Hi everyone! If you’re as big of a word-lover as I am, then I’ve got some resources to share. Whether you’re looking for dictionaries to broaden your vocabulary or looking for agents and publishing houses to query your story, I’ve got some books that could help you out…
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary
This is an invaluable resource if you’re looking to broaden your vocabulary as a writer or use it as a spelling and grammar guide to help self-edit your manuscript. The newest editions have accurate spellings and grammatical rules, all laid out in an easy-to-find way while keeping up-to-date modern vocabulary.
Writer’s Market
Here, you’ll find a list of publishing opportunities: book publisher listings, consumer/trade magazines, awards, contests, agents, and more. Complete with screenwriting and playwriting sections, examples of queries and pitches, and detailed guides to get your writing published. If traditional publishing is your way to go, then this is one of the most helpful resources you’ll find.
The Chicago Manual of Style
While the Merriam-Webster English Dictionary includes invaluable information on spelling and grammar, the CMOS provides more in-depth descriptions of the publishing process, style and usage, source citations, and more technical help that can be used for academic writing as well as fiction. The CMOS is currently in its 17th edition.
The Book in Society, Solveig C. Robinson
This resource provides clarity on the publishing industry, as well as the Book’s role in society, from its conception to modern-day usage. Robinson takes the reader on a journey through history, allowing us to watch as the concept of the Book grows. If you’re interested in bookish history, this is a fun and informative read.
Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder
Save the Cat! takes the reader through the necessary steps for creating a fresh and successful screenplay, but each step can also be applied to novelists and crafting a story in prose. I’ve found this book extremely helpful for inspiring ideas for plot and character. I’d advise listening to these steps, understanding them, and then applying them in new and fresh ways to make sure the steps don’t turn into a predictable formula. But the formula that’s laid out in this guide is broad enough to allow for creative wiggle room. It’s definitely helped me.
There are definitely more resources for writers out in the world, but these are the resources that have been the most helpful for me recently. By sharing these, I hope your own writing will benefit as well!
Rachel Sandell 