These are lists I created as part of my getting-to-write-fiction mode; I have not kept them updated, but most of these are classics and would probably form a good starting list for anyone interested in writing fiction, especially speculative fiction.
Craft Books for Writing Speculative Fiction
For fiction writing in general
- Creating Short Fiction: The Classic Guide to Writing Short Fiction by Damon Knight
- Elements of Writing Fiction – Characters & Viewpoint (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Orson Scott Card
- Elements of Writing Fiction – Conflict, Action & Suspense (Elements of Fiction Writing)by William Noble
- Elements of Writing Fiction – Description (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Monica Wood
- Elements of Writing Fiction – Scene & Structure (Elements of Fiction Writing) (Paperback) by Jack Bickham
- Elements of Writing Fiction – Beginnings, Middles & Ends (Elements of Fiction Writing) by Nancy Kress
- Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting Dynamic Characters and Effective Viewpoints (Write Great Fiction) by Nancy Kress
- Plot & Structure: (Techniques And Exercises For Crafting A Plot That Grips Readers From Start To Finish) (Write Great Fiction) by James Scott Bell
- Description & Setting: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Believable World of People, Places, and Events (Write Great Fiction) by Ron Rozelle
- Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight V. Swain
- Writing Fiction: The Practical Guide from New York’s Acclaimed Creative Writing School by Gotham Writers’ Workshop
For novel writing
- How to Write a Damn Good Novel: A Step-by-Step No Nonsense Guide to Dramatic Storytelling (How to Write a Damn Good Novel) by James N. Frey
- How to Write a Damn Good Novel, II: Advanced Techniques For Dramatic Storytelling by James N. Frey
- Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass
- No Plot? No Problem!: A Low-Stress, High-Velocity Guide to Writing a Novel in 30 Days by Chris Baty
For SF specific skills
- Writing Science Fiction & Fantasy by Analog and Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine
- How to Write Science Fiction & Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
- The Science of Science Fiction Writing by James Gunn
- World Building (Science Fiction Writing) by Stephen Gillett
- The Science Of Aliens by Clifford Pickover
- Aliens and Alien Societies (Science Fiction Writing Series) by Stanley Schmidt and Ben Bova
- Space Travel (Science Fiction Writing Series) by Ben Bova
- Time Travel: A Writer’s Guide to the Real Science of Plausible Time Travel (Science Fiction Writing Series) by Paul J. Nahin
- The Poetics of Science Fiction by Peter Stockwell
For Fantasy specific skills and reference
- The Writers Complete Fantasy Reference (Paperback) by Writers Digest
- Giants, Monsters, and Dragons: An Encyclopedia of Folklore, Legend, and Myth by Carol Rose
- Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins: An Encyclopedia (Paperback) by Carol Rose
Editing
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne and Dave King
Annotated collections of speculative fiction
- Masterpieces: The Best Science Fiction of the 20th Century by Orson Scott Card
And for when you get down, to know how others made it
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
- Zen in the Art of Writing: Releasing the Creative Genius Within You by Ray Bradbury
- Sometimes the Magic Works: Lessons from a Writing Life by Terry Brooks
- Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
- Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within (Shambhala Pocket Classics) by Natalie Goldberg
- The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life by Julia Cameron
