The Best Resources for Aspiring Writers
Editing & Writing Style Guides
Where does that comma go? Copy editors are publishing pros who make sure your grammar, word style, and spelling are up to date and correct. They use reference books, and so can you.
The Chicago Manual of Style: The Essential Guide for Writers, Editors, and Publishers, 15th edition. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Professional editors refer to this classic reference simply as "Chicago." It is the absolute bottom line when it comes to questions about style (Is it more proper to write "20 horses pulled the wagon" or "twenty horses pulled the wagon"?)
Amy Einsohn, The Copy Editor's Handbook: A Guide for Book Publishing and Corporate Communications. University of California Press, 2000. This is a useful book for newcomers that not only tackles sticky grammar but explains why copy editors make the changes they make.
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th edition, 2003. There are a lot of dictionaries out there, but this is the one most editors depend on for answers to common (and uncommon) spelling questions (theater or theatre? nonstick or non-stick? acknowledgements or acknowledgments?).
William Strunk and E. B. White, The Elements of Style, 4th ed., Longman, 2000. This is the classic, fondly referred to by generations of word addicts as "Strunk and White." It still tells you all you need to know about how to structure your sentences elegantly and correctly.
Karen Elizabeth Gordon, The New Well-Tempered Sentence: A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed, rev. ed. Ticknor & Fields, 1993. Want to venture into the forest beyond Strunk and White? The subtitle says it all. Here's an example of how to use the series comma: "We gave ourselves over to an interregnum of discord, mockery, and delight." Makes grammar fun - exotic, even.
Lynn Truss, Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, Gotham Books, 2004. This title of this entertaining litle book says it all: Puncutation matters! Truss's book is a quick, fun trip through the ins and outs of written English.
Online: For a quick answer to a spelling or definition question, try Dictionary.com.
You know that finding a literary agent who's the right fit for you and book is crucial, but where will you find that special person? These two books are a good place to start. (Caveat: Even though these books are updated annually or biannually, a change in an agent's address or information may not have made it in to the most recent printing. Do your best to verify addresses before sending your query letter.)
Jeff Herman, Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 2005: Who They Are! What They Want! How to Win Them Over! Writer, Inc., 2004. This book is updated every two years.
Literary Marketplace, annual (fondly called LM) may also be useful in some cases. You don't need to own it, but you can find it in your public library
Online: Check out the Association of Authors Representatives for lots of good information about agents and how to approach them.
The Craft of Writing & The Writing Life
Take a break from writing your own book and read about the experiences of other writers. Be inspired, comforted, refreshed.
Scott Edelstein, 100 Things Every Writer Needs to Know. Perigee, 1999. Practical, useful information about writing fiction and nonficion, magazines and periodicals, film and television, making money from your writing, and a whole lot more.
Sheryl Fullerton and Naomi Lucks, You Can Write! The Inside Scoop on Publishing your Nonfiction Book. iUniverse, 2005. Information-packed, real-world guide to the secrets of getting your nonfiction book published, by the founders of the award-winning website YouCanWrite.com.
Betsy Lerner, The Forest for the Trees: An Editor's Advice to Writers. Riverhead, March 2000. This psychological approach to writing identifies six personality types and helps writers understand that relationship to their writing.
Lee Gutkind, The Art of Creative Nonfiction: Writing and Selling the Literature of Reality. John Wiley & Sons, 1997. A book for the beginning creative nonfiction writer. He offers instruction on finding story ideas, focusing one's work, keeping story files, fact checking, interviewing, and much more.
Anne Lamott, Bird By Bird. Anchor Books, 1995. A wonderful and eminently readable little book about putting words on paper and having a life - all at the same time.
Susan Rabiner and Alfred Fortunato, Thinking Like Your Editor: How to Write Great Serious Nonfuction - and Get it Published. W. W. Norton and Co., 2003. These two pros make many of the same points we do on this site and in our book.
Publishers Weekly. This is the magazine agents, editors, and publishers read, and the place to keep up with industry trends.
Writers Digest. This monthly publication for newcomers and professional freelancers has been around for a long time. You'll find articles, market information, writing tips, and much more.
Poets & Writers. Although this magazine is geared to literary writers, it's a good source of information.
Guides to Publishing & Getting Published
Of course, we're partial to our own book, You Can Write! The Inside Scoop on Publishing Your Nonfiction Book, iUniverse, 2005. You may also want to check out these helpful volumes. 2005 Writer's Market. Writer's Digest Books. Published annually.
Sheree Bykofsky and Jennifer Basye Sander, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Published, 3d edition. Alpha Books, 2003.
Jason Epstein, Book Business Publishing: Past, Present, and Future. W. W. Norton and Company, 2002.
Susan Page, The Shortest Distance Between You and a Published Book. Broadway Books, 1997.
Guides to Writing a Book Proposal
We recommend the book proposal section of our own comprehensive book, You Can Write! The Inside Scoop on Publishing Your Nonfiction Book, iUniverse, 2005. You may also want to check out these helpful volumes.
Michael Larsen, How to Write a Book Proposal. Writers Digest Books, 1997.
Jeff Herman, Deborah M. Adams, Write the Perfect Book Proposal: 10 Proposals That Sold and Why. John Wiley & Sons, 1993.
Self-Publishing
Self-Publishing for Dummies by Victoria Rosenberg (Hungry Minds, 2001).
Online: About Print-on-Demand Technology. The Science Fiction Writers Association has put together a comprehensive look at what to watch for if you are seriously contemplating self-publishing.
Publishing Law
Sheryl Fullerton, Inking the Deal. YouCanWrite.com e-book. Understand the contract before you sign it. This complete guide to publishing deals and contracts is a must for new authors.
Brad Bunnin and Peter Beren, The Writer's Legal Companion: A Complete Handbook for the Working Writer, 3d rev. edition. HarperCollins, 1998. A comprehensive and accessible guide to contracts, agents, and all legal matters.
Online: The Publishing Law Center and its newsletter, “PubLaw Update,” is a resource for legal information for the publishing community.
Library of Congress Copyright Office. Go to the source.
SFWA Electronic Rights Page. Is it different in cyberspace?
WATCH: Writers, Artists, and Their Copyright Holders. Need to ask permission to use a particular quote or image? Visit the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center, select "Research" and click "WATCH." Then check this list to find out who owns the copyright.
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