The 10 Best Books about Writing by BIPoC Writers

Everyone loves a list these days. So, we decided to create a helpful list of books about writing, by BIPoC authors. Are these truly the “10 Best” books about writing? Maybe, maybe not. But they are all really good books that provide motivation and instruction to improve your writing life.

BIPoC writers crave books about writing by BIPoC authors.

Some people might think that the rules of writing don’t change based on a person’s race or ethnic background, but here at Reed, Write, & Create, we know that’s not true. In fact, a person’s identity will always influence and impact how they approach the page. So, it makes sense to want instruction and insight from writers who get you. Writers who have a similar background, or speak a similar language. Writers whose backstory mirrors your own.

That’s why we created this list.

What Does Race Have to Do With Writing?

Needless to say, there are far more books in the world about writing, written by our Caucasian counterparts, and many of them are delightful. Our list of craft books by BIPoC writers is not meant to suggest that this is the definitive list, or that these books are better than books by white people. Not at all. We just wanted to create a good list of books by BIPoC authors for BIPoC writers looking for craft books, that acknowledge and/or celebrate race and/or ethnic identity as part of developing a writing practice. Some of the books on our list are just straight, how-to write manuals, but some of them also incorporate identity and racial politics in their consideration of building a successful and sustainable writing career.

Most importantly though, is that these books include the advice and examples of successful BIPoC writers in their pages, which is the greatest inspiration of all.

The words of wisdom for writers in this book are many~

Ten Books to Read to Be a Better Writer

We think these books on the craft of writing are all really awesome, but don’t take our word for it, check out what other people say about these selections.

10. Your Story Matters by Nikesha Shukla. -"Like a best friend giving you essential advice. I can't wait to give this to every writer I know.” - Candice Carty-Williams

9. Black Women Writers at Work Edited by Claudia Tate. -"This is a gorgeous and essential collection of writings from a group of the most important Black women writers. I have turned to repeatedly over the past thirty years and I'm thrilled that Haymarket has republished it for another generation to treasure."
--Imani Perry

8. Manifesto by Bernadine Evaristo. -‘“Manifesto” is the sturdy, exuberant memoir of a writer who, in pushing herself, also pushed an entire field…“Manifesto” offers an irresistibly paradoxical invitation to writers: Create a literature of those left behind, by letting your heart run free.”
New York Times

7. How We Do It: Black Writers on Craft, Practice and Skill Edited by Jericho Brown. -"A must-read treasure trove of practical wisdom for Black writers, writing teachers, and anyone interested in the craft." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

6. This is the Year You Will Write Your Novel by Walter Mosley. - "A straightforward, friendly guide for aspiring writers" (Los Angeles Times): No more excuses. With award-winning author Walter Mosley as your guide, you can write a novel now.”

5. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami. - “A glimpse into the creative process of one of the world's great writers." --The Hartford Courant"

4. The Word: Black Writers Talk about the Transformative Power of Reading and Writing by Marita Golden. - “Critically acclaimed Black writers reveal how books have shaped their personal lives--in often unexpected ways.”

3. Free Within Ourselves: Fiction Lessons for Black Authors by Jewell Parker Rhodes. -“A Bird by Bird for the African-American market--A top-notch writer's guide filled with practical guidance, essays, and journal exercises for the African-American writer including advice from E.Lynn Harris, Charles Johnson, and Yolanda Joe.”

This is not a How-To Craft book, but it’s a great piece of fiction about the writing life!

2. Remembered Rapture: The Writer at Work by bell hooks. -"For anyone who writes, or seeks to understand the writing process, or wants to know more about the erudite and passionate mind of bell hooks, this is the book to read." --The Philadelphia Inquirer

1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. - "A darkly satirical thriller about greed, truth, identity, and art--and who a story really belongs to. Reading Yellowface was like riding a roller coaster with no safety belt. I screamed the whole way through!" -- Peng Shepherd, author of The Cartographers (And yes we know this a novel about the writing life, but it’s still one of the best. books about writing from a BIPoC perspective so, it’s on our list.)

We Still Need More (Diverse) Books About Writing

Rumor has it that the Roxanne Gay is working on a new book on the craft of writing. At least that’s what I heard her say on the delicious, new podcast, Reckon True Stories with Deesha Philyaw and Kiese Laymon. The book is called How to Be Heard. Gay also commented that there are plenty of books about writing in the world, good books, but there aren’t enough by BIPoC authors. So, if you’re a BIPoC author thinking about writing a book about writing, let’s go. We need you and your words.

What books do we need to add to this list?