Litopia Writers’ Reading List 2024
Peter Cox, founder of Litopia
I asked our members a simple question.
Which books have had the most profound impact on your development as a writer?
Here’s what they told me. A glorious cornucopia of more than forty definitive titles that ought to be on your reading list.
And note: if you buy them all (why not?) it will still be cheaper than taking one average-priced commercial writing course.
We’ve all enjoyed putting this list together, and we hope you get as much out of it as we have.
Peter Cox
Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore by Elizabeth Lyon
Our Summary
Presents in a highly readable, organized way all of the elements of a novel, from the significance of genre and common to lesser-known structures to all the aspects of a writers' craft. Briefly and with amazing clarity, describes potential problems which might arise from each, then follows with suggestions for how to "fix" them. Chapters are organized around particular craft elements and issues, so readers can choose which parts of the book to focus on relative to their personal writing needs. Review checklists of problems and their solutions are included at the end of each chapter.
What I Learned From It
I have now read easily a dozen books on how to write a novel, plus several on revision, and while I've taken away something of value from each, not one of them has given me the breadth of awareness and practical understanding of craft elements, from A to Z and beyond, that this jam-packed, wisely conceived and clearly presented book has given me. It's not prescriptive, nor does it follow the latest trends in fiction writing. Ms Lyons doesn't think she has 'the' answer or make suggestions that make a writer feel like a square peg being forced into a round hole, but rather shows writers how to consider each issue in light of their own writing style, voice and vision for their novel. Check out the Amazon reviews; I'm not the only one who loves this book. It's a keeper! And one to be used over and over.
CarolMS
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3SYVT9x" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3MZVwrv" ]
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Our Summary
Down to earth advice, not so much about the craft per se as the practice (and pitfalls) of "being a writer".
What I learned From It
I'm actually still reading it, but so far I've got lots of encouragement from it. Her style is super informal and she has a wonderful dry wit, it's like a brilliant chat in the pub with someone who really knows their shit and you go away thinking, "yeah, I really can do this..."
Josephine
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3Gdt2a0" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/40Ytcf2" ]
Stein On Writing by Sol Stein
Our Summary
With examples from bestsellers as well as from students' drafts, Stein offers detailed sections on characterization, dialogue, pacing, flashbacks, trimming away flabby wording, the so-called "triage" method of revision, using the techniques of fiction to enliven nonfiction, and more.
What I learned From It
I got this in audio and it is like being called into the editors office and being told what goes, what stays. He talks about good writing, higher writing, yes. But always making it clear that you gotta get bums on seats,
Pamela Jo
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3QQ9A87" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3sELfu3" ]
Into The Woods: How Stories Work And Why We Tell Them by John Yorke
Our Summary
A structural guide to storytelling, plotting, punch, flow step by step
What I learned From It
Although such a step by step guide seems a bit prescriptive and in theory has the potential to limit the creative flow, I found that following the principles helped prevent a story from being a shapeless mass and made it take shape and form. A bit like a block of marble being turned into Michelangelo's David (although perhaps my results have been less classically terrific). Or a diving board: a structure from which to soar.
AliG
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/46rL0Af" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3STqGVm" ]
The Dictionary Of Body Language by Joe Navarro
Our Summary
Not a writing book per say, but an invaluable text for writers. That is, it's dictionary structure means you can flick to a section and read about a specific body part you want to write about and read authentic body language positions/movements, etc. for each character. For example, you might might want to write about a character's eye, head, hand, etc. movement, the text allows you to learn authentic, non-cliched body language. Written by a ex-FBI agent, it is easy to read and invaluable for adding layers of authentic 'show' to characters. Works well with Navarro's first book What Every Body is Saying (a more detailed account of body language with illustrations).
What I learned From It
Genuine body language that can be adapted to different characters for accurate emotion and thus characterisation. Rather than relying on the usual cliches in body language for characters, this book elevates and authenticates body language, movement, and thus emotion that 'shows' rather than 'tells' the reader in a believable manner. Easy to use both via the chapter headings and the detailed index to research each different part of the body. This is one book I would not be without as a writer.
Rachael Burnett
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/47FXKVv" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3RmatXH" ]
Wonderbook (The Illistrated Guide To Creating Imaginative Fiction) by Jeff Vandermeer
Our Summary
For genre lovers. Practical information on plotting, structure, characterization, dialogue, exposition, worldbuilding, and POV while packed with exquisite and imaginative visuals. This is a beautiful, wild, and crazy book with contributions from various well loved authors like Neil Gaiman, Ursula K. Le Guin, George R. R. Martin and others. Dense and rich and wonderful.
What I learned From It
It encouraged me to not just embrace my imagination, but to push it as far as it will possibly go.
LJ Beck
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/46vjh1z" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3RbbhOH" ]
Techniques Of The Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
Our Summary
First published in 1965, Swain's book is a no-nonsense, broad-brush instruction manual for beginners that shows you how to construct a commercial story.
What I learned From It
The basic shape of commercial fiction (and how unchanging that shape has been for more than half a century). Every other writing manual I've ever read has felt like a retelling or offshoot of this book.
Rich.
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/47nnrtN" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/49MnEbr" ]
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Our Summary
a series of essays and short stories on the nature of story
What I learned From It
It does a great job of explaining the nature of truth in story. there's a great section which notes that the factually correct war story is not the really true one,
MattScho
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3uA2rRH" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/40T0KuL" ]
The Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman And Becca Puglisi
Our Summary
A great one to dip in and out of if you find yourself repeating yourself in terms of showing-not-telling emotions. Gives lots of examples.
What I learned From It
Ideas to avoid repetition and alternative ways to say the same things if emotional reactions are repeated through the story.
Claire G
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3RcCK2A" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/46tYtYm" ]
Becoming Superman by J Michael Straczynski
Our Summary
An astonishing bio of an accomplished (mainly) screenwriter.
What I learned From It
Never to feel sorry for myself. To keep doing it and never give up. To learn, learn, learn. A fantastic psychology of writing book that every writer serious about making it would benefit from imo.
Trey
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3uuYjCN" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3Gd7Lx2" ]
War And Peace by Leo Tolstoy (Translated by Anthony Briggs)
Our Summary
Napoleon has a bad idea and the lives of three young people in St Petersburg are changed forever.
What I learned From It
What it means to be human.
Rich.
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/47q8DKR" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3MVOfZO" ]
Story Genius by Lisa Cron
Our Summary
It’s every novelist’s greatest fear: pouring their blood, sweat, and tears into writing hundreds of pages only to realize that their story has no sense of urgency, no internal logic, and so is a page one rewrite.
What I learned From It
The prevailing wisdom in the writing community is that there are just two ways around this problem: pantsing (winging it) and plotting (focusing on the external plot). Story coach Lisa Cron has spent her career discovering why these methods don’t work and coming up with a powerful alternative, based on the science behind what our brains are wired to crave in every story we read (and it’s not what you think).
AnnieSummerlee
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/40SCokV" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3Rm3AFP" ]
Intuitive Editing by Tiffany Yates Martin
Our Summary
Everything you could possibly need to know to get your manuscript to submission or self-publishing standards.
What I Learned From It
This book is gold dust. Made me think objectively about everything I've been doing or hope to do.
Vagabond Heart
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/49PDylq" ]
The Memoir Project – A Thoroughly Non-Standardized Text For Writing & Life by Marion Roach-Smith
Our Summary
Rational and literary at the same time, this slim tome is an extremely helpful exploration of how to turn life into memoir -- without boring the pants off the reader.
What I learned From It
A memoir is an illustration of a truth, a single facet of a life rather than a life story. Just because something happened doesn't make it interesting. Narrow the focus, find your voice and write in scenes until you have a vomit draft. Then the real work begins.
Mel L
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3QUSpCa" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3Tc3kKT" ]
Writing for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias
Our Summary
It delves into the psychology of the reader and techniques to create emotional scenes within your storytelling, including in dialogue.
What I Learned From It
This author's way of teaching the craft really chimes with me. It's quite an expensive book but worth it in my opinion. For me, this book takes me into a layer above plot and structure.
Hannah F
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/47N7jRN" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/49QTT9e" ]
Point Of View by Sandra Gerth
Our Summary
A clear, informative guide to the different types of POV with tips on choosing the best POV for your own manuscript. Offers exercises focused either on your work in progress or on a published book.
What I learned From It
I saw how to mix some POV, how and why to avoid head-hopping and picked up tips on internal monologue.
Jeanette
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3GcXzol" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3sMdJSx" ]
Developing A Written Voice by Dona J Hickey
Our Summary
This dense work focuses on a directed attitude towards developing Voice. From conversational to formal, snarky to respectful, it's all about word choice and the way that language will both sound and convey meaning. The same words with the same meaning can nevertheless be ordered in different ways with a difference in the way they are perceived, the it is this that comprises 'voice'. Replete with concrete examples and pertinent exercises, this book is hard to find but well worth the search.
What I learned From It
All writers have a voice, but not all work at developing it - or even possess a framework for it. This book provides a framework and it's a book I will continue working through for years to come.
Dan Payne
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3GwJS3X" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3MWcxmr" ]
Characters & Viewpoint by Orson Scott Card
Our Summary
Techniques of inventing, developing and presenting characters, plus handling viewpoint in novels and short stories. Spells out your narrative options in creating "real" fictional people. Distinguish among major characters, minor characters and walk-ons, and develop each appropriately. Choose the most effective viewpoint to reveal the characters and move the storytelling. Decide how deeply you should explore your characters' thoughts, emotions, and attitudes.
What I learned From It
This demystified POV for me when I first started writing prose. It also taught me how some of my all-time favorite characters were made, and why I loved them.
LJ Beck
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/47KOkaz" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/49MmHzQ" ]
The Art Of Fiction by John Gardner
Our Summary
This is a self-proclaimed book of basics, but Gardner is clearly elitist; this work is aimed at writers aspiring to create art. It covers plot, character, sentence structure, poetic rhythm - all the mechanics of writing fiction - but he's less interested in dictating laws of good writing. "Every true work of art," Gardner claims, "must be judged primarily by its own laws." His primary interest is about how to create a vivid dream to absorb the reader to the end of the story.
What I learned From It
This book is disorganised, but full of important lessons. There is no story until there is a plot capable of expressing it. The primary requirement of a piece of fiction is verisimilitude - that the reader can believe these events happened, or could have happened, or might happen in a slightly different world. And verisimilitude requires vivid detail. Most importantly it taught me to focus less on the technical details of correct writing and more on making the writing vivid and absorbing.
Dan Payne
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3QQbXYC" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3R9OeE7" ]
Hooked by Les Edgerton
Our Summary
The focus is on great openings and keeping the reader hooked including advice on this from agents and acquiring editors.
What I learned From It
Lots about inciting incidents; balancing backstory in the set up; keeping readers going from one chapter to the next.
Trey
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3N0OH95" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3MXZgJY" ]
Basic Membership Is Free.
Basic membership is sufficient for many writers.
Benefit from unlimited access to the Writing Lab for critiques using the Litopia® Method… Start your own writer’s blog on our powerful platform… And of course, maximum support from the oldest and friendliest community for writers on the ‘net.
Full Membership Is Only $149.95 For An Entire Year
Everything in Basic Membership plus unlimited access to all our writing seminars and unlimited access to our weekly live Writers’ Huddles for personal mentoring & coaching.