Whether you have a question about proper (or improper) English usage, you’re doing research for your novel, or you’re looking into publishing your poetry, UAPL has many resources to help.
Our Research Department has hundreds of titles to help you find whatever accurate information you need, and librarians to assist you in your research.
In addition to research, many aspiring authors would like information on editing, publishing, finding an agent, and marketing their works. We have several classic titles, updated annually, to help you succeed.
INDEXES/DATABASES
The following are part of the Upper Arlington Public Library’s premium resources. Unless you are in one of our library locations, you will need your UAPL card number and PIN in order to access them.
- Oxford English Dictionary – If you’re looking for more information on the meaning and history of a word, this is where to start.
- History Resources – If you’re writing historical fiction, you may need to research what daily life was like in another time, or find exact details about a historical event.
- Science and Technology Resources – If you’re a speculative or science fiction writer, you may be inspired by learning about new technology.
REFERENCE RESOURCES
These materials are available for use in the Research Department of the Tremont Library. Click on the links for more location information.
Writing
- Descriptionary
- Elements of Style
- Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus
- Words to Rhyme With: a Rhyming Dictionary
Publishing
- Guide to Literary Agents
- The Librarian’s Guide to Micropublishing
- Literary Market Place
- Writer’s Market
- Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook
JOURNALS/MAGAZINES
Some current issues of the following magazine and journal titles are available for checking out, while some older issues may be accessed at the Tremont Road Branch’s Research Department. Follow the links to the catalog or see a librarian for more information.
WEBSITES
These recommended websites are chosen by a Reference Librarian as reliable sources of information for creative writing.
Writing
- Association of Writers and Writing Programs
- American Society of Journalists and Authors
- Authors Guild
- Grammar Girl
- Hypergrammar
- NaNoWriMo
- Purdue OWL
Traditional Publishing
Self-Publishing
Some of these sources have associated costs, but they are considered reliable in the industry. To learn more, see the Librarian’s Guide to Micropublishing.
Professional Reviews
Local
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Ohio: Central and South
- Buckeye Crime Writers
- Thurber House
- UA Culture Arts Division – Literary Arts
- UA Parks and Recreation
SEARCH STARTERS
Get started with your research by seeing what UAPL has in its collection on subjects related to creative writing.