Happy Monday, everyone! It’s a new week, and we’re going to start it off right. We’re in Week 1 of the NFL’s new season, and I’m happy to say all three New York teams won! Yes!!!!! If your team didn’t win I’m sorry (unless your team played a New York team, in which case I’m not sorry). Anyway, I wanted to share some info for my fellow writers.

The Chicago Manual of Style

We have a wonderful tool called the internet, which connects us to tons and tons of information and resources. However, I’m old school and I still prefer to have a physical book in my hand whenever possible. My library has a copy of the eighteenth edition of The Chicago Manual of Style. This is every writer’s go-to guide for style, usage and grammar. The first edition was published in 1906 by the University of Chicago Press. The eighteenth edition is the latest edition. I don’t even know where to begin as far as telling you how much information is in this book, but I’m going to try.

The book is divided into three parts: Publishing and Editing, Style and Usage and then Source Citations and Indexes. Publishing and Editing covers the parts of a book, editing and proofreading a manuscript and copyright information. There’s also a checklist for authors to look over before submitting a manuscript for publication. Style and Usage covers topics such as grammar, punctuation and spelling. It also covers numbers and abbreviations, and names and terms. The final part, Source Citations and Indexes discusses how to write a bibliography or an index.

To me, it doesn’t matter if you write fiction or nonfiction, or if you write blog entries or articles for journals. This book is a must have for every writer. There is an online version, but like I said, I prefer a physical book. The physical book, by the way, has a list price of $75 USD (clutches chest with hand…). Yes, I know that’s a bit pricey, but I also mentioned my library has a copy! I borrowed it and looked through it. I am planning to buy a copy to keep (Amazon has it for $51 USD). If you can get your hands on a copy I highly recommend it.

Have a great day, everyone.