18 Best Books & eBooks on The Art of Screenwriting
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Writing a Screenplay takes a lot of patience and imagination. I have always believed that if a screenwriter can’t visualize a scene, it’s very difficult to put it on paper and explain it to the director. And even though the scene is written, it has to be in proper Hollywood format, which any screenwriting book will teach you.
There are various courses on screenwriting on Udemy, Coursera & MasterClass.com to learn this art. However, there are some books & eBooks which are equally good for aspiring screenwriters looking to enhance their skills.
The advantage of books is you can read them while traveling to work in a metro or sitting on a balcony sipping your coffee. And then mark your notes inside then & there. Reading screenwriting books is a great way to understand the step-by-step guide to writing movies and improving your screenwriting skills.
But which ones should screenwriting enthusiasts choose to read? Well, I have done all the research & put a list below of the 18 Best Screenwriting Books to help writers in their screenwriting journey.
Table of Contents
- Table of Contents
- 1. Screenplay by Syd Field
- 2. Story by Robert McKee
- 3. The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier
- 4. Save The Cat by Blake Snyder
- 5. Screenwriting for Dummies by Laura Schellhardt
- 6. The Nutshell Technique by Jill Chamberlain
- 7. The Anatomy of a Story by John Truby
- 8. Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge
- 9. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
- 10. Finish the Script by Scott King
- 11. Screenplay Format Made Easy by Michael Rogan
- 12. The Idea by Erik Bork
- 13. Screenwriting Tricks by Alexandra Sokoloff
- 14. Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri
- 15. Screenwriting is Rewriting by Jack Epps Jr.
- 16. Essentials of Screenwriting by Richard Walter
- 17. 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters
- 18. Adventures in The Screen Trade
- Conclusion
1. Screenplay by Syd Field
Syd Field has written several books on screenwriting. In fact his book, Screenplay: The Foundations of Screenwriting is widely regarded as one of the best books to date on the subject.
He was a script consultant and also a renowned lecturer. His book actually laid the foundation for books that were written later on by many.
The main aspect of the book is the Three Act Structure. The whole book is a simple read for just about anyone who wants to understand the writing script from start to finish along with the concept..
This is the first book you should read if you have not read any other on screenwriting yet. You can read the breakdown of the book, done by Kim Hartman here(who is a well-known copywriter).
2. Story by Robert McKee
Rober Mckee is an author and mostly known for seminars on Storytelling. He has several books under his belt. His students include Avika Goldsman(A Beautiful Mind), Paul Haggis(Million Dollar Baby) and many others who have won or been nominated for Oscars.
If you are a big fan of the Aristotle style and philosophy, you should buy this book. There are many takeaways in this book. And that is because I feel he’s a good teacher and a mentor. His other book Dialog: The Art of Verbal Action is a good one too I hear.
By the end of his book, you’ll know the advanced style of story writing. you will also know how to avoid writing mistakes while penning down a story.
3. The Screenwriter’s Bible by David Trottier
This book is for beginners who are looking to make a career in the advertising industry.. It gives details about the structure, formatting, and tips on selling scripts. From creating characters, explaining beats, examples of famous films, David covers it all.
It is a pleasant read and organized in a manner that some people with a background might skip the basics and still understand it well. You can also practice the art of screenwriting in available formatting softwares.
4. Save The Cat by Blake Snyder
The bestselling book in the screenwriting business. If you are a screenwriter, I know you have heard of this one before. The action hero saves the day and you have a blockbuster movie. As Snyder has explained, Save The Cat is a scene where we (first) meet the Hero.
Some people have followed this book’s idea and writing style for years and used it on their own. Some have absolutely blasted this book. If you like that there’s a formula for writing great movies then you should read it. The book also introduces the concept of a beat sheet, which is crucial in screenwriting.
However, it does have valuable tips inside. Read the reviews and then decide just as you do for online masterclasses.
5. Screenwriting for Dummies by Laura Schellhardt
Anyone who is new to screenwriting should start reading it right now. Laura as a professor knows how to teach and catch the attention of students (readers in this case). It’s perfect for those who are new to screenwriting and want to understand the fundamentals.
The dummies word will fool you initially but don’t take it for granted. She gives you insights by giving some examples of Jaws and The Untouchables. A little bit of humor keeps you reading till the end. This book is a good script for any aspiring writer.
6. The Nutshell Technique by Jill Chamberlain
It is the best book on story structure, as some people suggest. Does a story need to have something different than the life of an average person? If it does, then when do you bring in the character? These questions will be answered here in this book like no other. When it comes to screenwriting, this book is an indispensable resource.
The book is for screenwriters, novelists as well as TV writers. It’s a practical guide to storytelling. I recommend it even if you have read the other ones. Reading this will give you a comprehensive understanding of the screenwriting craft.
Also Read: 15 Best Screenwriting Podcasts for Writers
7. The Anatomy of a Story by John Truby
Well some people have thrown away Save The Cat as they read this one. There are no steps to writing a perfect script. But John breaks down the art of writing into 7-8 parts, making it essential for any aspiring writers.
It might not be for beginner’s as it is a little tough to grasp the first time you read it. His own style of building stories is different from his counterparts, like screenwriting gurus. You can learn some great tips from this book.
Get the book here and dive into the world of screenwriting.
8. Writing Screenplays That Sell by Michael Hauge
Michel Hauge is a very well known story consultant and speaker. Due to his extensive work with executives inside Hollywood, he knows how to write and sell. The basic breakdown of his story arc is based on Syd Field’s Screenplay Book (the first on this list), a must-read in every screenwriting book collection.
The in-depth section on screenwriting shows exactly how you should be telling stories. The question of how the audience will want to keep on watching the movie is answered here. His storytelling course on Udemy is a bestseller.
Not only Hague but many other professionals offer interesting screenwriting courses on Udemy, making it a great platform for new writers.
9. The Writer’s Journey by Christopher Vogler
This book is not for everyone. Many of the examples in it are outdated. Vogler explains the ideas of Joseph Campbell (a well-known professor in the 19th century) very well. Vogler’s take on Campbell encompasses the essence of cinematic storytelling.
More philosophical than actual storytelling, this book is for those who might be interested in what is a story, and focusing extensively on the Hero’s journey. If you’re keen on connecting the dots to write your own screenplay, this book offers a profound guide to understanding the essence of storytelling.
10. Finish the Script by Scott King
A simple, understandable book. Not great, not bad, but a must-have. Scott explains the three-act structure at the end. Other things explained are formatting, beat sheets. He also mentions the screenwriting software to use. Writing is rewriting is where it ends at. This book you read will also help aspiring screenwriters develop their craft.
11. Screenplay Format Made Easy by Michael Rogan
As the title suggests Michael Rogan has written an easily understandable screenwriting book here. For beginners this is worth buying. Professionals can skip this one(tips are useful). It is humorous. It’s a short read but fits the price. This is especially true for those who have already read many screenwriting books.
His other book How to write a screenplay that doesn’t suck is also worth a read.
12. The Idea by Erik Bork
If you have an idea for a movie or a novel, and you don’t know whether it’ll be good enough to write about, go for this book. It explains how a perfect idea should be and how you can develop or mould bad idea into a good one. This guide to understanding the essence of a strong pitch is invaluable.
13. Screenwriting Tricks by Alexandra Sokoloff
This book dives into the nuances of screenwriting that are essential for any storyteller in the film industry. Sokoloff’s insights are drawn from her extensive experience as a script reader and screenwriter. She covers a gamut of topics that screenwriters must know, making it an invaluable resource for both new and seasoned writers.
A wonderful teacher of this craft, Alexandra has minutely told each element in building a story in a simple fashion in this book. She maintains the pace of the book for every type of reader.
Some common movies are taken as case studies and broken down in detail for their greatness. This includes popular films analyzed through the lens of the business of screenwriting. Recommended for everyone.
Also Read: 14 Best Screenwriting Websites to Learn Writing Screenplays
14. Art of Dramatic Writing by Lajos Egri
The one book that you should read on writing drama is this one. It is highly recommended for understanding the writing process in depth.
If you are a novelist, this book will give you immense insights into the world of character. How will the character make the hero rise. The downfall of the villain is because of his ignorance, hate, etc. This book, along with others by John Yorke and Lew Hunter, provides relatable insights. I think you can relate to David Mamet while reading this one.
15. Screenwriting is Rewriting by Jack Epps Jr.
This book is not very well known but it is still very good. Beginner’s and authors both should be able to understand it very easily. It covers the basics like formatting, story structure, overcoming obstacles. Jack also gives tips on working with directors and executives. Screenwriters interviewed include several successful Hollywood screenwriters who share their experiences.
16. Essentials of Screenwriting by Richard Walter
Richard’s writing style is humorous and comforting. He explains it by dividing it into 3 parts: Art, Craft & Business. A very different way of explaining but it works. This is one of the books on writing that also gives some script sales strategies at the end.
17. 101 Habits of Highly Successful Screenwriters
Many authors have contributed to this book. It’ll not teach you everything about formatting and telling a story. But you’ll know how to think like other screenwriters. How to find agents, self-publishing, etc. A very positive book and a must-read for everyone. This book complements others like “Four Screenplays” and “Coffee Break Screenwriter” in providing a wide perspective.
18. Adventures in The Screen Trade
This book doesn’t teach you about writing. Almost everyone has wondered how screenwriters work in Hollywood. This book gives an insight into the real world, how deals are made, scripts revised, and plots changed in the process. It offers a glimpse into the successful Hollywood industry.
This book dates back to 1983 but is still an eye-opener for people who think that it’s quite easy to get in Hollywood if you have a nice script. It shares experiences from successful Hollywood screenwriters. But don’t get dejected by this book. Keep on trying to get there.
Conclusion
Even if you read some of these books, there is no substitute for reading actual screenplays. You can even google for various tips and courses online. Options range from film school curriculums to short film scriptwriting guides. You can also download some great movie screenplays at IMSDB.
But keep on reading to get better. That’s how most of the greatest writers have done it and achieved success. Read the best and study the five-act structure as suggested by Thomas Lennon and other experts.
