Comments on: 31 Screenwriting Books You MUST Own

By: Fred Bluhm

Fred Bluhm — Sat, 04 Mar 2023 19:12:48 +0000

Regarding “Tales From The Trenches.” I would highly recommend Doug Richardson’s book, “The Smoking Gun – true tales from Hollywood’s screenwriting trenches.” Doug’s screenwriting credits include: “Bad Boys,” Die Hard II,” “Money Train,” and “Hostage,” among others. One reviewer called it the “Best industry book since William Goldman’s “Adventures in the Screen Trade.” This book is a must for anyone even thinking about becoming a screenwriter.

By: Pippa Jones

Pippa Jones — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 15:54:21 +0000

Bob Saenz has a great book out, titled ‘That’s Not How It Works,’ which is a no-nonsense approach to the career of screenwriting from ideas to the business side. Definitely a must-have.

By: Gianni

Gianni — Sat, 03 Jul 2021 12:18:09 +0000

Frankly, it doesn’t seems to me a good list at all.

By: Tom Williams

Tom Williams — Mon, 01 Mar 2021 10:45:22 +0000

In reply to Julian Friedmann. Thanks Julian and great to hear from you. The list is six years old so doubtless needs a spring clean. Hope you're keeping well - Tom

By: Julian Friedmann

Julian Friedmann — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 20:01:59 +0000

It’s a great list. Almost faultless. John Yorke (or did I miss that) and my favourite, Lagos Egri’s THE ART OF CREATIVE WRITING.

My book is no longer available (it’s 20 years old) but will be republished updated and extended in three volumes in March 2021. I appreciate being included first time round Tom.

By: Industrial Scripts

Industrial Scripts — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 18:44:31 +0000

In reply to Giovanni Furore. Good one, thanks Giovanni!

By: Giovanni Furore

Giovanni Furore — Sun, 21 Feb 2021 18:37:50 +0000

I think John Truby’s anatomy of a story is missing there.

By: Industrial Scripts®

Industrial Scripts® — Fri, 13 Mar 2015 05:43:00 +0000

In reply to enjay. In terms of a starting point Syd Field's books are great, and really laid the groundwork for other screenwriting theorists to follow. As you move on past the theory books though, you tend to take most out of the "war story" type screenwriting tomes. The ones where leading screenwriters reflect on what they've learned both about the craft and the business.

By: enjay

enjay — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 23:45:00 +0000

I found Syd Field’s books really useful too.

By: Industrial Scripts®

Industrial Scripts® — Tue, 03 Feb 2015 17:00:00 +0000

Hitchcock’s Secret Notebooks has arrived! And a tome it is too, looking forward to getting stuck into it.

By: Tom Williams

Tom Williams — Fri, 23 Jan 2015 09:06:58 +0000

Thanks both, I will add them to the (massive) pile

By: Industrial Scripts

Industrial Scripts — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 22:23:12 +0000

Hi Charles and William, these are both great suggestions. In fact, we’re going to buy Hitchcock’s Secret Notebooks forthwith, and Your Screenplay Sucks! afterwards.

For new screenwriters, the “war story” type books on screenwriting are a brilliant wake-up call to the business they’ve signed up to, and the lengths and hard work it takes to forge a career as a high-end screenwriter. In these areas, “Tales from the Script” really excels and is a must-read.

By: chasharris

chasharris — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:53:59 +0000

Hi Tom

Great list.

And since you mention Hitchcock, have you read “Hitchcock’s Secret Notebooks”? I’d put that way up in my top 5. Notes given by the Master throughout his career, together with memoirs of working with him, and a range of first-hand material. Like sitting in the room with him working on a script.

Charles

By: Timothy

Timothy — Thu, 22 Jan 2015 14:10:05 +0000

You should add ‘YOUR SCREENPLAY SUCKS’ by William Akers to help eliminate so many annoying things that beginning screenwriters do.