10 Books That Every Writer Should Own
What books should I read as a writer?
As writers, we owe a lot to other writers: they are the people who inspired us, and they are the ones who motivate us to write. Malik Books shares seven books they recommend when you get stuck, need perspective, or are looking for encouragement.
If you’re a writer (or want to be), your bookshelf might need these:
African American Guide to Writing & Publishing Nonfiction
In college and graduate school, Jewell Parker Rhodes never encountered a single reading assignment or exercise that featured a person of color. Now, she has made it her mission to rectify the situation, gathering advice and inspiring tips tailored for African Americans seeking to express their life experiences. Comprehensive and energizing, the African American Guide to Writing and Publishing Nonfiction bursts with supportive topics such as:
· Finding your voice
· Getting to know your literary ancestors
· Overcoming a bruised ego and finding the determination to pursue your dreams
· Gathering material and conducting research
· Tapping sweet, bittersweet, and joyful memories
· Knowing when to keep revising and when to let go
The guide also features unforgettable excerpts from luminaries such as Maya Angelou, Brent Staples, Houston Baker, and pointers from bestselling African American authors Patrice Gaines, E. Lynn Harris, James McBride, John Hope Franklin, Pearl Cleage, Edwidge Danticat, and many others. It is a uniquely nurturing and informative touchstone for affirming, bearing witness, leaving a legacy, and celebrating the remarkable journey of the self.
Black Women Writers at Work
by Claudia Tate and Tillie Olsen
Through candid interviews with Maya Angelou, Toni Cade Bambara, Gwendolyn Brooks, Alexis De Veaux, Nikki Giovanni, Kristin Hunter, Gayl Jones, Audre Lorde, Toni Morrison, Sonia Sanchez, Ntozake Shange, Alice Walker, Margaret Walker, and Sherley Anne Williams, the book highlights the practices and critical linkages between the work and lived experiences of Black women writers whose work laid the foundation for many who have come after.
Responding to questions about why and for whom they write and how they perceive their responsibility to their work, others, and society, the featured playwrights, poets, novelists, and essayists provide a window into the connections between their lives and their art.