Writers Book Mall - Books on Technical Writing

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When most people think of writers, they think of fiction writers struggling to produce great novels. With the exception of those very few writers who make bestseller lists, far more writers make a living in technical writing than in any other writing job.

Technical writing is great for writers who have good technical aptitude. Technical writers these days are often software documentation writers, but many are writers documenting hardware (anything from washing machines to aircraft carriers), medical and pharmaceutical products, and other technical subjects.

Of course, you need more than just writing skills to be a good tech writer. You've also got to be able to learn technical material by reading engineering documents (specs in the software business), talk with SMEs (that's Subject Matter Experts), and work with the product (unless it's a nuclear warhead or something similar). Your goal is to acquire a thorough knowledge of the product so you can then turn around and explain it in your document.

Books on technical writing

Here are current top-selling books of interest to technical writers. You can also search Amazon for more books on technical documentation. And you might have a look at some of our related pages, including technical editing, science writing, medical writing, writing online help, document management, project management, Word, FrameMaker, Acrobat, XML, HTML, Visio, Flash, Dreamweaver, and RoboHelp for books on your specialty or preferred tools as a tech writer.


1.		The Elements of Style from FQ Classics Price: $7.99 Customer Review: I was disappointed because I ordered this from one of the used book sellers and they did not include a receipt in the package. It was for my daughter who is in prison in Gatesville, TX and is taking college courses. Because there was no receipt they would not let her have it--prisoners are not... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


2.		The Craft of Research, Third Edition (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) from University Of Chicago Press Price: $11.56 Customer Review: This book is an acceptable book for those who have no experience in conducting a formal academic research whether for the Master or PhD's degree. Personally, I do recommend this book for those who have not started their master's or PhD's degree.	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


3.		The Copywriter's Handbook, Third Edition: A Step-By-Step Guide To Writing Copy That Sells from Holt Paperbacks Price: $12.24 Customer Review: La primera parte es excelente, con buenas ideas y ejemplos. La segunda parte, de cómo trabajar como copywriter, está enfocada en cómo trabajar para una empresa de publicidad más que en cómo trabajar freelance directamente con los anunciantes. Me hubiese gustado que... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


4.		Technical Communication from Bedford/St. Martin's Price: $80.00 Customer Review: The textbook was in good shape. It came in a decent amount of time, and how it was described was how it came. Good value for the shape it came in.	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


5.		Resume Magic: Trade Secrets of a Professional Resume Writer from Jist Works Customer Review: This is an excellent resource for writing resume's. It is up-to-date and is very well organized.	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


6.	[no image]	Essentials of Business Communication from Thomson South-Western Price: $75.95 Customer Review: I had to purchase this book for my class at west georgia, and every topic that we covered in class was in the book. I had no problem finding the help that i needed for class in the book. Everything was explained very simply so that anyone could understand.	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


7.		How to Get Ideas from Berrett-Koehler Publishers Price: $13.57 Customer Review: This book is an easy read with short chapters and many memorable stories. It was put together well. As with any self help books, you have to make permanent changes to your persona to realize the benefits of the suggestions which can be difficult. If you are a natural upbeat, optomistic idea person,... more info	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


8.		Technical Communication (11th Edition) (MyTechCommLab Series) from Longman Price: $76.99 Customer Review: It was assigned to us in class, but definitely a keeper... if you're going to technical fields, such as health, engineering and office work, this is definitely a good thing to have nearby... The guys I bought it through promised and delivered... overall a great experience	Customer Rating: 3.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


9.		Resumes for Dummies, Fourth Edition from For Dummies Customer Review: This book offers an excellent overview on what it takes to get a resume together and prep for an interview. And, it's not just for newbies either. Joyce Lain Kennedy and her team provide everything from resume formats (and layouts) to samples for several popular jobs. Included are URLs for... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


10.		How to Make Patent Drawings: A Patent It Yourself Companion from NOLO Price: $19.79 Customer Review: If you know absoultely nothing about making drawings, then this book will help because it starts with this is a pencil and this is paper. If you have basic mechanical drawing skills, then you already know 85% of what's in here. What you do need to know is the difference between typical mechanical... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


11.		A Short Guide to Writing About Art from Longman Publishing Group Customer Review: I originally purchased this book as a guide to writing for my critical essays in art history classes. I have found it to be so helpful. It includes the kind of information that you don't even think about until you actually need to utilize them..so grateful it was available to me. The explanations... more info	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


12.		Successful Writing at Work from Wadsworth Publishing Price: $94.45 Customer Review: I am very happy with this purchase. I needed this book in a hurry and I was able to purchase it at a low price and it was shipped to me in 2 days as promised. Thanks, Stacey	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


13.		Writing Up Qualitative Research from Sage Publications, Inc Price: $35.95 Customer Review: I found this book more helpful than any dissertation-writing manual, and will rely on it for future projects beyond the PhD. Wolcott's honest and funny writing style makes you feel like a friend, and his advice is truly useful. The book is a great motivator as well, particularly during those... more info	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


14.	[no image]	Little Brown Compact Handbook from Prentice Hall Health Customer Review: I love this book! I never thought that I would say that about a textbook. It is very helpful and neat. The tabs help me find what I need while I am completing my assignments. It is a must-have for students of all academic levels.	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information


15.		Handbook of Technical Writing, Ninth Edition from St. Martin's Press Price: $29.67 Customer Review: I have many writing handbooks (e.g., Chicago Manual of Style). This book is by far the best. It has a lot of very useful information, and the information is easy to find. For technical writing, it is the best I have seen. It may be a little too technical for creative writers or journalists.	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


16.	[no image]	Professional English from Thomson South-Western Customer Review: This book is very easy to read and understand -- it's so worth it. The exercises at the end of each chapter and the self-help exercises are extremely helpful. I really enjoy doing the work.	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


17.		Technical Communication: A Reader-Centered Approach from Wadsworth Publishing Price: $101.25 Customer Review: The book was in good condition, but it seemed to take longer than expected to get here. This may just be because I was impatient to get it. Overall I am completely satisfied. The book came just as it was described.	Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


18.		The Handbook of Technical Writing, Seventh Edition from St. Martin's Press Price: $25.71 Customer Review: The book is very handy. Not only does it serve as a good technical writing reference, but it is also a great general reference for everyday writing.	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


19.		Franklin Covey Style Guide for Business and Technical Communication from Franklin Covey Price: $32.97 Customer Review: I attended a seminar and was introduced to this book. It contains the answers to any questions I have had or may have about using appropriate words and/or punctuation when composing letters. I did not want to spend $59.95 for the book, so I was very pleased to find the exact publication on Amazon... more info	Customer Rating: 4.0 / 5.0 Click here for more information


20.		The Craft of Research (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing) from University Of Chicago Press Customer Review: This has been an extremely helpful resource for framing and developing a good research paper. It takes the reader step-by-step through the process of finding a topic of interest, narrowing that topic into a question, making that question relevant to a wider audience, then moving to researching that... more info	Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0 Click here for more information