The Book of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks by Bethany Keely

The Book of Unnecessary Quotation Marks: A Celebration of Creative Punctuation by Bethany Keely (Chronicle, 2009) was one of my recent one-dollar finds at a Los Angeles Out of the Closet thrift store — and I enjoyed it so much that I felt as if I’d won a jackpot. (I find misspelled and improperly punctuated signs both sad and funny.) During the past few days, the book has provided many laughs, as I’ve explored 176 pages of photos featuring real-world signs that include unnecessary quotation marks.

The Book of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks is an outgrowth of the author’s “Blog” of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks. If you’d like a little levity today, visit Bethany Keely‘s blog: unnecessaryquotes.com.

Find The Book of “Unnecessary” Quotation Marks at Amazon.com.

Quotation Situation, cartoon by Mark Stivers

Credit: Cartoon by Mark Stivers, 2003, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Editing the Menu, New Yorker cartoon by Jack Ziegler

Caption: I’ll have the misspelled ‘Ceasar’ salad and the improperly hyphenated veal osso-buco.”

Credit: New Yorker cartoon by Jack Ziegler, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

In-Store Editor, New Yorker Cartoon by J.C. Duffy

…and I’ve wanted to do this myself so many times! Thank you J.C. Duffy!

Caption: “What can I say? I was an English major.” 

Credit: New Yorker cartoon by J.C. Duffy, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Writing Workshop in L.A. Area

My esteemed colleague Meghan Pinson — editor extraordinaire — will conduct a writing workshop in the Los Angeles area starting Monday, September 10th. Meghan promises an intensive workshop that will transform your relationship to your writing. Details below.

WRITING WORKSHOP

Creating a Sustainable Writing Practice

Location: Studio City, California

Dates: September 10, 17, 24; October 1

Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

4-Week Fee: $100

• Learn the elements of a sustainable writing practice
• Develop a discipline that will get you to the page every day
• Delve into writing, reading, and revising your work through daily and weekly assignments
• Connect with a vibrant community of local writers

Enrollment is limited to 12 and is open to writers of all genres and levels of experience. To register, send an e-mail to Meghan with “Writing Workshops” in the subject line.

Los Angeles Area Writing Workshop

My esteemed colleague Meghan Pinson — editor extraordinaire — will conduct a writing workshop in the Los Angeles area starting September 10th. Meghan promises an intensive workshop that will transform your relationship to your writing. Details below.

WRITING WORKSHOP

Creating a Sustainable Writing Practice

Location: Studio City, California

Dates: September 10, 17, 24; October 1

Time: 7:00-8:30 p.m.

4-Week Fee: $100

• Learn the elements of a sustainable writing practice
• Develop a discipline that will get you to the page every day
• Delve into writing, reading, and revising your work through daily and weekly assignments
• Connect with a vibrant community of local writers

Enrollment is limited to 12 and is open to writers of all genres and levels of experience. To register, send an e-mail to Meghan with “Writing Workshops” in the subject line.