Jump to navigation Skip to content

Search form

Search

Donate
Newsletter
My P&W
Log in
Subscribe

P&W on Facebook
P&W on Bluesky
P&W on Instagram

Main menu

Publish Your Writing
- Writing Contests
  Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
  More
- Literary Magazines
  Find a home for your poems, stories, essays, and reviews by researching the publications vetted by our editorial staff. In the Literary Magazines database you’ll find editorial policies, submission guidelines, contact information—everything you need to know before submitting your work to the publications that share your vision for your work.
  More
- Small Presses
  Whether you’re pursuing the publication of your first book or your fifth, use the Small Presses database to research potential publishers, including submission guidelines, tips from the editors, contact information, and more.
  More
- Literary Agents
  Research more than one hundred agents who represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kinds of books they’re interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them.
  More
- Agents & Editors Recommend
  Every week a new publishing professional shares advice, anecdotes, insights, and new ways of thinking about writing and the business of books.
  
  More
- Open Reading Periods
  Find publishers ready to read your work now with our Open Reading Periods page, a continually updated resource listing all the literary magazines and small presses currently open for submissions.
  More
- Top Topics for Writers
  Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.
  More
- Poets & Writers Guides
  Our series of subject-based handbooks (PDF format; $4.99 each) provide information and advice from authors, literary agents, editors, and publishers. Now available: The Poets & Writers Guide to Publicity and Promotion, The Poets & Writers Guide to the Book Deal, The Poets & Writers Guide to Literary Agents, The Poets & Writers Guide to MFA Programs, and The Poets & Writers Guide to Writing Contests.
  More
Promote Your Writing
- Literary Events Calendar
  Poets & Writers lists readings and other literary events held online and in person. Whether you are an author on a book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.
  More
- Get The Word Out
  Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.
  More
- Book Review Outlets
  Research newspapers, magazines, websites, and other publications that consistently publish book reviews using the Review Outlets database, which includes information about publishing schedules, submission guidelines, fees, and more.
  More
- Poets & Writers Directory
  Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory.
  More
- Top Topics for Writers
  Since our founding in 1970, Poets & Writers has served as an information clearinghouse of all matters related to writing. While the range of inquiries has been broad, common themes have emerged over time. Our Top Topics for Writers addresses the most popular and pressing issues, including literary agents, copyright, MFA programs, and self-publishing.
  More
Find Your Community
- Poets & Writers Groups
  Find a writers group to join or create your own with Poets & Writers Groups. Everything you need to connect, communicate, and collaborate with other poets and writers—all in one place.
  More
- Poets & Writers Directory
  Well over ten thousand poets and writers maintain listings in this essential resource for writers interested in connecting with their peers, as well as editors, agents, and reading series coordinators looking for authors. Apply today to join the growing community of writers who stay in touch and informed using the Poets & Writers Directory.
  More
- MFA Programs
  Find information about more than two hundred full- and low-residency programs in creative writing in our MFA Programs database, which includes details about deadlines, funding, class size, core faculty, and more. Also included is information about more than fifty MA and PhD programs.
  More
- Conferences & Residencies
  Whether you are looking to meet up with fellow writers, agents, and editors, or trying to find the perfect environment to fuel your writing practice, the Conferences & Residencies is the essential resource for information about well over three hundred writing conferences, writers residencies, and literary festivals around the world.
  More
- Literary Events Calendar
  Poets & Writers lists readings and other literary events held online and in person. Whether you are an author on a book tour or the curator of a reading series, the Literary Events Calendar can help you find your audience.
  More
- Literary Places
  Discover historical sites, independent bookstores, literary archives, writing centers, and writers spaces in cities across the country using the Literary Places database—the best starting point for any literary journey, whether it’s for research or inspiration.
  More
- Jobs for Writers
  Search for jobs in education, publishing, the arts, and more within our free, frequently updated job listings for writers and poets.
  More
- Poets & Writers Live
  From in-person events held in cities across the country to virtual events available to all, Poets & Writers Live offers a more tangible connection to the community of writers through celebrations of authors featured in the pages of Poets & Writers Magazine, including readings and conversations with the debut authors in our annual debut poets roundup, First Fiction, The New Nonfiction, and 5 Over 50 and acclaimed authors such as Garth Greenwell, Douglas Kearney, Karen Russell, and Clint Smith.
  More
Register for Classes
Apply for Opportunities
- Readings & Workshops Mini-grants
  Each year the Readings & Workshops program provides support to hundreds of writers participating in literary readings and conducting writing workshops. Learn more about this program, our special events, projects, and supporters, and how to contact us.
  More
- Get The Word Out
  Get the Word Out is a new publicity incubator for debut fiction writers and poets.
  More
- Writers Exchange Award
  The Maureen Egen Writers Exchange Award introduces emerging writers to the New York City literary community, providing them with a network for professional advancement.
  More
- Subscriptions for Young Writers
  Poets & Writers is pleased to provide free subscriptions to Poets & Writers Magazine to award-winning young writers and to high school creative writing teachers for use in their classrooms.
  More
Poets & Writers Magazine
- Subscribe
  Bring the literary world to your door—at half the newsstand price. Available in print and digital editions, Poets & Writers Magazine is a must-have for writers who are serious about their craft.
  More
- Current Issue
  View the contents and read select essays, articles, interviews, and profiles from the current issue of the award-winning Poets & Writers Magazine.
  More
- Article Archive
  Read essays, articles, interviews, profiles, and other select content from Poets & Writers Magazine as well as Online Exclusives.
  More
- Issue Archive
  View the covers and contents of every issue of Poets & Writers Magazine, from the current edition all the way back to the first black-and-white issue in 1987.
  More
- Grants & Awards
  Find details about every creative writing competition—including poetry contests, short story competitions, essay contests, awards for novels, grants for translators, and more—that we’ve published in the Grants & Awards section of Poets & Writers Magazine during the past year. We carefully review the practices and policies of each contest before including it in the Writing Contests database, the most trusted resource for legitimate writing contests available anywhere.
  More
- Daily News
  Every day the editors of Poets & Writers Magazine scan the headlines—publishing reports, literary dispatches, academic announcements, and more—for all the news that creative writers need to know.
  More
- Craft Capsules
  In our weekly series of craft essays, some of the best and brightest minds in contemporary literature explore their craft in compact form, articulating their thoughts about creative obsessions and curiosities in a working notebook of lessons about the art of writing.
  More
- Writing Prompts
  The Time Is Now offers weekly writing prompts in poetry, fiction, and creative nonfiction to help you stay committed to your writing practice throughout the year. Sign up to get The Time Is Now, as well as a weekly book recommendation for guidance and inspiration, delivered to your inbox.
  More
- Writers Recommend
  Every week a new author shares books, art, music, writing prompts, films—anything and everything—that has inspired and shaped the creative process.
  More
- Author Readings
  Listen to original audio recordings of authors featured in Poets & Writers Magazine. Browse the archive of more than 400 author readings.
  More
- Advertise With Us
  Ads in Poets & Writers Magazine and on pw.org are the best ways to reach a readership of serious poets and literary prose writers. Our audience trusts our editorial content and looks to it, and to relevant advertising, for information and guidance.
  More
- Customer Service
  Start, renew, or give a subscription to Poets & Writers Magazine; change your address; check your account; pay your bill; report a missed issue; contact us.
  More
- Classifieds
  Peruse paid listings of writing contests, conferences, workshops, editing services, calls for submissions, and more.
  More
- Subscriptions for Young Writers
  Poets & Writers is pleased to provide free subscriptions to Poets & Writers Magazine to award-winning young writers and to high school creative writing teachers for use in their classrooms.
  More
Join Now

You are here

Home

Best Books For Writers

From the newly published to the invaluable classic, our list of essential books for creative writers.

Can Poetry Matter?: Essays on Poetry and American Culture
Mentors, Muses, and Monsters: 30 Writers on the People Who Changed Their Lives
Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers From the Very First Sentence
The Necessary Angel: Essays on Reality and the Imagination
Curious Attractions: Essays on Fiction Writing
The Art of Intimacy: The Space Between

Pages

« first
‹ previous
…
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
…
next ›
last »

Subscribe
Gift Subscription
Advertise
Donate
Newsletter
Help
About Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy

© Copyright Poets & Writers 2026. All Rights Reserved.

X