What is CMOS?
If you spend time talking with editors or publishers (and if you’re a writer, you should), you may hear the acronym “CMOS”—possibly spoken with the same reverence as a Deep-South-Bible-Belt-Baptist preacher says “1611 King James Version.”
The acronym refers to The Chicago Manual of Style, the gold standard style guide in book publishing. Editors and publishers follow the rules and guidelines in CMOS to ensure books are well-written and organized. Not sure if you should include both an apostrophe and an s when making a word like “grass” possessive? CMOS can give you a definitive answer.
Do You Need CMOS?
Not sure you really need to own a bench-press-weight reference book? Don’t worry. The Grammar Floozy’s got you covered. We’re working our way through the book here (not necessarily in order).
But maybe you like definitive answers to questions. You want your manuscript to shine. You like to know all the rules so you can follow them (or know when to break them). If any of these descriptions fit, you need a copy of CMOS.
Where Can You Get CMOS?
If you’re looking for a copy of CMOS, check sites like Amazon.com and ThriftBooks.com to find a used copy at discount. This puppy’s pricey.
Which CMOS Should You Buy?
Be sure to purchase CMOS 17.
When I bought my first CMOS, I looked at the price points, then searched “major differences between CMOS 16 and CMOS 17.” Articles noted a few differences, but I thought, “I can just make notes in CMOS 16 and save a ton of money.”
Here’s what I didn’t understand: each section of CMOS is numbered, and each item is numbered within that chapter. Small changes affect the numbering of alllllllll the following information.
So, if you—for instance—send an editor-friend a question about a numbered item in CMOS 16, she’ll look up that numbered entry in CMOS 17 and think you’ve lost your mind. Or so I’ve been told.
Physical or Digital CMOS?
A benefit of purchasing the digital CMOS version is the ability to search easily for topics. The CMOS website also contains forums and other tools. The downside is the annual subscription fee, but you may find the additional tools give enough value to balance the cost.
Benefits to owning the physical book include the ability to add tabs, to make permanent notes, and to memorize where to find your favorite parts.
If you prefer holding a book in your hands over reading on-screen, you should consider purchasing a physical copy (and Post-it tabs. Lots of tabs. And tiny-point Sharpie markers in all the colors. And—oh, sorry—my name is Becky and I’m an office supply addict).