We, Me, Them and It: The Power of Words...

Bow to the master of writing for business. John Simmons takes all the copywriting norms and leaves them neatly piled up at the side of the page. There's even a chapter on introducing poetry into the workplace. Inspired.

Hey, Whipple, Squeeze This!: A Guide to...

New to copywriting? This is the perfect place to start. Sullivan is a master copywriter, and he explains in great detail how great ads are created. "Whipple" is ridiculously well written and extremely funny. Damn.

Cutting Edge Advertising: How to Create...

Jim Aitchison is not only a brilliant copywriter, he's also a savvy author. In this book he tracks down the world's greatest practitioners of print advertising, then persuades them to hand over their secrets. The best book on the subject - no debate.

The Unwritten Rules of Copywriting: How...

Probably the place to start for trainee (or aspiring) copywriters who want a real grounding in the practicalities. You've seen all the examples before, but this is a top-notch introduction to copywriting. Nicely written too.

Net Words: Creating High-impact Online...

This is the book we recommend to anyone new to writing emarketing material. Nick is a highly regarded direct mail copywriter who made the leap to the web in the 1990s. Read this alongside Crawford Killan's book for a rounded introduction to writing for the web.

The Guardian Stylebook

You could download the free version from the Guardian website. Or you could shell out for the book instead. Well worth the investment, this tightly written manual isn't exhaustive - but it is extremely clear, and often very entertaining. Really.

Mind the Gaffe: The Penguin Guide to...

Insightful. Informative. Infuriating. This dense little book is a terrifying read - you are almost definitely guilty of the sins outlined within. If you want a solid reference for years to come, buy this over 'Eats, Shoots and Leaves'.

Dark Angels: How Writing Releases...

When we're training people to write, we suggest they bring their personality to the keyboard - and leave the corporate baggage behind. John Simmons' book starts from the same place, then embarks on a voyage of creative discovery. There's a hugely informative section on his 'Creative Writing for Business' course.

Writing Copy for the Web in a Week (In a...

This is a good primer, although we're naturally suspicious of any book with the term "in a week" plonked into the title. Actually, you could zip through this slim (but suitably cheap) guide in an hour or so. Perfect if you're short of time, and just want the basics.

The Web Content Style Guide: The...

Buy it for the introduction and the following two sections - on writing and designing for the web. These 32 pages beat most other books on the subject. The style guide itself a cross between Wired Style and The Guardian Stylebook. That means it will definitely keep your writing crisp and precise - but you may feel slightly patronised along the way.

The Invisible Grail

Read this after "We, me..." and you'll become an instant master in making brands connect with customers through words. OK, perhaps "instant" is overstating the case a little, but this book rips up the rules (again) and yet manages to be hugely practical.

Writing for the Web

Kilian's book is good, but we find the title a mite misleading. For us, it's a great introduction to the web for everyone, but a little too basic for seasoned copywriters. However, it's one of the few "how to" books worth splashing out for.

Words on Your Website (Simple Guides)

Susannah Ross knows how to wrap up the main points quickly and simply. Then again, what did you expect from an ex-editor at the BBC? Great for novice web copywriters. Oh, and it's cheap too.

Content Critical: Gaining Competitive...

Good on theory, and pretty sound on the realities too. McGovern and Norton's book is probably more useful if you publish a big site - as opposed to writing a small one. However, it does have a relentless focus on keeping the reader happy - a good thing.

Developing Online Content: The...

Good for beginners to writing for the web, although you really need a grasp of copywriting to get the best from this book. The whacky chapter headings can get a bit wearing, but apart from that, it's a good 'un.

Hot Text: Web Writing That Works

This one comes highly recommended. Good solid copywriting hints combined with web-savvy hints. It's superb if you want a one-stop-read to web copywriting. Not so hot on marketing copy, but then, nobody's perfect.

Eats, Shoots & Leaves: The Zero...

One of my clients is a Mac-driving creative director who's kind enough to care about the words. He always asks if we can tweak this or that to tighten up the copy. And he knows when his own copy needs a helping hand. It was this kindly fellow who remarked that after reading Lynne Truss' book, he finally "got" how to use the apostrophe. Enough said.