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
The Hero With A Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
Our Summary
First published in 1949, this dense, sometimes impenetrable, and somewhat controversial book on comparative mythology takes a tour through world folklore to tease out common themes and archetypes.
What I learned From It
What George Lucas was thinking when he wrote Star Wars. If you want to understand Hollywood's obsession with this mode of storytelling, you should read this book. If you've heard other writers talk/evangelize/fret about the "Hero's Journey" and you're not exactly sure what they're talking about, you should read this book. If you have even the most passing interest in commercial Western storytelling, you should read this book. Also see "The Writer's Journey" by Christopher Vogler.
Rich.
[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3MSV5PG" ]
[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/46uzOTx" ]
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" ]
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" ]
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.