Recommended: cultivate excellence.
These titles offer useful, interesting ways of thinking about language and communication — in any medium. It’s about so much more than grammar and spelling… but those, too.
Books about editing
Great for novice and experienced editors and writers. Keep them nearby to clear the cobwebs and settle disputes.
Book Publishing & Corporate Communications
A Modern Guide for Editors and Journalists — Arthur Plotnick
The English language
Strunk — because if we don’t know history, we’re doomed to repeat it. And, when considering contemporary usage, to understand where today’s rules came from.
Compact Edition
Strunk: Writing Strategies with Grammar, New Lessons on Writing with Style
2015 edition, Jeremy Butterfield ed.
Typography
A different kind of art… with em-dashes of science, biology, and psychology.
Renowned typographer Robert Bringhurst
Just like Gill: exasperating, exorbitant, exciting.
Lessons, exercises, and examples
Left Field
Challenging how we think… because most editors benefit by also being generalists.
Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
An Eternal Golden Braid
Arm yourself… because lifelong learning.
- Use Dupré for fast, practical answers.
- Try Hofstadter and Bringhurst to inspire yourself (and to impress visitors).
Give them a few minutes daily and find yourself cultivating excellence — editorial and otherwise.
Website typography (really)
You will find an interesting overview in this article concerning design and typography. When you are convinced, order a copy of Bringhurst — it’s invaluable.
* External Design is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. That does not determine our choice of titles.