Being a writer can be tough, and finishing anything from a short story to a script or novel takes a lot of skill and passion. This is a list of all the best books on the writing craft that I have used and found helpful. Here You will find essays, memoirs and general books of writing advice, and I'm always adding more as I come across them.
How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy
Orson Scott Card
Best-selling author Orson Scott Card takes you through everything you need to know about writing and publishing good Science Fiction and Fantasy.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Worldbuilding, Writing Craft
Words are My Matter
Ursula K. Le Guin
A collection of essays, reviews, talks, book reviews and more from Ursula Le Guin.

Essay, Writing Craft
On Writing and Worldbuilding Vol. 1
Timothy Hickson
A basic introduction to the key concepts behind writing and worldbuilding.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Reference, Writing Craft
On Writing Well
William Zinsser
A book of fundamental principles of writing in all formats from a distinguished writer and teacher.

Writing Craft, Reference
2,000 to 10,000
Racher Aaron
A book of practical advice on increasing the speed and quality of your writing.

Reference, Writing Craft
Childrens Fantasy Literature
Fara Mendlesohn
A collection of essays providing a study of children's fantasy literature from the sixteenth century to the present.

Fantasy, Essay, Fairytale
The Cambridge Companion to Science Fiction
Edward James
A collection of essays that give you everything you need for a basic understanding of Science Fiction.

Science Fiction, Essay
The Planet Construction Kit
Mark Rosenfelder
A companion volume to the Language Construction Kit, this book explains everything you need to know about creating your own world with its own geology, creatures, cultures, religions, technology, and styles of war

Science Fiction, Worldbuilding, Writing Craft
The Only Worldbuilding Workbook You'll Ever Need
T.M. Hollandy
A comprehensive list of worldbuilding prompts to help you create immersive and believable worlds for your fiction.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Writing Craft
Wonderbook
Jeff Vandemeir
A definitive guide to writing Science Fiction and Fantasy that gives you everything you need to know in a playful and easy to digest way.

Worldbuilding, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Writing Craft
Creating Life: The Art of Worldbuilding
Randy Ellafson
A detailed how-to guide on inventing the heart of every imaginary world - life. With chapters on creating gods, species/races, plants, animals, monsters, heroes, villains, and even undead.

Writing Craft, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Worldbuilding, Conlangs
Kobold Guide to Worldbuilding
Scott Hungerford
A fantastic reference book that covers all of the essential elements for building a world.

Science Fiction, Worldbuilding, Fantasy, Reference, Writing Craft
The Impulse of Fantasy Literature
C.N Manlove
A pioneer of fantasy scholarship, this book is an exploration of the genre that looks at the underlying urges and interests that underly the genre.

Fantasy, Essay
The War of Art
Steven Pressfield
A practical guide for succeeding in any creative sphere, The War of Art is nothing less than Sun-Tzu for the soul.

Writing Craft, Reference
Building Imaginary Worlds
Mark J.P. Wolf
A unique look at world-building within and across media, including literature, comics, film, radio, television, board games, video games, the Internet, and more.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Conlangs, Essay, Worldbuilding
Reading Like a Writer
Francine Prose
Acclaimed author Francine Prose invites you to sit by her side and take a guided tour of the tools and the tricks of the masters to discover why their work has endured.

Writing Craft, Reference
Yours to Tell
Steve Rasnic Tem & Melanie Tem
An all-in-one guide to storytelling, covering everything from the mechanics of writing, to how to find the time to write.

Worldbuilding, Writing Craft, Essay
On Writing: A memoir of the Craft
Steven King
An excellent masterclass on writing - how to use the tools of the trade from building characters to pace and plotting as well as practical advice on presentation.

Memoir, Writing Craft
Rhetorics of Fantasy
Fara Mendlesohn
An extensive study of how fiction writers construct their fantasy worlds.

Essay, Fantasy
The Language of the Night
Ursula K. Le Guin
Essays on SF & Fantasy - This is Le Guin's most important collection of critical essays, in which she presents her view of the role of myth and imagination in literature.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Worldbuilding, Essay, Memoir
The Quill and the Crow
Lillith Saintcrow
Essays on writing compiled from a popular blog. Covering topics from the writer's craft to pro tips on structure and style.

Writing Craft, Essay, Memoir, Reference
I Should be Writing
Mur Lafferty
Everything you'd hope to find in a writing workshop, condensed into one highly effective journal.

Writing Craft, Essay
The Fantasy Literature of England
C.N Manlove
From Beowulf to King Arthur and Blake this book follows the early history of English Fantasy.

Fantasy, Essay, Fairytale
Conversations on Writing
Ursula K. Le Guin
In a series of interviews with David Naimon, Ursula Le Guin discusses the craft, aesthetics, and philosophy in her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction

Essay, Writing Craft
On Fairy Stories
J.R.R. Tolkien
J.R.R. Tolkien's best known essay on the role of imagination in the worldbuilding and writing of fantasy.

Fantasy, Essay, Worldbuilding, Fairytale
The Ultimate RPG Game Masters Worldbuilding Guide
James D'Amato
Level up your Game Master skills with these fun, interactive prompts and activities to help your worldbuilding from RPG expert James D’Amato.

Writing Craft, Reference, Worldbuilding
Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life
Anne Lamott
One of the oldest and most loved writing guides out there. Best-selling novelist and memoirist Anne Lamott distils what she's learned over years of trial and error.

Writing Craft, Memoir
Daemon Voices
Phillip pullman
Phillip pullman presents a series of essays on storytelling.

Science Fiction, Worldbuilding, Essay, Fantasy, Writing Craft, Fairytale
The Ultimate RPG Character Backstory Guide
James D'Amato
Ramp up your role-playing game (RPG) and make your character your own with this fun, interactive workbook—an essential addition to any player’s gaming kit.

Science Fiction, Fantasy, Reference, Worldbuilding
Zen in the Art of Writing
Ray bradbury
Ray Bradbury shares the wisdom, experience, and excitement of a lifetime of writing.

Writing Craft, Essay
Dancing at the Edge of the World
Ursula K. Le Guin
The celebrated author offers her thoughts on a broad range of subjects, including literary criticism, the state of science fiction writing today, and government and governmental policies.

Essay, Writing Craft
The Cambridge Companion to American Science Fiction
Gerry Canvan
The essays in this book explore the relationship between the ideas and themes of American science fiction and their roots in the American cultural experience.

Science Fiction, Essay
Eats, shoots & leaves
lynne Truss
The must have book on punctuation, style and grammar that is both informative and funny.

Writing Craft, Reference
Writing Tools
Roy Peter Clarke
The must-have guidebook for novices and experts to navigate the world of writing.

Reference, Writing Craft
The Cambridge Companion to Fantasy Literature
Edward James
This collection of essays covers everything you need for a basic understanding of Fantasy Literature.

Fantasy, Essay, Fairytale
The Art of Language Invention
David J. Peterson
This creative guide to language constructions covers the history and use of conlangs across media and how to effectively create your own.

Fantasy, Conlangs, Worldbuilding
Damn Fine Story
Chuck Wending
Using a mix of personal stories, pop fiction examples, and traditional storytelling terms, New York Times best-selling author Chuck Wendig will help you internalize the feel of powerful storytelling.

Writing Craft
Get Started in Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
Adam Roberts
engaging introduction to writing science fiction and fantasy for the complete beginner.

