The Writer’s Essential Reference Bookshelf
Posted on | December 23, 2008 | No Comments
If you’re a serious writer, there are certain reference books you should have on hand. Many of these resources may be found online, but having a hard copy often proves useful. Depending on the type of writing you do, you may not need all of these. If you write for yourself, not for income, you can do without the Writer’s Market and probably some of the specialty dictionaries. Otherwise, acquiring the reference materials named below will ultimately make you a better writer. As time goes on, you’ll doubtless add other reference books to your library. Here’s what you need for your basic bookshelf.
The Writer’s Market is essential if you make, or would like to make, a living writing. This comprehensive reference is updated each year, detailing contacts with thousands of publishers, current staff, submission guidelines and such. It’s a bit costly, but you do not want to buy last year’s book, used. Much of the material is outdated and you’ll miss some new markets.
You need at least one current, or at least recent, unabridged dictionary. Depending on the type of writing you do, you may want several. Old dictionaries can be useful to period writers, especially with respect to idioms which may not appear in new dictionaries. Other specialty dictionaries may also be useful. For example, if you’re a medical writer, a medical dictionary should be considered a necessity.
A minimum of one thesaurus is one of the writer’s required reference books. There are many to choose from and having several gives you an edge in finding just the right word. Synonym finders are essentially the same as a thesaurus, but again, there are many, with some interesting, different formats. Having a selection can inspire some interesting writing exercises as well.
A book on the etymology of Latin, used in conjunction with a thesaurus or dictionary, can provide a wealth of knowledge and the absolutely perfect word for a certain context.
If you’re a freelance or contract writer, you may need a style manual, such as the Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbooks, or the Chicago Manual of Style.
A good grammar book hardly needs to be mentioned. No matter how perfectly you believe you’ve mastered grammar, there always comes a time when you need to be certain.
All writers benefit from two additional reference books. These books are best used as part of your ongoing education.
Rhetoric describes the way you weave your words. Used in copy writing, you can learn how to most persuasively make your case for the product or service you’re selling. Although there are many, Booth’s ‘The Rhetoric of Fiction’ is a classic must-have reference book.
A book of quotations is especially useful to creative writers, and provides thought-provoking and enjoyable reading.
Most of these books can be purchased used, as the content does not change in significant ways. Arm yourself with these reference books and you’re ready to get down to that serious writing and years of study and enjoyment.
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