Books for Writers

GuideReviews Index

The Criminal Mind
Book review of The Criminal Mind: A Writer's Guide to Forensic Psychology by Katherine Ramsland. If you write mystery, suspense or thriller fiction, this is probably a book you'll want to look at. 4 out of 5 stars. Creative Writing for Teens book reviews.

How to Write a Mystery
Book review of How to Write a Mystery by Larry Beinhart. If mystery fiction is your thing--especially if you write novels--you may find this book useful. On the other hand, you may not. 3 out of 5 stars. Barely.

How to Write a Book Proposal
Book review of How to Write a Book Proposal by Michael Larsen. If you want to write book proposals that sell, this is a good place to start. You'll learn step-by-step what goes into a book proposal and what editors are looking for.

How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy
Orson Scott Card's book How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy won a Hugo Award (one of the most prestigious awards in the speculative fiction genre). Find out why in this review. The book offers useful information and exercises for the newest beginner and the most seasoned professional. Not an easy feat.

Worlds of Wonder: How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy
Worlds of Wonder has an awfully pretty cover, but is it a book you could use for learning to write science fiction and fantasy? Will it help you improve you writing, or should you leave it on the bookstore shelf? This review may help you determine the answers to those questions.

A Passion for Narrative: A Guide for Writing Fiction
Jack Hodgins' book A Passion for Narrative: A Guide for Writing Fiction is just what it says: a guide for writing fiction. See how well it does the job in this summary review from About Creative Writing for Teens.

Aspects of the Novel
Aspects of the Novel by E.M. Forster is a classic work on fiction and how it is written. If you want to write novels, this may be a book you should read; browse through this review to find out.

A Writer's Tool Kit
Summary review of A Writer's Tool Kit (12 Proven Ways You Can Make Your Writing Stronger -- Today) by Carroll Dale Short. Find out why this is a useful volume for any writer.

The Playful Way to Serious Writing
This review of The Playful Way to Serious Writing by Roberta Allen (subtitled And Anything-Can-Happen Workbook to Inspire and Delight) looks at the value of this volume of writing exercises for readers of About Creative Writing for Teens and other writers.

The Practice of Poetry
This review of The Practice of Poetry by Robin Skelton looks at the merits of this book, especially for teenaged and novice poets. Find out why this is an essential volume for any poet or aspiring writer of poetry.

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy
Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy by Crawford Kilian is a good introductory book on the speculative fiction genre. This review can help you decide if this volume is one that would be useful to you.

Aliens and Alien Socities
In this book review of Aliens and Alien Societies: A Writer's Guide to Creating Extraterrestrial Life-Forms by Stanley Schmidt you can find out if a book on such a narrow topic is one you'll want to read. Science fiction authors will find this especially useful, though writers of fantasy might want to have a look as well.

The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear
This book review of The Courage to Write: How Writers Transcend Fear by Ralph Keyes looks at how effective the layout of the book is, how convincing Keyes' arguments are, and how reading the book affected the author of the review. The book is about writer's block, so its effectiveness determines in part whether or not it's worth reading.

Touch Magic
Review of Touch Magic: Fantasy, Faerie and Folklore in the Literature of Childhood by Jane Yolen. Find out why writers as well as readers will enjoy this book.

On Writing by Stephen King
Whatever you may think of Stephen King's own fiction, if your goal is to write fiction, you'll find King's book On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft a valuable work that combines memoir, how-to advice and examples. In this summary book review by the About Creative Writing for Teens Guide, you'll find publication information and the pros and cons of this writing book.

On Becoming a Novelist
John Gardner's On Becoming a Novelist is a book for writers considering whether or not to become novelists. The book is especially directed at young writers, but may also be of interest to those with more experience, especially teachers. This summary review may help you decide if this is a book you should read.

The Art of Fiction
John's Gardner's The Art of Fiction: Notes on Craft for Young Writers is one book every fictionist, and especially every aspiring writer, ought to read. This summary review may help you decide if this is a book you need to help improve your creative writing.

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