Need the know how on how to start your creative endeavors? Some of these books might be able to help!
Creative Nonfiction in Celebration of the Power of Words
(Adult Nonfiction - 921 Kamkwamba Kam)
An immensely engaging tale of how an enterprising teenager in Malawi builds a windmill from scraps he finds around his village and brings electricity—and a future—to his family.
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 741.51 Mcl)
Offers advice for effective storytelling in comic book format, covering such topics as color, placement, pacing, visually representing ideas, and other techniques for short gag strips as well as graphic novels and other more involved storylines.
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J 741.2 Cri)
A unique twist on drawing books with the story capturing various individual drawing techniques. The author wanted to create the feel of having an artist mentor for the learning process even when that isn't always possible.
(Adult Nonfiction – 741.51 Low)
An in-depth guide to drawing for beginners interested in comics and graphic novels. Chapters included on visual perception, drawing in perspective, the figure, sketching, thumbnails, using ink, and digital design techniques. Detailed exercises help beginning artists work through each chapter.
(Adult Nonfiction - 920 Lee)
Before John Glenn orbited the earth or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. The women of Langley's all-black "West Computing" group helped America achieve one of the things it desired most: a decisive victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War, and complete domination of the heavens." —Publisher
(Adult Nonfiction - 741.5 Lee)
The classic guide to drawing comics by the master, Stan Lee.
(Adult Nonfiction - 808.06692 Pr)
Artist and zine-writer Dan Price teaches readers how to tap into those pent-up creative juices and collect their life experiences on paper.
(Adult Nonfiction - 921 Yousafzai You)
When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education—and almost paid the ultimate price.
(Adult Nonfiction - 305.235 Ali)
Sensitively and candidly demonstrating how small actions can result in enormous change, this memoir of two families' transformation through the commitment and affection of long-distance friends will humble and inspire.
(Adult Nonfiction - 808.02 Mye)
The award-winning author of young adult literature guides readers through the writing process, and includes examples from his own works, outlines for writing fiction and nonfiction, and excerpted pages from the author's writing notebooks.
(Adult Nonfiction - 741.5 Mcc)
McCloud shows his reader how to master the human condition through word and image in a brilliantly minimalistic way. Comic book devotees as well as the most uninitiated will marvel at this journey into a once–underappreciated art form.
(Adult Nonfiction – 741.51 Har)
Cuteness abounds in this book! Learn to draw kawaii characters, who are intensely cute, simple to draw, and colorfully graphic.
(Graphic Novels - 921 Lewis Lew)
A vivid first-hand account of John Lewis' lifelong struggle for civil and human rights, meditating in the modern age on the distance traveled since the days of Jim Crow and segregation. Rooted in Lewis' personal story, it also reflects on the highs and lows of the broader civil rights movement.
(Adult Nonfiction – 741.5952 Har)
A great guide for drawing the most common anime character types—from schoolgirls and boys to bad guys and fantasy creatures—along with step-by-step drawing exercises and templates.
(Adult Nonfiction - 808.23 Ell)
This lively and easy-to-read guide will motivate both aspiring and experienced screenwriters. No other screenwriting book offers advice and exercises from this many writers of successful, iconic films.
(Adult Nonfiction - 306.766 Pra)
A LGBTQ+ chronicle for teens shares hip, engaging facts about 23 influential gender-ambiguous notables from the era of the Roman Empire to the present, exploring how they defy convention to promote civil rights, pursue relationships on their own terms, and shape culture.
(VITAL - 808.042 Dip)
Provides over 200 impersonal creative writing prompts for writers of middle-school age and higher, along with sample responses.
(Graphic Novels - Barry)
Barry's graphic novel demonstrates a tried-and-true creative method that is playful, powerful, and accessible to anyone with an inquisitive wish to write or to remember.
(Adult Nonfiction – 741.51 Cab)
Tips and tricks to put action into your drawings. Get short explanations along with illustrations of the action.
(Adult Nonfiction - 741.51 Sla)
Get that story out of your head and onto paper! Barbara Slate guides aspiring graphic novelists through the same process she learned in her early days working for Marvel and DC Comics. Written in the form of a graphic novel itself, the book covers all the components and shows readers how to: Find their own drawing style regardless of ability; Create memorable characters, compelling plots and subplots, and engaging dialog; Traverse the graphic novel business.