Literary Nonfiction Writer Resources

Interestingly enough, Literary Nonfiction is easier to define than Literary Fiction. That is, Literary Nonfiction is writing about nonfiction subjects using narrative styles typically used when writing fiction.

Like Literary Fiction, its Nonfiction counterpart typically focuses less on subjects like How-To and History, and more on the human experience inherent in life experiences being written about. Oftentimes Literary Nonfiction is introspective and uses events and situations as a means of exploring the human experience in the responses. Here are a few subgenres and styles often used in Literary Nonfiction:

• Literary Journalism
• Life Writing
• Experimental Essay Forms

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Like its Fiction counterpart, Literary Nonfiction tends to be more concerned with the composition and meaning gleaned from a story, exploring the human tendencies in the author and their subjects. Alternately, Commercial or Trade Nonfiction is typically written to serve a purpose; Textbooks, Manuals, How To Books, and Reference books all have distinct, practical applications. One area where the line blurs is Memoir. Most Memoir is written by a personality or celebrity that hooks the reader, entertaining them with their life story. Some Memoir is written in a Literary Nonfiction style that sets it apart (see examples below).

Literary Nonfiction Writer Toolbox

Check out these resources that cover writing craft like narrative styles and writing as a profession in depth.
(Disclaimer: Some of these are affiliate links which means I'd get a small percentage if you choose to buy when you click.)

1. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard
2. Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
   
3. ​​​Jane Friedman's YouTube channel
   ​All professional writers and publishing professionals can benefit from the free information Jane Friedman offers on her YouTube channel. An author, teacher, speaker, blogger, and authority on publishing, her goal is to help writers pursue their career dreams in a pragmatic and sustainable way.

Reading Recommendations

Reading in your genre is so important that I'm adding a whole section of recommendations for writers to choose from to elevate their skills. ​One of the best teachers of writing craft in your genre that you will ever encounter is a well written book.
​Bonus: More good books to read!

Be sure to pay attention to the way these stories are told on a craft level to get the most out of your read.

• How is it structured?
• Whose perspective is the story told from?
• Is it in first person? Third?
• How does the POV change narrative distance and bring the reader closer to the story (sometimes by putting distance between them and the MC)?
• How does the story defy genre expectations? Or not?

(Disclaimer: Some of these are affiliate links which means I'd get a small percentage if you choose to buy when you click.)

1. ​​The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
2. The Guardians: An Elegy for a Friend by Sarah Manguso
3. ​On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
4. Are You My Mother? A Comic Drama by Alison Bechdel