Tag: freelance writing

  • The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2019

    The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2019

    Editor’s note: Looking for our most updated list of best writing websites? Here’s our list for 2021.

    Endless definitions of “writer” exist in the world. And they’re only growing with the proliferation of blogging and digital publishing.

    Whether you’re a novelist, journalist, Ph.D. candidate, entrepreneurial blogger, self-help guru writing a book or some combination of creativity at the intersection of multiple ambitions, you call yourself “a writer.” Whatever kind of writer you are, a blog or online community probably exists to help you succeed.

    Each year, The Write Life celebrates these vast resources available by releasing a list of the 100 Best Websites for Writers, and we’re excited to do it for the sixth year in a row.

    Curating our list of go-to writing websites

    Thanks to your suggestions over the years, we’ve been able to curate hundreds of websites to bring you the best of the best. Many are tried-and-true favorites featured in our previous lists, and this year we’re thrilled to feature several newcomers you recommended, along with two new categories: writing tools and inspiration.

    Each website featured in this list meets the following criteria:

    • It was recommended by readers of The Write Life. More than 400 of you nominated sites this year — thank you!
    • It publishes content helpful to writers.
    • It has been updated recently and regularly.

    We’ve broken our 2019 list into 10 categories: freelancing, inspiration, writing tools, blogging, creativity and craft, editing, podcasts, marketing and platform building, writing communities and publishing. 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 on how to start a blog. Your website could be next on our list!

    Here’s our list of best writing websites in 2019.

    1. A Selfish Poet

    For poets and creative writers seeking publication, writer Trish Hopkinson shares writing tips and no-fee calls for submissions. Articles from Hopkinson and guest bloggers will help you become a savvier submitter and keep you abreast of the latest opportunities for writing contests, journals and other publications that pay.

    Post you’ll like: Just Keep Writing: 3 Forms to Re-energize Your Poetry

    2. Creative Revolt

    At Creative Revolt, Jorden Roper is leading a revolution to help freelance writers and bloggers make serious money. Don’t miss her free class on how to make your first $1,000 freelance writing in 45 days.

    Post you’ll like: How to Become a Freelance Writer with No Experience, Degree or Money

    3. Elna Cain

    Elna Cain has helped thousands of writers find their first freelance writing job and go on to make a living from writing. On her blog, she shares tips and strategies to help new freelance writers succeed.

    Post you’ll like: How to Write an About Page as a Brand New Freelance Writer

    4. Freelance to Freedom

    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, newsletters and a free Freelancer’s Toolkit to teach everything from client management to setting up your business website.

    Post you’ll like: How to Build a Side Hustle While Still Working a Full-Time Job

    5. Freelance to Win

    At Freelance to Win, Danny Margulies believes you should get to do work you actually enjoy doing — rather than just working for a paycheck and waiting for the weekend to arrive. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Can Attitude Beat Skills in Freelancing?

    6. Freelancer FAQs

    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 writing, marketing, running your business, money management and more.

    Post you’ll like: How Can I Find Profitable Niches to Make More Money as a Freelancer?

    7. FundsforWriters

    Where other websites provide guidance on how to write, FundsforWriters offers direction on funding streams, focusing on markets, competitions, awards, grants, publishers, agents, and jobs. Her free weekly newsletter reaches more than 35,000 writers, and includes semi-pro or higher paying markets and contests as well as grants, crowdfunding, contests, publishers, agents and employers.

    Post you’ll like: Beyond The Writer’s Market: Seven Ways to Find New Magazines

    8. LittleZotz Writing

    Lauren Tharp has found a way to write as a freelancer full time and is dedicated to helping other writers do the same. In 2018, she opened the site up to guest submissions, so if you have knowledge to share about writing, you’ll want to send Lauren a pitch!

    Post you’ll like: What to Do When You Lose Your Best Client

    9. Make a Living Writing

    At Make a Living Writing, Carol Tice helps writers move up from low-paying markets and earn more from their work. Whether you’re a new writer, mid-career writer or just thinking about becoming a writer, her blog, ebooks and paid community offer solid advice, support and resources to grow in your career.

    Post you’ll like: How to Become a Freelance Writer: The Ultimate Answer Sheet

    10. Pen & Pro$per

    You’re in the “write” place when you visit Pen & Pro$per where Jennifer Brown Bank shares more than 15 years of professional writing experience to help others reach financial success with their writing. The site is devoted to supporting and advancing its community along their creative journey.

    Post you’ll like: How to Onboard New Clients (And Why You Should)

    11. Sagan Morrow

    Recommended by readers, romance novelist and business-book author Sagan Morrow teaches solopreneurs how to build businesses. Her articles offer practical tips and step-by-step guidance for anyone who wants to make a living as a writer.

    Post you’ll love: Identifying Your Ideal Client: Step-by-Step Guide

    12. The Freelancer’s Year

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Are You Ready to Become a Full-Time Freelance Writer?

    13. Goins, Writer

    Best-selling author of five books, Jeff Goins believes you don’t have to starve to share your best work. He 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.

    Post you’ll like: Why the Story of the Starving Artist Needs to Die

    14. Positive Writer

    Bryan Hutchinson overcame writer’s doubt, and he knows you can too. In the pursuit of creating work that matters, all writers get stuck from time to time. Positive Writer offers motivating blog posts to help you move beyond writing paralysis and finish the work you set out to create.

    Post you’ll like: Keep Writing Even When You Absolutely Hate It

    15. The Write Practice

    Here’s a little secret about writing: It takes 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 through prompts, exercises and more.

    Post you’ll like: Writing Deadlines: The Unlikely Secret to Creative Freedom

    16. Write or Die

    Writers can’t do it alone! Community is everything over at Write or Die. Wallace’s blog documents the writing lessons she’s learned and offers practical guides and tools for upgrading your own writing.

    Post you’ll like: So What Exactly Is MBTI? The 5-Minute Breakdown for Writers

    17. Writers Helping Writers

    Authors Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are dedicated to empowering writers everywhere. Their books and blog posts focus on helping writers, editors and teachers become better storytellers.

    Post you’ll like: Beginnings and Backstory

    18. Duotrope

    This resource for writers helps you find agents and publishers for your work. Browse up-to-date market listings, track your submissions and deadlines, and get valuable insight into the publications you’re pitching. Duotrope costs $5 per month or $50 per year, and you’ll start with a seven-day free trial. Users say the cost is worth it.

    “You get pretty amazing statistics,” literary magazine editor Jerrod Schwarz told The Penny Hoarder, “that are as specific as percentage of people they publish, percentage of people they reject, how many people they publish per issue. Sometimes contact information.”

    Try out the tool here

    19. Journalist’s Resource

    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.

    Browse the latest research here

    20. One Stop for WritersIt’s here! Did your favorite site make The Write Life’s list of best writing websites?

    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 or upgrade to to one of their subscription offerings for even more support.

    Browse the resources here

    21. ProWritingAid

    Tons of our readers recommended this site last 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.

    Try the editing tool here

    22. Where to Pitch

    Created by freelance writer Susan Shain, this awesome resource helps you decide where to pitch your articles, based on a topic or publication. The free Where to Pitch newsletter offers monthly freelance writing tips and resources.

    Try out the tool here

    23. Who Pays Writers?

    “Who Pays Writers?” is a crowd-sourced list of publications that pay freelance writers and how much they pay. Just search for a publication in the tool, and you’ll see an average pay per word, a list of assignment descriptions and how long writers waited to be paid.

    Try out the tool here

    24. Writers Boon

    A one-stop destination for everything a writer needs, Writers Boon is a book publishing and marketing directory where you can connect with other authors, publishing and marketing experts and resources for authors. Membership is $89/year, but you can follow the Writers Boon Blog for ongoing free advice and news.

    Sign up here

    25. Be a Better Blogger

    Blogger Kevin Duncan created Be a Better Blogger in 2014 to help you — you guessed it — become a better blogger. His articles show bloggers how to get better engagement, increase traffic and choose the best tools to run your blog.

    Post you’ll like: 6 Simple Steps for Creating Remarkable Content

    26. Be a Freelance Blogger

    Sophie Lizard and her team at Be a Freelance Blogger shows you how to increase your income, build an expert reputation, and regain your freedom by blogging for hire. Through her blog posts, job board and Facebook group, you’ll increase your blogging income and become an expert in your niche.

    Post you’ll like: 6 Get-It-Done Tips for a Fairytale Freelance Blogging Career

    27. Copyblogger

    Since 2006, Copyblogger has been teaching people how to create killer online content. They’ve been around the block a time or two! Take your content marketing and copywriting skills to the next level with Copyblogger’s free membership, including an online-marketing e-course, free ebooks, forums and more. It’s a leading resource for professional blogging and digital marketing.

    Post you’ll like: A 10-Minute “Hack” That Makes You a More Confident and Effective Writer

    28. Craft Your Content

    This editorial agency founded by Elisa Doucette offers proofreading, editing and coaching services for entrepreneurial writers. Its free email course and articles motivate and educate writers to create better content.

    The Write Life readers say, “Elisa and Craft Your Content are one of the best kept secrets on the internet.”

    Post you’ll like: Responding to Edits as a Professional Writer

    29. How to Blog a Book

    In 2010, author Nina Amir developed the challenge to “write a blog post a day and a book a year” by blogging your nonfiction book from beginning to end. Now her site shares tips for blogging in general, including “booking blogs” — repurposing your blog content into books.

    Post you’ll like: How to Become a Prolific Author by Blogging Books

    30. ProBlogger

    Founder Darren Rowse and the ProBlogger team bring you the latest news and tips to build a better blog. This site, which has been around since 2004 (!), offers extensive resources on how to monetize your blog, as well as a robust job board constantly updated with new blogging opportunities.

    Post you’ll like: 3 Ways to Give Your Readers a Fresh Take on a Well-Worn Idea

    31. See Jane Write

    A website and community for women who write, 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 women who want to dive into the worlds of writing, blogging and entrepreneurship.

    Post you’ll like: Rediscovering the Joy of Blogging

    32. The Blogsmith

    Sales and marketing pro Maddy Osman shares SEO writing advice and content marketing expertise to help writers get more eyeballs on their sites.

    The Write Life readers say, “I always go to The Blogsmith when I need the most up to date information on industry changes that impacts writers.”

    Post you’ll like: How to Get Backlinks (Without Being Annoying)

    33. Aliventures

    Master the art, craft and business of writing with Ali Luke. Her blog provides practical and motivational advice on writing books, blogging and building a business around your writing. Check out her Writer’s Huddle Self-Study Packs to learn more about time management, self-publishing, freelancing and more.

    Post you’ll like: Three Things to Do Before You Start Freelance Writing… and Three Things Not to Bother With

    34. Almost an Author

    Almost an Author offers a deep archive of useful content focused on helping writers at any level. Blog posts, interviews and resources help writers learn the craft and launch their careers.

    Post you’ll like: Microblogging for Authors and Writers

    35. Ann Kroeker

    Ann Kroeker, an author and writing coach, helps established and emerging writers be more curious, creative and productive so they can overcome hurdles and reach their writing goals.Her website is home to numerous blog posts, podcasts and resources for writers.

    Podcast episode you’ll like: 4 Simple Ways to Put Your Own Writing First

    36. Bang2Write

    Calling all screenwriters (and novelists)! 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.

    Post you’ll like: 22 Industry Pros Share Their Advice On What They DON’T Want

    37. C.S. Lakin’s Live Write Thrive

    Novelist, copyeditor and writing coach C.S. Lakin loves writing, teaching and helping writers. At Live Write Thrive, she writes about proper scene structure, character development, editing and crafting a fantastic story.

    Post you’ll like: How Writers Can Spot Those Pesky Flaws in Their Fiction

    38. DIY MFA

    According to the folks at DIY MFA, the typical MFA (Master of Fine Arts) boils down to one simple formula: Writing + Reading + Community. And you can do that yourself, accessing the benefits of a Master of Fine Arts degree without having to go the traditional (expensive) route.

    Post you’ll like: Using Fiction Writing Techniques to Enhance Your Creative Nonfiction

    39. Elizabeth Spann Craig

    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 “Twitterific” roundup of writing articles is a reader favorite.

    Post you’ll like: Pushing Ourselves in 2019

    40. Eva Deverell

    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. Don’t forget to grab your free novel outline!

    Post you’ll like: How to Write Fast

    41. Fiction University

    There’s no “right” way to write. So instead of giving advice on what writers should do, Janice Hardy explains how to make industry rules work for you. Take your writing to the next level with new articles and guest columns published regularly on Fiction University. You’ll gain valuable insight into the book-writing and publishing process.

    Post you’ll like: An Easy Tip for Tightening Your Novel’s Plot

    42. 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. At How to Write a Book Now, readers can also submit their questions about writing.

    Post you’ll like: Plotters vs. Pantsers: How to Make Sure Writer’s Block Doesn’t Kill Your Dream

    43. Inky Girl

    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.

    Post you’ll like: My Biggest Piece of Creativity Advice for Writers & Illustrators (All Ages): Make Time to PLAY

    44. Lauren Carter

    A writer and creativity coach, Lauren Carter 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.

    Post you’ll like: Doubt

    45. Nicole Bianchi

    Writer, editor and web designer Nicole Bianchi shares practical and personal advice about writing, copywriting, and marketing strategies Her tips help writers boost their productivity, improve their writing skills and build their online presence.

    Post You’ll Like: Use this Strategy to Craft Captivating Blog Post Introductions

    46. PsychWriter

    Pyschology and writing have a lot in common. Over 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.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Free Motivational Posters for Writers

    47. Re:Fiction

    Re:Fiction believes the great writers of tomorrow are out there even now, honing their skills and polishing their yet untold stories. This online magazine, filled with useful resources, is devoted to helping fiction writers thrive.

    Post you’ll like: How to Start Writing When You’re Stuck

    48. The Craft of Writing

    Creative writer Anne Skyvington blogs on the craft of writing and her life as a writer in Sydney, Australia. Her articles distill the research she does for her own creative writing and explore the fundamentals of writing and publishing.

    Post you’ll love: To Plot or Not to Plot?

    49. Tweetspeak Poetry

    The team behind Tweetspeak Poetry are committed to helping people become who they really are. 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.

    Post you’ll like: What Hemingway Can Teach You About Professional Loneliness

    50. Write to Done

    Write to Done is all about learning to write better. Founder and chief editor 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.

    The Write Life readers say, “It’s practical and covers all topics.”

    Post you’ll like: How to Create an Easy Habit of Daily Writing Without Willpower

    51. Writer Unboxed

    Writer Unboxed is dedicated to publishing empowering, positive, and provocative ideas about the craft and business of fiction. Founded in 2006 by Kathleen Bolton and current editorial director Therese Walsh, the site featured many guest voices and is well known robust comment section, where the conversation further evolves with the input of community members.

    Post you’ll like: The Different Types of Editing Explained

    52. Writerology

    At Writerology, Faye Kirwin combines her expertise in writing and psychology to help you hone your craft, understand people and write amazing stories. She believes that to write a spellbinding book, you need a handle on more than just storytelling technique. You need to understand something that saturates every part of the writing process: people.

    Post you’ll like: How to Get Into ‘The Zone’ (When The Words Aren’t Flowing)

    53. Writers Write

    The motto at Writers Write is ‘Write to communicate.’ This site offers a vast archive of informational and inspirational articles on creative writing, blogging and business writing.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Really Good Reasons to Write a Memoir

    It’s here! Did your favorite site make The Write Life’s list of best writing websites?

    54. Grammar Girl

    The English language can 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.

    Post you’ll like: How ‘Trolloping’ Became a Word

    55. Kathy Steinemann

    If anyone loves words, it’s author Kathy Steinemann. 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.  

    Post you’ll like: 600+ Ways to Describe Breath & Breathing: A Word List for Writers

    56. Scribendi

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Use Social Media to Improve Your English

    57. Writership

    Allow your writing to shine. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Figuring Out Why Your Scene Doesn’t Work: Scene Values

    58. Create If Writing

    Want to build an online platform without feeling smarmy? That’s where the Create If Writing podcast comes in. Host Kirsten Oliphant shares tips and tools on how to build an authentic platform for your creative brand.

    Episode you’ll like: How to Brand Your Writing Voice

    59. Self Publishing Formula

    Featuring interviews with million-selling indie authors, breakout stars from traditional publishing, industry insiders and tech geniuses, author Mark Dawson and James Blatch hosts this weekly podcast. Listen for tips on writing, publishing, marketing and more.

    Episode you’ll like: Hitting the Right Notes With Non-Fiction

    60. Story Grid

    On the Story Grid podcast, author Shawn Coyne and “struggling” writer Tim Grahl discuss the ins and outs of what makes a story great. There’s a blueprint for great novels — and these co-hosts seek to crack the code.

    Episode you’ll like: How to Spreadsheet Your Novel

    61. Writing Class Radio

    It’s all about stories on Writing Class Radio. Writing Class Radio is for people who love stories, who get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and who wants to learn a little bit about how to write their own stories.

    Episode you’ll like: From Writing Prompt to Published Story

    62. Writing Excuses

    Writing Excuses is a fast-paced, educational podcast for writers, by writers. With weekly episodes, usually less than 20 minutes long, get quick tips and advice from experts who want to help you write better.

    Episode you’ll like: What Writers Get Wrong

    63. Bakerview Consulting

    Helping authors, one at at a time. That’s consultant and book blogger Barb Drozdowich’s motto! On her blog, she tutors authors in the technology they need to build a platform through social media.

    Post you’ll like: The Perfect Guide for Effective Social Media Automation

    64. Enchanting Marketing

    Want to become a more confident business writer? You’re in the right place. In 2012, writer Henneke left the corporate world and grew a freelance copywriting business. Don’t miss her free 16-part writing course!

    Post you’ll like: How to Start (and Finish) Your Dream Writing Project: 5 Battle-Tested Tips

    65. Kikolani

    If it’s something the modern day entrepreneur might need to know, chances are, it’s on the popular Kikolani blog. Best of all? You can contribute!

    Post you’ll like: What is a Blog?

    66. Shelley Hitz

    Everyone has a message. At least that’s what Shelley Hitz believes, 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.

    Post you’ll like: Is Your Book Launch the End or Just the Beginning?

    67. Terribleminds

    New York Times–bestselling author Chuck Wendig shares writing craft tips, inspiration, motivation, and just plain rambling entertainment for readers and writers at his popular blog.

    The Write Life readers say, “Chuck Wendig is the perfect blend of write-craft mastery and rabid fruitbat.”

    Post you’ll love: 25 Reasons to Keep Making Stuff

    68. The Creative Penn

    Bestselling author, publisher, speaker, entrepreneur. Joanna Penn wears many hats! Her site, The Creative Penn, offers information and inspiration on writing, self-publishing, book marketing and how to make a living with your writing through articles, podcast episodes, video, books and courses.

    Post you’ll like: Trends for Authors and Creative Goal Setting

    69. A Writer’s Path

    Author Ryan Lanz started this writing community to help authors find book reviewers and publishing services, and offer free resources, critiques and coaching. For $1 a month, you’ll get access, plus exclusive discounts on services and other freebies.

    Join the Writer’s Path community

    70. Alessandra Torre Ink

    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 more than 6,000 fellow novelists.

    Join the community of Alessandra Torre Inkers

    71. Chronicles

    Chronicles is a thriving community and forum for science fiction and fantasy writers. Community members gather to discuss favorite books, authors and common themes in science fiction and fantasy writing.

    Join the Chronicles community

    72. Critique Circle

    Want to get your work critiqued? You’re in the right place. Members of the Critique Circle community have given more than 600,000 critiques since the site’s founding. Getting critiqued isn’t always easy though, so be prepared for constructive feedback. As one member of The Write Life’s Facebook community suggests, “Get your armor on.”

    Join the Critique Circle community

    73. Fiction Writing

    With more than 82,000 members, the Fiction Writing Facebook group allows writers to post their work for critique or reviews. This robust group has regular threads for sharing social media accounts, poetry and more, too.

    Join the Fiction Writing community

    74. Inked Voices

    Want to get feedback on your WIP? 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 $32/quarter or $85 annually.

    Join the Inked Voices community

    75. Insecure Writer’s Support Group

    From unpublished aspiring authors to bestsellers, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group is for writers at every stage of the game. The robust community is designed to help you overcome whatever doubts and insecurities might keep you from creating your best work.

    Join Insecure Writer’s Support Group

    76. NaNoWriMo

    Yes, this is the annual event all the writers you know participate in every November — National Novel Writing Month. You can visit the NaNoWriMo site for tons of resources to help you win, along with finding other writers taking on the challenge.

    Join the NaNoWriMo community

    77. Now Novel

    Endorsed by Oprah Magazine, 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.

    Join the Now Novel community

    78. Scribophile

    Looking for a beta reader or feedback on your latest work? A respectful online writing workshop and writer’s community, Scribophile invites writers of all skill levels to join to improve each other’s work with thoughtful critiques and by sharing their writing experience.

    Join the Scribophile community

    79. She Writes

    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 and join any of the more than 300 groups with topics spanning from women who write about trauma to location-based groups to get to know writers in your area.

    Join the She Writes community

    80. Storywrite

    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.

    Join the Storywrite community

    81. The Masters Review

    The Masters Review is an online and in print publication celebrating new and emerging writers. They publish works from writers who don’t have published novels and haven’t been featured on larger platforms yet.

    Join the Masters Review community

    82. The Writing Cooperative

    The Writing Cooperative is a community of writers helping each other write better. You can reader (and contribute!) free articles through Medium or reader paywalled articles as a Medium member; paid articles let contributing writers get paid for their contributions.

    You can also join the community through Slack or Patreon and join frequent writing challenges for prizes.

    Join The Writing Cooperative

    83. Two Drops of Ink

    The team behind Two Drops of Ink believe strongly in the power of collaboration. This literary blog accepts submissions from writers of almost any genre. The editors also post book reviews and blog posts about writing and the publishing industry.

    Join the Two Drops of Ink community

    84. WritersCafe.org

    This writing community lets you post your work for feedback and reviews, and connect with other writers by joining a group or even starting your own. If you find writing you enjoy, you can save it to build your own library of up-and-coming authors!

    Join the WritersCafe.org community

    85. Writing.com

    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. You can even create a portfolio of your work, sharing up to 10 pieces of writing.

    Join the Writing.com community

    86. YeahWrite

    YeahWrite started in 2011 as a community for “writers who blog and bloggers who write.” It offers free weekly writing challenges for fiction and nonfiction writers, plus resources, writing contests and workshops to help writers connect and work on their craft.

    The Write Life readers say: “Free content, fun challenges, amazing editors, and a great writing community, with paid options for classes and editing at reasonable prices.”

    Join the YeahWrite community

    87. Anne R. Allen

    Publishing veterans Anne R. Allen and Ruth Harris want to help writers avoid the pitfalls of the ever-more complex publishing world. Whether you’re an indie author or looking to land a traditional publishing deal, check out their archives and resources.

    Post you’ll like: Stupid Writing Rules: Why to Avoid One-Size-Fits-All Writing Advice

    88. Authorstech

    Bestselling self-publishing author Brian Berni created Authorstech to share news, advice and resources for writers at all steps in the author’s journey.

    Post you’ll like: Types of Editing: Which Is Best for Your Masterpiece?

    89. Cooks & Books

    Cookbook literary agent Maria writes this blog about books, food, life and writing. Cooks & Books is a community of book lovers, writers, and creatives who can’t stop stop talking about what they’re reading, what they’re working on, and where they want to go next.

    Post you’ll like: Introverted? Here’s How to Promote Your Book

    90. Helping Writers Become Authors

    Consider award-winning author K.M. Weiland your writing and publishing mentor. With hundreds of blog posts, instructional ebooks, vlogs and a podcast, her website is the perfect place to find the answers to all your questions.

    Post you’ll like: 4 Steps for How to Turn an Idea Into a Story That Rocks

    91. Inkitt

    Inkitt’s mission is to discover talented writers and turn them into globally successful authors. They’re the world’s first reader-powered book publisher, offering an online community for talented authors and book lovers. Plus, you can enter cool contests and win money!

    Post you’ll like: Marketing Your Book in 2019

    92. Jane Friedman

    Jane Friedman knows a thing or two about the business of being a writer — she even wrote a book about it! With 20 years in the publishing industry, Friedman knows her stuff — and her blog is a wealth of information on how to embrace the ever-evolving industry.

    The Write Life readers say: “Comprehensive, all encompassing, information, guidance and help for authors at all stages of their career.”

    Post you’ll like: 10 Ways to Build Traffic to Your Author Website or Blog

    93. Nail Your Novel

    At Nail Your Novel, bestselling author and editor Roz Morris shares her best traditional and self-publishing tips as well as musings on the writing process.

    Post you’ll like: I’ve Finished my Manuscript! What Now? 16 Ultimate Resources to Make Good Decisions About Your Book

    94. Novel Publicity

    The team at Novel Publicity believes every story deserves to be told, and every story deserves its very own base of readers who will love and cherish it. With that core belief in mind, the growing team, led by president Melissa Storm, it provides guidance on writing, marketing and publishing.

    Post you’ll like: Classic Novelists vs. Modern Novelists: What Can We Learn from the Greats?

    95. Publish a Profitable Book

    Writer and coach Elizabeth Lyons is a bestselling self-published author who shares her secrets with aspiring authors through her blog and flagship course of the same name. Her blog offers motivation and education in writing, publishing and self-promotion.

    Post you’ll like: Email Templates for Authors

    96. Self-Publishing School

    Self-Publishing School is an online education company geared toward aspiring authors, and those that are already self-published. They help you save 100’s of hours in the process, save $1,000s of dollars on key investments for success, publish a book you’re proud of, and sell 1,000+ more copies in the first year. All while allowing you to maintain control of your book–and its royalties.

    Post you’ll like: How to Finish Writing a Book: 8 Actionable Steps to Finish Your First Draft

    97. Standout Books

    You’ve written your book. Now what? This dynamic, family-run company prides itself in providing exceptional services to ambitious authors and publishing companies worldwide. Check out their tons of articles, templates, tools and resource recommendations for getting your book published and marketed to the max.

    Post you’ll like: What You Need to Know About Publishing With a Small Press

    98. The Book Designer

    At The Book Designer, Joel Friedlander uses his background in book design, advertising, graphic design to create an impressive collection of over 700 articles meant to help guide you through the publishing process. Along with his extensive blog archive, check out his book design templates and Book Launch Toolkit.

    Post you’ll like: 12 SEO Tips to Drive Traffic and Sell Books

    99. Well-Storied

    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. With free resources, workbooks, tutorials and a podcast, Kieffer’s site wants to help you avoid those mistakes — and make your writing dreams a reality.

    Post you’ll like: How to Work Through Writing Doubts

    100. Writer’s Relief

    Helping authors reach their publishing goals since 1994, 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.

    Post you’ll like: 19 Ways To Discover Your Hidden Talent And Strength As A Writer

    Congratulations to the 100 websites on this year’s list! Which writing sites, communities and podcasts would you add to this list? Let us know on Twitter. 

    This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!

    Photo via Pexels

  • Eek! Don’t Be Afraid of These 13 Freelance Writing Challenges

    Eek! Don’t Be Afraid of These 13 Freelance Writing Challenges

    Just in case the abundance of pumpkin-shaped decor in every storefront didn’t tell you, Halloween is on its way.

    But for writers, the scariest situations have nothing to do with masked monsters or creepy, remote cabins. (Actually, a lot of us would probably like to spend some time out in the woods.)

    So we put together this list of some common freelance writing challenges — and our best tips on how to crush them. Whether you’re a beginner yet to publish a single blog post or a full-time freelance vet, here are 13 writing-related conundrums you don’t have to be afraid of.

    1. You want to become a freelance writer, but you don’t know where to start

    There’s nothing more disheartening than compulsively putting words down…only to have them languish in your notebook or hard drive. (Though honestly, that’s how most of us got started.)

    Although writing for yourself can be cathartic, writing for an audience is next-level fulfilling. And, bonus: it can get you paid.

    While there’s no tried and true path to gainful freelance glory, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of getting those words of yours in front of some eyeballs — and turning them into cold, hard cash in the bargain.

    Here’s our step-by-step guide to becoming a freelance writer, and a foolproof way to make your first $100.

    2. You can’t find work — or at least, work you’re paid for

    Whether you’re looking for a full-time writing job or you’re a freelancer trying to fill out your client roster, finding paid writing work can be notoriously tricky.

    (Most writers are probably familiar with a very particular type of hobgoblin: the client who asks you to work for free, thinking you’ll do it “for the exposure.”)

    Luckily, we’ve got tons of resources to help you find paying gigs. Here are a few posts to start with:

    3. You’ve got clients… but they won’t pay up!

    With pretty much every other job, you can expect to be paid for your efforts — usually on a fairly regular basis.

    Not so, unfortunately, with freelance writing, the career where it’s apparently totally acceptable for a client to pay you literally months after you’ve performed your service.

    There are some effective ways to confront these belated boogeymen, however. Here are seven tips for handling a freelance client who won’t pay up by author and blogger Ali Luke.

    4. You’ve got a hard drive full of essays and stories, but don’t know where to send them

    Everyone talks about writer’s block, but the opposite problem can be just as daunting: having way too many good ideas, and no idea where to put them.

    Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, though, there are plenty of magazines clamoring for your work. Here are 19 websites and magazines that want to publish your personal essays, and 23 that want your short fiction.

    5. You know where your latest piece should live, but you have no idea who or how to pitch it

    So you’ve got a story that’s just perfect for Salon. Or Harper’s. Or… wherever.

    Awesome.

    But how exactly does one go about giving Salon (or Harper’s, or wherever) that intel?

    As difficult and time-consuming as writing the piece itself can be, figuring out how to pitch it — and to whom — is just as important. And it’s complicated enough that it’s definitely its own separate art form.

    So if you’ve yet to pick up your pitching paintbrush, check out this post by veteran freelancer Susan Shain, who’s got all the details on getting your great idea into the right hands.

    Think Freddy Krueger is scary? Try freelance clients who never pay on time.

    6. You have a killer project in mind, but you just can’t make time for it

    Name me a writer — nay, a human being — for whom this scary scenario isn’t a reality.

    Finding the time to follow our passions is difficult, to be sure, but it’s also worth it. And if you’ve got a great story simmering on the back burner, a writer’s residency could be exactly what you need to get it down on paper.

    If you’re unfamiliar with the idea of a writer’s residency, it might sound too good to be true. Basically, an artsy organization puts a roof over your head — and sometimes even feeds you — for a while, specifically so you can take the time you need to work on your creative project.

    Specific expectations about community involvement and monetary contribution vary by program, but most of them are low-cost and many are actually free.

    As in, yes, you could get free room and board — and most importantly, time — to do absolutely nothing but writing. Here are 27 such programs to check out.

    7. You’ve got a great blog idea, but zero technical know-how

    A blog is an amazing way to boost your online presence as a writer, and it can even be a viable business unto itself.

    But even if you have the most amazing blog idea in the world, it’s not going to do squat for you until you turn it into a real, live website.

    If you don’t know WordPress from Word and think a hosting package has something to do with dinner parties, you’re in for a learning curve… but with this step-by-step guide on how to start a blog of your own, it’ll be shallower rather than steeper.

    (Psst: we also have tips for choosing a domain name, if you’re stumped for ideas.)

    If you want to see whether a specific domain is available, try this domain checker:

    8. You’re doing okay as a freelancer, but the money could definitely be better

    Hey, let’s face it. There’s a stereotype about English majors working in coffee shops for a reason.

    But there are plenty of writers who earn a living doing their craft. In fact, some of them earn a darn good one.

    If you’re just scraping by on your freelance income, or if you’re looking to turn your side-hustle full time, check out these six tips. They’ll help you earn more for the work you’re already doing — and find some higher-paying clients to boot. You could also try pitching these outlets, which pay $500 or more.

    We’re not saying you should rush out and put those Louboutins on credit… but you might be able to upgrade to two-ply toilet paper. (Kidding. Kind of.)

    9. You went full-time freelance, and now you don’t even own a pair of non-yoga pants

    This might not sound scary on its surface, but trust us: After a few months of working from home, you’re going to miss wearing real clothes. (And, you know, eating meals at actual meal times.)

    And your wardrobe isn’t all you have to worry about. If you don’t maintain some sort of structure, you may find yourself answering work emails at midnight…or procrastinating until just hours before your deadline.

    But don’t despair! All you need to do to combat this particular beast is to set some non-negotiable rules about your daily routine. Here are a few ideas from freelance writer and novelist Nicole Dieker to serve as a guide.

    10. You’ve got an assignment…but you honestly know nothing about the topic

    As a writer, you’re not expected to be an expert in everything you cover. But you are expected to know how to do the research to cover it well.

    If your go-to research move is simply to Google… well, honestly, that’s part of it. But there’s a lot more to it, too.

    Here are some insider research techniques to help you do (and ace) your writing homework.

    11. You want to write a book, but you have no idea where to start

    Even non-writers often put “writing a book” on their bucket lists.

    But even if you’ve got an amazing idea, getting started can be insanely overwhelming. I mean, we’re talking about a book, here. It’s hard enough just to write a blog post!

    But as our crowded shelves can attest, books do indeed get written — lots of them, in fact. And if you put your mind to it, you can write one, too. Here’s how to get started. (And if you’re extra brave, here’s how to do the whole darn thing in just three weeks.)

    12. Your editor returns your manuscript, and it’s a sea of red

    If you’re like most writers, your words are your babies, so it can be downright painful to see your manuscript covered over with so-called “corrections.”

    But even if your editor has a heavy hand, you can get through the editing process without having a panic attack — we promise. Try these seven stress-free ways to handle notes from your book editor. (And remember: she’s only trying to help. Honest!)

    13. You wrote a book (congrats!)…but no one’s actually buying it

    Writing a book involves jumping so, so many hurdles. Just coming up with a viable idea can take a lifetime, and then there’s the actual writing (and rewriting, and rewriting again). And then you have to find a willing publisher.

    How scary would it be to come through all of that… only to have a finished product that’s just sitting in your basement, collecting dust in cardboard boxes?

    Unfortunately, that fate is a reality for a huge number of authors. But with a little bit of marketing know-how, you can get those books out of the boxes into the hands of new readers.

    Here are some email marketing tips to get your list on board to purchase, as well as nine common marketing mistakes to avoid. If you’re extra tech-savvy and comfortable with the internet, you can also learn how to use social media to your advantage.

    And if all that techno-schmoozing isn’t your bag, no worries. One great way to sell books is to actually get off the computer and go meet your readers in real life.

    See? All those inky nightmares aren’t so scary after all.

    Happy Halloween, writers!

    This post contains affiliate links. That means if you purchase through our links, you’re supporting The Write Life — and we thank you for that!

  • How to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer

    How to Make More Money as a Freelance Writer

    People always say no one goes into freelance writing for the money. But there are plenty of writers out there earning a good living from the written word — and they’re not just famous novelists.

    If you’d like to increase your writing income, spend some time evaluating your business model and make a few adjustments to increase your bottom line. Read on to learn how to begin the process and boost your freelance income.

    1. Learn about your income

    The first step to making more money is learning more about the money you already bring in.

    Many writers find an end-of-year review to be very helpful in terms of evaluating your income, business model, clients and setting goals for the year ahead. But you don’t have to wait for the end of the year to conduct a review. Any time you’re looking to make a big change in your business plan — like increasing your income — is a great time for a review.

    Evaluate your clients

    To evaluate your business, evaluate each of your clients and income sources. To do this, ask yourself the following questions:

    • How often do you write for each client?
    • What types of materials do you write?
    • What is the word count and pay like?
    • On average, how long does each project take?
    • How much do you earn a year from this client?
    • What is your “pitch to acceptance” ratio? If you have to pitch 150 times for every accepted story, it may be time to reevaluate working with this client or consider pitching differently to boost your acceptance rate.
    • What’s the revision process like? Endless rounds of edits can be frustrating and reduce your earnings on the project.
    • Do you enjoy working with the client? It’s okay to cut ties with a client who makes you miserable.

    Figure out your current rates

    After you’ve evaluated your general impressions of each client and the projects you do for them, calculate how much money you earn on average from each client. This could be per word, per hour or per project.

    Many writers find calculating their “per hour” rate to be most useful. This doesn’t mean you’re necessarily charging your clients per hour (though that can be common in some fields, such as editing and copywriting). This means you’re figuring out how much you earn per hour.  

    To figure out your rate, first calculate how much time you spend on a project. This includes research, interviews, transcribing, writing, editing and other tasks like  tracking down images. Divide your earnings for the project by how many hours you spend on it. For example, if you earn $100 for a project that takes 5 hours, $20 is your hourly rate for that project.

    Now that you’ve spent some time thinking about your current clients and learning about your income, it’s time to figure out what you’d like to make.

    2. Set goals

    Think about how much money you would like to make and set income goals. You can set yearly, quarterly, monthly, or weekly goals, or a combination of all of these.

    If your goals are longer-term in nature, it makes sense to break them down to have a better idea about how much you need to earn to stay on track.

    For example, if you would like to earn $50,000 per year and take two weeks off each year, you’ll need to earn an average of $1,000 per work week to stay on track. If you would like to earn $100,000 per year with two weeks off, aim to earn $2,000 each week.

    Be sure to keep in mind some of this money will go to taxes and expenses. Consult with a tax preparer or accountant to figure out how much you should save for these expenses (and how and when to pay your taxes).

    As you set goals, keep in mind you’ll need to regularly check in with your goals and adjust your plan accordingly. If you are falling short of your goals, you may want to adjust your strategy. If you’re exceeding your goals, consider setting your goals even higher.

    You may also wish to set non-income related goals. Consider if you’d like to set goals for work-life balance, working for dream clients, or even taking on certain types of projects, like writing magazine feature articles or breaking into the tech copywriting industry.

    3. Raise your rates

    When you have the same clients for a long time, it’s easy to keep the same rates for years. You may be afraid to scare a loyal client away with higher rates, but it’s often worth it to take the chance and ask for more money. Many freelancers like to ask for more money around the New Year, while others prefer to request an increase near the client’s new fiscal year or other times.

    How much should you ask for? If you’re earning $150 per blog post, suddenly asking for $750 might be a little too much to ask for right away. Few clients have the budget to quintuple their rates instantly. But if you’re earning $150 and want to bump that up to $175 you may have more luck.

    It’s very helpful to have an idea about the client’s budget when proposing a rate increase. If the company is slashing their budget and laying people off, it’s likely not the best time to ask. But if they just gained a lucrative new contract, it might be prime time to get more work and raise your rates.

    Consider framing your rate increase request in a way that also provides clients with additional value for their money. One way to do this is to provide a package of services. For example, instead of $200 per blog post, you could charge $1,000 a month for a package of four blog posts. This provides you with reliable income and bumps your rate up while also providing your client with reliable content. You could propose a content schedule ahead of time and set everything up to make the process easy for your client.

    Or you could pair your writing services with social media offerings if you’re skilled in that area. Just be sure packaging several services together ends up increasing your hourly rate overall, not decreasing it with additional time-consuming projects.

    However you ask, be prepared to hear a “no” and have a plan for how you’ll respond. You may choose to continue working with the client, or you may prefer to part ways. There’s also a slight chance the client will think you’re not a good fit anymore, so do keep that possibility in mind. It’s always a risk to ask for more money, but it’s often one that turns out to be worthwhile.

    Is it true that no one starts freelance writing for the money? Maybe, but that doesn’t mean you can’t earn a good living doing what you love.

    4. Spend less time on lower paying projects

    If you spend all day every day churning out articles for $20 a pop, it’s going to be hard to make a ton of money as a freelance writer. If you’re spending 40, 50 or 60 hours a week working on low paying projects, it may be a challenge to find the time and energy to find better paying clients.

    Sometimes you need to free time in your schedule — and room in your client roster — to make space for higher paying clients. This doesn’t mean you should dump all your clients and only accept new ones that pay $5 per word (those will be hard to find).

    But when you are able to free just a few hours each week in your schedule to cultivate new client relationships and send out pitches and proposals, you’ll likely have better luck finding higher paying clients than waiting for them to come to you.

    For example, if you’re working on lower paying projects for 45 hours a week, consider cutting that down to 40 or 42 hours a week to free up three to five hours each week to pursue higher paying clients. You’ll still earn the bulk of your income, but hopefully this extra time will make it so you can take on higher paying clients and gradually transition to higher paying work.

    5. Find higher paying clients

    Everyone wants higher paying clients, but how do you find them? Resources like Who Pays Writers can help point you to publications that pay within the range you would like.

    It also makes sense to consider different types of writing. Content writing can pay fairly well, so if you’re looking to earn a little more, it might make sense to take on a few content writing clients and offer website copy, reports, ghostwriting, and other services.

    One good way to find content writing clients is to spend some time networking. Sending letters of introduction and samples of your work to potential clients can also be a good way to start building a relationship and hopefully gaining a new client.

    6. Set your new rates

    Figuring out what to charge can be a bit of a challenge. Rates and rate structures vary widely. Freelancers can get paid by the word, the hour or even a per-project rate.

    For guidance on typical rates, the Editorial Freelancers Association shares a list of market rates for a variety of services, from transcribing to ghostwriting. These rates are a good starting place for negotiation, but they’re not set in stone.

    When determining what to charge a client, consider how long the project will likely take you. If an article pays $200 and takes two hours of your time, your rate is $100 per hour. If a $500 project takes 15 hours, you’ll earn $33 per hour., but if the same project takes 40 hours, your pay rate drops to $12.50 per hour — a rate brushing up against minimum wage in some locations.

    It doesn’t always make sense to take the higher paying article if the per-hour rate is much lower.

    Keep in mind that you don’t have to charge each client the same rate. Most writers have a range of rates. It’s okay to charge high-budget clients more and cut a break for a nonprofit you love. If you know a client will want a lot of revisions and meetings that take up a lot of your time, by all means charge a premium rate to account for your time and effort.

    Another technique is to ask a client about their budget for a project and then provide them with a few options of what you can provide for that amount. For example, if they have $1,000 per month to spend on editorial services, you could give them several options for what you can provide for that fee. Perhaps that’s two long blog posts, or maybe it’s rewriting a few pages of web copy. Clients generally like having a few options to choose from.

    Sometimes it pays to earn less

    Sometimes a project isn’t all about the paycheck. There may be other factors that make a lower paycheck worthwhile. For example, if you’re devoted to the local animal shelter, you may be willing to charge them a lot less than your corporate clients.

    If you’re delving into a new field, or want to start writing about a new topic, you may need to start at lower paying publications to develop your expertise and promote yourself as an expert in that field. For example, if you write mostly about technology and want to veer into the health and wellness space, you may have to start at publications that pay less in order to get started and build your name in that field. Then you can likely use your clips and connections to work your way up to higher paying publications in the same field.

    When you take actionable steps to set goals and work towards them, you’ll likely have a better chance of getting to where you’d like to go. But be patient with the process. It won’t happen overnight, and it’s likely to have ups and downs. Working towards your goals, even with small steps, is a great way to achieve them and ultimately earn more income as a freelance writer.

    How do you work towards earning more income as a freelance writer?

  • 5 Reasons Why All Freelance Writers Need a Daily Routine

    5 Reasons Why All Freelance Writers Need a Daily Routine

    I love reading about other writers’ routines: Ernest Hemingway wrote at dawn, Maya Angelou wrote out of a hotel room, Alice Munro writes for three hours and walks for three miles.

    Freelancers also need routines — and because we have multiple demands on our time besides writing, we need our routines to be a little more specific than, to quote Hemingway, “write every morning as soon after first light as possible.”

    When are you going to check email? When are you going to pitch? When are you going to silence your phone and work on your next assignment? If you have multiple assignments to complete, how much time will you assign to each one?

    I’ve been a full-time freelance writer for six years, and having a daily routine — one that includes time for writing, rewriting, pitching and administrative work — has been one of the secrets of my success.

    In fact, I’m pretty sure my routine has helped me earn more money. Here’s how.

    1. A routine structures your day

    One of the hardest parts of being a freelance writer is having to create your own structure.

    If you don’t make time to send out pitches, you won’t book any work. If you don’t make time to complete the work, you won’t earn any money. If you don’t take time to do all of the administrative work associated with freelancing — following up with clients, keeping track of business expenses, maintaining a website — you won’t grow your career.

    Turning my day into a daily routine helped me make time for all of the work that freelancing requires — and it also helped me avoid the decision fatigue that comes with asking yourself “what am I going to do today?” over and over again. I already know: I’m going to check the news, I’m going to check my email, I’m going to check social media and then I’m going to write for an hour. Knowing what you’re going to do every day helps you get it done.

    2. A routine prevents procrastination

    If you start writing every day at 9:30 a.m. (or at dawn, if you’re like Hemingway), you’ll get used to spending that time writing. You’ll be less tempted to spend it doing laundry or refreshing Twitter, because your mind and body already know that it’s writing time.

    Building a routine is a great procrastination-buster, because you’ll be able to schedule time for social media and afternoon snacks and anything else you usually do instead of doing your work. If you spend a lot of time reading sites like The Write Life, for example, add 30 minutes of “reading time” into your routine — and then when “writing time” comes around again, you’ll be ready.

    If you don’t have a daily routine for your freelance writing, it could be costing you money.

    3. A routine keeps you balanced

    I start every day with 45 minutes of yoga. I also take two 30-minute walk breaks: one after lunch, and one and at the end of my workday. (Alice Munro isn’t the only writer who loves long walks.)

    These breaks are non-negotiable; I don’t have to “earn” them, but I don’t get to turn them into extra writing time, either.

    Building yoga and walking into my routine helps me stay balanced. It also helps me feel like I’m able to handle multiple priorities: the work I owe my clients, and the breaks I owe myself. Most of us have multiple priorities, whether we’re balancing work/life, writing/family, or freelancing/day job. (Or all of the above!) Make sure your routine includes time for all of your priorities — otherwise, you risk burning out.

    4. A routine sets limits

    If your day includes 30 minutes of morning email, a writing block from 9:30 to noon, an hour for lunch, an administrative hour, and then a writing block from 2 to 5, you know you can only schedule as much writing as can be completed in those two blocks. Freelancers often have trouble knowing when to say no—an extra assignment, even if it’s a bad one, can bring in a few extra dollars, right?

    Once you have a routine, you’ll know exactly how many writing hours you have per week — and once you know how long it takes you to complete a typical assignment, you’ll have a good idea of how many assignments you can accept. These types of limits help keep your freelance work from taking over your entire life.

    5. A routine requires you to maximize your time — and your income

    So you’ve built your routine, you have your daily writing blocks, and you know roughly how much work you can complete in a week. There’s one more step in the process: Maximizing your time by working for the highest possible rates.

    This might mean using your administrative time to pitch higher-paying clients. It might mean re-negotiating rates with your current clients. It might even mean firing your lowest-paying client to make space for a better one.

    Whatever you choose to do, let your routine be your guide. You know how much time you have available to write, so don’t sell yourself short — literally. Set your writing blocks, stick to them, and make sure you’re earning as much as possible. Then get ready to do the whole thing again tomorrow.

    Do you have a daily routine? Has it helped you avoid procrastination, balance multiple priorities and earn more money?

  • 6 Questions to Consider Before Accepting a Freelance Writing Gig

    6 Questions to Consider Before Accepting a Freelance Writing Gig

    As a freelance writer, it can be tempting to take every gig that comes your way.

    Turning down a freelance gig can sometimes feel like you’re tempting fate to take away all future opportunities because you said no to one. When you think about how hard you work marketing yourself and making connections and inquiries, something about turning down a viable gig feels wrong. Just know that you’re not alone. I did the same thing when I first started out, and I still get tempted to do it now. But along the way, I’ve learned that it’s OK to say no sometimes. In fact, you should. Not every gig is worth your time or effort. The trick is to differentiate between one that has value and one that’s more trouble than it’s worth.

    Here are six questions to ask yourself before you say yes to a freelance gig.

    1. Is it worth the money?

    Think about the time required to complete a project. Is it worth the money they’re offering?

    Money isn’t everything, especially when freelancing, but it can go a long way to helping you decide if the gig is right for you.

    Remember that your time has value, and the time you put into something that doesn’t pay well can mean less time for those opportunities that do.

    freelance questions2. Will it give you solid exposure?

    Sometimes the gigs that give you the best exposure are the ones that don’t pay as well.

    Like I said, money isn’t everything. If you can get your name out there by doing a project or writing an article for free or next to nothing, it might be worth it.

    Then, you can move onto higher paying gigs once you’re more established in your niche market.

    I once had a column where I wrote five articles a week for over a year because it was great exposure. It didn’t pay well, but it helped to get my name out there and increase my credibility as a freelance writer. That was invaluable.

    In fact, because of this column, some of my work was featured on the New York Times blog.

    3. Will it be the perfect addition to your portfolio?

    The plain and simple truth is that to get high quality freelance gigs, a strong portfolio is an asset.

    So, maybe the gig you’re considering doesn’t pay well, and it doesn’t give you a ton of exposure, but the piece will be a strong addition to your writing portfolio.

    If so, it just might be yes-worthy.

    4. Are you comfortable being associated with the company/website?

    Perhaps the gig pays well and it will give you some exposure, but you’re uncomfortable with the site or the company itself.

    Remember that your reputation is more important than money you can make.

    I recently turned down a gig as a regular contributor for a relatively well-known site. I was tempted to take it, and I tried over and over to convince myself that it would be fine, that I would make it work, but I had to be honest with myself.

    Their website’s new focus was all about shock and fear. They wanted clicks instead of interesting or helpful content. I decided that I didn’t want my name associated with that sort of site.

    As soon as I turned it down, I felt relief. I had made the right choice.

    5. Will the client be too difficult to work with?

    If the freelance job pays well and it would be great exposure, it still might not be worth it if the client is difficult to work with.

    The problem with this one is that it’s difficult to spot in the beginning. It comes down to looking for red flags. If you see some red flags, consider if it’s worth the time, the money and the stress.

    If not, move on and leave your schedule open for an even better opportunity. But if it’s the best opportunity you’ve had, the difficult client may well be worth the money and the exposure.

    When I wrote that column for a year (for the exposure), I was approached by one of the readers. He wanted me to write content for him, too. I was on board and ecstatic. Then I started noticing some red flags. For example, I hadn’t even signed the contract yet, and he wouldn’t stop calling me and emailing me. I soon learned that he needed a lot of personal attention, and that’s not something I was interested in. I just wanted to do my job in peace, so I ended up turning that opportunity down, and I’ve never regretted it.

    6. Do you have the time?

    Freelance writers are notorious for overloading our schedules.

    Before accepting a freelance job, ask yourself if you have the appropriate amount of time to dedicate.

    Again, your reputation is important, and you don’t want to sully it because you don’t have the time to devote to doing your best work.

    Saying no to a freelance gig can be hard, but it’s the only way to create the presence and reputation you want. Remember that you need something out of the arrangement, too, whether that’s adequate payment, a boost in exposure or something strong to add to your portfolio. Don’t overburden yourself with opportunities that won’t meet your overall career goals.

    Leave time in your schedule for the best jobs, the ones that will help you pivot and lead you to a higher plane.

    You’re worth it.

    What do you look for before saying yes to a freelance gig?

  • 3 Freelance Writing Nuggets of Wisdom for When You Feel Like Quitting

    3 Freelance Writing Nuggets of Wisdom for When You Feel Like Quitting

    It’s crazy to think about when I first started my freelance writing career.

    I had just moved to a new city and was searching for jobs when I stumbled across an article about freelance writing online. I had no idea what it really entailed but I dove right in because I had always loved writing, so I figured, why not?

    But jumping right in without looking may have been a mistake.

    Freelance writing is a much more difficult career to get your start in than many other professions. Essentially, you’re starting a business. Your service is your writing and, like any other business, you have to market, build a positive reputation and grow.

    And also like any other business, it’s going to take a while before you start gaining traction.

    At first, you may not be able to secure jobs. It might be a while before you even land your first  high paying client. The fact that you’re not making a full time income right away can be very discouraging.

    It was for me. There were countless times I wanted to throw in the towel and just quit.

    But I persevered, hunkered down behind my laptop and remembered a few key lessons that prevented me from giving up.

    Now I’m a full time freelance writer and can honestly say that sticking to it was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

    If you’re just starting out as a freelance writer or need some encouragement, here are a few reminders for when the weight of this career choice gets a little too heavy.

    1. Building a client base takes time

    Unless you have a lot of connections, you’re going to have to build your client list from scratch.

    And as you can imagine, this takes time.

    You’ll have to research publications in your niche, pitch different clients, send out  samples and provide high quality work that people will want more of. Doing this — and doing it right — can take a large chunk of time.

    And not everyone you pitch will want to work with you. Sometimes they just don’t need the work and other times they might not be all that impressed with your experience so far. This might feel like a kick to the gut and believe me, you might want to quit after your first few — or dozen — rejections. I sure did.

    Having been in this game for a few years now, I’ve noticed a few tactics that help increase the odds of success. This is what I do personally that might help up your chances of clients responding to your pitch or rehiring you for future work:

    • Produce a very clean, grammatically correct pitch
    • Make sure your pitch follows the publication’s guidelines
    • Send high quality samples
    • Respond to emails in a timely manner
    • Put forth your full effort in each piece provided
    • Turn out your articles in a reasonable timeframe
    • Ask questions if you’re not clear on instructions for a piece

    Doing the above can help clients see how serious you are about working with them and it’ll also increase the likelihood of them wanting to work with you on a continuous basis.

    The goal for freelance writing is to have a decent list of clients you can work for long-term. This will provide you with the stability you need to feel secure.

    quitting my job2. If you put in the work, you’ll be rewarded

    Many people love the idea of being a freelance writer because you can work from the comfort of your home on your big cozy couch in your PJs. However, because you can have so many luxuries at work, you have to have one hell of a work ethic.

    You need to be able to force yourself to work and be productive even on days when you’re feeling super lazy or tired or just bored with the topic you’re writing. If you don’t work, your business as a freelance writer won’t grow.

    Think about it like a salesman who works for commission. The person who’s going to make more will be the one who makes the most calls and gives the best pitch.

    Freelance writing isn’t much different than being a salesman. You have to continuously put yourself out there and pitch to companies. The only difference is that you’re selling your writing instead of a product.

    The amount of work you put into growing your freelance business will be directly related to how much you get out of it.

    So before you decide to quit, ask yourself if you’re giving it your all. Are you expecting too much while not putting in the work to support those ambitions?

    Just remember that if you work hard to meet your goals, you’ll reach them much faster than you would if you continue to sit about contemplating giving up.

    3. Be patient — building a business takes time

    Most businesses aren’t overnight successes. It can take a while to see growth. You’re starting new with next to nothing on your freelance writing resume.

    That’s like new businesses trying to sell a product without having any reviews. How likely are you to purchase something when you have nothing to ensure you that you’ll like what you get? Probably not very likely.

    That’s why businesses take a very long time to get off the ground.

    The same is true for your freelance writing career. If you’re expecting to make a full time income in only a month and land every client you pitch to, you’ll be very discouraged and disappointed when that doesn’t happen. This mindset can actually be sabotaging your potential success.

    I had really high expectations right off the bat and when I was rejected time and time again for failing to have experience, I wanted to stop. I even looked at other 9-5 jobs before I realized that this is just a part of the process.

    Just remember that building your business might take longer than you initially anticipated. Have a little patience and keep working toward your goals.

    Freelance writing is not an easy career choice but it is worth it if you’re willing to put in the work. You’ll have some ups and downs along the way but remembering these few things can help you stick with this career so you can live the life you truly want.

    How many of you have ever felt like throwing in the towel when it comes to freelance writing? What made you stick with it through the tough times?
    nolinks

  • Just Say No to These 5 Freelance Writing Jobs

    Just Say No to These 5 Freelance Writing Jobs

    I wish someone had given me a list of don’ts when I first started freelance writing, then stood over me with a yardstick and rapped me on the knuckles every time I made a stupid move.

    Alas, there was no Miss Trunchbull to guide me through those brutal first few years, and I made a lot of stupid moves.

    Some of these stemmed from being young and entitled, others from dealing poorly with clients.

    But far and away the most common mistake I made was to compromise my true passions in pursuit of money.

    I became “The Jill of All Trades”

    I know, I know. That story has been told…but not in the way you think.

    I’m not talking about sacrificing my morals or anything. I’m talking about picking up the odd jobs every writer is asked to do: A little research here, a few social posts there, NBD, make the client happy, right?

    And before you know it, you’re a Jack or Jill of all trades, at your clients’ beck and call for every “quickie” task conceivably related to writing.

    Problem is, even if you’re happy with this arrangement, new clients won’t be.

    They come to you for expertise, not for your Renaissance Man repertoire. If you don’t specialize, they’ll find someone who does. Which makes it imperative that you start saying no to those little tasks, and start saying yes only to writing work.

    Without further ado, the five jobs you should absolutely, positively, under no circumstances, even on pain of death, ever do.

    1. Hourly research work

    If you’re the type of writer who researches and summarizes content for a living, you can safely ignore this advice. Most of us, however, aren’t.

    We’re either creative writers working on spec or copywriters being paid to create original content. In the latter model, a per-word price is usually involved, which is almost always higher than the amount you’d make if you billed hourly. (And if you’re not yet using value-based pricing, you should be.)

    Since it’s hard to charge per word for research – you’re just summarizing, after all – you’re pretty much forced to charge hourly. That makes it a bad deal.

    Perform research as part of an assignment which you’ve contracted at a per-word or per-project price, but don’t do research on its own.

    2. Social media management

    Ah, social media. I’ve seen so many writers include this in their services then…slowly… realize that the amount of work involved in pulling together enough tweets or Facebook posts to constitute an assignment is almost never worth the money.

    Why? Because this is specialist work.

    Culling through news articles, writing pithy phrases and selecting the right hashtags is hard, especially when you’re doing 50 at once, unrelated to a piece you’ve just written. This is best left to social media professionals, because you usually can’t contract a price that’s worth your time and they feel comfortable paying.


    The exception to this rule is when you offer a Twitter post or two, or maybe a LinkedIn blurb, to go along with a blog post, white paper or another long assignment you’ve just written.

    I do offer this, and clients appreciate it.

    freelance writing jobs 3. Photography and image sourcing

    Photos go with blog posts, right? Isn’t it normal to include a few with each piece? Most clients will tell you it is.

    However, most of the copywriters I know refuse to offer image sourcing, let alone actual photography. With a camera. (Yes, I’ve been asked about this multiple times.)

    Honestly, it’s my opinion that you shouldn’t be providing images of any kind. The ideal goal is to turn each gig you get into additional, stable work from that client, as well as a recommendation to a new client, from whom you will hopefully also get repeat work. Providing ancillary services such as images will dilute your work, because it isn’t your specialty – making this client less likely to hire you back or to recommend you to others. Plus, you clearly don’t like it that much, or you’d be a photographer, right?

    Providing services you love will exponentially increase the amount of satisfactory work you get; providing services outside your wheelhouse can spiral into more and more jobs that are unrelated to your true passion.

    Save your energy for writing, and don’t offer images.

    4. Editing others’ work

    Many a client will come to you asking if you could “just give this piece from XYZ Department Head a look-see” or “clean up this work from my previous copywriter, whom I fired.”

    I’ve gotten both of those requests quite a few times, and they scare me. I don’t want to mess with writing of which some department head is protective. Nor do I want to be in any way associated with a writer who didn’t make the cut.

    Also, editing is a deep skill. It’s often harder to edit someone else’s work – keeping its message, intent and voice intact while making it presentable to readers – than it is to write from scratch. That’s why people have whole jobs editing. They’re called editors…and if you’re a writer, you probably aren’t them.

    I either offer to write a new piece for clients if they give me the specs, or I send them to the editor with whom I work.

    5. Paid reviews

    Several prospects have approached me asking if they can pay me to go leave a review on Amazon. They even offer to send me their product, and claim that my review should be “honest.” And honestly I’m a little unclear on how all this works, but I’m pretty sure the Federal Trade Commission’s definition of sponsorship doesn’t include Amazon reviews.

    Plus, since I’m not going to get paid until after the review, how honest can it really be?

    Say no to this every single time. Even if the money is good, and often it is, it’s not worth your soul. You have a responsibility to the world to use your writing for good. And convincing Great Aunt Ginny to buy a dubiously sourced protein powder is not good. Don’t do it.

    While I still can’t come to your house or office or coffee shop nook and rap your knuckles with a yardstick, I can guarantee greater happiness and success if you avoid these jobs. Even if it makes you nervous to limit your repertoire, try doing so for a few months and see what happens. Chances are excellent your workload and profits will increase, not the other way around.

    Go ahead, try. I’ll wait.

    *sits patiently for 5 months*

    See? Told you.

  • The Writer’s Guide to Avoiding Side-Hustle Burnout

    The Writer’s Guide to Avoiding Side-Hustle Burnout

    Side hustles can be awesome.

    When I was starting out as a freelance writer, side hustling allowed me to test the waters and build my business while still having the safety net of a day job. Now that I’ve been forced to return to the 9-to-5 (freelancing doesn’t always pay the bills), side hustling allows me to continue to pursue my writing in the hours around my job.

    But side hustles can also be challenging.

    It takes a certain blend of ambitious insanity to take on a second job that requires so much of your brain power. Exhaustion, frustration and occasional panic are very real side effects of the side hustle.

    To combat these symptoms, we recommend these five tips.

    1. Manage your energy

    All work and no break makes your writing a dull thing.

    The secret to producing consistent, quality work isn’t cramming your hours so full they could burst; it’s about working with your body’s natural rhythms to use your hours as wisely as possible.

    Concentration, clarity and creativity ebb and flow.  

    There are times your reserves are dry, and trying to push yourself through that will only result in burnout (and some pretty crappy writing). Figure out your peaks and dips, and you can use that knowledge to make sure you’re working smarter.

    If you’re a morning person, use those quiet early hours to focus on your writing before the day gets away from you. If you hit a patch of low energy, use your writing time to do a task that requires less creativity, like proofreading or researching new publications to pitch.

    Of course there are times you have no choice but to push through a low patch, but whenever possible, try to plan your work to match the times you’re at your best. See your side hustle as a series of sprints, not a marathon, and you’re much more likely to cross the finish line.

    side hustle burnout2. Be picky about what you say “yes” to

    When freelancing is a side hustle, you only have a limited amount of time to spend on it. Which means you must be deliberate about which projects you accept.

    Ideally, you’d be able to only take on the gigs that speak to you creatively — but if you don’t have that luxury, you should at least ensure you only accept gigs that will prove worthwhile.

    What “worthwhile” means is up to you. You may choose to focus on a specific topic area you find interesting. Or on the jobs that give you the highest ROI money-wise. Or on the ones that give you the most exposure, even if they don’t pay quite as much. Know what matters to you, and refuse to waste your time and energy on anything else.

    Oh, and watch out for red flags when considering a new client. An awful client can significantly decrease how much a project winds up being worth.

    3. Don’t blur the lines between your day job and your freelancing

    This tip has an ethical component as well as a practical one.

    Ethically, you owe it to your day job boss to work only on the work he hired you for when you’re on his clock. Sneaking in some writing time when no one’s looking could get you in trouble — and, morally, it’s kind of shady.

    Practically, keeping a solid boundary between day job work and freelance work will help keep you sane.

    Your day job becomes a reprieve from deadline stress and client drama; your freelancing becomes a creative outlet. Try to multitask both jobs at once, and you’ll end up stressed, distracted and prone to mistakes.

    4. Insist on work/life balance

    Finding time for friends, family, hobbies and all the other stuff that makes up a “life” can seem nearly impossible when you’re working two jobs. So make a point of scheduling these thing in just like you would a client meeting or other event you can’t miss.

    It’s all too easy to fill your days with work when you don’t have anything specific on the calendar. Make a point of peppering your weeks with things that bring you joy and relaxation, and you’ll find yourself planning to work around them like you would any other appointment.

    Also, do not (I repeat, do NOT) allow yourself to feel guilty for taking this time for yourself. You’re a much better writer when you have a life outside of work. And, you know, you also deserve it.

    Freelancing in addition to a day job is a serious undertaking. And like any ambitious goal, pursuing this path forces you to prioritize.

    Your house will most likely be messier than you’d like. PJs could become your go-to outfit when you’re home. You might make friends with your local food delivery people. Being a successful modern adult doesn’t mean having a perfect, Pinterest-worthy life; it means going after the things you love and rocking the living daylights out of them. If you’re holding down a day job and a side hustle, you are already killing it. Learn to let go of the rest and you’ll be much happier.

  • Q4 Check-In: End of the Year Business Tips for Freelance Writers

    Q4 Check-In: End of the Year Business Tips for Freelance Writers

    The end of the year may have come and gone, but I know a lot of us are still processing what we learned in 2017, planning what we want to achieve in 2018 and getting ready to pay our fourth quarter estimated taxes. (Due January 15!)

    With that in mind, let’s do our final quarterly check-in and answer the five questions.

    1. How much money did I earn this quarter?

    I’m writing this post before the end of the year, so I can’t say for sure how much money I’ll have earned between October 1 and December 31. (I still have one more pitch I’m hoping will get picked up — gotta keep that hustle going!)

    However, I can say that so far I’ve earned $15,143 in freelance earnings and $717 in book royalties this quarter — of which I’ve received $14,942.80.

    I also recently launched a new podcast called Writing & Money, which is designed to help people earn more money from their writing. Since it’s a subscription-based podcast, I’m earning money as well; subscribers have given me $50.84 this quarter. (It’s a very new podcast.)

    My total freelance income for 2017, including book royalties, looks like it’ll hit $68,000.

    2018 business tips2. What was the best thing I did for my freelance career this quarter?

    The best thing I did for my freelance career this quarter was anticipate that a client would pull back on assignments. As soon as I got the hint that one of my clients might be cutting back, I went ahead and secured more work with a different client.

    There are a couple different ways you can anticipate a client loss. Sometimes an editor will let you know in advance. Other times your regular editor will become slow to respond to your emails, or won’t offer a new assignment as soon as you turn one in. You might see your client put out an ad for staff writers; that’s a good sign that they might be cutting back on freelancers.

    I actually had multiple clients pull back on assignments this quarter — and Pronoun, the indie publishing service that distributed my novel, shut down. It was a tumultuous few months, to say the least, but being able to anticipate at least some of these shifts and start reaching out to other clients helped me maintain steady work and grow my income.

    3. What was my biggest mistake (or, what am I going to do differently next quarter)?

    My biggest mistake was not buying a pop filter until after I had published the first few episodes of my podcast. My audio got so much better afterwards.

    Next quarter is going to be very different for me because I moved from Seattle, Washington to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This means I’m going to need to get a new CPA, potentially set up a new business and figure out what I’m going to need to set aside for 2018 taxes. (Unlike Washington, Iowa has state income tax.)

    My freelance career is likely to stay the same, but the way I approach my finances is going to change. My Affordable Care Act health insurance plan is a HSA plan, so I’m going to start setting aside pretax money for my HSA. I want to talk to my CPA about the benefits of opening a traditional IRA along with my Roth IRA, so I can contribute pretax money to the traditional IRA as well.

    If the new tax plan passes, I’ll also ask whether I should consider becoming a LLC.

    4. What do I want to achieve as a freelancer next quarter?

    I want to keep growing! I’ve got this new podcast, I’m doing more work for some of my clients, I’ve got a big project that might launch next quarter, and I’ve got my novel and its forthcoming sequel.

    In previous quarterly check-ins, I’ve written that I want to maintain my career — and I did. Now I’m ready to push myself to the next level.

    5. What steps am I taking to get there?

    I launched a podcast, I am about to turn my novel in to another distributor, I booked additional client work… I just kept hustling, and I plan to continue that hustle in 2018.

    What about you? What are you planning to do in the new year? Answer these check-in questions or share your thoughts in the comments.

  • The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2018

    The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2018

    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!

    1. Be a Freelance Blogger

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Plans B, C, D, and Beyond to Keep Sane and Prolific as a Freelance Blogger

    2. Copyblogger

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Marketing Doesn’t Have to Be Sleazy: 5 Real-World Examples

    3. ProBlogger

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Why You’re Not in the Content Business (and Why That’s a Good Thing)

    4. See Jane Write

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Blog Consistently Even When Life Sucks

    5. Aliventures

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Is Your Writing Just an Expensive Hobby (and So What if It Is?)

    6. Almost an Author

    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.

    Post you’ll like: I Almost Quit Yesterday — Again

    7. Ann Kroeker

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Your Writing Platform – Do People Expect Writers to Be Speakers?

    8. Australian Writers’ Centre

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Why You Should Write Your Memoir Now, From Patti Miller

    9. Bang2Write

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Everything You Need to Know About Character Archetypes

    10. C.S. Lakin’s Live Write Thrive

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 3 Keys to Writing Effective Action Scenes

    11. DIY MFA

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Writing Friends and Where to Find Them

    12. Elizabeth Spann Craig

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Tracking Our Recurring Storylines

    13. Eva Deverell

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Write a Novella

    14. Fiction University

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Raising the Stakes: Revising to Keep Readers Reading

    15. How to Write a Book Now

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Novel Writing Ideas: How to Get Them

    16. Goins, Writer

    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.

    Post you’ll like: The Secret to Effortless Writing

    17. Inky Girl

    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.

    Post you’ll like: What Are 10 Ways That Twitter Can Help Writers?

    18. Journalist’s Resource

    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.

    Browse the latest research here.

    19. Lauren Carter

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Lucky

    best websites for writers20. Nicole Bianchi

    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.

    Post You’ll Like: How to Start Building Your Email List: 3 of the Best Email Marketing Services for Writers

    21. One Stop for Writers

    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.

    Browse the resources here.

    22. Positive Writer

    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.

    Post you’ll like: The Audacity to Be a Writer

    23. Pro Writing Aid

    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.

    Try the free editing tool here.

    24. PsychWriter

    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.

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    25. Re:Fiction

    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.

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    26. The Write Practice

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 10 Secrets to Write Better Stories

    27. Tweetspeak Poetry

    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.

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    28. Write or Die

    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.

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    29. Writerology

    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.

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    30. Writers Helping Writers

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 3 Tips to Creating A Time Bomb Plot Device

    31. Writers In The Storm

    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.

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    32. Writer Unboxed

    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.

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    33. Writers Write

    This site offers a vast archive of informational and inspirational articles on creative writing, blogging and business writing.

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    34. Write to Done

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 201 Ways to Arouse Your Creativity  

    35. Grammar Girl

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 9 Books to Give Your Favorite Language Lover

    36. Kathy Steinemann

    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.  

    Post you’ll like: Over 400 Redundant Words to Avoid In Writing

    37. Writership

    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.

    Post you’ll like: The Trouble With Self-Editing

    38. Scribendi

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Use Social Media to Improve Your English

    39. Comps & Calls

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Comps and Calls for December 2017

    40. Elna Cain

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Be a Freelance Writer (Without Leveraging Your Experience or Contacts)

    41. Freelancer FAQs

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How Do You Become a Six-Figure Freelance Writer?

    42. Freelance to Freedom

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 6 Reasons your Website is Costing you your Freelance Writing Clients (and how to fix it)

    43. Freelance to Win

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Surprising Upwork Proposal Mistakes I See Every Day

    44. Freelance Writing

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 6 Freelance Writing Niches That Are Often Overlooked

    45. The Freelancer’s Year

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Are You Ready to Become a Full-Time Freelance Writer?

    46. FundsforWriters

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Raise Money to Publish Your Books

    47. LittleZotz Writing

    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.

    Post you’ll like: What to Do When You Lose Your Best Client

    48. Make a Living Writing

    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.

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    49. Pen & Pro$per

    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!”

    Post you’ll like: How to Become More Savvy About Client Selection

    50. Writers Weekly

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How To Be A Paid Freelance Writer While Attending School

    51. Writing Revolt

    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.

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    52. Where to Pitch

    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.

    Try out the tool here.

    53. Bakerview Consulting

    Consultant and book blogger Barb Drozdowich tutors authors in the technology they need to build a platform through social media.

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    54. Enchanting Marketing

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 9 Simple Tips for Writing Persuasive Web Copy

    55. HubSpot

    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.

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    56. Kikolani

    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.

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    57. Seth Godin

    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.”

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    58. Shelley Hitz

    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.

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    59. The Creative Penn

    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.

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    60. Writers Boon

    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.

    Sign up here.

    61. Create If Writing

    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.

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    62. Self Publishing Formula

    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.

    Episode you’ll like: Dealing With Criticism from Editors and Readers with Dr. Debra Holland

    63. Story Grid

    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.

    Episode you’ll like: How to Write a Great Love Story

    64. Writing Class Radio

    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.

    Episode you’ll like: How to Hit Your Editors in the Heart

    65. Writing Excuses

    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.

    Episode you’ll like: Structuring a Series

    66. Anne R. Allen

    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.

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    67. Cooks & Books

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 4 Common Mistakes Bloggers Make That Hurt Traffic and Engagement

    68. Helping Writers Become Authors

    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.

    Post you’ll like: My Writing Process: How I Use Scrivener to Outline My Novels

    69. Jane Friedman

    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.”

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    70. Janet Reid, Literary Agent

    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.

    Post you’ll like: For the love of all things holymoly, please send me what I ask for

    71. My Story Doctor

    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.

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    72. Nail Your Novel

    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?”

    Post you’ll like: The real schedule of a self-published book

    73. Novel Publicity

    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.

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    74. Publish a Profitable Book

    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.

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    75. Well-Storied

    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.

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    76. Standout Books

    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.

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    77. The Book Designer

    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.

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    78. The Steve Laube Agency

    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.

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    79. Writer’s Digest Editor Blogs

    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.

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    80. Writer’s Relief

    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.

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    81. A Writer’s Path

    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.

    Join the Writer’s Path community

    82. Alessandra Torre Ink

    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.

    Join the community of Alessandra Torre Inkers

    83. Booksie

    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.

    Join the Booksie community

    84. Chronicles

    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.

    Join the Chronicles community

    85. Fiction 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.

    Join the Fiction Writing community

    86. Free Writing Events

    This site is a rich resource of scholarships and writing contests, plus Twitter chats to help you connect with other writers in almost any genre.

    Join the online writing community

    87. Inked Voices

    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.

    Join the Inked Voices community

    88. Insecure Writer’s Support Group

    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.

    Join Insecure Writer’s Support Group

    89. Literature and Poetry

    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.

    Join the Literature and Poetry community

    90. NaNoWriMo

    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.

    Join the NaNoWriMo community

    91. Now Novel

    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.

    Join the Now Novel community

    92. She Writes

    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.

    Join the She Writes community

    93. Storywrite

    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.

    Join the Storywrite community

    94. Talentville

    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.

    Join the Talentville community

    95. The Masters Review

    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.

    Join the Masters Review community

    96. Two Drops of Ink

    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.

    Join the Two Drops of Ink community

    97. WritersCafe.org

    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!

    Join the WritersCafe.org community

    98. Writing.com

    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.

    Join the Writing.com community

    99. Barely Hare Books

    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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    100. Go Teen Writers

    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.

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    Which writing sites, communities and podcasts would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

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