There's no substitute for actually sitting down to practice writing, but reading about writing is helpful, too. Here are some of my favorite books for writing insights and inspiration.
Six-Figure Freelancing
Kelly Jame-Enger's breezy, conversational style and her knowledge of the freelance life kept me hooked through the entire 320 pages. She does a nice job of balancing tips on writing books, magazine articles, and copywriting projects, but she devotes the highest number of pages to magazine writing (my kind of book). Case studies from other successful writers show how to get into a business mindset and start negotiating for what you're worth!
The Well-Fed Writer
Peter Bowerman covers everything from creating a list of leads to cold calling to keeping in touch with clients after you've finished a project. The book is focused primarily on writing for businesses, so if your primary goal is to break into the glossies, then this probably isn't the book for you. Still, it offers tons of practical advice on the business of writing.
Bird by Bird
This one is a bit more literary than instructional, but Anne Lamott's descriptions are dead-on. She writes about jealousy, publishing, and success with humor and acuity, and I know I'll be reading this book again when I need inspiration. Though the advice is especially tailored to novelists, the concepts of "shitty first drafts" and "Radio Station KFKD" (aka that little voice in your head that tells you you're a terrible writer and no one will want to read your work) are applicable to writers in any genre.
The Renegade Writer's Query Letters That Rock
If you've ever wondered what separates a so-so query letter from a sensational one, then this book is for you. It includes examples of successful queries for a variety of markets and commentary from the writer and editor on what made the query. Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell sure know their stuff, and they provide a light, humourous touch to put new writers at ease.
The Anti 9-to-5 Guide
This sassy guide to self-employment by Michelle Goodman covers finding your passion, managing your time, and building a support system, among other topics. One of the best things about the book is that it doesn't use an "all or nothing" approach. Instead, the women profiled in the book show how to juggle a side gig along with a 9-5, search for part time work, or find some other way to balance a pet project with the need to pay the bills. I'm really looking forward to reading Michelle's next book, My So-Called Freelance Life, which is due out on October 1!