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
- 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
Have I missed any good ones? Add your recommendations in the comments below…
Amazing list of helpful resources. Thank you!
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You’re welcome, Jesse.
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Lots of great information. I just wrote my first book. I’m not a writer but I wanted to share my story of how my mom influenced me. I called it “She is my hero.” I’m sure I could have done a better job. Will use your resources. Thank you.
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Hope you find them helpful. Congratulations on the book, and by the way, if you’ve written a book, it’s safe to call yourself a writer! Good luck, Diana.
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Thank you for this! I bookmarked so many of these links. 🙂
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Glad you found it helpful 🙂
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Thank you!
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You’re welcome!
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