5 Brilliant Books to Buy for the Budding Scriptwriter This Christmas

Perfect Gifts for Theatre Makers, Writers & Creatives

If you’re hunting for Christmas present ideas for theatre lovers, gifts for writers, or something genuinely useful for the future Olivier-winner in your life, then look no further. Books are the unsung heroes of gift-giving: thoughtful, personal, and guaranteed to outlast the novelty socks sitting in your Amazon basket. A book from the list below can inspire a career, spark a new script, or at least provide you with a gift idea that says ‘I know you love writing!’ 

So, here are five incredible non-fiction books every playwright, scriptwriter, or theatre-obsessed creative should have on their shelf. Each one is packed with wisdom, craft, and a hefty dose of inspiration — making them the perfect Christmas gift for the theatre maker in your life.

1️⃣ STORY – Robert McKee

If you’ve ever met a writer who talks passionately about structure, arcs, beats, reversals, and the “spine” of a scene… there’s a 99% chance they’ve read McKee. STORY is the bible of script writing — and writers swear by it. McKee dives into what makes narratives compelling, emotional, and effective, breaking down the invisible craft behind great storytelling.

This book is perfect for the scriptwriter who wants to level up their craft, understand why their Act Two always collapses, or finally stop shouting “BUT WHY ISN’T THIS WORKING?” into their laptop. Give this to anyone looking to develop story structure, character depth, or just needs a solid creative kick in the backside.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/4plR47P

2️⃣ How Plays Work – David Edgar

If STORY is the all-purpose narrative bible, How Plays Work is the playwright’s personal guidebook. David Edgar — legendary playwright and absolute dramaturgical wizard — breaks down the mechanics of writing for the stage: tension, rhythm, subtext, scenes, staging, the works. It’s smart, clear, and deliciously practical.

This is the ideal gift for theatre-first writers: drama school students, budding playwrights, people writing their first Fringe show, or anyone who wants to know why audiences gasp when they do. It’s like a backstage pass into how theatre really functions — and it will absolutely improve their next script.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/3JZXDNU

3️⃣ Writing Comedy – Ronald Wolfe

Comedy writing is hard — if it were easy, every actor would be Michael McIntyre by Tuesday. Ronald Wolfe’s Writing Comedy is a warm, witty masterclass in crafting scripted comedy, shaping comic characters, and engineering proper laugh-out-loud moments. It feels like sitting down with someone who’s spent decades understanding why people giggle.

This makes a brilliant present for the writer who needs a hand adding “funny bits” to their scripts, the actor who wants to write their own Fringe comedy, or the friend who insists they’re hilarious (but needs some structured guidance). It’s accessible, practical, and genuinely enjoyable.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/4oj26t6

4️⃣ Save the Cat! – Blake Snyder

A modern classic. Save the Cat! is famous for its beat sheet — a 15-step story structure that has secretly shaped half of Hollywood — but don’t let that fool you. It’s brilliant for playwrights too. Snyder explains the story formula in a way that is simple, repeatable, and incredibly satisfying.

This is the book for the storyteller who loves structure and clarity. The writer who says, “I know what happens, but I don’t know where anything goes.” The creative who starts strong and ends strong but gets lost in the swamp of Act Two. If you want to give someone a book that will genuinely change the way they create stories, this is the one.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/4iiaabW

5️⃣ The Artist’s Way – Julia Cameron

And finally: the must-have support book. Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way isn’t about structure — it’s about surviving the creative life without losing your mind. Packed with exercises, weekly challenges, and the famous “Morning Pages,” this book is like therapy for your inner playwright.

This is perfect for anyone who feels creatively blocked, overwhelmed, or in need of a good artistic glow-up. It’s a wonderful reminder that being a writer is about nurturing your imagination, not just typing aggressively until dawn.

Buy it here: https://amzn.to/480UKFI

🎄 Scriptwriting Books Are the Ultimate Christmas Gift for Theatre Lovers

If you’re gift-shopping for a scriptwriter, theatre student, aspiring dramaturg, or anyone who has ever uttered the phrase “I’m working on a play”, these five books are an absolute treasure. Books don’t run out of charge, they don’t go out of fashion, and they don’t need a software update. They last — and they matter.

So this Christmas, skip the novelty mugs and get the theatre-lover in your life something inspiring, practical, and genuinely meaningful. A brilliant book might be the spark that lights their next masterpiece.