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SCREENWRITING BOOKS ALL TIMES TOP-10 LIST
Screenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting and Selling Your ScriptScreenwriter's Bible: A Complete Guide to Writing, Formatting and Selling Your Script by David Trottier
Buy new: £12.18 / Used from: £11.10
The real bible of screenwriting is a real deal, as you get 6 books in one, at a very low price. The place to start
Screenplay: Writing the PictureScreenplay: Writing the Picture by Robin U. Russin
Buy new: £15.73 / Used from: £9.00
A second next book for beginners. Those first two books should be enough for the novice
Writing for Emotional ImpactWriting for Emotional Impact by Karl Iglesias
Buy new: £10.30 / Used from: £15.30
THE MOST IMPORTANT book ever (and of this list), after Aristotle's. 100s of specific techniques. Requires a basic knowledge of screenwriting & script formating, but it will stay with you forever.
The Megahit MoviesThe Megahit Movies by Richard Michaels Stefanik
Buy used from: £9.94
A fine book on story design and creating emotions. Passionate about what makes a box-office hits, solid analyses.
Making a Good Script GreatMaking a Good Script Great by Linda Seger
Buy new: £7.14 / Used from: £1.97
Seger's classic, always useful for scene-writing, story design etc
Advanced Screenwriting: Raising Your Script to the Academy Award LevelAdvanced Screenwriting: Raising Your Script to the Academy Award Level by Linda Seger
Buy new: £6.81 / Used from: £4.63
Useful discussions on advanced dramatic techniques & imagery. Not for beginners
The Anatomy of StoryThe Anatomy of Story by John Truby
Buy used from: £24.09
Truby's book, very insightful & concrete on story design, story environments, movie symbolism & lots of other topics. A solid foundation
Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmaker Must KnowCinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmaker Must Know by Jennifer Van Sijll
Buy new: £11.58 / Used from: £10.00
Full of pictures, dissecting the cinematic language
Dr. Format Answers Your Questions: The Fine Points of Spec WritingDr. Format Answers Your Questions: The Fine Points of Spec Writing by David Trottier
Buy used from: £12.95
Formatting info
Writing Treatments That Sell, Second Edition: How to Create and Market Your Story Ideas to the Motion Picture and TV IndustryWriting Treatments That Sell, Second Edition: How to Create and Market Your Story Ideas to the Motion Picture and TV Industry by Kenneth Atchity
Buy new: £7.26 / Used from: £6.99
A best seller on treatment writing, both for film & TV. Lots of info.