Useful Links
It is our great pleasure to help new and seasoned writers alike educate themselves about the publishing business and the craft of writing, so Ally has made a list of her favorite online resources. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, email Ally and let her know as we’ll be adding to this collection periodically.
Internet Writing Workshop: IWW is a community where writers can submit and critique written works as well as discuss the craft and business of writing. If you have no access to a writers group in your area—or even if you do—this is a great place to get help polishing your skills.
Media Bistro: This website is devoted to media professionals of all stripes, including nonfiction and fiction writers. They host a forum for members to connect with one another on topics of interest from the business of writing to creative issues, and they offer a wealth of informative articles in their archives (but you have to join as a paid member to access these articles). They also offer a wide variety of professional level courses both online and in-person.
Poets & Writers: This well-respected magazine publishes a free online version that contains market listings and articles helpful to writers of poetry or literature. The website offers several useful databases including lists of literary magazines, contests, grants, and an FAQ addressing the “Top Ten Topics” that writers ask about most often.
Association of Writers & Writing Programs: Are you looking to get away to a writing retreat, or hoping to stay close to home in a writing workshop near you? This site offers a comprehensive listing of writing centers, conferences, and academic programs worldwide.
Association of Authors’ Representatives: Though you will likely find many good literary agents who are not members of this organization, this can be a good starting point in your search for representation.
New Pages: This site is a rich resource with its extensive reviews of literary magazines as well as lists of writing programs, contests, calls for submission, independent booksellers, and more.
Plus, here are some of Ally’s favorite FREE writing e-zines:
Writers Weekly
Absolute Write
Funds for Writers
Writer2Writer
Writing for DOLLARS
And just a few of the blogs Ally reads frequently:
GalleyCat: This is my favorite publishing news blog. Get the latest scoop about the publishing business from these industry insiders, including information about the publishers, agents, and authors that make the book world turn. Its sister blog, eBookNewser, is also worth checking out to get inside the digital book revolution.
The Renegade Writer: Written by the authors of the book by the same name (The Renegade Writer: A Totally Unconventional Guide), this blog mostly focuses on freelance writing but also contains advice on general writing-related topics, including the business of getting published.
Miss Snark: This funny, honest, and…well, snarky blog is written by an anonymous literary agent. Miss Snark won’t coddle you, but she will tell you what publishers expect, what literary agents want, and what you need to do to give it to them. Unfortunately, this blog is now defunct, but the archives are still available and I encourage you to browse.
The Book Case: The Editors of BookPage give you the skinny on tomorrow’s bestsellers. This is an excellent way to stay on top of which publishers are releasing what books. Not only does it tell you what’s hot, it also can help you identify publishers and agents that might be suitable for your book project.
Nathan Bransford, Literary Agent: An agent with Curtis Brown Ltd., Nathan Bransford will show you writing and publishing from an agent’s perspective. Check out “The Essentials” section of posts and his FAQ, both resources that beginning writers won’t want to miss.
