Study Time

A few days ago we chatted about learning your craft (meaning your business, though not entirely ignoring the writing part). If there’s a dilemma you’re facing, there’s a book written that will help. Here are a few that have helped me over the years.

How to Write Irresistible Query Letters by Lisa Collier Cool. This book taught me how to craft a can’t-ignore letter asking for the job. First time I wrote one using this book’s guidance, I got the job.

The Well-Fed Writer by Peter Bowerman. Read it. Commit it to memory. Follow it. This book tells you how to build a market for your skills and how to sell your services.

The Complete Guide to Magazine Article Writing by John Morgan Wilson. For anyone who’s ever asked the question “But once I get the job, how do I write the article?”

Harbrace College Handbook. Here’s your must-have grammar and punctuation book. I don’t care how far along you are in your career, you’ll always use this. None of us have all the answers, but we can have books that help, right?

The Chicago Manual of Style. Everyone needs a good style guide – this is the ultimate.

Associated Press Guide to Newswriting. While Chicago is the style Bible for the industry, most magazines operate on some form of AP style. This smaller, more manageable style book is essential.

What are your essential books?