On Writing Well
The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction
by William Zinsser
6 more
More Recommenders
Author; founder of CD Baby
“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
Source →“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
Source →“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
Source →“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
Source →“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
Source →“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
Source →Recommended by 8 notable people, including Tim Ferriss and Nat Eliason
Check price on AmazonProof-backed recommendation
Amazon availability
Should I read this?
Recommended by 12 sources and appears in Essay Writing, Novel Writing, and Writing.
On Writing Well has been praised for its sound advice, its clarity and the warmth of its style. It is a book for everybody who wants to learn how to write or who needs to do some writing to get through the day, as almost everybody does in the age of email and the Internet. Whether you want to write about people or places, science and Technology,, b...
Looking for Kindle, hardcover, paperback, or audiobook editions?
Check formats, pricing, and current availability directly.
Why recommended
Recommended by 12 sources and appears in Essay Writing, Novel Writing, and Writing.
Recommended by notable people
People and public figures who have recommended this book.
Recommendation Signals
Recommendation proof is sourced from public posts, interviews, reading lists, and cited references.
George Hatzis
“Great blunt advice about writing better nonfiction. So inspiring. | I have read this book more than a dozen times, more often for thinking than for writing. | I love reading about writers and the process of writing. | I wouldn't say this book influenced me, since my principles of writing were established long before I read it. However, it does capture many things that I believe about effective writing. | If you consider Programming, to be a subset of writing, and I certainly do, then you would also do well to read Elements of Style and On Writing Well. I’ve found reading those made me a better programmer as well. | Zinsser's book should be kept in your bookshelf as a refreshing refresher (forgive the cacophony and repetition) we should come back to it”
View sources (6) ▾80%
Appears In
Not sure if this is the right fit?
Consider The Hard Thing About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz. Recommended by 60 sources.
“A blunt, conversational tour through the worst parts of building a company. Horowitz shares personal stories from his own startup failures and recoveries, offering practical wisdom on layoffs, pivots, CEO loneliness, and managing when times are bad. The value is in the honest, experience-based insight you won't get from business school. The limitation is its narrow focus on venture-backed tech startups—if you're not in that world, some advice may feel irrelevant. Reads like a wise mentor telling you what nobody else will.”
Similar books
The Hard Thing About Hard Things
Ben HorowitzA Guide to the Good Life
William B. IrvineThe Alchemist
Paulo CoelhoAtlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Dune
Frank HerbertThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas AdamsAntifragile
Nassim Nicholas TalebThe Obstacle Is the Way
Ryan HolidayHow recommendation signals are reviewed
Each recommendation is collected from a public source — interviews, articles, or curated lists — and linked to its original URL. Books with many verifiable recommendations from respected people rank higher.
On Writing Well
View on Amazon →