101 Best Websites in 2008 For Writers
(from Writer's Digest Magazine: http://www.writersdigest.com/101BestSites/?m_nYear=2008&m_sCategory=all)
I personally found many of these websites quite useful. They serve different purposes, obviously, so you might want to group them in specific folders for later use, such as a "Query" Folder, a "Fiction" Folder, etc.
Absolute Writeabsolutewrite.com
No matter which branch of writing interests you, you’ll be able to find helpful tips at Absolute Write. Just signing up for its e-newsletter will net you a free list of agents.
Agent Nathan Bransford's Blognathanbransford.blogspot.com
San Francisco agent Nathan Bransford dishes the dirt on being an agent. Also, his series called “The Essentials (Please Read Before You Query)” is, well, an essential read.
Agent Queryagentquery.com
Agent Query is a free, searchable database of agents. With just a few clicks you’ll be able to find one who represents your genre.
Agent Researchagentresearch.com/agent_ver.html
Do you need to verify the record of an agent? Check with this site first. It searches public records for all reports on the business practices of agencies, so you can find out whether it’s worth pursuing a particular agent or not.
Armchair Interviewsarmchairinterviews.com
Take off your glasses, kick up your feet, relax and listen to interviews with some debut and bestselling authors. Armchair Interviews also offers an excellent list of resources.
Author MBAauthormba.com/resources/blog_insiders.htm
Check out the 20-plus articles provided by Author MBA to improve your writing, marketing and career. Joanne Rock’s “A writer’s guide to managing work & the holidays” is an especially good read.
Backspacebksp.org
After a little makeover, Backspace continues to offer feature articles, columns and industry news. The “Your Write Mind” columns are great reads. However, if you want to be a part of its forum, it’ll cost you a small fee.
Book in a Weekbook-in-a-week.com
This site’s motto is “butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly”—and you’ll need to adhere to it if you want to live up to the challenge. You have one week to put all excuses in your sock drawer and write as much as you possibly can. It’s definitely fun—and rewarding.
Brainy Quotebrainyquote.com
Need a famous quote for your article? Stop by Brainy Quote and search by topic, author or type to find the words of wisdom (or humor) you desire.
Buried in the Slush Pilecbaybooks.blogspot.com
Buried in the Slush Pile covers juvenile writing. You’ll notice a helpful glossary of publishing terms—now even we know what “F&G” means. (ps- This isn't actually an agent blog—it's an author blog—but the information provided is great.)
C. Hope Clark’s Funds for Writersfundsforwriters.com
Freelancers on the prowl for jobs and cash need to look no further. This site offers up the big four—grants, contests, fellowships and markets—that pay. Plus, C. Hope Clark’s free e-newsletter is a must read for all who freelance.
Christian Storytellerchristianstoryteller.com
While the bright colors and cluttered design are hard on the eyes, the information is great for Christian writers who are looking for support and networking with other writers. There’s a small fee if you want a personal webpage on the site, though.
Coffee Time Romance & Morecoffeetimeromance.com
Love is in the air—for romance writing. Share your thoughts, book blurbs and more on this forum. Also, get your book reviewed and read interviews with a number of romance authors.
CoolStuff4Writers.comcoolstuff4writers.com
This site has always had some of the coolest novelty items, such as writerly T-shirts, drink koozies and squeezable stress relievers. Now it also offers more content by way of interviews and articles.
Crime-Writers Yahoo Groupgroups.yahoo.com/group/crime-writers
This group is listed for those who are interested in writing or are currently writing crime fiction (including police procedurals, noir, hard-boiled, etc.). And with more than 650 members, it’s a must-visit for crime writers.
Critique Groups for Writerscritiquegroups.com
Members of this site can form private groups to workshop their writing. There’s also a section dedicated to publishing news, agents and signings.
Dictionary.com Translaterdictionary.reference.com/translate
Do you have an English phrase that you need translated to Spanish? This site will help bring your characters to life—even if they speak a different language than you do.
Drew's Script-O-Ramascript-o-rama.com
To be the best you must read the best. Find your favorite movie and TV scripts for free in this database.
Duotrope's Digestduotrope.com
Enjoy a free submissions tracker with this database of more than 2,000 markets for short fiction, poetry and novels/collections. Search functions include medium, payscale, accepts reprints and more.
Ed(2010)ed2010.com
Take a batch of young magazine editors who want to learn more about the industry, share that info and meet other young editors and you get Ed(2010). Some of the site is still under construction, but what’s finished is can’t-miss material.
Edit Rededitred.com
Head over to Edit Red for peer critiques, publishing tips and opportunities to promote your writing and connect with publishers. The site offers a free personal webpage, and promotion and marketing tools.
Fanstoryfanstory.com
Founded in 2000, this site presents free contests and peer-to-peer reviews. One fairly unique feature offered by the site is the ability to create your own contest and challenge other writers.
Fiction Factorfictionfactor.com
This site features tips on writing better fiction, improving your writing, getting published, and promoting and marketing your fiction.
FirstWriter.comfirstwriter.com
Search through 750 literary agencies and 900 book publishers to find one that suits your work.
ForWriters.comforwriters.com
The real value in this site, a great source for market and event listings, is its list of writer organizations and groups spanning the world.
Freelance Writing Jobsfreelancewritinggigs.com
Deborah Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs is filled with available freelance gigs. There’s also a special section dedicated to blogging jobs.
Freelance Writing Organization-Int’lfwointl.com
With more than 11,000 registered members (membership is free), Freelance Writing Organization-Int’l offers thousands of online resources and job offerings. It also gives members a free blog listing (as long as the blog deals with writing).
Horror Writers Associationhorror.org
Do you model your writing after Stephen King? If so, the Horror Writers Association is the perfect place for you to get tips, advice and the latest news on this niche.
J.A. Konrath’s A Newbie’s Guide to Publishingjakonrath.blogspot.com
J.A. Konrath’s A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing blog provides great information for new (and veteran) fiction writers. He also has links to plenty of good resources.
Janet Reid's Literary Blogjetreidliterary.blogspot.com
Janet Reid, a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management in New York City, specializes in crime fiction and shares query pitfalls to help you avoid rookie mistakes.
Jennifer Jackson's Et in Arcaedia, Ego Blogarcaedia.livejournal.com
With the motto, “Saving the world, one book sale at a time,” literary agent Jennifer Jackson shares news, notes and opinions on the industry, including a sneak peek at her query round-up.
JournalismJobs.comjournalismjobs.com
Everything you need to know is in the Web address (though we’ll add that they have an excellent listing of industry events).
Kid Magazine Writerskidmagwriters.com
Get the latest news, info and tips on writing for kids here. Plus, this site offers a wealth of paying children’s markets.
Literary Law Guideliterarylawguide.com/resources.htm
Get the latest in copyright news from this intellectual property lawyer. “What Every Writer Should Know About Copyright” is a great introductory article that all writers should read.
Long Story Shortlongstoryshort.us
The goal of this e-zine is to take the intimidation out of the querying process by replying personally to every author and by offering suggestions on how to improve your work. This site publishes stories in many different genres, including flash fiction, humor, poetry and even book chapters.
Lori Perkins' Agent in the Middleagentinthemiddle.blogspot.com
Let literary agent Lori Perkins guide you around the NYC agent scene. Plus, she has great insight into horror, social science fiction, dark fantasy, dark literary novels and erotica—her specialties.
Marcela Landresmarcelalandres.com
Stay on top of the latest Latino/Hispanic literary events, contests and writing opportunities by reading this former Simon & Schuster editor’s site.
Media Job Marketeditorandpublisherjobs.com
Looking for a job? This site has searchable classifieds so you can find a writing-related job in your area.
MediaBistromediabistro.com
Stay informed on publishing industry news and network with other writers around the globe. This is one of the best spots for journalism and freelance jobs around.
Merriam-Websterm-w.com
When it comes to word-lover reference material, it’s hard to beat Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary and thesaurus. Besides the basic functions, it provides word games, a spelling quiz, a Word of the Day and the “Word for the Wise” podcast.
Mike’s Writing Workshopgroups.yahoo.com/group/mikeswritingworkshop
Can’t find a local writing group? At Mike’s Writing Workshop, you’ll find a community of nearly 9,000 writers willing to share information and critique your work.
Mom Writer's Literary Magazinemomwriterslitmag.com
This online literary magazine for writer moms features articles on the ups, downs and challenges of motherhood.
Moontown Cafemoontowncafe.com
Kick off your shoes, curl up under your favorite blanket, grab a virtual latte and cozy up with this site for poets. You’re welcome to post some of your own poetry for feedback—all they ask is that you rate two poems for each poem you post.
Movie Bytesmoviebytes.com
Who wouldn’t love to get a script noticed by winning a contest? Well, there’s no better place to find one than in the Movie Bytes contest directory. Of course, if you eventually win an Oscar, you’ll have to thank Writer’s Digest in your acceptance speech.
My Writers Circlemywriterscircle.com
This forum boasts nearly 6,000 members and an active critique section. There’s also a job board, a resource center and a section of writing games.
National Novel Writing Monthnanowrimo.org
One of the most well-known writing challenges in the writing community, National Novel Writing Month (November) pushes you to write 50,000 words in 30 days.
Newbie-Writers.comnewbie-writers.com
Starting your writing career can be nerve-racking, but feel at ease on this site, which has fellow newbies. Subscribe to its free e-newsletter and receive an 85-page e-book resource guide.
Noodle Toolsnoodletools.com/debbie/literacies/basic/yngwrite.html
This site provides links to plenty of writing opportunities for youngsters, including ones that pay.
Novely Journeynoveljourney.blogspot.com
This site offers a great collection of interviews with authors, editors and freelancers. It’s updated daily.
OnceWritten.comoncewritten.com
If you’ve yet to be published or are a newly published author, this site has a lot of goodies for you. From original book reviews and book giveaway contests to writing prompts, this is a good destination for beginners.
Preditors & Editorsanotherealm.com/prededitors
Telling the difference between a professional contest and a scam can be hard, but thanks to Preditors & Editors you don’t have to sweat it. Dive into this site to find out which writing-related services, contests, organizations, etc., are worth your time and which aren’t.
Publishers Marketplacepublishersmarketplace.com
Check out this site’s job board, which is filled with gigs from editing to marketing to production. It can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Also, there’s a place to announce your book deal.
Publishing Questionspublishingquestions.com
If you’re looking for a crash course on getting published, look no further. This site provides an abbreviated version of the process.
Query TrackerQueryTracker.net
For those in need of an agent, this site allows writers to upload their query letters and agent experiences, building a database of information. The experiences are then combined to show trends and actions of individual agents so you know what to expect when querying them.
R.A.W. SISTAZ Literary Grouprawsistaz.com
This group focuses on reading, writing and discussing books primarily by African-American authors. The Writer’s Block section is filled with tips. Plus, according to the site, all books sent to them are reviewed. That’s right, all books.
Rachelle Gardner’s Rants & Ramblingscba-ramblings.blogspot.com
Rachelle Gardner’s Rants & Ramblings covers her life as a Christian writing literary agent and includes news, trends and advice on the publishing industry.
Refdesk.comrefdesk.com
If you’re looking for “Of the Day” trivia to get your brain functioning each morning, stop on by this site. It offers tons of tidbits that you probably didn’t know—and may lead you to a story idea.
Resources for Muslim Writersmuslimwriters.blogspot.com
Hey Muslim writers, you’ll want to bookmark this site. From writing competitions to jobs for writers, editors and journalists, this site houses opportunities and news for those looking for publishing success.
Rob Parnell’s Easy Way to Writeeasywaytowrite.com
Rob Parnell’s Easy Way to Write is filled with lots of freebies for writers in several markets, including poetry, flash fiction and e-zine fiction (that actually pays). The forum is relatively small, but the blog is an entertaining read.
Robyn Opie's Writing For Childrenrobynopie.com
This children’s book author delivers dozens of free articles on constructing, writing, editing and publishing your children’s book. There are also two books available for free download.
Romance Divasromancedivas.com
What’s not to like about a site whose motto is “unleash your inner diva”? Join the Romance Divas for advice on the craft and business of writing romances, and share stories about your life and career with this fun writing community.
Romance Writing Tipsgroups.msn.com/RomanceWritingTips
This site showcases some of the best tips for romance writers. And while this group doesn’t critique, it offers plenty of links to groups that do.
Sharing with Writers and Readerssharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Looking for cheap ways to promote your book? Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares tips to get your book out to the world at a low cost. Sign up for her free e-newsletter to have most of the information delivered right to your inbox.
Shawguideswriting.shawguides.com
Use this database to find a writing conference near you.
Smith Mag Six Word Challengesmithmag.net/sixwords
Can you write your memoir in only six words? This is a thrilling challenge that encourages you to write sharply and concisely.
Social Security Administration Popular Baby Namesssa.gov/OACT/babynames
Need character names that suit your 1920s setting? The Social Security website has the most accurate list of popular names from 1879 to the present.
The Eighteen Questionseighteenquestions.com
Also known as 18Q, this site is designed to share the views and experiences of published authors for novice writers in a series of 18 questions. More than 100 authors have taken the quiz.
The Erotica Readers & Writers Associationerotica-readers.com
If you like the extra randy stuff, check out this site, dedicated to erotica writers and writing. It’s a great place for tips and stories, but definitely not a playground for the youngsters.
The Internet Writing Workshopinternetwritingworkshop.org
If you’re not into message boards, The Internet Writing Workshop offers discussions and critiques delivered right to your e-mail inbox. There’s no fee for this service, but there’s a minimum participation time of 30 minutes a week.
The Jewish Writing Institutejewishwriting.com
This site is for e-mail and correspondence classes, but if you dig a little you’ll find some of the best resources for Jewish writing and publishing. Tamar Wisemon’s article on Jewish magazine and newspaper markets is a must read.
The MuseItUp Clubfreewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference
Hard to beat a free online writing conference, and that’s exactly what The MuseItUp Club offers. The group acknowledges that writers often have insufficient funds to travel across the country, so they bring a weekend of professional advice to your office (or wherever your computer is set up).
The MuseItUp Club Critique Groupmuseitupclub.tripod.com
Critique groups are limited to five people so your work can get more personal attention. They’ve added a workshop forum for members to discuss monthly workshop topics.
The Poetry in Colorjpicforum.info
The Poetry in Color forum solicits poets of all backgrounds and encourages quality peer-to-peer feedback on members’ writings. This site isn’t censored, so leave the kids at home.
The Poetry Market Ezinethepoetrymarket.com
Get your poetry markets, contests, reviews and news from this free monthly e-zine.
The Publicity Houndpublicityhound.com
Consultant Joan Stewart shares tips on self-promotion and how to get free publicity—a key for any writer living on a tight budget.
The Publishing Law Centerpublaw.com
From fair use of trademarks to electronic rights, attorney Lloyd L. Rich provides dozens of helpful articles on topics important to the writing community.
The Rejecter Blogrejecter.blogspot.com
This assistant at an NYC literary agency rejects 95 percent of the queries that cross her desk—and blogs about them. She also answers questions about the process and offers up advice on getting your query past her desk.
The Story Starterthestorystarter.com
If a daily prompt isn’t enough to stuff your writing appetite, check out this site. Get a random story-starter sentence from more than 340 million (yes, you read that correctly) choices. Just one click of a button and you’re on your way.
The Teacher's Cornertheteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/index.htm
Looking for inspiration? These daily writing prompts aren’t only fun, but relate to the date (September 5 is National Cheese Pizza Day—who knew?).
The Urban Musetheurbanmuse.blogspot.com
The Urban Muse is populated with excellent tips on writing, marketing and staying creative. Don’t miss the “5 Ways to Promote Your Blog” post; great advice.
The Wild Poetry Forumwildpoetryforum.com
A poet’s heaven, this extremely active forum welcomes all poetry buffs 13 years old and up. Just be sure to keep your work clean for the children.
The Writer's Resource Directorycarolkluz.homestead.com/index1.html
Carol Kluz’s site has hundreds of resources for writers. Note that not all of the links work, but most of the ones that do are valuable.
The Writers Societythewriterssociety.com
If too many people overwhelm you, here’s a small forum that may suit your needs. It’s focused heavily on fiction, but there’s some poetry and nonfiction as well.
The Writing Bridgethewritingbridge.org
This private writing workshop is always seeking new members, but you have to be serious about the craft. If you make it through the approval process, you’ll have access to critique forums and creative writing prompts.
The Young Writers Societyyoungwriterssociety.com
If you’re a young writer (think under 18) and looking for support, look no further. The Young Writers Society offers kids and teens a space to share work, chat, blog and more. This site also discourages “netspeak,” which is good news for grammar buffs.
Today’s Womantodays-woman.net
Today’s Woman has nearly 1,000 members who participate in its forum, online critiques and weekly contests. Women aren’t the only ones taking part (43 percent of the members are men), but they’re highly active in this site.
Trent Steele’s Write Streetwritestreet.com
Trent Steele’s Write Street is a good place to find recommended writing books, articles on the writing craft and inspirational quotes.
United States Copyright Officecopyright.gov
Everything you need to know about copyright law is right here, along with the option to register your work for extra protection (for a fee). We recommend bookmarking the FAQ section.
Wikipediawikipedia.org
For the public, updated by the public, Wikipedia makes for an excellent starting point when you’re researching a subject. But use it only as a diving board to better sources. (See Questions & Quandaries, p. 65 for a better explanation.)
Winning Writerswinningwriters.com
Gain access to 150 poetry contests by subscribing to its free e-newsletter (and more than 750 if you upgrade to its premium membership). Plus, enter its famous Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest, which searches for the “best humor poem that has been sent to a ‘vanity poetry contest’ as a joke.”
WordTripwordtrip.com
With 4,500 registered users, this site offers a forum to discuss all forms of writing. The extra good news is it’s kid-friendly—there are ratings to let you know if something has explicit content.
Worldwide Freelance Writerworldwidefreelance.com/writing.htm
Sign up for this site’s e-newsletter and receive access to a list of more than 500 magazine market listings. There’s also a European market listing available through a subscription.
WOW! Women on Writingwow-womenonwriting.com
This e-zine caters specifically to women in the writing community, dishing out interviews (and tips) from popular female writers.
Writer Bewaresfwa.org/beware
One of the most notable watchdogs for the writing community, Writer Beware shares information on writing scams, problematic agents and publishers, and more. New to the site is a blog where writers can share info in the comments section.
Writer Gazettewritergazette.com
In its fourth consecutive year on the list (sixth overall), this site lives up to its tagline: “Bringing you free writer-related articles, paying call for submission and freelance job postings, contests, resources, tips, and more to help induce, improve, and promote your writing career—every week.”
Writer Site Outwritesideout.com
Looking for a Christmas present for yourself? Here you can find free, printable posters and bookmarks showcasing quotes from some of your favorite authors. All you need is a printer.
Writer Unboxedwriterunboxed.com
Through interviews and discussion of craft, Writer Unboxed dissects genre-fiction writing. Its daily updates are a nice way to start your day (if you’re a genre-fiction writer).
Writers FMwritersfm.com
Created by writers for writers, this online radio station broadcasts author interviews, writing prompts, music to inspire and mini-mysteries. Most of the material is available for podcast download.
WritersNetwriters.net/agents.html
Brazil, Hong Kong, Jamaica—find an agent nearly anywhere in the world.
Writing.comwriting.com
This site welcomes writers of all levels. Sign up and get a free online portfolio, numerous user tools, e-mail services and a chance to network with other writers.
WritingFixwritingfix.com
Here’s another fun site that creates writing prompts on the spot. The site currently has several options—prompts for right-brained people, for left-brained people, for kids—and is working to add prompts on classic literature, music and more.
No matter which branch of writing interests you, you’ll be able to find helpful tips at Absolute Write. Just signing up for its e-newsletter will net you a free list of agents.
Agent Nathan Bransford's Blognathanbransford.blogspot.com
San Francisco agent Nathan Bransford dishes the dirt on being an agent. Also, his series called “The Essentials (Please Read Before You Query)” is, well, an essential read.
Agent Queryagentquery.com
Agent Query is a free, searchable database of agents. With just a few clicks you’ll be able to find one who represents your genre.
Agent Researchagentresearch.com/agent_ver.html
Do you need to verify the record of an agent? Check with this site first. It searches public records for all reports on the business practices of agencies, so you can find out whether it’s worth pursuing a particular agent or not.
Armchair Interviewsarmchairinterviews.com
Take off your glasses, kick up your feet, relax and listen to interviews with some debut and bestselling authors. Armchair Interviews also offers an excellent list of resources.
Author MBAauthormba.com/resources/blog_insiders.htm
Check out the 20-plus articles provided by Author MBA to improve your writing, marketing and career. Joanne Rock’s “A writer’s guide to managing work & the holidays” is an especially good read.
Backspacebksp.org
After a little makeover, Backspace continues to offer feature articles, columns and industry news. The “Your Write Mind” columns are great reads. However, if you want to be a part of its forum, it’ll cost you a small fee.
Book in a Weekbook-in-a-week.com
This site’s motto is “butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly”—and you’ll need to adhere to it if you want to live up to the challenge. You have one week to put all excuses in your sock drawer and write as much as you possibly can. It’s definitely fun—and rewarding.
Brainy Quotebrainyquote.com
Need a famous quote for your article? Stop by Brainy Quote and search by topic, author or type to find the words of wisdom (or humor) you desire.
Buried in the Slush Pilecbaybooks.blogspot.com
Buried in the Slush Pile covers juvenile writing. You’ll notice a helpful glossary of publishing terms—now even we know what “F&G” means. (ps- This isn't actually an agent blog—it's an author blog—but the information provided is great.)
C. Hope Clark’s Funds for Writersfundsforwriters.com
Freelancers on the prowl for jobs and cash need to look no further. This site offers up the big four—grants, contests, fellowships and markets—that pay. Plus, C. Hope Clark’s free e-newsletter is a must read for all who freelance.
Christian Storytellerchristianstoryteller.com
While the bright colors and cluttered design are hard on the eyes, the information is great for Christian writers who are looking for support and networking with other writers. There’s a small fee if you want a personal webpage on the site, though.
Coffee Time Romance & Morecoffeetimeromance.com
Love is in the air—for romance writing. Share your thoughts, book blurbs and more on this forum. Also, get your book reviewed and read interviews with a number of romance authors.
CoolStuff4Writers.comcoolstuff4writers.com
This site has always had some of the coolest novelty items, such as writerly T-shirts, drink koozies and squeezable stress relievers. Now it also offers more content by way of interviews and articles.
Crime-Writers Yahoo Groupgroups.yahoo.com/group/crime-writers
This group is listed for those who are interested in writing or are currently writing crime fiction (including police procedurals, noir, hard-boiled, etc.). And with more than 650 members, it’s a must-visit for crime writers.
Critique Groups for Writerscritiquegroups.com
Members of this site can form private groups to workshop their writing. There’s also a section dedicated to publishing news, agents and signings.
Dictionary.com Translaterdictionary.reference.com/translate
Do you have an English phrase that you need translated to Spanish? This site will help bring your characters to life—even if they speak a different language than you do.
Drew's Script-O-Ramascript-o-rama.com
To be the best you must read the best. Find your favorite movie and TV scripts for free in this database.
Duotrope's Digestduotrope.com
Enjoy a free submissions tracker with this database of more than 2,000 markets for short fiction, poetry and novels/collections. Search functions include medium, payscale, accepts reprints and more.
Ed(2010)ed2010.com
Take a batch of young magazine editors who want to learn more about the industry, share that info and meet other young editors and you get Ed(2010). Some of the site is still under construction, but what’s finished is can’t-miss material.
Edit Rededitred.com
Head over to Edit Red for peer critiques, publishing tips and opportunities to promote your writing and connect with publishers. The site offers a free personal webpage, and promotion and marketing tools.
Fanstoryfanstory.com
Founded in 2000, this site presents free contests and peer-to-peer reviews. One fairly unique feature offered by the site is the ability to create your own contest and challenge other writers.
Fiction Factorfictionfactor.com
This site features tips on writing better fiction, improving your writing, getting published, and promoting and marketing your fiction.
FirstWriter.comfirstwriter.com
Search through 750 literary agencies and 900 book publishers to find one that suits your work.
ForWriters.comforwriters.com
The real value in this site, a great source for market and event listings, is its list of writer organizations and groups spanning the world.
Freelance Writing Jobsfreelancewritinggigs.com
Deborah Ng’s Freelance Writing Jobs is filled with available freelance gigs. There’s also a special section dedicated to blogging jobs.
Freelance Writing Organization-Int’lfwointl.com
With more than 11,000 registered members (membership is free), Freelance Writing Organization-Int’l offers thousands of online resources and job offerings. It also gives members a free blog listing (as long as the blog deals with writing).
Horror Writers Associationhorror.org
Do you model your writing after Stephen King? If so, the Horror Writers Association is the perfect place for you to get tips, advice and the latest news on this niche.
J.A. Konrath’s A Newbie’s Guide to Publishingjakonrath.blogspot.com
J.A. Konrath’s A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing blog provides great information for new (and veteran) fiction writers. He also has links to plenty of good resources.
Janet Reid's Literary Blogjetreidliterary.blogspot.com
Janet Reid, a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management in New York City, specializes in crime fiction and shares query pitfalls to help you avoid rookie mistakes.
Jennifer Jackson's Et in Arcaedia, Ego Blogarcaedia.livejournal.com
With the motto, “Saving the world, one book sale at a time,” literary agent Jennifer Jackson shares news, notes and opinions on the industry, including a sneak peek at her query round-up.
JournalismJobs.comjournalismjobs.com
Everything you need to know is in the Web address (though we’ll add that they have an excellent listing of industry events).
Kid Magazine Writerskidmagwriters.com
Get the latest news, info and tips on writing for kids here. Plus, this site offers a wealth of paying children’s markets.
Literary Law Guideliterarylawguide.com/resources.htm
Get the latest in copyright news from this intellectual property lawyer. “What Every Writer Should Know About Copyright” is a great introductory article that all writers should read.
Long Story Shortlongstoryshort.us
The goal of this e-zine is to take the intimidation out of the querying process by replying personally to every author and by offering suggestions on how to improve your work. This site publishes stories in many different genres, including flash fiction, humor, poetry and even book chapters.
Lori Perkins' Agent in the Middleagentinthemiddle.blogspot.com
Let literary agent Lori Perkins guide you around the NYC agent scene. Plus, she has great insight into horror, social science fiction, dark fantasy, dark literary novels and erotica—her specialties.
Marcela Landresmarcelalandres.com
Stay on top of the latest Latino/Hispanic literary events, contests and writing opportunities by reading this former Simon & Schuster editor’s site.
Media Job Marketeditorandpublisherjobs.com
Looking for a job? This site has searchable classifieds so you can find a writing-related job in your area.
MediaBistromediabistro.com
Stay informed on publishing industry news and network with other writers around the globe. This is one of the best spots for journalism and freelance jobs around.
Merriam-Websterm-w.com
When it comes to word-lover reference material, it’s hard to beat Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary and thesaurus. Besides the basic functions, it provides word games, a spelling quiz, a Word of the Day and the “Word for the Wise” podcast.
Mike’s Writing Workshopgroups.yahoo.com/group/mikeswritingworkshop
Can’t find a local writing group? At Mike’s Writing Workshop, you’ll find a community of nearly 9,000 writers willing to share information and critique your work.
Mom Writer's Literary Magazinemomwriterslitmag.com
This online literary magazine for writer moms features articles on the ups, downs and challenges of motherhood.
Moontown Cafemoontowncafe.com
Kick off your shoes, curl up under your favorite blanket, grab a virtual latte and cozy up with this site for poets. You’re welcome to post some of your own poetry for feedback—all they ask is that you rate two poems for each poem you post.
Movie Bytesmoviebytes.com
Who wouldn’t love to get a script noticed by winning a contest? Well, there’s no better place to find one than in the Movie Bytes contest directory. Of course, if you eventually win an Oscar, you’ll have to thank Writer’s Digest in your acceptance speech.
My Writers Circlemywriterscircle.com
This forum boasts nearly 6,000 members and an active critique section. There’s also a job board, a resource center and a section of writing games.
National Novel Writing Monthnanowrimo.org
One of the most well-known writing challenges in the writing community, National Novel Writing Month (November) pushes you to write 50,000 words in 30 days.
Newbie-Writers.comnewbie-writers.com
Starting your writing career can be nerve-racking, but feel at ease on this site, which has fellow newbies. Subscribe to its free e-newsletter and receive an 85-page e-book resource guide.
Noodle Toolsnoodletools.com/debbie/literacies/basic/yngwrite.html
This site provides links to plenty of writing opportunities for youngsters, including ones that pay.
Novely Journeynoveljourney.blogspot.com
This site offers a great collection of interviews with authors, editors and freelancers. It’s updated daily.
OnceWritten.comoncewritten.com
If you’ve yet to be published or are a newly published author, this site has a lot of goodies for you. From original book reviews and book giveaway contests to writing prompts, this is a good destination for beginners.
Preditors & Editorsanotherealm.com/prededitors
Telling the difference between a professional contest and a scam can be hard, but thanks to Preditors & Editors you don’t have to sweat it. Dive into this site to find out which writing-related services, contests, organizations, etc., are worth your time and which aren’t.
Publishers Marketplacepublishersmarketplace.com
Check out this site’s job board, which is filled with gigs from editing to marketing to production. It can be an excellent way to get your foot in the door. Also, there’s a place to announce your book deal.
Publishing Questionspublishingquestions.com
If you’re looking for a crash course on getting published, look no further. This site provides an abbreviated version of the process.
Query TrackerQueryTracker.net
For those in need of an agent, this site allows writers to upload their query letters and agent experiences, building a database of information. The experiences are then combined to show trends and actions of individual agents so you know what to expect when querying them.
R.A.W. SISTAZ Literary Grouprawsistaz.com
This group focuses on reading, writing and discussing books primarily by African-American authors. The Writer’s Block section is filled with tips. Plus, according to the site, all books sent to them are reviewed. That’s right, all books.
Rachelle Gardner’s Rants & Ramblingscba-ramblings.blogspot.com
Rachelle Gardner’s Rants & Ramblings covers her life as a Christian writing literary agent and includes news, trends and advice on the publishing industry.
Refdesk.comrefdesk.com
If you’re looking for “Of the Day” trivia to get your brain functioning each morning, stop on by this site. It offers tons of tidbits that you probably didn’t know—and may lead you to a story idea.
Resources for Muslim Writersmuslimwriters.blogspot.com
Hey Muslim writers, you’ll want to bookmark this site. From writing competitions to jobs for writers, editors and journalists, this site houses opportunities and news for those looking for publishing success.
Rob Parnell’s Easy Way to Writeeasywaytowrite.com
Rob Parnell’s Easy Way to Write is filled with lots of freebies for writers in several markets, including poetry, flash fiction and e-zine fiction (that actually pays). The forum is relatively small, but the blog is an entertaining read.
Robyn Opie's Writing For Childrenrobynopie.com
This children’s book author delivers dozens of free articles on constructing, writing, editing and publishing your children’s book. There are also two books available for free download.
Romance Divasromancedivas.com
What’s not to like about a site whose motto is “unleash your inner diva”? Join the Romance Divas for advice on the craft and business of writing romances, and share stories about your life and career with this fun writing community.
Romance Writing Tipsgroups.msn.com/RomanceWritingTips
This site showcases some of the best tips for romance writers. And while this group doesn’t critique, it offers plenty of links to groups that do.
Sharing with Writers and Readerssharingwithwriters.blogspot.com
Looking for cheap ways to promote your book? Carolyn Howard-Johnson shares tips to get your book out to the world at a low cost. Sign up for her free e-newsletter to have most of the information delivered right to your inbox.
Shawguideswriting.shawguides.com
Use this database to find a writing conference near you.
Smith Mag Six Word Challengesmithmag.net/sixwords
Can you write your memoir in only six words? This is a thrilling challenge that encourages you to write sharply and concisely.
Social Security Administration Popular Baby Namesssa.gov/OACT/babynames
Need character names that suit your 1920s setting? The Social Security website has the most accurate list of popular names from 1879 to the present.
The Eighteen Questionseighteenquestions.com
Also known as 18Q, this site is designed to share the views and experiences of published authors for novice writers in a series of 18 questions. More than 100 authors have taken the quiz.
The Erotica Readers & Writers Associationerotica-readers.com
If you like the extra randy stuff, check out this site, dedicated to erotica writers and writing. It’s a great place for tips and stories, but definitely not a playground for the youngsters.
The Internet Writing Workshopinternetwritingworkshop.org
If you’re not into message boards, The Internet Writing Workshop offers discussions and critiques delivered right to your e-mail inbox. There’s no fee for this service, but there’s a minimum participation time of 30 minutes a week.
The Jewish Writing Institutejewishwriting.com
This site is for e-mail and correspondence classes, but if you dig a little you’ll find some of the best resources for Jewish writing and publishing. Tamar Wisemon’s article on Jewish magazine and newspaper markets is a must read.
The MuseItUp Clubfreewebs.com/themuseonlinewritersconference
Hard to beat a free online writing conference, and that’s exactly what The MuseItUp Club offers. The group acknowledges that writers often have insufficient funds to travel across the country, so they bring a weekend of professional advice to your office (or wherever your computer is set up).
The MuseItUp Club Critique Groupmuseitupclub.tripod.com
Critique groups are limited to five people so your work can get more personal attention. They’ve added a workshop forum for members to discuss monthly workshop topics.
The Poetry in Colorjpicforum.info
The Poetry in Color forum solicits poets of all backgrounds and encourages quality peer-to-peer feedback on members’ writings. This site isn’t censored, so leave the kids at home.
The Poetry Market Ezinethepoetrymarket.com
Get your poetry markets, contests, reviews and news from this free monthly e-zine.
The Publicity Houndpublicityhound.com
Consultant Joan Stewart shares tips on self-promotion and how to get free publicity—a key for any writer living on a tight budget.
The Publishing Law Centerpublaw.com
From fair use of trademarks to electronic rights, attorney Lloyd L. Rich provides dozens of helpful articles on topics important to the writing community.
The Rejecter Blogrejecter.blogspot.com
This assistant at an NYC literary agency rejects 95 percent of the queries that cross her desk—and blogs about them. She also answers questions about the process and offers up advice on getting your query past her desk.
The Story Starterthestorystarter.com
If a daily prompt isn’t enough to stuff your writing appetite, check out this site. Get a random story-starter sentence from more than 340 million (yes, you read that correctly) choices. Just one click of a button and you’re on your way.
The Teacher's Cornertheteacherscorner.net/daily-writing-prompts/index.htm
Looking for inspiration? These daily writing prompts aren’t only fun, but relate to the date (September 5 is National Cheese Pizza Day—who knew?).
The Urban Musetheurbanmuse.blogspot.com
The Urban Muse is populated with excellent tips on writing, marketing and staying creative. Don’t miss the “5 Ways to Promote Your Blog” post; great advice.
The Wild Poetry Forumwildpoetryforum.com
A poet’s heaven, this extremely active forum welcomes all poetry buffs 13 years old and up. Just be sure to keep your work clean for the children.
The Writer's Resource Directorycarolkluz.homestead.com/index1.html
Carol Kluz’s site has hundreds of resources for writers. Note that not all of the links work, but most of the ones that do are valuable.
The Writers Societythewriterssociety.com
If too many people overwhelm you, here’s a small forum that may suit your needs. It’s focused heavily on fiction, but there’s some poetry and nonfiction as well.
The Writing Bridgethewritingbridge.org
This private writing workshop is always seeking new members, but you have to be serious about the craft. If you make it through the approval process, you’ll have access to critique forums and creative writing prompts.
The Young Writers Societyyoungwriterssociety.com
If you’re a young writer (think under 18) and looking for support, look no further. The Young Writers Society offers kids and teens a space to share work, chat, blog and more. This site also discourages “netspeak,” which is good news for grammar buffs.
Today’s Womantodays-woman.net
Today’s Woman has nearly 1,000 members who participate in its forum, online critiques and weekly contests. Women aren’t the only ones taking part (43 percent of the members are men), but they’re highly active in this site.
Trent Steele’s Write Streetwritestreet.com
Trent Steele’s Write Street is a good place to find recommended writing books, articles on the writing craft and inspirational quotes.
United States Copyright Officecopyright.gov
Everything you need to know about copyright law is right here, along with the option to register your work for extra protection (for a fee). We recommend bookmarking the FAQ section.
Wikipediawikipedia.org
For the public, updated by the public, Wikipedia makes for an excellent starting point when you’re researching a subject. But use it only as a diving board to better sources. (See Questions & Quandaries, p. 65 for a better explanation.)
Winning Writerswinningwriters.com
Gain access to 150 poetry contests by subscribing to its free e-newsletter (and more than 750 if you upgrade to its premium membership). Plus, enter its famous Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest, which searches for the “best humor poem that has been sent to a ‘vanity poetry contest’ as a joke.”
WordTripwordtrip.com
With 4,500 registered users, this site offers a forum to discuss all forms of writing. The extra good news is it’s kid-friendly—there are ratings to let you know if something has explicit content.
Worldwide Freelance Writerworldwidefreelance.com/writing.htm
Sign up for this site’s e-newsletter and receive access to a list of more than 500 magazine market listings. There’s also a European market listing available through a subscription.
WOW! Women on Writingwow-womenonwriting.com
This e-zine caters specifically to women in the writing community, dishing out interviews (and tips) from popular female writers.
Writer Bewaresfwa.org/beware
One of the most notable watchdogs for the writing community, Writer Beware shares information on writing scams, problematic agents and publishers, and more. New to the site is a blog where writers can share info in the comments section.
Writer Gazettewritergazette.com
In its fourth consecutive year on the list (sixth overall), this site lives up to its tagline: “Bringing you free writer-related articles, paying call for submission and freelance job postings, contests, resources, tips, and more to help induce, improve, and promote your writing career—every week.”
Writer Site Outwritesideout.com
Looking for a Christmas present for yourself? Here you can find free, printable posters and bookmarks showcasing quotes from some of your favorite authors. All you need is a printer.
Writer Unboxedwriterunboxed.com
Through interviews and discussion of craft, Writer Unboxed dissects genre-fiction writing. Its daily updates are a nice way to start your day (if you’re a genre-fiction writer).
Writers FMwritersfm.com
Created by writers for writers, this online radio station broadcasts author interviews, writing prompts, music to inspire and mini-mysteries. Most of the material is available for podcast download.
WritersNetwriters.net/agents.html
Brazil, Hong Kong, Jamaica—find an agent nearly anywhere in the world.
Writing.comwriting.com
This site welcomes writers of all levels. Sign up and get a free online portfolio, numerous user tools, e-mail services and a chance to network with other writers.
WritingFixwritingfix.com
Here’s another fun site that creates writing prompts on the spot. The site currently has several options—prompts for right-brained people, for left-brained people, for kids—and is working to add prompts on classic literature, music and more.
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