From my shelf

A year or so ago, I took an editing course with Kathy Ide, the founder and coordinator of The Christian PEN: Proofreaders and Editors Network. I'd never heard of The Chicago Manual of Style or the fact that editing houses used certain grammar, punctuation, usage and spelling rules.

If I can recommend one book to buy that will clean up your writing so when you submit you might look a tad more professional, I'd tell you to buy Kathy's book, Polishing the "PUGS."

It's a mini version of the huge CMS.

I constantly refer to it but sometimes not enough as my critique friends can attest to.

Excerpt: Capitalization

Family Relationships, "Kinship names"(father, brother, aunt, cousin, etc.) are lowercase when used generically or when preceded by a modifier. EX.: my dad

When used in place of the name, kinship names are capitalized. Ex. "Hey, Dad, are we going fishing today?"

Terms of Endearment: Terms of affection (honey, dear, sweetheart) are always lowercase.

Terms of Respect: Honorific titles are capitalized. But general terms of respect are not. Ex. His/Her/Your majesty

my lord

sir

ma'am

Some basic information but I know once I read this compact book--it made a difference. She lays out the rules simply and easily. No wading through a hard grammar book.

So if you want a good clean-up-- I highly recommend this one take a place on your shelf!