As a screenwriter, finding out how to get started can feel like a pretty daunting process. Even those who have written screenplays for years will sometimes have trouble getting the old magic flowing. With that in mind, you might wonder where you can get inspired– especially if you face a creative deficit. Our advice is to look into reading as many screenwriting books as you can.

The only problem, of course, is that books on screenwriting are a dime a dozen!

If you have trouble locating the best screenwriting books, you do not have to look further. We can give you some great insight and ideas on how to go about finding books that are worth your time and effort. To help you begin the process accordingly, check out the books below.

In our view, these are the best books for screenwriters looking to learn a little bit more about the craft before they progress forward. Where, then, can you find the best books for screenwriters?

The Best Books On Screenwriting Available Today

Story by Robert McKee

If you like to start with something written by one of the best names in screenwriting, you cannot skip this book. The book was written by Robert McKee, considered among the top screenwriters of the modern era. His expertise has helped to bring acclaimed authors to the world, and he has plenty of success working with people as varied as Julia Roberts and David Bowie.

It is a fantastic read with useful information and insights from someone who is an absolute master of the craft. The story covers everything you need to know about compelling a compelling story.

If you intend to learn from someone who knows the importance of ‘show, don’t tell,’ then you will find a few better screenwriting books out there. This is a sublime learning experience for anyone eager to improve. If you cannot find something of value in Story, then you are already an expert!

The Foundations Of Screenwriting by Syd Field

If you want to find a great screenwriting book covering the basics, start here. We recommend this book to anyone who is brand new to screenwriting and finds the whole concept quite daunting. The foundations will take a lot of work, but Syd does a fine job of breaking down complex topics into a very easy-to-read learning experience.

Field was, without a doubt, one of the best screenwriting teachers in the world during his life. He helped to educate many of the best writers of the 1980s and 1990s, and his work has been acclaimed for decades. Indeed, many of his works are used within the education sector, so there is a good chance you will have come across Field’s work in the past.

Crafting Short Screenplays That Connect by Claudia Johnson

If you have trouble creating writing that really ‘speaks’ to your audience, this book should be on your list. It is one of our favourite books on this subject matter. It provides an immaculate and endearing way to improve your writing skills and become more confident in creating screenplays that speak to your audience.

Claudia is a specialist in creating screenplays that make the audience sit up and take notice. She has included some of her most popular screenplays in the book, too, including the likes of My Josephine. You will also get to find examples of how these screenplays evolved to make the films even better; this is the kind of ‘behind the curtain’ information we often miss out on.

The book also offers The Le Menu, which is brilliant for questioning yourself and being happy with the subject. Once you answer these questions, you will have some great prompts laid out for you that have tapped into your creativity. For this alone, Claudia’s legendary screenplay guide is worth reading for anyone passionate about the industry.

150 Screenwriting Challenges by Eric Heisserer

It's a rather abstract choice for our list of screenwriting books, but it's worth the time and investment. 150 Screenwriting Challenges offers some pretty exceptional ways to get the mind whirring. Heisserer was involved in writing acclaimed projects like Bird Box and Arrival so you can trust his insight and expertise on the topic. He also offers some great writing tips for these challenges, which will help you.

One thing that we love about Heisserer’s work is that he does a good job of making it easy enough to understand. Some screenwriting tip books can feel like a puzzle within themselves; Eric has done a wonderful job of providing concise and detailed insight in his writing that you will learn from. His challenges will force you to become a better screenwriter because they challenge you so much.

The Writers Journey by Christopher Vogler

Of course, no list of screenwriting books would be complete without this masterpiece on the art of screenwriting. You will find some fantastic books out there, but this one gives you ideas on screenwriting and writing in general. When you put this book to good work, we are certain that you will learn a lot about the art of screenwriting. It covers many little tips and industry secrets on being a better writer that you might never have found alone.

This is a must-have for anyone who intends to start writing a story about a hero. Having been used for over 25 years now, Vogler’s writing is one of the most important mediums of screenwriting you will find there. It is an outstanding book worthy of your time.

Looking For Insight On Your Screenplay?

Then, you can find all the assistance you need through Premium Screenplay!

On our platform, you can find excellent advice on everything from writing relationships that your audience cares about to tips on character development. Alongside the above books on screenwriting, you should find it very easy indeed to start improving your scriptwriting capabilities.

We recommend that you read all of the above books, as each can provide a very useful education on getting to know more about screenwriting. Each of these books for screenwriters, though, is also a great thought experiment. They will make you question your writing and encourage you to self-improve while giving you vital insights from experts who know more about the industry than anyone.

Once you have read one of these screenwriting books or all of them, preferably, try writing something. If you would like an opinion on the quality of your work, do not hesitate to contact us with information. We will be more than happy to give you our professional opinion and insight on your screenplay!