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"'The Frugal Editor: Do-It-Yourself Editing Secrets for Authors' is a complete course of instruction under one cover." ~ Jim Cox Editor-in-Chief Midwest Book Review


Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Use Your Writing References with Confidence

I almost always run an editing tip in my SharingwithWriters newsletter. Thought I'd share one from last month with those of you who follow this blog:

Grammar Guru June Casagrande says , “Mirriam Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary is the default reference for the Chicago Manual of Style.” For those in the publishing industry that would include most SharingwithWriters subscribers and subscribers to this Frugal, Smart, and Tuned-In Editor blog. 

In other words, when you’re getting conflicting information (or when you want to be confident about your choices) use these two references. 

But what if?

  • If you’re a journalist or freelance writer who writes for newspaper or magazines, your two go-tos are Webster’s New World College Dictionary and the Associated Press Style-book. 
  • Of course,  the media you are writing for may have its own style guide. 
  • If you are an academic, check your university’s style guide first and then fall back on the publishing industry’s faves if you need more guidance.


PS: June is the author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies published by Penguin and syndicated columnist of "A Word Please."
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 Carolyn Howard-Johnson edits, consults, and speaks on issues of writing and publishing. Find her at http://howtodoitfrugally.com. Find the second edition of her multi award-winning The Frugal Editor: Do-it-yourself editing secrets for authors: From your query letter to final manuscript to the marketing of your bestseller. (HowToDoItFrugally Series of Books for Writers). Learn more about her other authors' aids at www.howtodoitfrugally.com/writers_books.htm , where writers find lists and other helps including , Great Little Last-Minute Editing Tips on the Resources for Writers page. She blogs on all things publishing (not just editing!) at her SharingingwithWriters blog. She tweets writers' resources at www.twitter.com/frugalbookpromo . Please tweet this post to your followers. We all need a little help with editing. (-:

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