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Linda's Five Picks

2006 Writers Market
by Kathryn S. Brogan (Editor), Robert Lee Brewer (Editor), Joanna Masterson (Editor) - 2006
Granted, every year a new one comes out. But, we can't live with the old one, as publishing markets change every year, if not every few months. Besides, for the wealth of information, the price is a small one to pay - less than most dues to writing associations. So here's the 2006 model, ready to drive off the lot.

The Chicago Manual of Style
by University of Chicago Press Staff - 2003
I normally use Kate L. Turabian's A Manual for Writers, but the sixth and latest edition was published in 1996; therefore, Turabian's book doesn't cover the information contained in the newer 15th edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. Information about how to cite electronic materials is imperative information these days, and this style book covers that issue. A nice edition is the "Rights and Permissions" chapter by attorney William S. Strong for both print and electronic copyright issues, from manuscript development to distribution and marketing. With my new livelihood in history and in genealogy, I can't live without it.

Sin and Syntax: How to Craft Wickedly Effective Prose
by Constance Hale - 1999
During my graduate degree program, I encountered a professor who deducted points for split infinitives. That's where I learned about that grammatical error. Then, I read Contance Hale and lightened up a bit. Although I still watch myself very carefully, I've also learned that it's ok to "sin" on occasion. Additionally, Hale is a delight to read. While it's good to mark up a few things, this book could also serve as something to read while you're waiting for the bus - it's that entertaining.

The Craft of Argument (2nd Edition)
by Joseph M. Williams, Gregory G. Colomb - 2002
I was weaned on the first edition of this book, and I was very impressed with that book. Williams and Colomb make highbrow argumentation, or debate, seem simple with examples and formulas. Perhaps the most notable portion to this book is how both authors have streamlined the Toulmin system while retaining its power and insight. While some might view this book as more of an undergraduate-level tome, I still dogear and mark up my pages.

The Craft of Research
by Wayne C. Booth, Joseph M. Williams, Gregory G. Colomb - 2003
Whether you're a poet, nonfiction or fiction writer, or a student, this book can help you make research the cornerstone of any project. The dirt is in the details, and this book will demonstrate how to choose a topic, plan and organize research, and how to draft and revise a report of findings such that a convincing solution is offered to a significant problem. This second edition explains how to research on the Internet, and how to evaluate and test the reliability of these sources.