Why am I passionate about this?

As a writer, I love words and am continuously fascinated by the way they work. In terms of writing manuals, I particularly value the work of writers who combine knowledge and understanding of writing techniques while also providing inspiration and keys to freeing the imagination. I’ve found these books brilliantly complement my professional interest in story structure and how story works, and match my own approach to combining theory with practice; craft with art in my work on story. I hope you find they inspire creativity in you, too.


I wrote

Story and Structure: A complete guide

By Leon Conrad,

Book cover of Story and Structure: A complete guide

What is my book about?

Starting where Christopher Booker and Joseph Campbell leave off, Story and Structure tells the untold story of how story works.…

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The books I picked & why

Book cover of How to Be a Brilliant Writer

Leon Conrad Why did I love this book?

If you’re in need of inspiration, this book will either make you fall in love with writing or fall back in love with it again. Although it’s a book for the younger writer (aged 9-12), it’s a perfect book for the young-at-heart, grown-up kid. It’s full of energy and verve – just the thing to boost creativity and confidence. Although it’s one of the shortest books on my list, its content packs a punch. It contains exercises to spark the imagination, helpful hints and tips from established authors, and plenty of advice on writing both fiction and nonfiction.

By Jenny Alexander,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked How to Be a Brilliant Writer as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A lively and humorous self-help book for children aged 9-12 on being a writer. It shows them how to develop writing practice as part of their everyday lives, rather than just in the classroom. The book offers advice on avoiding unhelpful feelings such as anxiety, impatience and self-rejection and shows how writing is a brilliant tool for building self-confidence, understanding and effectiveness throughout life. "Aimed at schoolchildren, here is a book that should capture their imagination, make them realise that writing can be fun, and inspire them to create their own written material." Writing Magazine


Book cover of From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction

Leon Conrad Why did I love this book?

This book, by Pulitzer prize winner Robert Olen Butler, is in three parts. Transcripts of inspiring lectures are followed by well-edited accounts of individual coaching sessions. These provide very useful nuggets of practical wisdom about unblocking habitual patterns that get in the way of flowing writing practice – habitual patterns that every writer faces and needs to deal with. The stories analysed in the book are found in the final part. An appendix follows, with a story by Butler called ‘Open Arms’, which demonstrates his skill as a writer. A theme that flows through the book is ‘yearning’ – and the book invites you to engage with this theme… with open arms. It’s a work that I go to when I’m stuck – it never fails to inspire.

By Robert Olen Butler, Janet Burroway (editor),

Why should I read it?

2 authors picked From Where You Dream as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This comprehensive guide to writing creative fiction collects the lectures of the Pulitzer Prize winning author, Robert Olen Butler, transcribed and edited by Janet Burroway, the author of the classic text on creative writing, "Writing Fiction". "From Where You Dream" reimagines the process of writing as emotional rather than intellectual, and tells writers how to achieve the dreamspace necessary for composing honest, inspired fiction. Proposing fiction as the exploration of the human condition with yearning as its compass, Butler reinterprets the traditional tools of the craft using the dynamics of desire. Butler offers invaluable insights into the nature of voice…


Book cover of Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam: On Copia of Words and Ideas

Leon Conrad Why did I love this book?

If this book only contained Erasmus’ virtuoso display and structural analysis of how the sentence ‘Your letter pleased me greatly’ can be expressed in over 150 ways, it would be well worth getting. The book, however, contains far more – including examples of descriptive writing that Erasmus admired. If you want ideas on how you might describe a shipwreck, a storm, or a whirlwind, you’ll find them here. It also has ideas on how to describe games, processions, and battles. It features interesting descriptions of living creatures, ranging from porcupines to bees to mythical creatures like the phoenix. Not many writing manuals offer an appreciative evaluation of classical texts easily accessible on line. I’ve enjoyed engaging with the work of the authors quoted – and would recommend it for anyone seeking to drink deep from the fountain of historic practices, to refresh and reinvigorate their own writing style.

By Donald B. King, H. David Rix,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Desiderius Erasmus of Rotterdam as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The first edition of the De duplici copia verborum ac rerum of Erasmus was completed during Erasmus’ third and most lengthy visit to England (1509-1514). It is dedicated appropriately to John Colet for use in St. Paul’s School, which he had recently opened in London. The present translation was made from a seventeenth century copy of the De copia which had first been collated with a copy of the first edition of Schurer, dated January, 1513, with a copy of the first revised edition, published by Froben in 1526, and with a copy of the 1540 Basle Opera Omnia edition…


Book cover of Sing Me the Creation: Creative Writing Sourcebook

Leon Conrad Why did I love this book?

I picked up this book as the title sounded interesting, but it sat on my bookshelves for over five years before I delved into it. Since then, it’s become one of my favourite guides to writing. It’s described as ‘probably the most unusual guidebook for creative writing in the world.’ It’s full of insights such as ‘grammar is a mapping of the human soul,’ or ‘the social word… is serious play.’ The play takes place in a field with the four ‘great human virtues’ at its corners: beauty, good will, truth, and openness. It’s a ‘sourcebook of spells’ that have the power to ‘carry you into that place of the heart from which true language comes.’

By Paul Matthews,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Sing Me the Creation as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

This is an inspirational workbook of creative writing exercises for poets and teachers, and for all who wish to develop the life of the imagination. Paul Mathews gives us permission to indulge our fantasy, and then, when that life is flowing, provides the tools to craft it into poetry and song. There are over 300 exercises for improving writing skills, for self study. They are also ideally suited for group work with adults. Teachers will find these exercises popular with students.


Book cover of Writing Picture Books: A Hands-On Guide from Story Creation to Publication

Leon Conrad Why did I love this book?

Whatever genre you’re drawn to, this book is well worth investing in. It delivers exactly what its subtitle describes: a hands-on guide to writing picture books from story creation to publication. Although not primarily a picture book writer, I’ve found the book incredibly useful in developing general writing skills. I’ve used the exercises on language to improve the aural and rhythmic qualities of my writing. It’s also given me new ways to think about approaching layout and composition. It has the potential to enhance writing quality almost effortlessly. Although the revised expanded edition published in 2018 contains information specific to the publishing market then, the practical information in the book is unlikely to date as quickly. Who knows? You could end up writing picture books as well!

By Ann Whitford Paul,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Writing Picture Books as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Master the Art of Writing Enthralling Tales for the Youngest pre-and emerging readers!

Fully updated and thoroughly revised, Writing Picture Books Revised and Expanded Edition is the go-to resource for writers crafting stories for children ages two to eight. You'll learn the unique set of skills it takes to bring your story to life by using tightly focused text and leaving room for the illustrator to be creative.

Award-winning author Ann Whitford Paul helps you develop the skills you need by walking you through techniques and exercises specifically for picture book writers. You'll find:

   • Instruction on generating ideas, creating…


Explore my book 😀

Story and Structure: A complete guide

By Leon Conrad,

Book cover of Story and Structure: A complete guide

What is my book about?

Starting where Christopher Booker and Joseph Campbell leave off, Story and Structure tells the untold story of how story works. Using just six primary symbols, it outlines eighteen story structures and shows how they all contain optimal solutions to the different kinds of problems which give rise to each of them. It reveals hitherto unfathomed depths to narrative, demonstrates a much wider application of storytelling than is generally perceived and presents story as a dynamic force of life. 

Writers, storytellers, creative writing teachers, folklorists, narrative therapists, anthropologists, poets, and readers interested in how story works will all find this book useful, informative. Reinspire your creativity. Rethink your idea of story.

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Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

Book cover of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

Margot Machol Bisnow Author Of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

New book alert!

Why am I passionate about this?

I’ve become passionate about telling parents how to raise happy, resilient, creative, confident, entrepreneurial children who are doing something that gives them joy. So many young people are unhappy; parents don’t understand how to help. They think their children should follow their path, but that no longer works for many. For the last 10 years, I’ve been speaking to parent groups; I was an Advisor to EQ Generation, an after-school program that gives children the skills to succeed; on the Advisory Board of MUSE School, preparing young people with passion-based learning; and on the Board of Spark the Journey, mentoring low-income high school students to achieve college and career success. 

Margot's book list on learn how to raise confident children

What is my book about?

This book shakes longstanding assumptions of parenting.

Through 99 stories of people who are now changing the world, it shows how to raise creative, confident, resilient children who are filled with joy and purpose. Based on interviews with top entrepreneurs and their parents, it guides you to help your children identify their passion and figure out how they can spend their professional lives doing something they love. 

Parents' well-intentioned efforts often boomerang. By ignoring their children’s skills and interests, parents can inadvertently create pressure and anxiety, thwarting their children's ability to excel and find happiness. Too often, following your heart…

Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did

By Margot Machol Bisnow,

What is this book about?

Learn how successful entrepreneurs were raised! Could your children start a company that disrupts existing industries? Or a non-profit that helps people around the world? Or follow their passion as an artist or activist? And most important, lead a life of joy and purpose, to be happy and fulfilled? Margot Machol Bisnow, mother of two thriving entrepreneurs, reveals how to raise creative, confident, resilient, fearless kids who achieve their dreams, through 99 stories of families who did it.

Read stories from 70 families who raised true game changers. See family photos of these thriving entrepreneurs, both when they were young…


5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in creativity, creative writing, and self-actualization?

Creativity 145 books
Creative Writing 42 books
Self-Actualization 225 books