settings) in general, rather than world-building planets in particular. It describes the theories of universe, galaxy, solar system and planet formation, the restrictions of space travel and alien biologies as some of the other books do, but doesn't expound on "scientific accuracy" very far above the ambient level in published SF. [1]

The Writer's Complete Fantasy Reference, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1998.
Chapter titles: Traditional Fantasy Cultures; World Cultures; Magic; Witchcraft and Pagan Paths; Commerce, Trade and Law in Contemporary Fantasy; Fantasy Races; Creatures of Myth and Legend; Dress and Costume; Arms, Armor, and Armies; Anatomy of a Castle. While not "complete" of course, an excellent stepping off point for more in depth research and maybe the best overview I've ever seen. [4]

How to Write Action Adventure Novels, Michael Newton, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1989.
Describes writing in a hackneyed genre. Some useful technique about handling action. References about weapons, military units, terrorist organizations, etc. [1]

The Romance Writers' Phrase Book, Jean Kent and Candace Shelton, Perigee Books, New York, 1984.
A massive list of cliche phrases ("tags") to be inserted in a romance novel ms. to make it more saleable (!). Useful mainly for identifying cliches and for entertainment. Contains a list of unusual synonyms for colors that may be enlightening (e.g., black = anthracite). [1]

Writing Detective and Mystery Fiction, edited by A. S. Burack, The Writer, Inc., Boston, 1967.
Contains thirty articles by various authors. Some are dated. Most of the useful ones are also in Writing Suspense and Mystery Fiction, by the same editor. [1]

A Prosody Handbook, Karl Shapiro and Robert Beum, Harper & Row, New York, 1965.
A scholarly, though readable, handbook on prosody (rhythm, rhyme and verse structure in poetry) that is relevant to poetic technique in prose writing. Contains extensive discussions on the scansion and the metrical structures of poetry, the parts of speech, and the use of alliteration. [1]

The Anatomy of Prose, Marjorie Boulton, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd., London, 1954.
A textbook written for a college course combining writing technique and some literary criticism of prose style. Oriented toward all prose (non-fiction, essays, etc.), so not of overall use to fiction writers, except for a unique chapter called "Prose Rhythm" about scansion and metrical analysis of prose. Maybe only available in university libraries. [1]

The Anatomy of Poetry, Marjorie Boulton, Routledge & Kegan Paul Ltd., London, 1953.
A textbook similar in philosophy and format to the one above; one of a series of five (the other title of interest is The Anatomy of the Novel). Similar to other books about poetry analysis listed. May discuss some additional aspects of technique. [1]

The Poet's Handbook, Judson Jerome, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1980.
A book on learning to write technically-competent poetry; not really a handbook. Designed as a poetry writing guide rather than to teach poetry analysis. [1]

A Poetry Handbook, Mary Oliver, Harcourt Brace, San Diego, 1994.
A brief book about writing and analyzing poetry. [1]

Poetry Handbook, Babette Deutsch, Barnes & Noble Books, New York, 1983.
A book about poetry analysis in the format of a glossary of terms. [1]

In the Palm of Your Hand, The Poet's Portable Workshop, Steve Kowit, Tilbury House, Gardiner, Maine 04345, 1995
An inclusive and entertaining book; friendly, unpretentious and fun. Has information on getting the writing done, revision, writing from memory, hearing the music in words, etc. There are many exercises ("useful jumping off places") to jumpstart your creative flow. [5]

The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Hal Blynthe and Charlie Sweet, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1994.
A short section on the strategy of naming characters followed by a long list of names (each followed by several brief words of explanation). The lists are grouped by ethnicity with a few paragraphs of rules before each (e.g., Russian surnames are patronymic). [1]

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr. and E. B. White, Macmillan Publishing, New York, 1979.
Revision of a booklet written by Prof. Strunk in the 1910's to bring Cornell undergrads up to speed in English Comp. A brief, glossary-format, well-regarded guide focussed on common writing deficiencies. [1]

Grammatically Correct: The Writer's Essential Guide to Punctuation, Spelling, Style, Usage and Grammar, Anne Stilman, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1997.
Lists extensive syntax and grammar rules, common spelling errors, and some style guidelines. Content is oriented toward common writers' errors rather than an exhaustive list of rules. Similar in concept to Strunk & White, but a thicker, longer, more formal book. [1]

Dictionary of Concise Writing, Robert Hartwell Fiske, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati.
Marketed under the Writer's Digest label, but mainly a catalog of weasel words and pleonasms from non-fiction writing that may be found in the reference section of the Public Library under the alternate title Guide to Concise Writing. [1]

21st Century Manual of Style, edited by Barbara Ann Kipfer, Philip Lief Group, Inc.; Laurel Trade Paperback, 1993.
This reference book includes words and terms that are unique to this century, including slang and euphemisms, e.g., come-ons, Down Under, never-ending. It also has sections on punctuation, trademark names and a very comprehensive list of abbreviations. [2]

The Rinehart Handbook for Writers, Bonnie Carter and Craig Skates, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, 1996.
An excellent, concise grammar handbook for mid-level to advanced writers. A college textbook, but useful for quick-reference. Includes a very broad range of mechanics, and a section on writing techniques to help the writer broaden his ideas. [2]

The Deluxe Transitive Vampire: The Ultimate Handbook of Grammar for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed, Karen Elizabeth Gordon, Pantheon Books, New York, 1993.
A grammar book dominated by funny example sentences (some relate to creatures from gothic horror and vaguely tell stories as the book progresses). Designed for teaching grammar, rather than as a comprehensive reference book. The greater part of the book is devoted to the parts of speech, so it takes a while to get to the punch line. Earlier editions were published under the title The Transitive Vampire. [1]

The New Well-Tempered Sentence: A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed, Karen Elizabeth Gordon, Ticknor & Fields, New York, 1993.
Similar to The Deluxe Transitive Vampire (perhaps more effective), but about punctuation. Earlier editions were published as The Well-Tempered Sentence. [1]

Chicago Manual of Style, 14^th ed., University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1993.
An exhaustive, dry, well-regarded reference book on grammar and syntax. [1]

Science Fiction Writer's Market Place and Sourcebook, edited by David G. Tompkins, Writer's Digest Books, Cincinnati, 1994.
This book includes the current markets for publishing science fiction and fantasy, publishers' names and addresses, the style of each magazine listed and marketing ideas for submitting writings. Updated annually. [2]

Writing For Dollars, John McCollister, Johnathon David Publishers, Inc., Middle Village, New York 11379, 1995.
A back-to-basics guide to marketing both fiction and non-fiction. Lots of tips and advice for any aspiring free-lancer. [3]

Rotten Rejections: A Literary Companion, edited by André Bernard, Pushcart Press, Wainscott, New York, 1990.
A collection of rejection slips given to significant works of literature. May help you deal with rejections, make you laugh, or depress you. [1]

1. William Vetter
2. Pat Felix
3. Justin Stanchfield
4. Lena Sawyer
5. Diane Kreinbring

You too can contribute books to this list.

Please include correct title, authors and/or editor(s) (if it's a collection of articles by different authors), publisher, publisher’s location and date, and useful info about the book similar to that above. I try to keep the notes under eighty words.

Don't submit any books you haven't held in your own hands, that is, don't copy titles from another bibliography without having seen the book. Don't submit notes for your titles from sales copy or the peer endorsements on book jackets.

Books only -- no URL's. I feel that there are already plenty of lists of those around, as well as links posted on various web pages.

I trust you neither to praise any authors slavishly, nor to nuke one unfairly.

Obscure but useful entries are encouraged, because one of the aims of this list is to make obscure titles known. Elementary writer's guides are also encouraged, as Critters possess a wide range of writing experience. Warnings of books with titles that sound like writer's guides or self-help books but are something else are also useful. If one of the titles on the list has no notes after it, that probably means I read it a while ago and it left me with good feelings, but I can't remember much of anything specific about it. I could use help with those too.

I have omitted e-mail addresses from the list of contributors, because the spamming of publicly posted addresses has become an issue in Critters.

I reserve the right to edit entries for length and content.

Thanks in advance for your entries.