Writing Tools

To clear the way for what I hope you'll find an exciting new project, I'm tying a big holiday bow on the Writing Tools blog, which will take a little vacation until the New Year.

In doing so, I'd like to thank all my colleagues and readers for their encouragement as I continue to share with you the work of "Writing Tools" -- the book, the blog, the Quick List, the podcasts, the seminars and, of course, the musical.

Which brings me to some news and notes about the future of the book. During the last 15 months, my publisher (Little, Brown) has gone through four printings of the hardcover edition of "Writing Tools," which has now sold more than 25,000 copies. Another 4,000 copies remain in print, and it is unclear whether the hardcover edition will see another printing. So if you need a copy for yourself or as a gift, act soon. (Poynter gets a share of any purchases via Amazon.com.)

I'm delighted to report that that paper cover edition is due out in January and that Little, Brown has priced it so that it can be an inexpensive and useful resource for both professionals and academics. I'm also delighted to report that Congressional Quarterly Press has signed a contract with Little, Brown to market a college edition of "Writing Tools," which I hope will be available by fall 2008. Translations into Danish, German and Portuguese are underway.

Whew. What a year. If it had not been for your questions and encouragement when the Writing Tools essays first appeared on the Poynter Web site, the book version would have never seen the light of day.

"So what have you done for us lately, Mr. Clark?"

Good question. Here's the news: I have signed a contract to write another book -- not sure if it's a sequel or prequel -- called "The Glamour of Grammar." (Your assignment, if you choose to accept it, is to go to the Oxford English Dictionary and discover how the words glamour and grammar are related.  Hint: Harry Potter would enjoy the answer.)

Starting in January, I will begin a series of essays on the Poynter site. Think of it as a mild makeover of the Writing Tools blog. These essays, published at least once a week, will reveal the various aspects of language, stored now in the cobwebs of my brain, that you can turn into tools for how to be a better reader, writer and journalist.

I bet you thought grammar didn't have much glamour. Well not to worry; the strategies will be drawn from all the associated fields of language study: grammar, syntax, usage, semantics, poetics, spelling, etymology, rhetoric, history, linguistics, lexicography, literature -- with the occasional descent into profanity and scatology.

I'll work hard to make these new essays as interesting and useful for you as possible, drawing upon the most intriguing and telling texts I can find -- inside and outside of journalism. In return, I hope you will continue to learn with me, teach me when you think I've gotten it wrong and challenge me with your best questions and comments.

I'll conclude with Poynter's holiday greeting for 2007: "In this season of opportunity and hope ... Open new doors." Let's open them together.  -- rpc