* Metafiction: This is the most encompassing term, referring to any fiction that self-consciously draws attention to its own fictional nature. A book about writing a book would be considered metafiction because it's about the act of writing itself.
* Autofiction: This term is used for works of fiction that draw heavily on the author's own life and experiences. A book about writing a book could be considered autofiction if the author is drawing on their own experiences with the writing process.
* Novel about writing a novel: This is a more specific term that describes the genre of books that explicitly focus on the process of writing a novel.
* Writers' workshop novel: This term is sometimes used to describe novels that explore the creative process and the challenges of being a writer.
Ultimately, the best way to describe a book about writing a book would depend on the specific content and approach of the book itself.
Here are some examples of books about writing books:
* "The Unbearable Lightness of Being" by Milan Kundera: This novel explores the themes of love, loss, and the meaning of life through the lens of writing a novel.
* "The Name of the Rose" by Umberto Eco: This novel is a murder mystery set in a medieval monastery, but it also explores the themes of knowledge, power, and the nature of truth.
* "The Master and Margarita" by Mikhail Bulgakov: This novel tells the story of a writer who is visited by the Devil, and it reflects on the themes of art, faith, and the human condition.
These books all showcase the metafictional nature of exploring the writing process within the story itself, providing a unique and engaging experience for the reader.