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Mini Style Guide: An Introduction to Good Writing and Manuscript Presentation
An easy-to-use guide for writers, editors and students The Mini Style Guide covers the fundamentals of good writing and explains how to present a manuscript for publication. It is written in a direct and accessible manner suitable for all ages and backgrounds, and assumes no prior knowledge of the writing trade or the publishing industry. Explanations are accompanied by plentiful ‘real life’ examples, and each chapter opens with a humorous quotation. The book consists of three parts. Part 1 covers the essence of good writing, both factual and non-factual. It covers the principles of Plain English; words that are often misused or misspelled; and common grammatical and punctuation errors. Differences between Australian, British and American English are explored; inclusive writing is defined; and copyright law as it applies to writers is clarified. Part 2 explains the technicalities of how to present a manuscript. It examines the advantages and disadvantages of working exclusively on computer and working partly on hard copy; outlines the structure of a manuscript and the order of its various components; and explains how to compile a contents page to reflect the heading hierarchy. It explains how to treat quotations, lists, abbreviations and numbers; offers advice on presenting illustrations, tables, charts and graphs; and discusses bibliographical material and indexes. Part 3 explores possible publishing avenues; that is, commercial publishers, literary agents and self-publishing. It defines the role of each; explains which one is best suited to which type of writing; and includes advice on how to write a synopsis, select sample chapters and draft a covering letter. The Appendix contains templates of standard forms and letters that can be photocopied and tailored to suit individual needs. The Glossary contains commonly used terms to do with writing, publishing and printing. The Bibliography contains sources used and recommended. Foreword by Robert Fairhead, book reviewer at Writing NSW.
238 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2018
6 people want to read
About the author
Denise O'Hagan
9 books29 followersDenise O'Hagan
Denise O’Hagan is a Sydney-based poet and editor of New Zealand background, born in Rome. She worked in academic book publishing in London and Sydney, and set up her own imprint, Black Quill Press, in 2015. Poetry Editor (Australia/New Zealand) for Irish-based journal 'The Blue Nib' until 2020, her poetry is published internationally. Her recent awards include the NSW Poetry Prize and the Monica Taylor Poetry Prize.
Her recent poetry collection, Anamnesis (Recent Work Press), was a finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Award and shortlisted in the Rubery Book Award (2023).
https://denise-ohagan.com
Denise O’Hagan is a Sydney-based poet and editor of New Zealand background, born in Rome. She worked in academic book publishing in London and Sydney, and set up her own imprint, Black Quill Press, in 2015. Poetry Editor (Australia/New Zealand) for Irish-based journal 'The Blue Nib' until 2020, her poetry is published internationally. Her recent awards include the NSW Poetry Prize and the Monica Taylor Poetry Prize.
Her recent poetry collection, Anamnesis (Recent Work Press), was a finalist in the Eric Hoffer Book Award and shortlisted in the Rubery Book Award (2023).
https://denise-ohagan.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 12, 2019
A useful guide that contains many of the points included in longer, more expensive classic style guides in part one. I would have liked the section of writing inclusively to have addressed the issues of gender neutral pronouns, rather than only avoiding sexist language between male and female. The modern writer encounters far more that two genders.
In part two, Manuscript Presentation, the emphasis is on producing traditional print books, with a section on formatting your manuscript for sending to potential publishers, including the necessity of numbering the pages of your printed manuscript in case it is dropped. Personally, I'm not sure how necessary this is in the current, 'eBook' age.
Overall, this is a useful guide, particularly for those wanting to publish non-fiction in print form.
In part two, Manuscript Presentation, the emphasis is on producing traditional print books, with a section on formatting your manuscript for sending to potential publishers, including the necessity of numbering the pages of your printed manuscript in case it is dropped. Personally, I'm not sure how necessary this is in the current, 'eBook' age.
Overall, this is a useful guide, particularly for those wanting to publish non-fiction in print form.
May 8, 2019
I believe that this is the first style guide aimed specifically at the independent or self-published author. It’s a joy to read and will give writers the confidence needed to produce and publish their own books.
Indie writers and editors need to know as much about desktop publishing, and the marketing and distribution of books, as they do about the rules of grammar and punctuation.
The Mini Style Guide delivers both; the familiar devils of ‘there’ and ‘their’ are dealt with but, just as usefully, templates for copyright permission requests and artwork briefs are included.
Even if you’re going down the traditional publishing route, advice is given on how to compose a synopsis, and choose your sample chapters.
I particularly like Denise O’Hagan’s use of quotations, both humorous and serious, as in her quoting of Churchill, ‘Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words, when short, are best of all.’ She has followed his advice well.
O’Hagan has years of experience working as an editor, both in the UK and Australia. Her knowledge shines through and I thoroughly recommend this easy-to-use Guide to writers and editors alike.
Indie writers and editors need to know as much about desktop publishing, and the marketing and distribution of books, as they do about the rules of grammar and punctuation.
The Mini Style Guide delivers both; the familiar devils of ‘there’ and ‘their’ are dealt with but, just as usefully, templates for copyright permission requests and artwork briefs are included.
Even if you’re going down the traditional publishing route, advice is given on how to compose a synopsis, and choose your sample chapters.
I particularly like Denise O’Hagan’s use of quotations, both humorous and serious, as in her quoting of Churchill, ‘Broadly speaking, the short words are the best, and the old words, when short, are best of all.’ She has followed his advice well.
O’Hagan has years of experience working as an editor, both in the UK and Australia. Her knowledge shines through and I thoroughly recommend this easy-to-use Guide to writers and editors alike.
May 8, 2019
Pros: This is a great book that will define style books in detail. Sometimes you don't have time to flip through books to find what you're looking for. This book is an index and glossary built into one. I will definitely put this in my arsenal because one person cannot remember all the rules for each style of writing. My field deals with APA and MLA style and it's just too challenging to remember it all. I only want to know if I use numerals or indenting and not have to read through several sections before finding what I need. This book will get you there quickly. I absolutely love how it gives you more than definitions to be effective.
Cons: None! It is worth reading through and going to the section you need as well. You will surely benefit either way.
Cons: None! It is worth reading through and going to the section you need as well. You will surely benefit either way.
May 3, 2019
(I received a digital ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
THANK THE DEITIES ABOVE FOR THIS BOOK!
Mini Style Guide: An Introduction to Good Writing and Manuscript Presentation truly lived up to its name. If you're a struggling writers, do pick up a copy of this book. If you're working in a writing world, do pick up a copy of this book. And I can't stress it enough. Although nearing the end it focuses for writers (what's with all inquiring letters and presentations), I reckon anyone mentioned above would benefit from reading it.
I know I am. And in the future, I might come back, rereading it again, and be enlightened again.
THANK THE DEITIES ABOVE FOR THIS BOOK!
Mini Style Guide: An Introduction to Good Writing and Manuscript Presentation truly lived up to its name. If you're a struggling writers, do pick up a copy of this book. If you're working in a writing world, do pick up a copy of this book. And I can't stress it enough. Although nearing the end it focuses for writers (what's with all inquiring letters and presentations), I reckon anyone mentioned above would benefit from reading it.
I know I am. And in the future, I might come back, rereading it again, and be enlightened again.
April 27, 2019
If you are looking for a clear and concise style manual that will refresh you on the trickier aspects of the English language, clear up any confusion you have over the muddier points of grammar once and for all, help you to stylistically present your manuscripts in the most professional manner, and offer you options on where and how to publish your finished pieces, don't hesitate to add Denise O'Hagan's Mini Style Guide to your writer's reference shelf!
Written by a seasoned publishing industry professional, Denise offers an easy-to-read, practical and inspiring alternative to weighty tomes like the Chicago Manual of Style!
The Mini Style Guide is a welcome resource for independent and self-published writers who need editorial advice before they publish their work.
HIghly recommended!
Written by a seasoned publishing industry professional, Denise offers an easy-to-read, practical and inspiring alternative to weighty tomes like the Chicago Manual of Style!
The Mini Style Guide is a welcome resource for independent and self-published writers who need editorial advice before they publish their work.
HIghly recommended!
June 3, 2019
I enjoyed this quick, useful guide that covers the fundamentals of good writing and the different ways your writing may appeal to publishers and agents. Also, good tips for self-publishing. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 17, 2019
This is a great addition to a writer’s arsenal!
The Mini Style Guide contains a lot of information in a small book. It’s format consists of three sections: The essence of good writing; the technicalities of presenting a manuscript and explores possible publishing avenues.
This book is written in a concise and clear manner. It is not dry like some non-fiction books. It lays out the information and also attempts to help you understand the process of writing. For instance, when discussing non-fiction writing containing the usual categories such as plot, POV, character and dialogue, the author states “While technically invaluable – writing is a craft as well as an art – beware the implication that a novel can be dissected like a specimen on a laboratory table, and writing ‘learned’ by following a set of guidelines.” This is so refreshing to me. I have spent a lot of time trying to make my work fit into the normal categories and often lose the story trying to make it fit in a box.
There are many other tidbits of information to be found in this guide. It can be read from cover to cover or used as a reference tool. It is definitely something that should be found on all writers and editors desk.
I received an ARC from Black Quill Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.
The Mini Style Guide contains a lot of information in a small book. It’s format consists of three sections: The essence of good writing; the technicalities of presenting a manuscript and explores possible publishing avenues.
This book is written in a concise and clear manner. It is not dry like some non-fiction books. It lays out the information and also attempts to help you understand the process of writing. For instance, when discussing non-fiction writing containing the usual categories such as plot, POV, character and dialogue, the author states “While technically invaluable – writing is a craft as well as an art – beware the implication that a novel can be dissected like a specimen on a laboratory table, and writing ‘learned’ by following a set of guidelines.” This is so refreshing to me. I have spent a lot of time trying to make my work fit into the normal categories and often lose the story trying to make it fit in a box.
There are many other tidbits of information to be found in this guide. It can be read from cover to cover or used as a reference tool. It is definitely something that should be found on all writers and editors desk.
I received an ARC from Black Quill Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my opinion or rating of this book.
May 15, 2019
This book is billed as a mini guide, and it was that. This guide covers a lot of ground, and it's a handy quick reference to have around. It doesnt replace the Chicago Manual of Style, but it will complement it. I was both confused and amused by the section comparing American writing to British, there are regional differences within the US that could also qualify for this section! I appreciated the conversational tone of the author and the non-lecture style of her writing. I'm happy to recommend this Mini Guide to Style.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.
May 10, 2019
This guide will be helpful for aspiring authors in many fields, especially those preferring Plain English and clear communication. The only thing I disagreed with was the idea that Americans don't use terms like "autumn", "rubbish", etc., as well as the idea that proper spelling is somehow dictated by geography. On every spelling test I was ever given as a child, the teachers didn't care which version we chose as long as we picked one and spelled it correctly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 11, 2019
This is a good reference material that I can definitely use in my writing, which I did. There are so many rules in the English language and this is one handy reference.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2019
I'm an editor myself, so I was curious about what this book would have to say about style. The book is divided into three parts. The first part is the largest and has to do with good writing—like how to write in plain English, commonly misused words, and copyright—as well as a punctuation guide. The second section looks at manuscript presentation while the final section gives a brief look at the publishing industry today (traditional vs. self-publishing). The appendix at the back has letters and forms that were mentioned in the main text.
The author is Australian. There are sections in the front that discuss British vs. American English, not just the one that is entitled that. I am an American myself, so I found her examples of American English sometimes to be inaccurate, like the discussion about sneakers and gym shoes. At least where I live in the western United States, we rarely call them sneakers; we are more apt to say tennis shoes or tennies. In one example that I thought was rather amusing, she stated that Americans are more prone to turn brand names into verbs, but then the example she gave of such a transformation is one that is never said in America; it's a British term.
As an editor, I had hopes that this book would be something I could recommend to my clients to help them understand how to approach style and good writing better. I thought the initial sections of the book didn't directly apply to what most writers want or need today. In the parts that would be most applicable, the descriptions were either too wordy or not explanatory enough. I would have liked this book to have been something an author could just pick up, flip to a particular question about style and find a quick, easy, and applicable answer to get them going on their way.
I think, too, that Americans could be confused by the style used in this book itself. Perhaps we need a streamlined guide similar to this but written by an American editor so that the gap between what the writer should be going for and what the writer reads in the guide isn't so large.
For a book about style that has been edited, there were inconsistencies about punctuating the examples. Some of these examples seem like complete sentences but didn't have periods, or full stops as this author would say. I thought that the sections on manuscript presentation and publishing were too short to be of much use.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
The author is Australian. There are sections in the front that discuss British vs. American English, not just the one that is entitled that. I am an American myself, so I found her examples of American English sometimes to be inaccurate, like the discussion about sneakers and gym shoes. At least where I live in the western United States, we rarely call them sneakers; we are more apt to say tennis shoes or tennies. In one example that I thought was rather amusing, she stated that Americans are more prone to turn brand names into verbs, but then the example she gave of such a transformation is one that is never said in America; it's a British term.
As an editor, I had hopes that this book would be something I could recommend to my clients to help them understand how to approach style and good writing better. I thought the initial sections of the book didn't directly apply to what most writers want or need today. In the parts that would be most applicable, the descriptions were either too wordy or not explanatory enough. I would have liked this book to have been something an author could just pick up, flip to a particular question about style and find a quick, easy, and applicable answer to get them going on their way.
I think, too, that Americans could be confused by the style used in this book itself. Perhaps we need a streamlined guide similar to this but written by an American editor so that the gap between what the writer should be going for and what the writer reads in the guide isn't so large.
For a book about style that has been edited, there were inconsistencies about punctuating the examples. Some of these examples seem like complete sentences but didn't have periods, or full stops as this author would say. I thought that the sections on manuscript presentation and publishing were too short to be of much use.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
June 9, 2019
I thought this guide did exactly what it said it would do. If I want something more in-depth, then I will purchase one that is more in-depth. I enjoyed all of the advice and the information was spot on.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 2, 2019
A very informative and helpful guide on everything regarding writing, in all forms. It covers all the basics, but also goes beyond them, giving examples and information detailed enough so as to provide help both to writers and to editors.
Mini Style Guide provides valuable information on aspects such as copyright and publishing, while still dealing with the basics (which are important nonetheless), such as grammar and punctuation. This is definitely a recommended read for everyone involved in the writing business.
Mini Style Guide provides valuable information on aspects such as copyright and publishing, while still dealing with the basics (which are important nonetheless), such as grammar and punctuation. This is definitely a recommended read for everyone involved in the writing business.
December 31, 2019
It is a very useful guide if you are working hard to make your way into writing and publishing. The book serves students but also journalists and writers at the beginning of their career. By far, one of the most important sections is dedicated to various word meanings and correct use of them, therefore, it makes it a good guidance for non-English writers as well.
Mini Style Guide also helps to achieve stylisitc consistency and to ponder various editing and publishing options, while preparing to introduce your manuscript to a variety of actors - editing houses, agents, editors, readers.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Mini Style Guide also helps to achieve stylisitc consistency and to ponder various editing and publishing options, while preparing to introduce your manuscript to a variety of actors - editing houses, agents, editors, readers.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
January 29, 2021
A great, easy-to-use and relevant style guide that has everything you need, and no fat. The author is clearly skilled and knows how to communicate. My reviews will hopefully improve thanks to the perspective and tips in this guide!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews