I studied math at Princeton—because my freshman English class made me never want to write again.
So when I entered the real world, I was a *horrible* writer.
Luckily, these 9 books helped me quickly learn the craft.
And unlike college, they won't cost you 120k 🧵
So when I entered the real world, I was a *horrible* writer.
Luckily, these 9 books helped me quickly learn the craft.
And unlike college, they won't cost you 120k 🧵
1. The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
This book single-handedly changed my life.
Once you read it, you realize that writing (or any creative work) is a daily battle with the Resistance.
But until you're aware of it, the Resistance will dominate you.
This book single-handedly changed my life.
Once you read it, you realize that writing (or any creative work) is a daily battle with the Resistance.
But until you're aware of it, the Resistance will dominate you.
2. Show Your Work by Austin Kleon
As a beginner writer, I had a massive case of impostor syndrome.
This book totally crushed that feeling.
It helped me realize:
1. I didn't need to be an expert
2. Everything I published didn't have to be perfect
As a beginner writer, I had a massive case of impostor syndrome.
This book totally crushed that feeling.
It helped me realize:
1. I didn't need to be an expert
2. Everything I published didn't have to be perfect
3. The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole
Truly a crash course with *everything* you need to know to write on the internet.
• Why you shouldn't start a blog
• Generating an endless amount of ideas
• The "Golden Intersection" of telling personal stories
Truly a crash course with *everything* you need to know to write on the internet.
• Why you shouldn't start a blog
• Generating an endless amount of ideas
• The "Golden Intersection" of telling personal stories
4. The Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joe Sugarman
The most tactical (and practical) copywriting book on the market.
If you spent a year doing nothing but reading (and applying) the ideas in this book, you would be a *master* at crafting compelling, engaging words.
The most tactical (and practical) copywriting book on the market.
If you spent a year doing nothing but reading (and applying) the ideas in this book, you would be a *master* at crafting compelling, engaging words.
5. The Boron Letters by Gary Halbert
The most *fun* book to read on this entire list.
Gary has the most potent & readable writing style of any author on this list.
Read this for the stories, tactical copywriting frameworks, and to *see* what great writing looks like.
The most *fun* book to read on this entire list.
Gary has the most potent & readable writing style of any author on this list.
Read this for the stories, tactical copywriting frameworks, and to *see* what great writing looks like.
6. Writing That Works by Roman & Raphaelson
Truly the *bible* of business writing.
This should be required reading for every corporate worker in America.
Filled with actionable tips & frameworks, this one has everything you need to start communicating clearly & concisely.
Truly the *bible* of business writing.
This should be required reading for every corporate worker in America.
Filled with actionable tips & frameworks, this one has everything you need to start communicating clearly & concisely.
7. On Writing Well by William Zinsser
This one is a no-BS guide to crafting non-fiction writing.
Read this one for the list of classic mistakes that once you see, you'll never make again.
This one is a no-BS guide to crafting non-fiction writing.
Read this one for the list of classic mistakes that once you see, you'll never make again.
8. The Elements of Style by Strunk & White
The most tactical "writing" book on this entire list.
• Active vs. passive voice
• Positive vs. negative form
• Concise vs. verbose writing
• Lists of words to never use again
Worth keeping a copy on your desk.
The most tactical "writing" book on this entire list.
• Active vs. passive voice
• Positive vs. negative form
• Concise vs. verbose writing
• Lists of words to never use again
Worth keeping a copy on your desk.
9. Atomic Habits by James Clear
And lastly, this one has *nothing* to do with writing.
But it has everything you need to build a writing *habit* — which you need as the foundation to improve your skills.
Because without a daily writing habit, these other 8 books are useless.
And lastly, this one has *nothing* to do with writing.
But it has everything you need to build a writing *habit* — which you need as the foundation to improve your skills.
Because without a daily writing habit, these other 8 books are useless.
Now, one warning.
Don't let reading turn into procrastination disguised as productivity.
With the basics down, the only way to keep improving is to actually *start writing*
So here's a free 13,000-word Ultimate Guide to help you get started today:
startwritingonline.com
Don't let reading turn into procrastination disguised as productivity.
With the basics down, the only way to keep improving is to actually *start writing*
So here's a free 13,000-word Ultimate Guide to help you get started today:
startwritingonline.com
To recap, read these 9 writing books & throw the rest away:
• Atomic Habits
• The War of Art
• On Writing Well
• Show Your Work
• The Boron Letters
• Writing That Works
• The Elements of Style
• The Art & Business of Online Writing
• The Adweek Copywriting Handbook
• Atomic Habits
• The War of Art
• On Writing Well
• Show Your Work
• The Boron Letters
• Writing That Works
• The Elements of Style
• The Art & Business of Online Writing
• The Adweek Copywriting Handbook
Loading suggestions...