US book publishers use different references than magazine or newspaper publishers do. For book manuscripts (and some popular magazines), use The Chicago Manual of Style and Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary. For newspapers and journalistic-style magazines, use The Associated Press Stylebook and Webster’s New World College Dictionary.
Dates in text include a comma only if the month and then the date precede the year. Example: “On October 10, 1980, Donita submitted her fourth book in the series.”
Here are a few spelling tips, excerpts from my book Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors: An “aisle” is a passage. (“We met in the grocery store aisle.”) An “isle” is an island. “airfare” is one word. “brussels sprouts” (not “brussel sprouts” or “Brussels sprouts”).
Here is an excerpt from my book Proofreading Secrets of Best-Selling Authors: Punctuation, Usage, Grammar, and Spelling: more than vs. over More than is used with figures.
I know I’m behind the times here, but this is my very first blog. I’m sure I’ll learn as I go, but if you have any suggestions for what you’d like to see here, please let me know! Kathy
“I would like to give special recognition to a person without whom this book would not have become a reality. Transcribing material from an English-speaking foreigner, and bringing order to a text that deals with ancient Hebrew, Bible doctrine, philosophy, science, and mathematics, called for an unusually talented and patient master of professionalism. “I am […]
I have ghostwritten/collaborated on the following books: Designing Dynamic Stepfamiliies (study guide authored by a husband and wife who are psychologists) Designing Dynamic Christian Stepfamiliies (companion study guide) Personal experience story about a woman who contracted a serious environmental illness Self-help book for women who were abused as children Doctrinal book about the apocalypse Sequel […]
Ghostwriting/CollaboratingGot an idea for a book, but don’t want to go to all the time, trouble, and expense of learning how to write professionally? I can help you: get your thoughts on paper organize your material categorize your book concept identify target readership get the manuscript written edit, proofread, and polish determine which publishing options […]
