This page has lots and lots of resources for writers: from writing, to publishing, to self-publishing, to book marketing, to tools. As I find new helpful blogs or tools, I’ll add them.
And as links break and sites change, if you try a link and it doesn’t work, PLEASE let me know with an email to kcioffiventrice@gmail.com
Please put “Broken Link” in the subject box and include which link is broken. I’d sure appreciate it. Now, off we go:
WRITING BLOGS
Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi (you’re already here!)
Writing and book marketing tips
KidLit
Former agent Mary Kole discusses writing for children
Jane Friedman
Excellent writing, publishing, and book marketing tips
Writer’s Digest
Writing and Publishing
Write, Query, Publish (WQP)
Former editor of Writer’s Digest Guide to Literary Agents, Chuck Sambuchino, along with Brian Klems and Cris Freese (also from Writer’s Digest), created a new writing blog.
Helping Writers Become Authors
Tips on outlining and structure
One Stop for Writers
Amazing resource of writing tips for writers
Writers Helping Writers
Writing tips
Writer Unboxed
Group of writers discussing writing
Funds for Writers
Tips for the Freelance Writer, C. Hope Clark, Editor
Writers on the Move
Group of experienced authors giving writing and book marketing tips
The Winged Pen
Group of writers writing about writing
Sharing with Writers
Carolyn Howard-Johnson: writing and promotion
Story Fix
Larry Brooks talks about the craft of writing
Jerry Jenkins
Best selling author with 190 books gives writing advice
Grammar – Quick and Dirty Tricks
Grammar Girl: For better writing
Evil Editor
Straight talking and humorous editor gives advice on queries, synopses, and the first pages of books.
DebbieOhi.com
Debbie Ridpath Ohi offers tips, tools, inspiration, and links for writers of all kinds.
DIY MFA
Tools and advice to DIY your master’s in writing
Daily Writing Tips
Grammar and freelance writing tips
Write That Book
Podcast interviews with authors, agents, editors, poets, and illustrators
Writers in the Storm
Information on all aspects of writing and surviving writing
Writer Beware
An industry watchdog
AGENTS’ SITES
Agent Query
A free, searchable database of agents with article and formatting tips
Association of Author’s Representatives
Lists over 400 agents who are members
Guide to Literary Agents
Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog
Query Shark
Query Shark critiques fiction queries. You have to send a query to the shark for it to be considered.
Rachelle Gardner’s Rants and Ramblings
Life as a Literary Agent
Nathan Bransford
Former agent blogs about children’s books and much more
Janet Reid
Agent critiques fiction queries (for free). Submit your query and she may review it.
Nelson Agency
Literary agent Kristin rants about queries, writers, and the publishing industry
Book Ends
Literary Agency Blog
Books and Such
Literary agents talk about writing and publishing
PubRants
Literary agent rants
Publishing and Marketing Blogs
Author Marketing Experts
Book marketing tips and advice from Penny Sansevieri
Seth Godin
Marketing tips
Michael Hyatt
Publishing pro (and Thomas Nelson CEO)
The Creative Penn
Self-publishing, book marketing, and writing
Kindlepreneur
Great info on Kindle marketing
Brooke Warner
Writing and publishing tips
The Book Designer
Self-publishing and book marketing
Terry Cordingley
Book marketing and author publicity
WP Beginner
WordPress tips for beginners and on
Book Marketing Tools
Tips and tools
Self-Publishing Services
Note that when it says “no upfront costs,” it means you don’t have to pay anything upfront, but the company gets a percentage of each sale.
Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Allows you to create and sell e-books through the Kindle format – no upfront costs
Draft2Digital
Create and sell ebooks – no upfront cost – they get a percentage of the sales
Amazon Publishing
Amazon’s imprints for self-publishing
Writers on the Move Self-Publishing Service
Illustrations / Formatting-Design / Print-ready Files / Uploading to KDP and IngramSpark / Publishing Board Books / Picture Books / Chapter Books
Smashwords
Allows you to create and sell ebooks in several formats with no upfront cost
BookBaby
Packages offered. Also offers writing, publishing, and book marketing articles
IngramSpark
Similar to Createspace – not sure about picture books.
Self-Publishing Advice Center
Tips on all things self-publishing
10 Things Every Writer Should Know About Amazon Publishing
Please research any self-publishing company you’re thinking of going with. Make sure they’re reputable and know exactly what you’ll be getting for your money.
Resources and Online Tools for Writers
The Chicago Manual of Style Online
Answers readers’ questions
United States Copyright Office
Learn about copyrights
Wikipedia
This is an excellent starting point for gathering information. It is NOT an end-all for fact checking though.
Self-Publishing Services Reviews
Alliance of Independent Authors review of self-publishing services / this site has excellent information for self-publishers
Winning Writers
Resources for poets and writers
Dictionary
Online dictionary and thesaurus
Writing-World
Names of people and places for research
Dolch Word List
Finding age appropriate words
Rinkworks
Fantasy Name Generate lists dozens of names at a time
WordWeb
A FREE downloadable one-click English thesaurus and dictionary for Windows that can look up words in almost any program. It works off-line, but can also look up words in web references such as the Wikipedia encyclopedia.
The Institute of Children’s Literature
Teaches children’s writing
Dropbox (FREE 2 GB Online Data Storage Backup Service)
This is probably one of the most valuable tools you will have for your writing. Saving your work, and/or your clients work is an absolute must for all writers. Although zip drives are great, they do fail, so having an offsite service that will back up only the files you want is like the pot of gold at the end of a rainbow . . . to writers anyway.
SiteBeginner
Free step-by-step instructions on how to create a WordPress website.
Make a Website Hub
Tips and guide to create your own website.
LaughingBird Graphics
To market effectively, you need to use graphics / images. They have lots and lots of options to create your own unique images, headers, and even social median banners. I use Laughingbird and like it so much, I’m an affiliate for the product.
Canva
Library of book cover templates to help you create the perfect cover.
How To Make a Website
Step-by-Step Guide From a Web Developer
How to Start a Blog: A comprehensive guide on creating a blog.
Writing and Marketing Groups, Programs, and Services
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
Has a yearly fee, but is a worldwide organization focusing on children’s writers and illustrators. It’s a great place for beginning and intermediate writers to ask questions, find lots of information, and find quality critique groups.
Author’s Den
Where authors and readers come together.
JacketFlap
Connects you to the work of more than 200,000 authors, illustrators, publishers and other creators of books for Children and Young Adults
Good Reads
Probably the largest site of readers discussing books and giving reviews.
Writer’s Market
Find places to sell your writing, whether you’ve got a book, manuscript, or article idea. Use information specific to your writing needs–whether you’re interested in fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s, scriptwriting, or agents–with their niche-specific pages.
Writers Relief
Submission service for Authors
Publisher’s Marketplace
Track deals, sales, reviews, agents, editors, and publishing news
The Literary Marketplace
Find information about book publishers, literary agents, illustration agents, and marketing
Writing for Children with Karen Cioffi
Specializing in ghostwriting and rewriting children’s picture books through middle-grade. The site also has great articles on writing – check out the blog.
Build Your Author/Writer Platform
4-week, in-depth eclass through WOW! Women on Writing that shows you how to start and build your author online platform: your website, blogging, social media, and email marketing
Things to Watch For in Your Writing and Book Marketing Journey
Three Ways to Avoid Copyright Infringement for Images on Your Blog
How to Avoid Using Images Illegally
FINALLY, if you know of a site that should be on this list, please let me know. If I think it’s a good fit, I’ll include it! You can let me know at kcioffiventrice@gmail.com