The Art of Punctuation
Noah Lukeman
Oxford University Press, £7.99, ISBN 978-0-19-921078-7

'One of the best writing books of the year' - The Writer, USA

'This is not a book for grammarians.  Nor is it one for historians...This book is for the audience that needs it most and yet for whom, ironically, a punctuation book has yet to be written: creative writers.'  Written by a literary agent, The Art of Punctuation  looks at punctuation as a medium for artistic expression and shows how different writers - from Herman Melville to Raymond Carver - favour different punctuation styles.  It identifies the pitfalls of each and helps you identify your own punctuation style, and thereby develop as a writer.  Highly recommended.

The Cambridge Guide to English Usage
Pam Peters
Cambridge University Press, hardback, ISBN 052162181X

A-Z reference to English usage, with more than 4,000 entries (grammar, meaning, spelling, punctuation, style). The tone of the book is descriptive rather than prescriptive, leaving readers to make up their own minds. Appendices include selected proofreading marks and formats and styles for letters, memos and e-mails. A book for writers rather than self-publishers.

The Complete Plain Words
Sir Ernest Gowers
Penguin, paperback, £8.99, ISBN 0140 511 997

The classic reference book to the English language, with topics ranging from jargon, padding and clichés to sexist language, the influence of science and technology and American English. The author identifies common failings with forensic precision, contrasting good and bad writing throughout. Not necessarily the most fashionable read but guaranteed to improve anybody's prose.

The Craft of Novel Writing
Dianne Doubtfire
Allison & Busby, paperback, £8.99, ISBN 0-7490-0311-1

Aimed at the first-time author, this book sets out to arm new writers with a structured approach to the craft of writing, with self-contained chapters such as 'theme', 'viewpoint', 'planning', 'characterisation' and so on. We liked the clear, user-friendly approach, with its many examples. Obviously many other readers have, too, as the book has been through nine reprints. Our only (very minor) gripe is with the add-on chapters at the end, relating to contracts and the like. But as far as the craft of novel writing is concerned, a highly recommended book.

The Economist Style Guide
The Bestselling Guide to English Usage
Profile Books Ltd, hardback, £16.99, ISBN 1-86197-535-X

With its genesis in the Economist’s style manual, this concise yet idiosyncratic guide draws on Orwellian traditions to advice those seeking to write with clarity and simplicity. Divided into three sections, it includes an A-Z listing of stylistic conventions, a section on the differences between American and British English and a short reference section (currency to capitals). A book for those who prefer prescriptive advice.

How to Write Non-fiction Books
Gordon Wells
Writers' Bookshop, paperback, £7.99, ISBN 1-902713-02-8

Don't be put off by the slightly amateur-looking presentation. This book packs in much sensible and clearly-written advice about non-fiction publishing. We found it particularly helpful on editorial topics such as research, checking out the competition and structuring a book but topics also range beyond this to contracts, royalties and book pricing, for example. The sales and marketing process is touched upon only briefly but then, this is not this book's remit. Style more user-friendly than that of An Author's Guide to Publishing.