5 Cheap (or Free) eBooks Every Writer Should Read

Writers need to read books. I can't emphasize this enough. That's why I get excited when I stumble cheap or free resources like eBooks. I don't even have a Kindle, and I'm really getting into this whole e-publishing revolution.

Writers need to read books. I can't emphasize this enough. But books can be expensive. (Well, at least the amount of books that I buy.)

That's why I get excited when I stumble cheap or free resources like eBooks. I don't even have a Kindle, and I'm really getting into this whole e-publishing revolution. So I thought I'd share a short list of what I'm reading.

Reading List for Writers: eBook Edition

Here's a list of five must-read eBooks for every writer that you can dive into this summer (note: these aren't just books about the writing process, but also goal-setting and building a platform and extending your reach):

The 11 Secrets of Getting Published by Mary DeMuth Mary's book talks writing, publishing, and the importance of considering working with a traditional publisher if you have aspirations of writing a book.

I'm thoroughly enjoying this book, particularly how detailed she gets into the nuts-and-bolts of preparing now to one day be a published author. And it's a steal for the price (only $2.99!).

The Process by Edward Paz My friend Edward is a pro at coaching people in achieving their dreams. I've shared before that his blog is one of my favorites, and this free eBook is nothing short of inspiring. Plus, it really shows off his writing chops in a more long-form format.

This eBook is the first of several that detail how to actually go about the process of setting goals (like writing a book or stepping into the work that you love) and achieving them.

Do the Work by Steven Pressfield Have I told you yet how much I love this book? This guide for the creative process is the sequel to The War of Art, one of my very favorite books on writing. Pressfield describes in detail the process of writing something worth reading and how to actually finish the project.

Poke the Box by Seth Godin I finished this a few weeks ago, but can't recommend it enough. Everything by Godin is gold, and this is no exception. This eBook challenged me to start, which is the whole point. If you're struggling with beginning anything (especially an unwieldy project like publishing a book or beginning a new career), Godin will light a fire underneath you to get you taking the first step.

Trust Economies by Chris Brogan & Julien Smith This is a few years old, but this free manifesto by two of my favorite bloggers is an excellence precursor to their bestselling Change Agents. The concepts are simple but rarely practiced.

If you missed it, yesterday I interviewed Julien, and he shared some great thoughts about blogging and making a difference in the world.

A Couple Other Goodies

Also, be on the lookout for my friend Sarah Mae's new eBook How to Market & Sell Your eBook which releases this week. I was able to get a "sneak peak" at it, and if you've considered e-publishing, this is a must-read!

Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't encourage you to download my free eBook The Writer's Manifesto, if you haven't already done so.

Are you reading any eBooks right now? Which ones?

*Photo credit: Flickr (Creative Commons)

**Disclosure: Some of the above links are affiliate links.