If you're browsing through LoveReading we can be fairly sure that you're here because you, well, love reading. You may also be here because that love of reading has inspired you to write your own stories. The books in this collection are filled with tips for writers, by writers, perfect for the budding writer in you, whether you've already started your "work in progress", or it's something you've always wanted to try but have never found the time or have known where to start.

The wonderful Joanne Harris in her book Ten Things about Writing reminds us, and writers everywhere: “Take what you need from these pages; and most of all, enjoy what you do. Joy is such a vital part of creative writing – because if you don’t enjoy what you write, how can you expect anyone else to?”

And so begins Harris’ invaluably inspirational - and practical guide. Reading this book is rather like having a wise writer as a best friend, on hand to offer pragmatic and energising advice, with many unhelpful myths about writing crumbled, and an emphasis on the fact that writing is to be worked at, not something a wand can be waved at: “The ability to spin words into gold is a skill that comes from hard work, patience and lots of practice. Some people may have an aptitude; others will struggle to gain momentum.”

We particularly loved the author’s unravelling of the myth of inspiration: “The idea that we must wait for the Muse to inspire us was invented by effete young Victorians who wanted an excuse to sit around doing nothing all day. Most of us don’t have that luxury, which means forgetting about the Muse and doing some actual footwork instead.” And this gem: “Don’t write because you want to be a writer. Write because you want to write.”

From one bestselling author to another, Stephen King first published On Writing in 2000. Part memoir and part masterclass from one of the bestselling authors of all time, On Writing shares a practical view of the writer's craft, with tools of the trade that every writer must have, with advice grounded in King's memories from childhood, his first steps as a writer through to how writing helped to spur on his recovery from a near fatal accident.

Looking for writing advice from big names, how about one of the most well-know publishers in the world? The Penguin Writer's Manual is perfect for anyone who wants to master the art of writing good English. For those that want to writer better emails, essays and more, this is a guide to improve your communication skills and write in correct and confident English.

The Collins Complete Writing Guide offers eight books in one. It is a compendium for everyone looking to improve their writing skills, grammar, spelling and punctuation. An essential desk companion that all the family can use, this is a friendly guide to modern communication, whether you're tidying up your CV or finally starting that novel.

The Writers' & Artists' Yearbook is an indispensable companion for anyone committed to wanting to pursue being an author as a career. This companion is updated annually and the 2024 edition contains over 3,500 industry contacts across 12 sections as well as over 80 articles from writers of all forms and genres. The Yearbook offers budding writers up-to-date and practical advice and information as well as inspiration for every stage of the publishing journey. There's also a separate Yearbook published specifically for Children's Writers & Artists.

If you know you want to write but don't know where to start, the practical, jargon-free book by Sarah Burton and Jen Poster, The Book You Need to Read to Write the Book You Want to Write, is a brilliant stepping stone. Whether you're wanting to write a novel or a short story, this guide will help you achieve it to your full potential from boosting self-motivation, creating convincing characters right through to the editing process and approaching agents and publishers. The authors' extensive experience as successful writers and inspiring teachers helps budding writers by providing a storyhouse of ideas on a range of relevant subjects throughout your writing journey.

For those that have started writing and re wanting to finesse their work, The Emotion Thesaurus is often hailed as the "gold standard for writers" and offer support in one of the trickiest aspects of writing: uniquely conveying emotion in a way that is compelling. It's the ultimate show-don't-tell guide for personal and evocative character responses.

The storytelling experts at The Moth have over twenty-five years' experience and their guide How To Tell a Story is described as a definitive guide to telling an unforgettable story. The Moth inspires thousands of people worldwide to share their stories each year and in this book you'll find secrets of their time-honed process with the use of examples from beloved storytellers to show you how to unleash the power of storytelling in your life.

Found enough hints and tips to get started? Come back when you've finished and check out our 'Your Path to Publication' blog series for more tips about next steps.

If you've written your novel and would like to get independent feedback from a LoveReading Ambassador, submit your book here.