Imaginative Writing is an introductory creative writing text covering the four genres—essay, fiction, poetry, and drama—written by best-selling author Janet Burroway.

Unlike most texts, Imaginative Writing discusses craft before genre. Each of the first five chapters looks at a specific element of craft—Image, Voice, Character, Setting, and Story—from a perspective that crosses all genres. Chapter 6 explores development and revision and serves as a bridge between the craft and genre chapters. The last four chapters examine the genres—Essay, Fiction, Poetry, and Drama. The book's organization allows students to experiment with creative techniques before deciding on a preferred form. Unique "Try-This" exercises help students develop writing skills. The emphasis of Imaginative Writing is on serious play.

Imaginative Writing is part of the Penguin Academics Series. The Penguin Academic Series, in the tradition of Penguin Publishers, offers highly respected, highly affordable, trade-format books by pre-eminent scholars.