Here are some great "non copywriting" books that should be read by copywriters... especially those interested in using story craft to sell...

The Art Of Creative Writing by Engri

In this book he looks deep into human nature and motivations. Wonderful education on why people do things. Hint: insecurity is at the heart of most human action. Facsinating read.

Immediate Fiction: A Complete Writing Course by Jerry Cleaver

This book does a wonderful job at cutting through the mystery of what creates a powerful story. Very applicable to copy story selling.

Words That Work: It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear by Frank Luntz

If you are on the left side of politics, you may hate this book - But if you can get over the fact the author has helped many Republicans craft their messages - there is lot of solid content in here on crafting messages that breakthrough, get heard and change minds. Much of his research will sound familiar, (you can read the reviews on Amazon and get his 10 principles of message craft as well as see lovers and haters responses).

And of course, a book getting lots of buzz right now...

Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die by Chip Heath and Dan Heath

Is a great read.

So, what are your suggestions for some of the best "Non Copy books for Copywriters"?

Glad to see you added Words That Work. I just bought it a couple months ago and it totally resonated with me regarding how people think and act in this country.

Anyways, a few of my favorite non-copywriting books for copywriters are:


Writing FAST by Jeff Bollow - A highly unconventional writing book created by a screenwriter that put together a system for writing anything really quickly. The Talktation method really helped me to start hammering away at my writing, and i've found myself writing everything quicker than i've ever done before.


Comedy Writing Secrets by Mel Helitzer - This neat book basically tells you the structure of writing for comedy. If more copywriters read this book, alot less of their humor would fall flat.



Dabney

Stephen King, "On Writing".

Excellent book.

Or if you would like to write your own book on copywriting and sell it to me you can use the Monroe Motivational Sequence Method.

Monroe's motivated sequence is a technique for organizing persuasive speeches that inspire people to take action. It was developed in the mid-1930s by Alan H. Monroe.

Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, Action
ANSVA

The book practically writes itself.....
Here's a rough chapter outline you could modify to fit copywriting.
Monroe’s Motivated Sequence

Nice layout here of Motivated Sequence here.
http://faculty.ncu.edu.jm/salazar/Monooes.pdf

Then you can modify this for your copywriting checklist.
http://www.bluegrass.kctcs.edu/LCC/c...speecheval.doc

You can practically have it written in two weeks.
Call it something like Motivated Copywriting Method.

I've used Monroes sequence for years, I've always been surprised it isn't talked about more in copy circles - but I'm guilty of keeping my mouth shut as well

Another book to spur the free flow of words onto paper -

Writing the Wave: Inspired Rides for Aspiring Writers by Elizabeth Ayres

Great at blasting away writers block - many of the exercises can be converted from creative to copywriting.

And another writer's-block killer...

Writing the Natural Way by Gabriele Lusser Rico

Great exercises to free your mind.

One Jay Abraham recomended to me back in the early 90's that I really enjoyed was...

How to write, speak, and think more effectively by Rudolf Flesch

Great book for writing simply, with power. In fact, any of Flesch's books are great reads.

Highly recommended by John Carlton and Eugene Schwartz...

How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie.

Advertising is salesmanship in print and this book is possibly the most important any salesman (or copywriter) could read.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
FREE Online Copywriting Course

The Story Factor by Annette Simmons is a pretty good intro into the art of story telling.

Surprised no one has mentioned the "Bible of Persuasion", Robert Cialdini's "Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion". A must read for anyone, selling anything.

Eric

PS - I completely agree about Stephen King on Writing. Outstanding book!