urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:seanan_mcguire The Journal of Seanan McGuire Seanan McGuire 2008-06-14T14:58:24Z urn:lj:livejournal.com:atom1:seanan_mcguire:7843 2008-06-14T14:58:24Z 2008-06-14T14:58:24Z Heather Dale, 'Adrift.' So I was asked recently, after making reference to one of the books I use as reference for the Toby Daye series, exactly what was on my reference shelf. Now, the term 'my reference shelf' is a bit inaccurate -- I have reference books scattered throughout the house -- but I do have a primary pair of shelves over my usual workspace that include the bulk of my 'frequently referenced' volumes.<br /><br />I will now expound upon my reference shelves. Or, at least, the top shelf, because I'm too lazy to do them both right now. Also, authors are given only when I don't have to move crap to see their names.<br /><br /><b>The Top Shelf.</b><br /><br />This is the shelf that has more of a vestige of organization, largely because it's the one that's actually over 90% reference, rather than being 'reference plus whatever Seanan has crammed on.' I'm also going to list Crap On Shelf, because all my crap actually belongs there, and I'm just a little OCD that way.<br /><br /><i>Collected Poems, 1909-1962.</i> T.S. Eliot. Because sometimes, you just need poetry to keep working.<br /><br /><i>Abbey Lubbers, Banshees and Boggarts.</i> Katharine Briggs. The first of many guidebooks to the fae. I use them all. Regularly.<br /><br /><i>The Associated Press Stylebook and Briefing on Media Law.</i> Not the most recent edition, but it's still useful reference.<br /><br /><i>The Dictionary of Slang and Euphemism.</i> Spears. Because slang is absolutely not the last resort of the small mind, and I have characters that are centuries out of date.<br /><br /><i>The Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore.</i> This is one of the few books I use that's still actively in print. I cannot recommend it highly enough.<br /><br /><i>The World Guide to Gnomes, Fairies, Elves and Other Little People.</i> Keightley. The second of our guidebooks to the fae! Probably the second most commonly used of its category.<br /><br /><i>New and Selected Poems.</i> Karl Shapiro. More poetry. Highly recommended.<br /><br /><i>An Encyclopedia of Fairies.</i> Katharine Briggs. The most commonly used of my guidebooks to the fae. She rocks my world.<br /><br /><i>The Merriam-Webster Concise Handbook for Writers.</i> Sometimes the books of the craft just sort of ooze into the house when I'm not looking.<br /><br /><i>How Does A Poem?</i> Ancient, ancient guide to poetry. It's awesome.<br /><br /><i>Leaves From the Babylon Wood.</i> Seanan McGuire. My first chapbook! Good luck finding it. Like, ever.<br /><br /><i>The Crime Writer's Handbook</i> and <i>The Crime Writer's Sourcebook.</i> Both by Douglas Wynn. I'm not strictly a crime writer, but wow are these handy.<br /><br /><i>Jack Always Seeks His Fortune.</i> Donald Davis. Nothing like a good Jack story...<br /><br /><i>The Name Book.</i> Austin. Books of baby names are incredibly useful. They have Internet sites that that now, but the books tend to list more meanings.<br /><br /><i>The Zombie Survival Guide.</i> Max Brooks. His virology is crap, but his weapon reviews are pretty awesome.<br /><br /><i>The Field Guide to the Apocalypse.</i> Marco. Happiness is an apocalypse guide that remembers the lipstick.<br /><br /><i>A Field Guide to the Little People.</i> Nancy Arrowsmith. More fae directories!<br /><br /><i>A composition book labeled 'Toby.'</i> Seanan McGuire. I reference this one aaaaaaaall the time.<br /><br /><i>Coyote.</i> Catherine Reed. Fiction. I just needed to stick it somewhere.<br /><br /><i>The 10th Kingdom.</i> Kathryn Wesley. Ditto, but how I love this book.<br /><br />The ENTIRE Howdunnit Series. They took forever to track down. They were absolutely worth it in every possible way.<br /><br /><i>How to Write and Sell Your First Novel.</i> Soon to return to the used bookstore.<br /><br /><i>Wisconsin Lore.</i> Gard and Sorden. It's destined for heavy use, when I get to the Healy girls.<br /><br /><i>How To Write Poetry.</i> Arcos. These guides are always good for a laugh.<br /><br /><i>Coyote Stories.</i> Morning Dove. This is a truly excellent collection, highly recommended.<br /><br /><i>The Aquarian Guide to Legendary London.</i> I have wicked, wicked plans for London.<br /><br /><i>Poet's London.</i> Paddy Kitchen. Wicked, WICKED plans.<br /><br /><i>The Writer's Digest Character Naming Sourcebook.</i> If you buy one book of names, buy this one. Trust me.<br /><br /><i>London: The Biography.</i> Peter Ackroyd. Mwahahahahahahahahaha.<br /><br />Non-book items stored on this shelf:<br /><br />* Two My Little Ponies. (Gypsy and High Flier.)<br />* Candy corn scented candle.<br />* Malachite penguin.<br />* Sparkly d6.<br />* 38 bottles of BPAL.<br />* Geoff the articulated plastic velociraptor.<br />* Patch the orange and green zebra.<br />* The Black Death and Martian Life (giant microbes).<br />* A pumpkin ducky and a princess ducky.<br />* Xander, Buffy and Willow in lego-mode.<br />* <i>Heroes</i> promo buttons from Comicon 2006.<br />* Witchy Halloween Beanie Baby kitty.<br /><br />Whew! Bottom shelf to come later.