Editor’s note: Looking for our most updated list of best writing websites? Here’s our list for 2021.
The world offers a lot of ways to become a writer.
You can go to school for journalism or creative writing, get a Ph.D. and publish in journals, start a blog and turn it into a business, write a book and become famous…The paths are innumerable.
Whatever kind of writer you want to be, you can probably find a blog or online community to help you get there.
Each year, The Write Life celebrates these vast resources available to us online by releasing a list of the 100 Best Websites for Writers, and we’re excited to do it for the fifth year in a row.
Thanks to your suggestions, you’ve helped us curate hundreds of websites to bring you the best of the best.
Many are tried-and-true favorites previously featured in our 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 lists, and this year we’re thrilled to feature 25 newcomers, including 10 new writing communities you recommended.
Each website featured in this list meets the following criteria:
It was recommended by readers of The Write Life
It publishes content helpful to writers
It has been updated recently and regularly
We’ve broken our 2018 list into nine categories: Blogging, creativity and craft, editing, freelancing, marketing and platform building, podcasts, publishing, writing communities and teens and kids. All sites are listed in alphabetical order within their categories, with numbers for ease of reading (not ranking).
And if you want to start your own website or blog, here’s our step-by-step guide. Your website could be next on our list!
Sophie Lizard teaches you how to take your freelance blogging skills to pro level. Through her blog posts, free community and job board, you’ll increase your blogging income and become an expert in your niche.
Take your content marketing, SEO and community-building skills to the next level with Copyblogger’s library of free ebooks, blog posts, forums and more. It’s a leading resource for professional blogging from the creators of the Rainmaker Platform for digital marketing.
Founder Darren Rowse and the ProBlogger team bring you the latest news and tips to build a better blog. This site offers extensive resources on how to monetize your blog, as well as a job board constantly updated with new blogging opportunities.
At See Jane Write, founder Javacia Harris Bowser seeks to empower women to be “authors of their own lives” and “live a life worth writing about.” Consistently recommended by many of our readers, See Jane Write is a great place for bloggers who are looking to grow their platforms and turn their blogs into businesses.
Ali Luke provides both practical and motivational advice on writing books, blogging and building a business around your writing. Check out her Writer’s Huddle community and ebooks on blogging.
Almost an Author offers a deep archive of content focused on helping writers at any level. Blog posts, interviews and resources help writers learn the craft and launch their careers.
Author and writing coach Ann Kroeker is on a mission to help writers reach their goals by maximizing curiosity, creativity and productivity. Her website is home to numerous blog posts, podcasts and resources for writers.
No matter what type of writing you enjoy, the Australian Writers’ Centre has a course for you. Along with a full blog archive, this site offers dozens of online and in-person courses on freelance writing, creativity, novel writing, business writing, blogging and more. Courses start at $97.
If you’re a screenwriter, Bang2Write is for you. This site offers tons of advice on how to develop great stories and pitch your scripts, along with best practices for writing research.
Author, editor and writing coach C.S. Lakin loves helping writers get their manuscripts ready for publication. At Live Write Thrive, she writes about proper scene structure, character development, editing and crafting a fantastic story.
The folks at DIY MFA believe you can access the benefits of a Master in Fine Arts without having to go the traditional (expensive) route. It all comes down to a simple but powerful combination: Writing with focus, reading with purpose and building your community.
Prolific mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig blogs about all things relevant to a writer’s life, including public speaking, productivity, gaining visibility and connecting with the wider author community. Her weekly roundup of writing articles is a reader favorite.
A passionate writer and creative writing teacher, Eva Deverell offers tons of resources for readers, writers, poets and people who just love learning. With worksheets, blog posts, writing prompts and ebooks, this site offers practical ways to deepen your craft.
Janice Hardy understands there’s no “right” way to write. So instead of giving advice on what writers should do, she explains how to make industry rules work for you. With new articles and guest columns every day, you’ll gain valuable insight into the book-writing and publishing process.
At How to Write a Book Now, author Glen C. Strathy shares tips on everything about the writing and book publishing process, from where to start, to story model analysis, to creating compelling characters. Readers can also submit their questions about writing.
Best-selling author Jeff Goins created his site to inspire others to awaken to their creative gifts and develop their true voices. Through his blog posts, podcasts and newsletters you’ll get an inside peek into the life of a successful creative professional, as well as practical advice for pursuing your own art.
Inky Girl is the place for children’s book writers and illustrators. Debbie Ridpath Ohi shares original comics, interviews with industry experts, and advice on telling unique stories. Her series on writing picture books is a reader favorite.
Run by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center, Journalist’s Resource offers write-ups on the latest scholarly studies, reports and data. This is a great place to find reliable research as well as inspiration for your next freelance article.
Lauren Carter is a writer and creativity coach who offers one-on-one coaching and online courses to help writers focus and build a writing practice. Her blog posts turn life lessons into writing inspiration and motivation.
Writer, editor and web designer Nicole Bianchi shares practical and personal advice for writers at all stages of their careers. Her tips help writers boost their productivity, improve their writing skills and build their online presence.
One Stop for Writers by Writers Helping Writers is a “storehouse of creative information.” Grab free resources to help you write and plan your story, from an Emotion Thesaurus to a variety of Story Maps.
In the pursuit of creating work that matters, all writers get stuck from time to time. Doubts can creep in, and it’s sometimes hard to get back on track. Bryan Hutchinson offers motivating blog posts to help you move beyond writing paralysis and finish the work you set out to create.
Tons of our readers recommended this site this year! ProWritingAid offers manuscript editing software to help you analyze and self-edit your writing. You can sign up with an email address to use the free tool to analyze 500 words of text for style, grammar, overused words, readability and more. You can pay for a membership to get desktop software and eliminate the word-count limit.
At PsychWriter, Tamar Sloan explores the intersection of psychology and writing, specifically as it pertains to character development and reader engagement. This blog covers the art of making your characters and story believable.
No matter what kind of fiction you write, Re:Fiction welcomes you. This site offers resources to help you at all stages, from getting better at writing to publishing to marketing and building your platform. It also offers multiple scholarships for professional editing and critiques each month on manuscripts of up to 5,000 words.
What do all successful writers have in common? Practice. At The Write Practice, Joe Bunting and his team help you develop your writing rhythm and grow into your voice and identity as a writer.
Tweetspeak Poetry is the go-to site for “the best in poetry and poetic things.” Here, readers and writers alike can indulge in beautiful poetry, writing workshops, book clubs and more. This is also a great place to find resources for teaching poetry.
Writer Mandy Wallace believes you can’t wait to become inspired or for luck to strike. Just “Show up, shut up and write,” and sooner or later it will all come together. Wallace’s blog documents the writing lessons she’s learned and offers practical guides for upgrading your own writing.
The one constant when it comes to writing? It all comes down to the people: You as a writer, your characters and their development and the audience you seek to connect with. At Writerology, Faye Kirwin combines her expertise in writing and psychology to help you hone your craft, understand people and write amazing stories.
Authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are dedicated to creating one-of-a-kind resources that writers will actually use. Their books and blog posts focus on helping writers become better storytellers.
Just like their characters during perilous times, writers must weather the storm of their profession — and shifting industry tides. Run by a group of authors, the Writers In The Storm blog provides inspiration and tips for writers during all stages of the process.
Frustrated their analytical articles about books and movies were rejected, founders Therese Walsh and Kathleen Bolton decided to create Writer Unboxed in 2006 so they could freely publish their observations. It has since grown into a thriving community where writers of all levels can contribute their thoughts on the craft of writing.
Write to Done is all about learning to write well. Founder Mary Jaksch brings the age-old advice to keep writing to a whole new level, noting that it’s not practice that makes you a better writer — it’s practice directed in a positive way.
You may speak English fluently, but the language can still be quite a mystery. Grammar Girl is the go-to guide for all things “grammar, punctuation, usage and fun developments in the English language.” She has a popular podcast, too.
Kathy Steinemann loves words. On her blog, she shares master lists of adjectives and offers tips for avoiding overused words and being more descriptive and original in your writing.
The Writership “Captain’s Blog” is run by a team of editors with Executive Editor Leslie Watts at the helm. Through the blog and podcast of the same name, they offer self-editing tips for fiction writers.
Scribendi is focused on the art of editing and proofreading. Their resources for writers cover everything from grammar to finding inspiration to the mechanics of writing.
On the first of each month, Cathy Bryant posts an extensive list of competitions, contests and calls for submission. She notes whether they’re paid or not, for quick skimming. This site is a great one-stop shop for all recent writing opportunities.
Elna Cain believes you don’t need experience to be a successful freelance writer — you just need a passion for writing. On her blog, she shares tips and strategies to help new freelance writers succeed.
You have questions, they have answers. Team members and guest contributors at Freelancer FAQs address all the things you’ve ever wanted to know about freelance life, including marketing, getting started, recommended resources, money management and more.
You love to write. But to be a successful freelancer, you need to work those business muscles. That’s where Freelance to Freedom comes in. Founder Leah Kalamakis offers articles and ebooks that teach everything from client management to setting up your business website.
At Freelance to Win, Danny Margulies wants you to stop compromising and start living a life of freedom — all by building a freelance career. Danny is an expert at landing gigs on Upwork, and his blog shares all the latest tips on how to use this platform for ultimate success.
It’s been around since 1997 and is still going strong: Freelance Writing has an extensive archive of articles, tutorials, media and resources all geared to helping you build a successful career. Its jobs listings are updated daily, so you’re always in the know about new opportunities.
In 2016, Lindy Alexander took on the challenge of taking her freelance writing career full time. The Freelancer’s Year documents the lessons she’s learned and features interviews with seasoned freelancers.
C. Hope Clark believes writing can be a realistic career for all writers. Her weekly newsletter lists the best competitions, grants and other well-paying markets, and her platform has grown to include a blog and a bi-weekly paid newsletter with even more high-paying opportunities per issue.
Lauren Tharp has found a way to write as a freelancer full time and is dedicated to helping other writers do the same. With bi-monthly newsletters, a blog and a podcast, LittleZotz is a great source of practical tips for your freelance life.
At Make a Living Writing, Carol Tice helps writers move up from low-paying markets and earn more from their work. With her blog, e-books and paid community, you’ll find awesome advice, support and resources to grow as a freelance writer.
At Pen & Pro$per, Jennifer Brown Bank shares more than 15 years of professional writing experience to help others reach financial success with their writing. As one The Write Life reader said, “With an outstanding array of diverse topics, tips and tricks of the writing profession, this is a blog well worth bookmarking!”
Around since 1997, Writers Weekly is a tried-and-true resource for freelance writers. It offers regular updates on paying markets, as well as expert interviews and success stories.
At Writing Revolt, Jorden Roper is leading a revolution to help freelance writers and bloggers make serious money. Her site is filled with actionable articles, courses and resources that will help you become better at writing, pitching and landing great clients.
This simple tool, created by freelance writer Susan Shain, helps you decide (you guessed it) where to pitch your articles, based on a topic or publication. The Where to Pitch newsletter offers monthly freelance writing tips and resources.
In 2012, writer Henneke left the corporate world and grew a freelance copywriting business. Now she writes this blog and coaches other writers full-time, helping them market themselves through engaging copy and a fun blog.
For business, sales and marketing-focused writers, HubSpot is a great place to stay on top of the latest research, insights and strategies for connecting with your audience and making them fall in love with your brand.
Founder Kristi Hines brings you the latest strategies, trends and how-tos in digital marketing. Kikolani is a must-have resource for business and professional bloggers who want to make their brands stand out.
Seth Godin’s blog might not be specifically about writing, but his daily bits of wisdom on business, marketing and life will help you approach your work in new ways. His posts never fail to inspire an energy to “Go, make something happen.”
Shelley Hitz believes everyone has a message, and she’s on a mission to help you reach your target audience and build your author platform. With her blog posts, podcast and Author Audience Academy, you’ll find tons of content on book writing, publishing and marketing.
Author Joanna Penn has built a best-selling writing career, and she wants to help you do it, too. Her site offers a wealth of resources on self-publishing and platform-building — from her articles and ebooks to her popular podcast library of author interviews.
Writers Boon is a book publishing and marketing directory where you can connect with other authors, publishing and marketing experts and resources for authors. Sign up is free, and you can follow the Writers Boon Blog for ongoing advice and news.
We all love writing, but sometimes platform building and promotion don’t feel as natural. That’s where Create If Writing comes in. Host Kirsten Oliphant shares tips and tools on how to build an authentic platform for your creative brand.
Author Mark Dawson hosts this podcast, which features interviews with some of the biggest names in the self-publishing game. Listen for tips on writing, publishing, marketing and more.
On the Story Grid podcast, author Shawn Coyne and “struggling” writer Tim Grahl discuss the art and science of writing a story that resonates. There’s a blueprint for great novels — and these co-hosts seek to crack the code.
This show brings you inside an actual writing class, where you can hear other people tell their stories, witness breakthroughs and hear the ins and outs of learning to write well.
In these weekly 15-minute episodes, writers Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler and Dan Wells talk about all things writing. They often have season-long themes — check out season 12 for a masterclass in story structure.
Publishing veterans Anne R. Allen and Ruth Harris created this online space to offer wisdom and tips for navigating the increasingly complex (and sometimes predatory) publishing world. Whether you’re an indie author or looking to land a traditional publishing deal, check out their archives and resources.
Literary agent Maria writes this blog about books, food, life and writing. You can sign up for free with an email for access to articles on writing and blogging, but recipes and articles for book lovers are public.
Consider K.M. Weiland your writing and publishing mentor. With hundreds of blog posts, instructional ebooks and an exclusive e-letter, her website is the perfect place to find the answers to all your questions. She also responds to every email she receives (really!) about writing, publishing and marketing fiction.
Former publisher Jane Friedman explores the intersection of publishing, authorship and the digital age. With more than 15 years in the industry, Friedman knows her stuff — and her blog is a wealth of information on how to embrace “the future of authorship.”
New York literary agent Janet Reid shares tons of insight into the life of a literary agent and — what every writer craves — what she loves and hates to see in a query. Her advice is fun to read and helpful whether you want to query her or any other agent.
At My Story Doctor, author David Farland offers tips and workshops on how to write your story and get it published. He offers strategic advice on the business of writing, covering topics like how to get great deals and make the most of your publishing opportunities.
At Nail Your Novel, bestselling ghostwriter and book doctor Roz Morris shares her best traditional and self-publishing tips as well as musings on the writing process. Be sure to check out her radio show “So You Want to Be a Writer?”
The team at Novel Publicity believes every story should be told, and have its own platform and loyal fans. With that core belief in mind, it provides guidance on writing, marketing and publishing. Posts cover everything from social media strategy and book design to finances and author blogging.
Writer and coach Elizabeth Lyons self-published her first bestseller in 2003, all about her first year raising twins. Her second book garnered attention from literary agents, so she decided to share her secrets through a series of online courses and programs. Her blog shares tips on everything from overcoming writer’s block to launching and marketing.
It took Kristen Kieffer two and a half years to finish her first draft — then she realized she had made every mistake in the book. She vowed not to let these personal lessons go to waste, so she created Well-Storied (formerly She’s Novel), a blog and resource hub that helps writers more-easily navigate the journey of crafting brilliant novels.
You’ve written your book. Now what? Standoutbooks has tons of articles, templates, tools and resource recommendations for getting your book published and marketed to the max. While you’re there, grab your free Book Marketing Plan and Press Release templates.
At The Book Designer, Joel Friedlander uses his experience in book design, advertising and graphic design to help writers “build better books” and get published. Along with his extensive blog archive, check out his book design templates and Book Launch Toolkit.
What better way to get book publishing advice than from an agent himself? From resource recommendations to nearly a decade’s worth of blog archives, The Steve Laube Agency website is full of advice for writers who are taking their first steps into the world of publishing.
Writer’s Digest is home to many resources, competitions, and communities. The Guide to Literary Agents and There Are No Rules blogs give you an inside look into the publishing industry, Robert Lee Brewer’s Poetic Asides is for poet’s, and Jess Zafarris’ The Writer’s Dig covers all things writing.
For more than 20 years, Writer’s Relief has helped creatives successfully submit their writing to literary journals, book publishers, agents and more. The staff’s blog is full of publishing tips, and a paid-subscriber-only classifieds section lists contests, conferences and residences.
Author Ryan Lanz started this writing community to help authors find book reviewers and publishing services, and offer free resources, critiques and coaching. For $8,95 a year, you’ll get access, plus exclusive discounts on services and other freebies.
Writers touted this community by New York Times-bestselling author Alessandra Torre. She teaches courses in writing and publishing and offers a space for you to connect with nearly 3,000 other writers.
Booksie lets you publish your writing — from articles to novels — for readers to review or just enjoy for free. You can also read and comment on others’ work to support them. The community is for writers 13 years or older, so it doesn’t allow adult content.
Chronicles is a thriving community for science fiction and fantasy writers. Community members gather to discuss favorite books, authors and common themes in science fiction and fantasy writing.
The Fiction Writing Facebook group is a community of nearly 10,000 writers. Here, you can post your writing for critique or reviews, and veteran members can announce details about upcoming book releases and published pieces.
Inked Voices is a platform for small workshopping groups. Connect with other writers in your genre, share work in a private workspace and exchange feedback and critiques. Cost is $10 a month or $75 a year.
Whether you’re just beginning to write or a best-selling pro, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is here to help you overcome whatever doubts and insecurities might keep you from being your best.
This community is for writers and readers “who believe in good, old-fashioned family values.” You can post your writing for community feedback and offer feedback to other writers.
Yes, this is the event all the writers you know participate in every November — National Novel Writing Month. Did you know you can visit the NaNoWriMo site for tons of resources to help you win? You can also chat with other writers through the online forum and find NaNo groups in your area.
The Now Novel program offers a structured, straightforward way to get your book done. With a step-by-step process that takes the guessing out of what to do next, personalized mentorship and community groups for even more support, you’ll be an author in no time.
More than 30,000 writers of all levels of expertise have joined this buzzing community, founded by author Kamy Wicoff. At She Writes, you can create your own profile, build your network, share your work, get expert advice and feedback and discuss all types of topics in the forum.
This community for short-story writers has more than 50,000 active members. Share your writing with the whole community, or in private forums to connect with smaller critique groups.
Talentville is the online destination for screenwriters and storytellers. This community focuses on bringing together people across the industry — from novice script writers to top agents and producers — so high-quality work can be easily discovered.
This community is focused on supporting emerging writers. They publish works from writers who don’t have published novels and haven’t been featured on larger platforms yet. Be on the lookout for their annual anthology, which features the 10 best emerging writers in the country.
Two Drops of ink is a literary blog accepting submissions from writers of almost any genre. The editors also post book reviews and blog posts about writing and the publishing industry.
This writing community lets you post your work for feedback and reviews, and connect with other writers. If you find writing you enjoy, you can save it to build your own library of up-and-coming authors!
This social network for writers has been around since 2000, and it’s free to join. Join for peer-to-peer reviews or just to make writerly friends. Users have the option to use pseudonyms and remain anonymous.
Rae Elliott of Barely Hare Books believes teens can write fandom-worthy fiction. Blog posts, a podcast and several ebooks offer advice for anyone who wants to embark on self-publishing adventure, but the site is geared mainly towards writerly teens.
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Stephanie Morrill knows a love of writing often starts at a young age. That’s why she created Go Teen Writers: to provide encouragement, community and wisdom to aspiring teen writers who want to learn more about how to finish a novel and get it published.
