How to Write Stunning Sentences: 100 Simple Exercises from Beloved Authors to Improve Your Writing Style

by Nina Schuyler

In this new edition of HOW TO WRITE STUNNING SENTENCES, you’ll find more stylish sentences that mesmerize and rearrange a reader’s world. Think of this book as a private lesson with Nina Schuyler—award-winning author and long-time instructor on style in prose—featuring guest appearances by the masters, including James Baldwin, Lauren Groff, Grace Paley, John Updike, Toni Morrison and newly added Virginia Woolf, Anne Carson, Justin Torres, Don DeLillo, Doris Lessing, Rachel Cusk and Kevin Barry. It’s a masterclass with some of the best writers of the 20th century. Whether a novelist, essayist, short story or nonfiction writer, How to Write Stunning Sentences will elevate your writing from good to stunning.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction

266 pages, Paperback

Published January 13, 2026

About the author

Nina Schuyler's short story collection, IN THIS RAVISHING WORLD, won the PEN Oakland Josephine Miles Literary Award, the W.S. Porter Prize, the Prism Prize for Climate Literature, and was a finalist for the Northern California Book Award.

She's the author of AFTERWORD, winner of the Foreword INDIE Book of the Year Award for Literary and Science Fiction; the PenCraft Seasonal Book Award for Literary-Science Fiction; and a Top 100 Notable Book Unshelved Competition; THE TRANSLATOR, which was a finalist for the William Saroyan International Prize for Writing, and the winner of the Next Generation Indie Book Award, General Fiction; THE PAINTING, a finalist for the Northern California Book Award. Her nonfiction books HOW TO WRITE STUNNING SENTENCES AND STUNNING SENTENCES: A CREATIVE WRITING JOURNAL are bestsellers.

Reviews

[LM · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Write Stunning Sentences: 100 Simple Exercises from Beloved Authors to Improve Your Writing Style by Nina Schuyler is a book I was genuinely eager to read. While I am not a writer by trade, I am a student—and I write a lot of papers. Unfortunately, they tend to be boring and almost monotone in nature. In my defense, these are highly technical papers centered on security, but even so, my sentence structure often lacks engagement.

I’ve always toyed with the idea of writing a novel, and this book feels like the perfect bridge between where I am and where I’d like to be. The exercises and prompts encourage shifts in perspective and push deeper, more intentional thinking about language. They offer practical ways to experiment with voice, rhythm, and structure—skills that are just as useful in academic writing as they are in creative work.

I also appreciated the wide variety of authors Schuyler highlights. Every writer has a distinct style, and much like art—because writing is an art—borrowing elements from different artists is how you begin to develop a voice of your own. This book is full of thoughtful insights and practical “nuggets” that truly invite readers to become more engaged, intentional writers.
Thank you to Nina Schuyler, Sibyl Writing Craft, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sibyl Writing Craft provided an early galley for review.

As a writer, I am always looking for new books to help with the craft. This collection has the goal to help writer's improve their style.

Broken into five thematic sections (syntax, rhythm and sound, schemes and tropes, diction, and imagery), Schulyer presents thirty-one essays using examples from some of the biggest names in the industry to illustrate her points. Each lesson then is followed with writing prompts for us to practice the skills just discussed.

It really felt like I was back in one of my college liberal arts courses (which I loved). There are a lot of good lessons to learn here, things I will consider when constructing sentences in my own work.

[Jacquelyn Dohoney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came to me at the perfect time as I’ve reached the point in editing my manuscript where I’m looking at my sentences on the line level. I didn’t realize it until I started reading this book, but I’m already using some of the sentence structures mentioned without actively trying. Still, it’s a really useful book, and the style of it reminds me a bit of Natalie Goldberg. I think this book would be great no matter what level of writer you are, however I can see it being most useful for writers who have at least some experience as newer writers may feel a bit overwhelms at some of the more complex ideas.

Huge thanks to Sibyl Writing Craft and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

[Shree]

Nina Schulyer writes with a lot of passion, and her excitement and love for the written word spills over in every page. The concepts are well-explained and the book includes writing prompts at the end of each chapter, which is helpful.
However, it appears that the author and I have completely different ideas regarding what makes a sentence beautiful. I simply couldn't appreciate several example statements in the book (especially in part 1). We might never enjoy the same books, but I appreciate the work and research that the author has done to put this book together.
I thank Netgalley and the publishers for making an arc of this book available to me in exchange for an honest review.

[Shraddha Sahi · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you shut the book after just one chapter, eyes gleaming, and rush off to your work in progress because you know how to make it better. And when you do this after every chapter. And when it's a non fiction book you feared would be technical and pedantic....you know you've found a gem! The book has so many exercises, each designed to make you see writing in a whole new way. If you're searching for the difference between an okay book and one that's lyrical, visual and magical, it's the knowledge Nina's giving you right here. Thank you, never removing this book from my device!

[Hamad Naif · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know the author substack (stunning sentences) you know that sentences are the atoms of good writing. And this book will help you identify stunning sentences and apply them in your own writing. So get your pen and paper and read this book.

[Jean Kocienda · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was dynamite timing for me to get an advance copy of this book, as I'm in the middle of writing a new novel and have been feeling depressed about my boring prose. I was just plodding through the plot, until along came Nina with her magical fairy dust. I'm only halfway through her book, following the writing prompts, and already feeling way better about the sound of my sentences!

She pursues what I have found to be a great way to improve my writing -- following the example of other great writers. Nina breaks apart beautiful sentences and shows us why they are beautiful, and then challenges us to try to write like that. It is not formulaic, it is a magician taking the amateur behind the curtain to give away the secrets. It breaks down the magic trick step by step.

If you need some writing inspiration like that -- get your hands on this book.