Working Words
Revised edition — OUT NOW
by Elizabeth Manning Murphy
Paperback published 30 April 2019
ISBN 9781922198365 • 268 pages • RRP $38.50
Ebook published 10 June 2019
ISBN 9781922198372 • RRP $14.99
For editors, writers, teachers and students of English grammar, and wordsmiths all…
Working words is a collection of ‘chats’ about aspects of editing and writing for dipping into — it’s not a textbook but a companion to books on grammar, style, punctuation, plain English, editing practice, and the business of being a freelance editor. This full revision updates the text to reflect current editing and writing practice.
The chats are based on articles written for The Canberra editor over a period of ten years. Many of these happened as a direct result of requests from working editors, would-be editors and people who didn’t learn the why’s and wherefores of English grammar at school.
The book is written in a chatty style, with a few fun pieces along the way – ‘itchypencils’.
Praise for the first edition
‘Working Words … like Fowler, or Partridge or Gowers, will give pleasure and satisfaction in equal measure even to the already literate.’
Jack Waterford, The Canberra Times, 20 Feb 2012
‘The tone is engaging, personal, practical and immediate. Each chapter sizzles with energy, and offers clear thinking, wisdom and good humour in large quantities.’
Isabelle Delvare, PEGboard, Professional Editors Guild, South Africa, Dec 2011
‘If you dip in, you’ll find something interesting or useful within seconds; if you read it straight through, you can feel the author explaining gently but clearly … ’
Hazel Reid, Editing Matters, SfEP, UK, Mar/Apr 2012
‘It addresses important issues about style, grammar and punctuation in a chatty, accessible and practical way … [V]ery useful content about liaison and communication [is] especially valuable for beginning editors.’
Dr Paul Hetherington, Writing Program, University of Canberra, 2011
‘[A] thorough resource for both the beginner and the more experienced lover of language.’
Allan Sko, BMA magazine, Oct 2011
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All prices are in Australian dollars and include GST.