referencebooks

Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition

By Gerald J. Alred, Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu.

Published by St. Martin's Press, 2003.

This is a 6" by 9" hardbound book running to 645 pages including the index, plus a preface and special chapters titled, "Five Steps to Successful Writing," "Checklist of the Writing Process," "Topical Key to Alphabetical Entries," and "Topical List of Figures and Model Documents." The book is printed in blue as well as black ink as a way of highlighting information. There is a companion website expanding on the information included in the book.

The Preface begins,

"The seventh edition of the Handbook of Technical Writing, like previous editions, is a comprehensive resource for both academic and professional audiences. The Handbook's nearly 500 entries cover effective print, oral, and electronic communication in technical writing, as well as grammar, style, and usage. This edition has up-to-date coverage of workplace technologies, library and Internet research, and documenting sources, as well as improved treatment of formal reports, job searches, presentations, and visuals."

For an idea of what's included, here is a list of the first fifteen entries in the "D" section:

• dangling modifiers
  
• dashes
  
• data / datum
  
• dates
  
• decreasing-order-of-importance method of development (see order-of-importance method of development)
  
• defective / deficient
  
• defining terms
  
• definite / definitive
  
• definition method of development
  
• description
  
• design (see layout and design)
  
• despite / in spite of
  
• diacritical marks
  
• diagnosis / prognosis
  
• diction
  

The longer of these entries are the ones having to do with methods in technical writing. The shorter entries are those that define elements of grammar and usage and distinguish between similar or commonly confused words.

The prose is efficient, clear, and easy to read, enhancing the usability of this book (and showing off the authors' skills as technical writers).

This is a very useful book for people studying or practicing technical writing or needing guidance in writing clear documentation or instructions.

2006 Poet's Market

Nancy Breen, Editor.

Published by Writer's Digest Books, 2006.

This is a 7" by 9" book running to 572 pages including the indexes (general and special).

The cover says:

WHERE AND HOW TO PUBLISH YOUR POETRY

1,800+ listings for magazines and journals, presses, contests, workshops, and more

Includes exclusive interviews with poets and editors on the craft of poetry.

This is simply the best and most complete guide for people wanting to publish their poetry. It is divided into four major sections: Articles & Information, Markets (which has the bulk of the book, a directory of publishers of poetry), Resources, and Indexes. The Articles & Information section includes:

• Getting Started (and Using This Book)
  
• Frequently Asked Questions
  
• Roundtable: Poetry Contests
  
• Opening Doors to Poetry
  
• Mistakes Poets Make
  
• Dealing With Problem Editors
  
• Complaint Procedure
  
• Are You Being Taken?
  
• Self-Promotion
  
• Important Market Listing Information
  

The directory of poetry publishers lists publishers in alphabetical order. Entries include small icons that indicate aspects of the publisher's operation - whether it's in another country, whether they pay money (and not just free copies of the publication), whether they welcome submissions from beginning poets, etc. For each publisher listed there is contact information, information on what kind of poetry the publisher publishes, information about its market and the physical product, statistics on the number of submissions they get versus how many they publish, distribution and price information, instructions on how to submit, and various other information, sometimes including statements by the editors of the magazine or book publisher on such things as the state of poetry today, pet peeves, or tips on writing.

The section called Resources contains directories of conferences & workshops, organizations, poets in education, and glossaries of listing terms and poetry terms. The index section includes an index of chapbook publishers, book publishers, an index based on openness to submission, a geographical index, a subject index, and a general index.

This is an indispensible book for poets who are serious about writing poetry and want to explore their publishing options. This is the 21st annual edition of the book.