6 Writing Reference Books to Have on Your Shelf

As a journalism student way back when, we weren’t allowed to stay in our first ever Newswriting and Reporting class if we couldn’t pull the AP Stylebook out of our bags right then and there. “The bible” as the professor referred to it, was the key to the class, both literally and metaphorically. We quickly learned that he wouldn’t answer any questions unless we first looked it up in the book. We were even quizzed on the contents. It may seem a little fanatical but…well…it kind of has to be.

Throughout my career as a writer, I’ve learned that the AP Stylebook isn’t the only “bible” out there. In fact, there have been times when I was asked to copyedit in a different style, completely opening my eyes to the world outside of the AP Stylebook.

Here are a few others that are worth checking out:

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA)

This is the reference book for those people writing papers for both publication in trade journals and those people studying Social and Behavioral Sciences. There are helpful tips for citations and bibliographies as well as many other things that would be useful to all writers in general.

The Chicago Manual of Style

The target audience is still writers and editors of “scholarly journals,” but their latest edition includes helpful information regarding writing for magazines, newsletters, corporate reports, proposals, electronic publications, Web sites and more.

The Elements of Style

A classic and basic writing reference book for all writers that’s an oldie but goodie. This year is the book’s 50^th anniversary. Definitely a golden book to have in your collection in those times of “brain freezes.”

The Associated Press Guide to Punctuation

Just because you just can’t get enough books about using punctuation properly. Some might think it’s painful and some may think they will just never remember when it is the right time to use semi-colons. It’s a must have, even if just for a refresher now and then.

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers

Writers are called writers for a reason. Editors are editors for a reason. Mixing the two tasks can get hairy for some people. If you’re one of those unfortunate souls who regularly mixes tenses and who hangs your participles as if they were laundry on the line, then this is the book for you.

A Short Story Writer’s Companion

This is a good book for those aspiring short story writers out there. It covers the basics such as setting tone, developing characters and polishing up the finished product. The tone is more conversational than other books out there, making it a pleasant and easy read. Pick it up if you’re stuck with things such as plot or dialog.

Do you have any other titles that you just can’t live without?