7 Must-Read Content Writing Books for Freelancers

If you want to pursue a career in freelance writing, content writing books can be a great way to get familiar with the fundamentals of good writing. Pair them with other learning resources like podcasts, mentorship, and online writing courses, and you’ll be up to speed in no time!

In this blog post, we’re looking at must-read content writing books for freelancers and what you can expect to find in them.

7 Books about Content Writing

With so much choice, it can be hard to know which books to read. Here are seven of our favorite content writing books.

1. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Stephen King is most well-known as a best-selling horror and thriller writer, but he also wrote a book exploring the craft of writing. While this book does not specifically deal with content writing and is more of a general discussion of writing theory, writers of any type can benefit from the advice.

2. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr.

The Elements of Style comprises 8 “elementary rules of usage,” 10 “elementary principles of composition,” “a few matters of form,” a list of 49 words and expressions that people often misuse, and a list of 57 commonly misspelled words. Despite being over 100 years old, this book is as relevant for content writers today as it was then. It’s also a fantastic resource for editors and proofreaders. 

3. On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser

William Zinsser’s guide to writing non-fiction takes budding writers through the principles and methods used by experienced writers. He provides advice on how to write different types of non-fiction, such as memoir, interview, and business and travel writing, meaning that anyone who wants or needs to write can benefit from this book.

4. Storycraft: The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction by Jack Hart

Jack Hart is a writing coach who has helped several Pulitzer Prize-winning narratives reach publication. In Storycraft, he breaks down a narrative into its most basic components, such as narrative structure, point of view, and theme, before discussing how different types of narratives employ these elements. This book is particularly useful for those who are new to writing.

5. Unleash the Power of Storytelling by Rob Biesenbach

This book is a step-by-step guide to crafting compelling, persuasive narratives that meet business objectives. It teaches its readers about the importance of storytelling in successful selling and creating a brand identity through stories while also warning of the pitfalls that many writers come across. This is particularly useful for those who need to write stories to sell products or services.

6. The Copywriter’s Handbook by Robert Bly

In this book, Robert Bly takes readers step by step through the process of creating different types of copy. While content and copywriting are different specialties, there are aspects of copywriting that content writers can use to improve their content. Bly talks about how to write for the web and how to use graphics to enhance your writing, a vital but often overlooked element of content writing.

7. Everybody Writes by Ann Handley

Last but not least, Everybody Writes is the ultimate guide to content writing. It talks about the process of writing, different types of content, publishing rules, and tools you can use to help you create engaging content. This is a great reference book for all writers to refer back to as they create content.

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