Part 1: Art (Writing & Revising)
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The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing: Everything You Need to Know About Creating & Selling Your Work (2nd Edition, Writer’s Digest, 2010) — With 77 chapters by different authors, this book covers inspiration, plot, characters, methods, revision, style, publishing, readers, and purpose.
The First Five Pages: A Writer’s Guide to Staying Out of the Rejection Pile by Noah Lukeman (Touchstone, 2000) — I love that this book is structured according to the order an editor looks at elements of a manuscript, but I found the examples of bad writing too ridiculous to be truly helpful.
How to Tell a Story: The Secrets of Writing Captivating Tales by Peter Rubie and Gary Provost (Writer’s Digest Books, 1998) — The first writing book I ever bought (when I was a teenager); the formula for structuring a novel helped greatly in outlining my first completed novel (The Cause of These Disturbances).
Manuscript Makeover: Revision Techniques No Fiction Writer Can Afford to Ignore by Elizabeth Lyon (TarcherPerigree, 2008) — Foundational and comprehensive; I especially appreciate the emphasis on characterization as it relates to plot, setting, and theme, and – of course – I love the checklists in each chapter.
Revision and Self-Editing: Techniques for Transforming Your First Draft Into a Finished Novel by James Scott Bell (Writer’s Digest, 2008) –- This book has enough exercises to keep you working on the same novel for the rest of your life.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King (2nd Edition, William Morrow, 2004) — This guide concisely covers issues from characterization to voice (with checklists so you don’t even have to take notes). Bonus: the exercises (with sample answers) urge you to take writing from good to great.
Part 2: Business (Platform & Publishing)
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77 Reasons Why Your Book Was Rejected by Mike Nappa (Sourcebooks, 2011) – This book taught me a lot about the publishing industry and since each reason is followed by three strategies for avoiding it, I came away with many practical tips.
Create Your Writer Platform: The Key to Building an Audience, Selling More Books, and Finding Success as an Author by Chuck Sambuchino (Writer’s Digest, 2012) – This is a comprehensive look at author platform ending with a dozen interviews, in which fiction and non-fiction authors share their stories.
Get a Literary Agent: The Complete Guide to Securing Representation for Your Work by Chuck Sambuchino (Writer’s Digest, 2015) – This will answer all your questions about literary agents; highly practical.
Get Known Before the Book Deal: Use Your Personal Strengths to Grow an Author Platform by Christina Katz (Writer’s Digest, 2008) – I appreciate that this book is aimed at those with no publishing history; it was excellent for pushing me to brainstorm and plan my brand and website.
Sell Your Book Like Wildfire: The Writer’s Guide to Marketing & Publicity by Rob Eagar (Writer’s Digest, 2012) – Eagar covers author websites, speaking engagements, social media, newsletters, and more, addressing both fiction and non-fiction writers.
Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids by Christina Katz (Writer’s Digest, 2007) – This book is full of concrete advice, exercises, and checklists for those interested in freelancing and writing non-fiction.
Part 3: Career (Creativity & Productivity)
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Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott (Anchor, 1995) – This very personal book is full of insights on what, how, and why to write; I recommend reading it a bit at a time.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown (Crown Business, 2014) – This book boils down to teaching you to focus your energy and say “no” to commitments that don’t further your goals; applicable to any area of life.
Manage Your Day-to-Day: Build Your Routine, Find Your Focus, and Sharpen Your Creative Mind (Amazon, 2013) – Each short chapter on routine, focus, tools, and the creative mind is written by a different expert.
A Million Little Ways: Uncover the Art You Were Meant to Live by Emily P. Freeman (Fleming H. Revell, 2013) – This is an inspiring call to glorify God and benefit others in your daily life.
So Good They Can’t Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love by Cal Newport (Business Plus, 2012) – Newport presents a compelling argument for the craftsman mindset (working hard to become the best you can be at your job) over the passion mindset (finding the job that is perfect for you).
What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast: And Two Other Short Guides to Achieving More at Work and at Home by Laura Vanderkam (Portfolio, 2013) – Check this out if you enjoy reading practical tips and looking at other people’s time logs.