The Definitive

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

61qk7Y1DwIL._SL1500_

The INFJ Writer by Lauren Sapala

Our Summary

Writing (and living) advice for people whose brains don't work well with logic, plotting etc. Another perspective! (The letters refer to Myers-Briggs type personality indicators, which aren't flawless, but broadly if you tend to be led more by feelings and intuitive reasoning, this might work for you).

What I Learned From It

I'd been getting super snarled up trying to follow advice that just didn't work for me in practice, even though I could see it made theoretical sense. This book gave me a bit of space to trust myself to learn my own process. I've still got a long way to go but I do a lot less bashing my head against a brick wall these days. Sharing it in case anyone else is in the same boat!

Josephine

[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3sI74J9" ]

[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/40RToaZ" ]

81KqxiiWucL._SL1500_

Secrets Of Story by Matt Bird

Our Summary

An award-winning screenwriter’s view of journeyman writing. How to hone in on and hone your story.

What I learned From It

Imagine your reader being on a long plane ride. Then imagine you are their seat mate. Are you the engaging stranger who entertains them with your sparkling wit and fascinating adventures? Do they want to take your name and keep in touch thereafter? Or are you the boring Uncle from Derry Girls that makes them consider opening the plane door and shoving you out?

Pamela Jo

[maxbutton id="1" url="https://amzn.to/3QUGwwp" ]

[maxbutton id="2" url="https://amzn.to/3GeiY0A" ]

61YAH8p3I9L._SL1164_

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" ]

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.