CHARACTER

Becca Puglisi:

• The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Expression (Second Edition)
• The Emotion Amplifier Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Character Stress and Volatility (Second Edition)

David Corbett:

• The Art of Character: Creating Memorable Characters for Fiction, Film, and TV
• The Compass of Character: Creating Complex Motivation for Compelling Characters in Fiction, Film, and TV

Eileen Cook:

• Build Better Characters: The psychology of backstory & how to use it in your writing to hook readers

Orson Scott Card:

• Characters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing)

Rayne Hall:

• Writing About Villains: How to Create Compelling Dark Characters for Your Fiction

Scott Myers:

• The Protagonist's Journey: An Introduction to Character-Driven Screenwriting and Storytelling

Writer’s Digest:

• Creating Characters: The Complete Guide to Populating Your Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials)

CONFLICT & STAKES

Becca Puglisi:

• The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer's Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 2) 

Jene Cleland:

• Mastering Plot Twists: How to Use Suspense, Targeted Storytelling Strategies, and Structure to Captivate Your Readers
• Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories That Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats

Patricia Highsmith:

• Plotting and Writing Suspense Fiction

Rayne Hall:

• Writing Fight Scenes: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors
• Writing Scary Scenes: Professional Techniques for Thrillers, Horror and Other Exciting Fiction

DESCRIPTION & PROSE

David Grambs:

• Describer's Dictionary: A Treasury of Terms & Literary Quotations (Expanded Second Edition)

David Olsen:

• Roget's Thesaurus of Words for Writers: Over 2,300 Emotive, Evocative, Descriptive Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms Every Writer Should Know

Mary Buckham

• A Writer's Guide to Active Setting: How to Enhance Your Fiction with More Descriptive, Dynamic Settings

Nina Schuyler:

• How to Write Stunning Sentences.

DIALOGUE

Writer’s Digest:

• Crafting Dynamic Dialogue: The Complete Guide to Speaking, Conversing, Arguing, and Thinking in Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials)

EDITING

Amy Einsohn:

• The Copyeditor's Handbook and Workbook: The Complete Set

Jane Casagrande:

• The Best Punctuation Book, Period: A Comprehensive Guide for Every Writer, Editor, Student, and Businessperson

Rayne Hall:

• The Word-Loss Diet: Professional Self-Editing Techniques for Authors

Renni Browne:

• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print

Roy Peter Clark:

• Murder Your Darlings: And Other Gentle Writing Advice from Aristotle to Zinsser

Shawn Coyne:

• The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know

Tiffany Yates Martin:

• Intuitive Editing: A Creative and Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing

GENERAL

Anne Lamott:

• Bird by Bird

Courtney Maum:

• Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer’s Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book

Darian Smith:

• The Psychology Workbook for Writers: Tools for Creating Realistic Characters and Conflict in Fiction

June Casagrande:

• The best punctuation book, period.

Janet Burroway:

• Writing Fiction, Tenth Edition: A Guide to Narrative Craft

Kam Knight:

• Mind Mapping: Improve Memory, Concentration, Communication, Organization, Creativity, and Time Management (Mental Performance)

K.M. Weiland:

• Conquering Writer's Block and Summoning Inspiration: Learn to Nurture a Lifestyle of Creativity

Lisa Cron:

• Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel
• Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence

Matt Bird:

• The Secrets of Story: Innovative Tools for Perfecting Your Fiction and Captivating Readers
• Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts

Natalie Goldberg:

• Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within

Rob Biesenbach

• Unleash the Power of Storytelling: Win Hearts, Change Minds, Get Results

Robert McKee:

• Story: Substance, Structure, Style and the Principles of Screenwriting

Sol Stein:

• Stein On Writing: A Master Editor of Some of the Most Successful Writers of Our Century Shares His Craft Techniques and Strategies

Writer’s Digest:

• Crafting Novels & Short Stories: The Complete Guide to Writing Great Fiction (Creative Writing Essentials)

GENRE SPECIFIC

Don Koboldt:

• Putting the Fact in Fantasy: Expert Advice to Bring Authenticity to Your Fantasy Writing

Gwen Hayes:

• Romancing the Beat: Story Structure for Romance Novels

James N. Frey:

• How to Write a Damn Good Thriller: A Step-by-Step Guide for Novelists and Screenwriters

Jennifer Probst:

• Write True: A Bestseller’s Guide to Writing Craft and Achieving Success in the Romance Industry

Jessica Brody:

• Save the Cat! Writes Horror

Lee Child:

• How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America

Orson Scott Card:

• Writing Fantasy & Science Fiction: How to Create Out-of-This-World Novels and Short Stories

Rayne Hall:

• Writing Gothic Fiction: Learn to Thrill Readers with Passion and Suspense
• Writing Dark Stories: How to Write Horror and Other Disturbing Short Stories

PLOTTING & STRUCTURE

Jeff Gerke:

• The First 50 Pages: Engage Agents, Editors and Readers, and Set Your Novel Up For Success

Jennifer Hilt:

• The Trope Thesaurus
• The Trope Thesaurus: Fantasy and Science Fiction
• Trope Thesaurus Romance: Trope Your Way to a Stronger Story

Jessica Brody:

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel!

John Truby:

• The Anatomy of Story

K.M. Weiland:

• Outlining Your Novel: Map Your Way to Success. [Also has a companion workbook]
• Writing Your Story's Theme: The Writer's Guide to Plotting Stories That Matter
• Structuring Your Novel (Revised & Expanded 2nd Edition): Essential Keys for Writing an Outstanding Story [Also has a companion workbook]

Martha Alderson:

• The Plot Whisperer: Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master 

Paula Munier:

• Plot Perfect: How to Build Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene
• The Writer's Guide to Beginnings: How to Craft Story Openings That Sell

VOICE

Writer’s Digest:

• Writing Voice: The Complete Guide to Creating a Presence on the Page and Engaging Readers (Creative Writing Essentials)

WORLDBUILDING + RESEARCH

Fez Inkwright:

• Botanical Curses and Poisons: The Shadow-Lives of Plants

Jessica Roux:

• Floriography: An Illustrated Guide to the Victorian Language of Flowers (Hidden Languages Book 1)
• Ornithography: An Illustrated Guide to Bird Lore & Symbolism (Volume 2) (Hidden Languages)

Peter Wohlleben:

• The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate—Discoveries from A Secret World (Mysteries of Nature Book 1)
• The Inner Life of Animals: Love, Grief, and Compassion—Surprising Observations of a Hidden World (The Mysteries of Nature Book 2)
• The Secret Wisdom of Nature: Trees, Animals, and the Extraordinary Balance of All Living Things -— Stories from Science and Observation (Mysteries of Nature Book 3)

Rayne Hall:

• Writing About Magic: Professional Techniques for Paranormal and Fantasy Fiction
• Writing Vivid Settings: Professional Techniques for Fiction Authors

Stefan Bachmann, April Genevieve Tucholke:

• The Secret Life of Hidden Places: Concealed Rooms, Clandestine Passageways, and the Curious Minds That Made Them