This is a collection of links to some of the sites I’ve found most useful in my writing over the years. You’ll find helpful articles, advice and inspiration to help you write and publish your work. I’ve also included some links to essential advice for anyone thinking of entering writing competitions, plus some competition listing sites… Bookmark this page!

Craft Articles & Advice

The Creative Penn – Resources to help you write, publish and market your book

Make A Living Writing – Tons of advice and useful info for freelance writers

Novel Writing Help – Comprehensive site that covers how to write a novel

Scribophile Writing Academy – Excellent articles on all aspects of writing

Skinny Artist – Inspiration and advice to fuel your creativity

The Worried Writer – Support, advice, and resources. Great podcast.

Writers & Artists – Tons of advice from the publishers of the Yearbook for writers

Writer’s Digest – Resources, advice, blogs, writing prompts, and more

Writing Forward – Creative writing tips and ideas

Writers Online – Resources, advice, and community from Writing Magazine UK

Write to Done – Loads of articles, tips and motivation for writers

Competition Advice: Articles

4 Tips for Building Your Screenwriting Competition Submission Strategy – great advice and genuinely useful strategy by KT Parker on Bang 2 Write

7 Things To Do Before You Submit Your Screenplay – excellent advice from Screencraft. Applies equally to novels.

Online Writing Contests: Three Questions to Ask Yourself – great advice from Adventures in YA Publishing

Scam Busting – links to articles on dodgy competitions from Winning Writers

Writer Beware: Contests & Awards – essential advice from the SFWA including links to more advice on dodgy contests

Writing Contests: Facts & Fakes – and how to tell the difference. By Victoria Stauss

Great Writing Blogs

Nathan Bransford – Great blog for writers covering all the essentials

Fiction Notes – Writing advice and blog from author Darcy Pattison

Helping Writers Become Authors – Great blog and writing advice from author KM Weiland

Hugh Howey – Great blog plus advice from the bestselling writer who started out self-publishing

Jane Friedman – Advice and resources for writers

Kristen Lamb’s Blog – Blog on writing and social media with tons of advice

Let’s Get Digital – Blog on self-publishing from writer David Gaughran

Live Write Thrive – Great blog and inspiration for writers from author CS Lakin

Lorelle on WordPress – Tips and handy technical hints for WordPress users

A Newbie’s Guide to Publishing – Blog on self-publishing from author Joe Konrath

Scribophile Blog – Blog from the Writing Academy – loads of tips and advice

Terribleminds – Great blog from writer Chuck Wendig

Useful Writing Tools

Cliché Finder – Input your text and it reveals the clichés

Language is a Virus – cure writer’s block with prompts, exercises and games

Word Counter – Find words you use too many times using this handy counter

Write or Die – Productivity tool that helps you write. Set to kamikaze and watch it delete words if you stop writing

Useful Writer’s Services

ALLi  – The Alliance of Independent Authors: association for authors who self-publish. Visit the ALLi blog for advice on how to self-publish and sell your book

Author Earnings – Fighting for better pay and fairer terms in publishing. Page doesn’t seem to be working (May 2019)

The Book Designer – Practical advice to help self-publishers build better books

Canva – Free graphic design software to create book covers and more

Freelance Fees Guide – essential guidance and advice on contracts from London Freelance, the National Union of Journalists. Doesn’t seem to be working (May 2019)

Preditors and Editors – Searchable lists and advice to help you avoid scams

Reedsy – find professional editors, book designers, and marketers to help publish your book

What Every Writer Needs to Know – advice on contracts and rights from the Writers Guild of America

Writer Beware – Exposing fraud and dodgy dealings in the publishing industry. Visit the Writer Beware blog for more advice and warnings

Writers Guild Resources – WGGB guidelines booklets, codes of practice and useful links

Competition Listings

Book & Novel Writing Competitions – list compiled by Christopher Fielden

Creative Writing Ink – links to lots of writing competitions

Gotham Writers – contests from the Gotham Writers Workshop

InkTip – search for screenwriting competitions in the InkTip Directory

ISA Contests – search for current screenplay contests worldwide from the International Screenwriters Association

NAWE Young Writers’ Hub – competitions and submissions from the National Association of Writers in Education

Poets & Writers – search for contests, grants and awards from this trusted resource

Publishers Archive – young adult book awards and writing competitions

Writers & Artists – various competitions from the publisher of the W&A Yearbook

The Writer’s Guide – comprehensive list of writing competitions

More On this Site

• Mind Training for Writers – learn how to control your thoughts
• Novel Writing Competition List
• Screenwriting Competition List
• A Writer’s Guide to the Creative Process
• How to Be Creative in a Mad World
• Books for Writers
• More Writer’s Resources
• Writing Prompts on the Free Your Pen blog
• Browse Writing Archive

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Have I missed any good ones? Add your recommendations in the comments below…