WCU Libraries have many books (both print and ebooks) about the creative writing process. You can search for them in our online catalog. A good starting search would be to just type "creative writing" in the search box below.
Or, if you like to browse print books, head up to the 5th floor of F.H.Green Library. Books about creative writing are shelved at the 808 call number, especially at 808.02 and 808.042, though they are mixed in with books about academic writing and teaching writing.
There is also a ton of research out there on creative writing published in scholarly journals. Because journals in this field may appear in a number of different library databases, the best way to access them is through our Library Search tool, which cross-searches most of our holdings.
Tip: Library Search searches many types of sources, so if you want scholarly articles on creative writing, make sure to click on the Scholarly/Peer Reviewed Journals link at the top of the column on the left.
Look for the new fiction book area near the main library help desk on the 2nd floor! Unlike a public library, we can't buy a huge selection of new works, but we do purchase novels, short fiction collections, and poetry collections that have won major awards.
Everything older is up on the 5th floor. Either search the catalog for something specific, or here is a quick cheat sheet for where different genres appear based on Dewey call numbers:
American literature is shelved in the 810s.
English literature is shelved in the 820s.
Each area is subdivided by genre.
811 & 821 Poetry
812 & 822 Drama
813 & 823 Fiction
814 & 824 Essays
815 & 825 Speeches
816 & 826 Letters
817 & 827 Humor and Satire
The following are books that try to compile the best works published in various genres. A new volume is added each year.
Best American Essays Call number: 814.008 B561
Best American Poetry Call number: 811.008 B561b
Best American Short Plays Call number 812.08 B561
Best American Short Stories Call number: 808.83 B561
O. Henry Prize Stories Call number: 808.83 P961
