Suggested Reading for Editors, Writers, and Publishers

The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers

The title says it all: Chicago is the standard style guide for U.S. books. There are nifty sections on Bookmaking (the different parts of a book and their content, rights and permissions, more), Style (punctuation, how to handle foreign words and quotations, more), and Production and Printing. A must-have for publishers. Recommended dictionary

Words into Type, Third Edition

Why buy WIT if you already own Chicago? While they cover much of the same material, they have a different layout and, more important, different examples. If the examples in Chicago don’t exactly match your problem, try WIT. Words into Type also contains a list of cliches, a section of words and the correct preposition to use with them, and more. A very useful book. You may have to order a used copy.

The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law

Newspapers throughout the U.S. follow AP style. There are other guides — the New York Times, for instance, publishes its own style manual — but you can’t go wrong using AP style, with modifications based on your specific needs, for your newsletter or Web site. Recommended dictionary

The Gregg Reference Manual

Gregg is my first resource for questions about grammar. The index is superb — no thumbing through the book trying to find the right rule. Here’s a short list of how the index handles one of writing’s most troublesome areas:

Commas — in addresses, with adjectives, with adverbs, with afterthoughts, with ampersands, with appositives, with as well and similar expressions.

There are over 50 comma index entries! And the explanations are written in plain English.

The Elements of Style

A simple, common-sense guide for people who don’t like a lot of rules — many writers swear by this book. The original 1918 version — which was self-published — is online.

Steering the Craft: Exercises and Discussions on Story Writing for the Lone Navigator or the Mutinous Crew

This book by Ursula K. Le Guin, a set of writing exercises used in a workshop she ran, includes a great explanation of viewpoint.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself into Print

Great examples, great explanations by Renni Browne and Dave King. I suggest reading this book after your first draft is complete and making a review pass through your draft for each issue covered.

Writing the Breakout Novel: Winning Advice from a Top Agent and His Bestselling Client

This book by Donald Maass is an excellent companion for Self-Editing for Fiction Writers; whereas Self-Editing covered the bricks and mortar of novel construction, Breakout delves into the architecture of a memorable novel. He discusses elements of plot, theme, and character that create a bestseller. Read this book while writing your first draft and again after the draft is complete.

1001 Ways to Market Your Books: For Authors and Publishers

John Kremer is the book-marketing guru. Bestselling authors such as Mark Victor Hanson and Jack Canfield, creators of Chicken Soup for the Soul, acclaim Kremer and this self-published book. Visit his Web site for to purchase the book and receive supplementary marketing information.

The Self-Publishing Manual: How to Write, Print, and Sell Your Own Book

Dan Poynter is the authority on self-publishing. His Web site contains a wealth of information for self-publishers.