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Writing aids

AP Stylebook
www.apstylebook.com/ — This is a gold standard for journalists. While I like flipping through the spiral-bound print version, there is a more traditional paperback style and it’s available online. It’s inexpensive and useful for non-fiction writers, since so many places use it as their default stylebook.

Chicago Manual of Style
www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/home.html — This is a gold standard for academic writers. If you don’t want to buy it, look for it in a library near you.

Purdue OWL
owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/ — This resource has great tips on U.S.-style grammar and usage. (There are no Oxford commas here.) It’s free and available 24/7. It is designed for academics, but any writer can use it.

Poynter Instute
www.poynter.org/ — For non-fiction writers, this is a great site not just for writing tips, but also for industry chatter and for ideas that might turn into your next book.

Regional Conferences

Chicago: LIM CON http://loveismurder.net/ — Traditionally this conference has focused on mystery and thriller writing (and reading), but organizers say they plan to expand their reach in 2016.

Madison, Wis.: Madison Writers Institute https://uwwritersinstitute.wisc.edu/ — There’s something for every writer at this conference. The organizers also have several other regular offerings, including Weekend with Your Novel and Write by the Lake.

Muncie, Ind.: Midwest Writers Workshop http://www.midwestwriters.org/ — This is another something-for-every-writer conference. Everyone who attends  gets plenty of chances to meet and mingle with the maximum number of presenters, right through its “Buttonhole the Experts” wrap-up session.