Gifts for the Aspiring Writer
From Our Editors
The subtitle to Stephen King's On Writing, his missive on the art and craft
that have made him rich and famous, is "A Memoir of the Craft." And that's
just what this book is. Beginning with his earliest childhood, when his
mother was struggling to raise Stephen and his older brother on her own,
King takes readers through his life, culminating with the 1999 tragedy that
almost ended it. Interspersed with King's memories are details that
highlight his burgeoning career, all of it told in King's uniquely folksy but
slightly twisted style.
From the Publisher
"Long live the King" hailed Entertainment Weekly upon the publication of
Stephen King's On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the
bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and
practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade
every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories
from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early
career to his widely reported near-fatal accident in 1999 -- and how the
inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly
structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain
everyone who reads it -- fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story
well told.
Synopsis
In this master class on the craft of writing, Stephen King reveals the origins
of his vocation and shares essential habits and rules that every writer can
apply. A truly unique volume, it begins with a series of telling memories
from youth and the struggling years leading up to publication of King's first
novel. Offering readers a fresh and often funny perspective on the
formation of a writer's character, King lays out the tools of writer's craft and
takes the reader through aspects of the writer's art and life, offering
practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character to
work habits and rejection. Brilliantly structured and chock-full of master's
experience and advice, On Writing will enable the work of writers around
the globe.
The subtitle to Stephen King's On Writing, his missive on the art and craft
that have made him rich and famous, is "A Memoir of the Craft." And that's
just what this book is. Beginning with his earliest childhood, when his
mother was struggling to raise Stephen and his older brother on her own,
King takes readers through his life, culminating with the 1999 tragedy that
almost ended it. Interspersed with King's memories are details that
highlight his burgeoning career, all of it told in King's uniquely folksy but
slightly twisted style.
From the Publisher
"Long live the King" hailed Entertainment Weekly upon the publication of
Stephen King's On Writing. Part memoir, part master class by one of the
bestselling authors of all time, this superb volume is a revealing and
practical view of the writer's craft, comprising the basic tools of the trade
every writer must have. King's advice is grounded in his vivid memories
from childhood through his emergence as a writer, from his struggling early
career to his widely reported near-fatal accident in 1999 -- and how the
inextricable link between writing and living spurred his recovery. Brilliantly
structured, friendly and inspiring, On Writing will empower and entertain
everyone who reads it -- fans, writers, and anyone who loves a great story
well told.
Synopsis
In this master class on the craft of writing, Stephen King reveals the origins
of his vocation and shares essential habits and rules that every writer can
apply. A truly unique volume, it begins with a series of telling memories
from youth and the struggling years leading up to publication of King's first
novel. Offering readers a fresh and often funny perspective on the
formation of a writer's character, King lays out the tools of writer's craft and
takes the reader through aspects of the writer's art and life, offering
practical and inspiring advice on everything from plot and character to
work habits and rejection. Brilliantly structured and chock-full of master's
experience and advice, On Writing will enable the work of writers around
the globe.
From the Publisher
In the 1890s, a proofreader at the University of Chicago Press prepared
a single sheet of typographic fundamentals intended as a guide for the
University community. That sheet grew into a pamphlet, and the
pamphlet grew into a book--the first edition of the Manual of Style,
published in 1906. Now in its fifteenth edition, The Chicago Manual of
Style -- the essential reference for authors, editors, proofreaders,
indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers in any field--is more
comprehensive and easier to use than ever before.
Those who work with words know how dramatically publishing has
changed in the past decade, with technology now informing and
influencing every stage of the writing and publishing process. In creating
the fifteenth edition of the Manual, Chicago's renowned editorial staff
drew on direct experience of these changes, as well as on the
recommendations of the Manual's first advisory board, composed of a
distinguished group of scholars, authors, and professionals from a wide
range of publishing and business environments.
Every aspect of coverage has been examined and brought up to date --
from publishing formats to editorial style and method, from
documentation of electronic sources to book design and production,
and everything in between. In addition to books, the Manual now also
treats journals and electronic publications. All chapters are written for
the electronic age, with advice on how to prepare and edit manuscripts
online, handle copyright and permissions issues raised by technology,
use new methods of preparing mathematical copy, and cite electronic
and online sources.
A new chapter covers American English grammar and usage, outlining
the grammatical structure of English, showing how to put words and
phrases together to achieve clarity, and identifying common errors. The
two chapters on documentation have been reorganized and updated:
the first now describes the two main systems preferred by Chicago, and
the second discusses specific elements and subject matter, with
examples of both systems. Coverage of design and manufacturing has
been streamlined to reflect what writers and editors need to know about
current procedures. And, to make it easier to search for information,
each numbered paragraph throughout the Manual is now introduced by
a descriptive heading.
Clear, concise, and replete with commonsense advice, The Chicago
Manual of Style, fifteenth edition, offers the wisdom of a hundred years
of editorial practice while including a wealth of new topics and updated
perspectives. For anyone who works with words, whether on a page or
computer screen, this continues to be the one reference book you
simply must have.
What's new in the Fifteenth Edition: * Updated material throughout to
reflect current style, technology, and professional practice
* Scope expanded to include journals and electronic publications
* Comprehensive new chapter on American English grammar and
usage by Bryan A. Garner (author of A Dictionary of Modern American
Usage)
* Updated and rewritten chapter on preparing mathematical copy
* Reorganized and updated chapters on documentation, including
guidance on citing electronic sources
* Streamlined coverage of current design and production processes,
with a glossary of key terms
* Descriptive headings on all numbered paragraphs for ease of
reference
* New diagrams of the editing and production processes for both books
and journals, keyed to chapter discussions
* New, expanded Web site with special tools and features for Manual
users. Sign up at www.chicagomanualofstyle.org for information and
special discounts on future electronic Manual of Style products.
From The Critics
Publisher's Weekly
Countless publishing professionals have learned the details of their
business from this classic guide for publishers, editors and writers. It's
updated every 10 years or so, and the 15th edition is the most extensive
revision in decades. The Internet's influence is pervasive, with
substantial sections on preparing manuscripts for electronic publishing,
editing for online publications and citing electronic sources. The "Rights
and Permissions" chapter is by attorney William S. Strong (The trace
the publication process for books and journals, both print and electronic,
from manuscript development to distribution and marketing. For the first
time, the manual includes a chapter on grammar and usage, by Bryan A.
Garner (A Dictionary of Modern Usage). Gone is the 13-page table
showing when to hyphenate compound words of all sorts, but it's
replaced by a six-plus-page list and a narrative overview, which will be
simpler for the overworked manuscript editor ("copyeditor" has
vanished, and the index relegates "copyediting" to a cross-reference to
manuscript editing) to use. Traditionalists may be bothered by the new
edition's preference for ZIP Code state abbreviations and dropping
periods from such abbreviations as Ph.D. and even U.S. Some things
do remain the same. The style guide still endorses the serial comma
(which PW does not) and numerals are still spelled out from one through
one hundred and at the beginning of a sentence. Those in the publishing
industry will need this edition, both for what's new and for what they will
want to argue about. 150,000 first printing. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed
Business Information.
Library Journal
Since 1906, the incomparable Chicago Manual has been the reference
for writers, editors, copyeditors, publishers, and anyone else working
with words. This historic new edition reflects the huge impact that
computer technology has had on writing and publishing in recent
decades. Novelties include a new chapter on American English
grammar and usage by Bryan A. Garner (A Dictionary of Modern
American Usage), significant updates of copyright and permissions
information, a new typographic presentation of American Sign
Language, and an "almost new" chapter on mathematical copy,
especially useful for electronic notations. From elements to proofreading
marks to bias-free language, the manual provides directions,
preferences, and even suggestions to the publishing and writing
professional. Chapter 16, for example, concentrates on the two
documentation systems preferred by Chicago: the notes and
bibliographic system and the author-date system. Chapter 17
concentrates on the style and items of bibliographic entries, notes, and
parenthetical citations, while also providing information on interview,
audiovisual, manuscript, and legal citations. In comparison, Kate
Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations is a useful resource for students, but it does not tackle
publication and production issues. The Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association, now in its fifth edition, also omits
that information, while the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly
Publishing, now in its second edition, is more directed to the author's
needs. Meanwhile, Chicago encompasses a variety of fields and
professions, making this significant revision an invaluable addition to all
public, academic, and special libraries.-Marilyn Searson Lary, North
George Coll. & State Univ. Lib., Dahlonega, GA Copyright 2003 Reed
Business Information.
In the 1890s, a proofreader at the University of Chicago Press prepared
a single sheet of typographic fundamentals intended as a guide for the
University community. That sheet grew into a pamphlet, and the
pamphlet grew into a book--the first edition of the Manual of Style,
published in 1906. Now in its fifteenth edition, The Chicago Manual of
Style -- the essential reference for authors, editors, proofreaders,
indexers, copywriters, designers, and publishers in any field--is more
comprehensive and easier to use than ever before.
Those who work with words know how dramatically publishing has
changed in the past decade, with technology now informing and
influencing every stage of the writing and publishing process. In creating
the fifteenth edition of the Manual, Chicago's renowned editorial staff
drew on direct experience of these changes, as well as on the
recommendations of the Manual's first advisory board, composed of a
distinguished group of scholars, authors, and professionals from a wide
range of publishing and business environments.
Every aspect of coverage has been examined and brought up to date --
from publishing formats to editorial style and method, from
documentation of electronic sources to book design and production,
and everything in between. In addition to books, the Manual now also
treats journals and electronic publications. All chapters are written for
the electronic age, with advice on how to prepare and edit manuscripts
online, handle copyright and permissions issues raised by technology,
use new methods of preparing mathematical copy, and cite electronic
and online sources.
A new chapter covers American English grammar and usage, outlining
the grammatical structure of English, showing how to put words and
phrases together to achieve clarity, and identifying common errors. The
two chapters on documentation have been reorganized and updated:
the first now describes the two main systems preferred by Chicago, and
the second discusses specific elements and subject matter, with
examples of both systems. Coverage of design and manufacturing has
been streamlined to reflect what writers and editors need to know about
current procedures. And, to make it easier to search for information,
each numbered paragraph throughout the Manual is now introduced by
a descriptive heading.
Clear, concise, and replete with commonsense advice, The Chicago
Manual of Style, fifteenth edition, offers the wisdom of a hundred years
of editorial practice while including a wealth of new topics and updated
perspectives. For anyone who works with words, whether on a page or
computer screen, this continues to be the one reference book you
simply must have.
What's new in the Fifteenth Edition: * Updated material throughout to
reflect current style, technology, and professional practice
* Scope expanded to include journals and electronic publications
* Comprehensive new chapter on American English grammar and
usage by Bryan A. Garner (author of A Dictionary of Modern American
Usage)
* Updated and rewritten chapter on preparing mathematical copy
* Reorganized and updated chapters on documentation, including
guidance on citing electronic sources
* Streamlined coverage of current design and production processes,
with a glossary of key terms
* Descriptive headings on all numbered paragraphs for ease of
reference
* New diagrams of the editing and production processes for both books
and journals, keyed to chapter discussions
* New, expanded Web site with special tools and features for Manual
users. Sign up at www.chicagomanualofstyle.org for information and
special discounts on future electronic Manual of Style products.
From The Critics
Publisher's Weekly
Countless publishing professionals have learned the details of their
business from this classic guide for publishers, editors and writers. It's
updated every 10 years or so, and the 15th edition is the most extensive
revision in decades. The Internet's influence is pervasive, with
substantial sections on preparing manuscripts for electronic publishing,
editing for online publications and citing electronic sources. The "Rights
and Permissions" chapter is by attorney William S. Strong (The trace
the publication process for books and journals, both print and electronic,
from manuscript development to distribution and marketing. For the first
time, the manual includes a chapter on grammar and usage, by Bryan A.
Garner (A Dictionary of Modern Usage). Gone is the 13-page table
showing when to hyphenate compound words of all sorts, but it's
replaced by a six-plus-page list and a narrative overview, which will be
simpler for the overworked manuscript editor ("copyeditor" has
vanished, and the index relegates "copyediting" to a cross-reference to
manuscript editing) to use. Traditionalists may be bothered by the new
edition's preference for ZIP Code state abbreviations and dropping
periods from such abbreviations as Ph.D. and even U.S. Some things
do remain the same. The style guide still endorses the serial comma
(which PW does not) and numerals are still spelled out from one through
one hundred and at the beginning of a sentence. Those in the publishing
industry will need this edition, both for what's new and for what they will
want to argue about. 150,000 first printing. (Aug.) Copyright 2003 Reed
Business Information.
Library Journal
Since 1906, the incomparable Chicago Manual has been the reference
for writers, editors, copyeditors, publishers, and anyone else working
with words. This historic new edition reflects the huge impact that
computer technology has had on writing and publishing in recent
decades. Novelties include a new chapter on American English
grammar and usage by Bryan A. Garner (A Dictionary of Modern
American Usage), significant updates of copyright and permissions
information, a new typographic presentation of American Sign
Language, and an "almost new" chapter on mathematical copy,
especially useful for electronic notations. From elements to proofreading
marks to bias-free language, the manual provides directions,
preferences, and even suggestions to the publishing and writing
professional. Chapter 16, for example, concentrates on the two
documentation systems preferred by Chicago: the notes and
bibliographic system and the author-date system. Chapter 17
concentrates on the style and items of bibliographic entries, notes, and
parenthetical citations, while also providing information on interview,
audiovisual, manuscript, and legal citations. In comparison, Kate
Turabian's A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and
Dissertations is a useful resource for students, but it does not tackle
publication and production issues. The Publication Manual of the
American Psychological Association, now in its fifth edition, also omits
that information, while the MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly
Publishing, now in its second edition, is more directed to the author's
needs. Meanwhile, Chicago encompasses a variety of fields and
professions, making this significant revision an invaluable addition to all
public, academic, and special libraries.-Marilyn Searson Lary, North
George Coll. & State Univ. Lib., Dahlonega, GA Copyright 2003 Reed
Business Information.
ASPIRING WRITERS
