My ultimate book list for creatives
It's finally happening, friends. I've compiled a list of the very best books I've ever read about creativity, writing, art, and creative business. The ones I frequently re-read, reference in my own work, and recommend to others.
It's been quite the challenge selecting them. Some of them, I read long before I started tracking my reading in apps and platforms like Goodreads, so it took a bit of detective work to gather them together.
I also had to refresh my mind around what I actually thought of them, and whether they've lived up to their promises. Some books you really love when you read them, but then quickly forget. Others you realize only in hindsight what an impact they've had on you. And yet others were really good when they came out, but are not as relevant in today's world.
A few disclaimers before we begin:
- The links are affiliate links from Bookshop.org, which means we support local bookstores, and I get a small cut if you click through and buy. Might as well, y'know.
- I have read all of these books, some of them more than once. I only ever recommend books I've actually read.
- I have read many more books than the ones I list here. But I've chosen to only include my top picks, and the ones I feel give the most amount of practical value to the reader.
- This is a living document. I will likely update it in the future, as I read more books.
- Feel very welcome to add your own favorites in the comments. 🙏🏻
Alright, let's go...
General books on creativity:
Elizabeth Gilbert - Big Magic
I've tried getting through the classic The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron more times than I can count. I even own the workbook. But somehow, it always ends up feeling like boring homework to me. Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert is a modern take on the creative life, and one I keep coming back to again and again. I especially adore her perspective on ideas: how they find us, and how we can make the most of them.
Steven Pressfield - The War of Art
Another classic that will always be relevant. The concept of creative resistance has really caught on in the creative community, and Pressfield's non-nonsense approach to beating it is a breath of fresh air. It does feel like a kick in the ass, but in a good way.
Austin Kleon - Steal Like An Artist & Austin Kleon - Show Your Work!
Both of these are timeless gems. Quick and easy to read, and full of profound lessons on the nature of creativity, creating original work, and building an audience for that work.
Kyle Cease - I Hope I Screw This Up
This book is all about the fear of messing up and embarrassing ourselves, and how to get past it. How to actually thrive on that fear. An essential one, for the performer especially. A fun and comforting read.
Barbara Sher - Refuse to Choose!: Use All of Your Interests, Passions, and Hobbies to Create the Life and Career of Your Dreams
One for the multi-passionates among us. This book saved my sanity many years ago. The title says it all.
Daniel Coyle - The Talent Code: Greatness Isn’t Born. It’s Grown. Here’s How.
A fascinating deep dive into talent: what it actually is, and how to develop it. This is were I first learned about the concept of deliberate practice, which is a crucial skill for any creative.
Books on art:
Betty Edwards - Drawing On The Right Side Of The Brain
A classic that I remember reading way back in high school. It's where I first came across the technique of drawing things upside down, to be more honest with what I saw. This books is a must-have for the beginner artist.
Carole Marine - Daily Painting
I read this one when I learned how to oil paint, but it taught me much more than just oil painting technique. It inspired me to start a daily painting practice. Highly recommend this regardless of your chosen medium.
Flora Bowley - Brave Intuitive Painting
This was one of the first books I read about painting back when I was an awkward, terrified beginner artist. And it was a real balm. If you're struggling to simply get started with an art practice, if you're curious about abstract painting, or if you want to develop your creative intuition - go for this one!
Jenna Rainey - Everyday Watercolor: Learn to Paint Watercolor in 30 Days
One for the watercolorists. Given, books aren't the most optimal format when learning art, which is why I haven't included many of them. Most of what I've learned about painting, I've learned through videos. But this book gives a great overview of the basic techniques of this medium.
Sarah Simblet - Sketchbook for the Artist
If you want a practical overview of how to sketch various types of subjects: animals, plants, architecture, still life, nature, the human body... This book is it. Also doubles as a beautiful coffee table book to slowly flip through for inspiration.
Lisa Congdon - Find Your Artistic Voice: The Essential Guide to Working Your Creative Magic
And finally, this gem written with the trademark warmth and humor of Lisa Congdon. If you want a deep dive into the inner process of developing a personal art style, this is the best resource I've found. It really gets you itching to start illustrating!
Books on writing:
Stephen King - On Writing
As far as writing “how to” classics go, this is the only one that’s really resonated with me. (I know a lot of people recommend Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, but I haven’t read that one yet.) I tend to prefer the concrete advice over the more poetic. This book really delivers on that, in everything from the grammatical to the thematic. It's also a great memoir, if you (like me) are a fan of King's writing.
Sean Platt & Johnny B Truant - Fiction Unboxed
I had been overthinking and agonizing and struggling with my fiction writing for years, and then this book came along. "What? Can you really do it like this?" I thought. "Can writing stories be this structured and workmanlike?" I immediately applied it to my own process, and my writer's block went away. I wrote two novellas over the span of a few months. Just like that.
Sean Platt & Neeve Silver - Endless Ideas: Master Bottomless Creativity
This book is fun to read, doesn't waste your time, and gives you a ton of practical tools to use right away. If you've ever struggled with the "coming up with ideas" part of the writing process, this is the only book you need.
Lisa Cron - Story Genius
I feel like most books on plotting and story structure get either too shallow and formulaic, or way too complicated and analytical. This book is a breath of fresh air. Instead of obsessing over the external plot the way most other story structure books do, Story Genius focuses on character, and the elements of stories that really hook us. It has completely changed the way I plan my stories.
Rachel Aaron - 2k to 10k
When it comes to the most difficult part of the writing process for me - the first draft - this is the book I reach for again and again. Even if you don't feel a need to crank out 10k words a day (and I hope you don’t, it’s kind of inhuman), the approach outlined in this book will help you write faster, and most importantly: enjoy the process more. It's a fairly quick read, and immensely popular in writing circles, for good reason.
Becca Syme's "Dear Writer" series
We writers struggle with our writing for a lot of reasons. Many of them, completely unnecessary. This is what Becca Syme so brilliantly explains in her Dear Writer... series of books. She points out all of the misconceptions, preconceived notions and romantic ideas that weigh writers down, and how to - as she says - "question the premise". I recommend starting with Dear Writer, You Need To Quit, and go from there.
Libbie Hawker - Gotta Read It!
Writing about your book is often an afterthought, but should be treated as anything but. This book helps you write that dreaded "About the book" text, and to make it stand out and sell your story effectively. A must-have, especially for self-published authors.
Books on creative business:
William Deresiewicz - The Death of the Artist
Let's start with the most depressing, but nevertheless necessary book for all creatives to read. I believe we need to face the reality of being a professional creative today head-on, without blinders and romantic notions. And even though reading it was a huge blow, I also felt deeply seen and less alone. I could go easier on myself, knowing that I'm up against much bigger forces than just my own shortcomings as a human being and creative. We all are. And this book can act as both a wake-up-call and a call-to-arms.
Ash Ambirge - The Middle Finger Project
From the depressing to the uplifting. A balm for the shy and downtrodden among us, this memoir/self-help book will definitely both entertain you and give you a confidence boost. Especially if you are a writer and/or freelance creative. (I also highly recommend her Substack publication with the same name.)
Cal Newport - Deep Work
Cal Newport - Slow Productivity
Cal Newport - Digital Minimalism
Y'all know what a Cal Newport fan girl I am... These three are my favorites of his, in order of importance. They have all changed my life in their own ways, and they deeply inform both how I structure my work, and my advice to other creatives.
Miriam Schulman - Artpreneur
If I could only pick one art business book, it would have to be this one. It's recent (came out in 2023), it's written by an actual, established artist, and it's very comprehensive without becoming boring.
Sean Platt & Johnny B Truant - The Fiction Formula
On the fiction writing side, my pick would be this one. I had previously read their very popular book Write Publish Repeat, but as they state here: That book came out during the self-publishing boom of 2014, when conditions were very different from what they are now. And even though the word "formula" is in the title, they are the first to admit that there is no formula. I found this book to be realistic and still inspiring and very actionable for the self-published author.
Ann Handley - Everybody Writes: Your New and Improved Go-To Guide to Creating Ridiculously Good Content
This list would be incomplete without a book about copywriting/content writing. It's something most of us have to do nowadays, and need to be at least somewhat decent at if we’re going to have any success as a business owner. This book is the best one I’ve read that summarizes what “good writing” online is, and how to do it in a variety of formats and situations. Oh and it’s funny too.
Charles Duhigg - Supercommunicators
Similarly, there's only so far we can go in business without being good at connecting with people, building relationships, and communicating our ideas and emotions. This very recent book (published in 2024), is one I've always wished for without knowing it. A fascinating read, full of inspiring stories, but most importantly actionable advice.
Phew. There you have them. My 30 top picks for the creative/creative solopreneur. What are your favorites? Feel free to share them in the comments. Let’s have this post be a little book club in its own right. 😊
