Recommended Books for Editors and Authors

The books listed below in red are my recommended “must-have” books for editors and authors wanting to edit their own work . The others are some of my top picks and have been very helpful in my career. I’ve listed the ISBN for each book. If you have any questions about any of the recommendations, contact me at jinfo@writingforgodsglory.com. (Judy Vandiver)

• The Chicago Manual of Style – 16th Edition
• University of Chicago staff
• ISBN: 0226104206 or 978-0226104201
• Classic guide for publisher’s, editors, and writers.
• Online version at: http://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html

• Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary – Eleventh Edition
•  Several ISBN #’s depending on cover, US edition, Canadian edition, or International edition.
• Dictionary used for writing books.
• The Christian Writer’s Manual of Style
• Hudson, Robert, (general editor)
• ISBN: 0-310-48771-4
• Guide for writers and editors of religious materials.
• The Associated Press Stylebook 
• Goldstein, Norm (editor)
• ISBN: 978-0-465-00489-8 or 0-465-00489-X
• Rules followed for the newspaper industry.
• Webster’s New World College Dictionary – Fourth Edition
• ISBN: 0-02-863119-6 (plain-edged), 0-02-863118-8 (thumb-indexed), 0-02-863120-X (leatherkraft), or 0-02-863471-3 (deluxe)
• The official Dictionary of the Associated Press
• Polishing the “PUGS”
• Ide, Kathy
• ISBN: 978-1-4141-1031-8
• Comprehensive grammar rules from several sources.
• The Copyeditor’s Handbook
• Einsohn, Amy
• ISBN: 0-520-24688-8
• Guide for book publishing and corporate communications
• Flip Dictionary
• Kipfer, Barbara Ann, Ph.D.
• ISBN: 0-89879-976-7 (hardcover) or 1-58297-140—(paperback)
• For when you know what you want to say but can’t think of the word.
• REA’s Handbook of English Grammar, Style, and Writing
• Research & Education Association
• ISBN: 0-87891-552-4 or 978-0878915521
• Lots of examples and exercises.
• Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
• Browne, Renni and King Dave.
• ISBN: 0-06-054569-0 or 978-0-06-054569-7
• Discusses, characterization, POV, voice, beats, etc.  Contains exercises throughout the book.
• Grammar Girl’s Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
• Fogarty, Mignon
• ISBN: 978-0-8050-8831-1 or 0-8050-8831-8
• Good vs. well. Who vs. whom. Lie vs. lay. Lots of tips to help you remember.  Also subscribe online for her daily tips.
• Editors on Editing, Third edition
• Gross, Gerald
• ISBN: 0-8021-1533-0 or 0-8021-3263-4 (paperback)
• Chapters on how to do a line edit, copy edit, developmental edit. Editing various genres.
• Revisions and Self-Editing
• Bell, James Scott
• ISBN: 978-1-58297-508-5 (hardback) or 978-1-58297-509-2 (paperback)
• How to take a first draft to a polished manuscript. Also includes a revision checklist.