Resources for writers
Links that writers may find useful from first draft to the publishing stage. Most of these listed are free, some with limited access unless subscribed to. It’s worth looking at them all just to see what they offer. In the photo at left one book is traditionally published, the other is self-published.
Downloads: A 2022 article I wrote about the specifics of self-publishing, focusing on KDP. A 2023 workshop talk on traditional vs self-publishing.
Reedsy many free resources on this site
> https://reedsy.com/faq/common-questions/services/editing many free resources on this site
> https://reedsy.com/write-a-book Write, collaborate, and format your book in Reedsy’s free writing tool
> https://blog.reedsy.com/guide/book-manuscript-format/ book manuscript formatting including a template
Writers Digest many free resources on this site but even more if you subscribe
> https://www.writersdigest.com/publishing-insights/researching-literary-agents-find-agent-connect
> https://www.writersdigest.com/getting-published
Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America https://www.sfwa.org/real/ more than just for SFF
Duotrope https://duotrope.com/search/agents/ agent & publisher search (subscription service)
Query Tracker http://www.querytracker.net/ agent search, keep track of queries (subscription service)
Agent Query https://agentquery.com/ free searchable database of literary agents
Query Shark https://queryshark.blogspot.com/ a blog that critiques fiction queries (be prepared for brutal but honest critiques)
Query Manager https://querymanager.com/ query management tools for agents and publishers
Literary Agencies https://literaryagencies.com/ free literary agent searchable database
Manuscript Wish List #WMWL https://www.manuscriptwishlist.com/ agents and editors to post what they are currently looking for
Publishers Marketplace https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ databases, tools, news, and analysis for and about agents, editors, publishers, writers, and industry members (subscription)
Association of American Literary Agents https://aalitagents.org/ free searchable database of an organization of professionals working at literary agencies
Jericho Writers https://jerichowriters.com/our-services/agentmatch/ literary agent searchable database (free for 7 days, then subscription)
Authors Publish https://authorspublish.com/ free emails with reviews of publishers seeking short stories, poetry, essays, and books
Hemingway https://hemingwayapp.com/ makes your writing bold and clear, if that’s what you want
Grammarly https://www.grammarly.com/grammar-check free grammar checker (other services available with subscription)
Computer Tools and Editing Software for Writers https://training.certstaff.com/certstaffix/Computer-Tools-and-Editing-Software-for-Writers.asp a bunch of links to useful tools (thanks Annie & Willow)
Submittable https://www.submittable.com/ an online platform that many publishers, agents,and other entities (e.g. contests, writer’s retreats, etc.) use to collect and review submissions and applications
Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/list/tag/read-alikes find comparables for your book
Book Riot https://mytbr.co/ find comparables for your book (subscription service)
ReadUpNext https://www.readupnext.com/ find comparables for your book
BookBub https://www.bookbub.com/ find comparables for your book
Ask your librarian to help you with comparables! It’ll let you practice your blurb skills at the same time!
Publisher’s Rocket https://publisherrocket.com/ App to help get books in front of more Amazon shoppers
Author’s Guild https://authorsguild.org/ the oldest and largest professional organization for published writers in the US
Note: I’m not affiliated with any of the above resources.