50 Non-fiction Writing Prompts For Your Inner Writer

• Jan 30, 2026
• 6 min read

• Tags: Non-fiction, Writers, Writing Tips

Non-fiction is currently one of the fastest-growing genres in the world. Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the reading public has been interested in knowledge assimilation, self-help, and true-life incidents told in accessible language. Literary agencies and publishers have also expressed an interest in accepting non-fiction submissions.

Here is a list of 50 non-fiction prompts to help you get started on your literary journey!

Self-help

Ever since the pandemic, the self-help genre has seen a boom in popularity. However, it is important to note that a book on one of these topics would have more credibility if the author were a psychologist or counselor. Here are 5 self-help prompts that can potentially be expanded into a book:

1. How to de-addict yourself from digital media consumption and live a more analog life

2. How to slow down and practice self-care in a fast-paced world

3. How to go back to your childhood hobbies and develop at least one of them into a fully-fledged adult hobby

4. How to care for your inner child and heal trauma

5. How to overcome anxiety and live a calm and peaceful life

True crime

Whether in books, movies, or TV shows, one genre that will always be popular is that of true crime. Here are 5 prompts for all the investigative journalists out there who are looking to write their next blockbuster:

6. A detailed account of the life of a serial killer (someone who hasn’t been written about before)

7. An account of an unsolved crime that had shocked the world

8. A detailed investigation into an internet scam that claimed many victims

9. An account of a major bank robbery or heist that hasn’t been written about before

10. An account of a suburban crime that disrupted the peace of a neighborhood where such a crime was least expected

Historical non-fiction

If you are a history buff and want to put your knowledge to good use, here are five interesting prompts for you to work on:

11. The life story of a monarch from your country

12. An account of a revolution that shaped your country

13. An account of a major war that shaped your country

14. An account of a historical women’s rights movement in your country

15. An account of your country’s ancient or medieval history

Finance

If you are a financial expert with the necessary know-how to guide people to make the best of their finances, the following prompts are for you:

16. How to build a nest egg from your salary

17. How to invest in the stock market (for beginners)

18. How to build generational wealth

19. How to save on a modest income

20. The best side hustles to supplement your income

Anthropology

The world is always curious about human life, relatively unknown cultures, and people from lands far away. If you are an anthropology expert, writing a book on one of these subjects could be your calling!

21. A detailed profile of an indigenous tribe or community

22. The unusual marriage practices of a community that does not traditionally conform to patriarchal society

23. A detailed profile of Himalayan communities

24. A detailed profile of Amazonian communities

25. A detailed profile of an African tribe that has not been studied in depth so far

Biography

If you have a talent for telling stories, consider writing a biography of a famous, influential, or important personality. Here are some prompts to help you get started:

26. The biography of a lesser-known freedom fighter from your country (if applicable)

27. The biography of a major social reformer who made a positive change in society

28. The biography of a businessperson who had a rags-to-riches story

29. The biography of a sportsperson who succeeded against all odds

30. The biography of the leader or spokesperson of a major peace movement

Academics

Students around the world are always preparing for important examinations for their higher studies. If you are someone who has written (and cracked) these exams yourself, here are some ideas for profitable and useful academic books:

31. A detailed guide on how to prepare for the SATs

32. A detailed guide for foreign students on how to prepare for the TOEFL

33. A detailed guide for foreign students on how to prepare for the IELTS

34. A detailed guide for foreign students on how to prepare for the GRE

35. A detailed guide on how to prepare for the UK A-levels

Encyclopedias

Encyclopedias have been popular among children for generations. If you have a talent for explaining the way the world works in simple terms, the following prompts are for you:

36. An encyclopedia of the world’s flowering plants

37. An encyclopedia of the world’s butterflies

38. An encyclopedia of the solar system

39. An encyclopedia of the world’s mammals

40. An encyclopedia of the different professions one can pursue as an adult

Languages

If you are a language expert, here is your chance to immortalize your knowledge! Students of languages are always looking for books that will help them learn quickly and easily, and you can pen a book on the language(s) of your specialization. Here are some prompts on the world’s most popular languages among learners:

41. How to learn French quickly and easily

42. How to learn Spanish quickly and easily

43. How to learn German quickly and easily

44. How to learn Korean quickly and easily

45. How to learn Japanese quickly and easily

46. How to learn Italian quickly and easily

47. How to learn Cantonese quickly and easily

48. How to learn Mandarin quickly and easily

49. How to learn Russian quickly and easily

50. How to learn Hindi quickly and easily.

Now that you have 50 prompts across genres, it is time to pick the one that best suits your interests and skills and get started! We wish you the very best on your writing journey!

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Tanvi

With a foundation in Life Sciences, Tanvi enjoys curating technical writing tips tailored for ESL students. When she's not translating complex concepts into bite-sized nuggets, she can be found playing with dogs or painting landscapes.