Editor’s note: Looking for our most updated list of best writing websites? Here’s our list for 2021.
Ready to improve your writing — and maybe even make a living as a writer — this year? Our 100 Best Websites for Writers list is back and better than ever.
Thanks to your suggestions, this year’s list of writing websites includes both well-established favorites and bold newcomers. We struggled to whittle it down to just 100 — there are so many fantastic resources out there for writers! — and could probably create a second list of 100 based on all your recommendations. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts!
We’ve broken the list into eight categories: blogging, creativity and craft, entrepreneurship, freelancing, literary agents, marketing, publishing, and writing communities. The writing sites are listed in alphabetical order within each category, and the numbers are included for easy tracking rather than as a ranking.
If you want to start your own website or blog, here’s our step-by-step guide.
Whether you’re keen to find better-paying freelance writing jobs or self-publish your NaNoWriMo project, build your email list or strengthen your SEO skills, these sites will help you reach your goals.
Developing a successful writing career is hard work, and Jennifer Mattern, founder of All Indie Writers, tells it like it is. AIW is a helpful resource for freelance writers, indie publishers and bloggers; it features a job board, community forums and podcast episodes.
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Sophie Lizard and other fantastic writers behind Be a Freelance Blogger are making their second consecutive appearance on this list. They share useful resources, valuable tips and guest posting opportunities for bloggers looking to earn a living from writing. If you need advice that’s tailored to your specific situation, or if you’d like to connect with like-minded bloggers, check out the BAFB community — it’s completely free.
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Since appearing on our list last year, Boost Blog Traffic has become an even bigger powerhouse in the blogging space. Jon Morrow and his team publish fantastic, in-depth content that will help aspiring — or even expert — writers get more eyes on their work.
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Founded by Brian Clark in 1998, this epic content marketing and blogging resource is a one-stop shop for bloggers looking to increase traffic, build a large community, sell products and gain exposure. Spend a few hours digging through their archives and you’ll be amazed at the number of takeaways you can immediately apply to your copy and business. Sign up for a free My Copyblogger membership to access 15 ebooks covering everything from keyword research to crafting headlines.
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Problogger is the go-to resource for online entrepreneurs and bloggers who want to make a living from their craft. Darren Rowse’s site is a wealth of resources, from its popular job board to workbooks, ebooks and programs to help make your blog a success.
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With the help of Sarah Arrow’s 30-day blogging challenge (it’s free!), you’ll focus on creating and publishing without waiting for “perfect.” Her advice is motivational and inspirational — it’s the kick-in-the-pants we all need when procrastinating on our writing.
In the year since we mentioned Smart Passive Income on our 2014 list, creator Pat Flynn has given it a beautiful makeover. Along with the valuable blog posts that help you create a successful blog and business, you’ll find an extensive podcast library and a new series called Ask Pat.
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Curated by Jon Winokur, this site collects quotes from past and present writers, in the form of a Quote of the Day post and daily email. If you’re in need of inspiration, motivation or new ideas, these daily bursts of creativity can give you just that.
Author Ali Luke’s site is all about writing, blogging and life as a writer, including behind-the-scenes details. While she’s on maternity leave until later this spring, her vast archives include tons of advice about blogging, freelancing, writing ebooks and creating a loyal reader base.
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Christine Gilbert is a videographer, storyteller and photographer who teaches courses and workshops on story-driven blogging. She’s working on a book about exploring the world and learning languages with her husband and two young children, and her storytelling advice glows with personality and life.
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Maria Popova believes that multiple points of creativity drive our ideas and stories, and she created Brain Pickings to aggregate diverse, interesting information. When we look for many different sources of inspiration, we can create more complex worlds for our characters and readers.
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Christina Katz teaches writers to become successful at their craft through training and classes. From freelancers looking for a nudge to pitch new markets to new authors preparing to self-publish, many types of writers find helpful advice on this site.
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If you need daily inspiration and writing tips, look no further than this site, which features articles on everything writing-related, including grammar, punctuation, spelling, usage and vocabulary.
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Dani Shapiro’s site is unlike any other. Her words captivate your attention through each post. She shares her personal stories and experiences as a writer, author and storyteller. You’ll find plenty of creative inspiration here, and no doubt relate to her stories about looking inward.
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Mystery author Elizabeth Spann Craig shares advice on writing, character development, productivity and other details around the writing life. She also compiles a weekly list of writing articles that many writers find immensely helpful.
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If you need a kick in the butt to overcome writer’s block or get unstuck with your writing business, you need to read this blog. Erika Napoletano offers advice that’s anything but ordinary (and usually NSFW [not safe for work]). You’ll cringe at being called out on chickening out as a writer, but you’ll laugh at the way she does it and feel motivated to step up your game.
Fantasy and science fiction author and editor Philip Athans shares his experience through witty, informative, entertaining and inspiring posts. Whether he’s decoding the legal page of a print book or analyzing word choice, his posts will make you think about your work in a different way.
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Instead of sharing advice about what writers should be doing, author Janice Hardy explains how to apply the industry’s advice to your work, including tips on how to plan, write, edit and publish a novel. She also pulls back the curtain on how other successful authors and writers manage their creative processes.
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With Grammar Girl by your side, you can boost your writing and grammar confidence. Each article and podcast episode is an adventure into the world of the English language, and you’ll likely be able to find any advice you need in the archives or most popular tips categories.
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Inky Girl is all about books for children and young adults. Author and illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi creates comics that many writers can relate to, as well as interviews with experts and industry professionals. With her passion for telling stories in unique and interesting ways, you’ll never run out of inspiration.
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Sarah Peck combines her passion for technology, storytelling and creative design with her background in psychology to share a unique perspective on writing. If you’re looking to successfully mesh your multiple passions, better communicate your story and connect with your readers, it’s time to check out this blog.
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Paranormal author Jami Gold breaks down the challenges of writing, plotting and character development until they’re easy to understand and overcome. She also offers great worksheets for plot planning, story development, scene strengthening and more.
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Keen to write or illustrate books for children? Author Elaine Kiely Kearns and author and illustrator Sylvia Liu compile tons of great advice on planning, creating and publishing your work from around the web. Their Facebook group is a great place to connect with other kidlit writers and even find a critique partner or group.
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Many writers struggle to carve out time to work. Bryan Hutchinson tackles this challenge head-on in posts on Positive Writer. He believes you should stop seeking approval from others, and offers advice on overcoming doubt and fears as a writer.
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It’s time to stop procrastinating and start writing! Written by Shanan Haislip, The Procrastiwriter will help you find the motivation you need to write more, hone your craft, and most importantly, make room for consistent writing.
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This site offers inspiring advice from a variety of industry professionals and established authors to help you create a successful writing process. While romance writers will find plenty of inspiration in the archives, even writers focused on other fiction genres can learn a lot about craft, marketing and self-publishing.
The Sterling Editing team is comprised of experienced writers, editors and literary agents striving to help writers create their best work. Their weekly “Written on the internet” posts share interesting publishing trends, editing tips and other writing advice from around the web.
Post you’ll like: Written on the internet
Susan Dennard covers a wide variety of writing-related topics on her blog, with practical solutions and tips for all writers. She offers more great advice in her newsletter, which several TWL readers say are a must-read.
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The Kill Zone focuses on writing and publishing fiction, with 11 top mystery and thriller writers posting advice every day of the week. Tune in for thoughtful, informative and entertaining articles on writing craft, marketing and industry trends, as well as “first page critiques” of submitted manuscripts.
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To become a good writer, you have to practice — it’s as simple as that. The Write Practice, founded by Joe Bunting, offers daily writing prompts, creative writing lessons and a wealth of articles to help you overcome writer’s block.
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The Writer and the Critic is a bimonthly podcast that discusses all things fiction, book reviews and general industry gossip. You’ll find ideas for blog posts, novels, characters and random storiese. In other words, hosts Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond help you find a little bit of everything for your writing.
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Shannon Hernandez spent 15 years as a teacher and now empowers other writers to find their voice in a noisy world. Whether you need memoir coaching, copywriting help, publishing advice or all of the above, her site is a full of high-quality information.
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Everyone can become a great writer if they direct their practice properly and apply themselves, says Write to Done’s Chief Editor, Mary Jaksch. The site features inspiring articles and how-to posts that will help you become the best writer you can be.
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Formerly known as The Bookshelf Muse, Writers Helping Writers serves fiction writers of all types and offers tools to help with plot planning, self-editing and promoting your book. You’ll be especially excited about the collection of thesauruses for emotions, talents, skills, physical attributes and other important character traits.
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Young adult fiction has never been so popular, and YA Confidential is one of the best resources out there for writers for teens. Although the site has been on a hiatus for several months, you’ll still find gold in the archives related to writing for young adults, interviews with real teens and more.
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Writers are not just creatives; they’re also business owners who also have to pay the bills. Along with great advice for freelancers and writers, Alexis Grant also offers several guides, ebooks and courses that help you manage the business side of writing. (Full disclosure: Alexis is Founder and Managing Editor of The Write Life.)
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In the past year, Laura Simms has given Create as Folk an awesome makeover. You’ll find resources for quitting your job, following your passion and making a living doing what you love. She has also taken on guest contributors who share their own perspectives and journeys to creating meaningful work.
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Since 2006, James Chartrand’s Men with Pens has helped writers, bloggers and businesses create engaging copy and market their writing to thousands of readers. If you want to achieve better results with your writing and earn more money as a freelance writer, check out the extensive archives.
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Productive Flourishing is one of the top websites for creativity, organization and productivity for all types of creatives and entrepreneurs. Founder Charlie Gilkey, who also works as a business coach, offers valuable advice and free planners that are sure to help you get past any creative slump.
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Bestselling author Seth Godin never ceases to amaze the world with his ideas, advice and aha moments about business. Study his writing to learn how to build a loyal audience, market to your readers and hone your craft.
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Many freelance writers start their careers as side gigs, and Side Hustle Nation is all about empowering your side ventures to propel you to financial freedom. The popular podcast offers interviews with many of the creative entrepreneurs on this list and covers topics related to self-publishing, winning over clients, passive income, recurring revenue and more.
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“You don’t have to live your life the way others expect” is the gist of founder Chris Guillebeau’s advice on his blog and in his books. His approach to business and creativity is unconventional, as he would say, and will have you questioning how you, too, can challenge the status quo.
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The Creative Penn is the place to find advice on writing, self-publishing and marketing your new book. In addition to her self-publishing and platform-building advice, Joanna Penn shares how she makes a living as a full-time author and entrepreneur. Her podcast is also popular, offering interviews with dozens of successful writers.
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“Karen Marston’s no-BS approach is practical, funny and gutsy,” a TWL reader told us. Her blog helps writers develop their skills, pitch new clients with confidence and do great work. Whether she’s challenging common assumptions (“Do you need a blog to become a freelance writer?”) or explaining copywriting concepts, Marston’s advice is anything but generic.
Kristen Lamb is an author and coach who helps writers connect with their readers. She shares advice on topics like writing craft, building a following on social media, navigating the publishing process and making a living as a writer.
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If you’re serious about making a living as a writer, this site will give you the information and resources you need. You’ll find a wealth of original articles about being a writer, marketing your craft, and the business of writing archives. The site has been around for more than a decade, and writers keep going back.
Previously known as Freelance Switch, the Envato Studio and Tuts+ websites offer the same excellent content and resources for freelance writers, designers and developers. Their in-depth archives are a gold mine for anything freelancing-related, so you’re sure to find the solution to any problem you face.
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If you’re serious about making a living as a freelance writer, you’ll be excited about C. Hope Clark’s goldmine of resources. She offers information on upcoming contests, freelance writing jobs, connections to publishers, and everything else you need to make money as a writer. Her most popular offering is her newsletter.
Freelancers are also business owners who worry about things like contracts, health insurance, saving for retirement and following up with clients who owe us money. Founded by Sara Horowitz in 2003, the Freelancers Union gives you access to a highly active community, valuable blog articles and local resource connections to tackle each of these challenges.
While Leaving Work Behind has evolved over the past year,Tom Ewer’s blog still aims to help anyone interested in quitting the day job to build an online business. His honest, I’ve-been-there advice is specifically helpful for freelance bloggers, and the site boasts a tight-knit community. LWB is the place to be if you want to make money as a freelancer.
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Freelance writer Lauren Tharp offers an impressive spread of resources for anyone looking to build a writing business. Her blog’s weekly posts, newsletters and two free ebooks help writers hone their skills, find clients and earn money from their work.
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Carol Tice is a successful freelance writer, and she shares her breadth of experience and knowledge on her blog. She suggests smart changes that will help you move beyond low-paying gigs and actually make a living from freelance writing. Carol also oversees the popular Freelance Writers Den community.
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Williesha Morris discusses her entrepreneurial journey on My Freelance Life, helping other freelancers manage their worries and achieve financial success. She approaches freelance writing from a unique and captivating angle, while offering practical ideas.
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John Soares has been a full-time freelance writer since 1994. On Productive Writers, he shares ideas for freelance writers about working smarter, not harder — and landed higher-paying gigs. He focuses on earning a living without working around the clock.
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Created by Jane Friedman and Manjula Martin, Scratch is a digital magazine for writers that features in-depth interviews, personal stories from other writers and ways to make a living as a writer. While much of the content is behind a paywall, its “Who Pays Writers?” resource, which is crowd-sourced from freelancers, is incredibly helpful for figuring out what you might earn from various publications.
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Contently’s goal with The Freelancer is to help freelancers navigate what can be a confusing business. While it’s not solely focused on writing — photographers, designers and other freelancers will also value this information — the advice on negotiating rates, managing contracts and pitching clients is practical and actionable. Check out the weekly “Ask a Freelancer” column for answers to common questions, and the new Freelance Rates Database for pay information from various publications.
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Living outside the U.S. sometimes means managing your freelance career differently than a stateside writer. Mridu Khullar Relph shares tips and strategies learned from her years of experience as a full-time journalist based in London, U.K., and New Delhi, India, making her blog an attractive destination for international writers.
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Whether you like it or not, you’ll eventually have to deal with the business side of writing, and The Middle Finger Project is hell-bent on helping you. While creator Ash Ambirge originally focused on creative copywriting and marketing, the site has branched out to include tips for dealing with tough clients and getting paid what you deserve. At times the advice is NSFW (not safe for work), but it’s also fresh, entertaining and motivating.
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Linda Formichelli is a freelance writer who earns a living on her own terms. She’s written for publications like Inc., Redbook and Writer’s Digest and makes “a full-time income working part-time hours.” Her blog focuses on building a writing business that works for you, breaking the rules and overcoming your freelancing fears.
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If you’re ready to start a career as a freelance writer, Writers in Charge is the site for you. Creator Bamidele Onibalusi shares resources to help you take control of your income, make more money and successfully navigate the freelance world.
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Freelance writer Laura Spencer doesn’t update her blog often, but each post offers gems of inspiration and information. With more than 24 years of writing experience — 13 of them as a freelancer — she shares proven advice on running a freelance business, soliciting feedback and working with clients.
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The Bent Agency looks to turn new and aspiring authors into bestsellers. If you’re interested in traditional publishing, Jenny Bent’s blog could help you launch your publishing career and turn your dream of being a published author into reality.
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One of the biggest blogs on publishing, Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents blog is a must-read if you’re looking to land a literary agent to represent your new book. The site features posts by guest authors, including industry professionals and literary agents. It also includes resources on queries, book marketing, creating an author platform and more.
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Created in 2008 by Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre, Literary Rambles covers topics related to children’s books, literary agents and publishing. The interviews and comprehensive profiles of industry experts give writers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to write a novel and become a published author.
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As a published author and former literary agent, Nathan Bransford gives readers an insider’s look into what literary agents do, how to go about finding one, and tips for writing a good query letter. Whether you’re a newbie author or an experienced veteran, you’re sure to learn something new about the publishing industry.
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Rachelle Gardner’s blog is one of the most popular literary agent resources for a reason: she’s passionate about working with writers and stays updated on what’s happening on both sides of the desk. You’ll find advice about partnering with an agent who’s a good fit for you, what to include in your book proposal, writing a query letter, how book royalties work and more.
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Running a successful writing career means embracing the business and marketing side of being a writer. With the help of Danny Iny’s site, you’ll tackle both with ease. His fantastic resources for guest blogging, advertising, SEO, branding, marketing and more are sure to give you an edge up when it comes to making sales.
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Public relations professional and freelance writer Jessica Lawlor is all about getting gutsy: stepping outside your comfort zone to reach your goals and live a life that makes you truly happy. As the founder of the Get Gutsy blog and community, Jessica’s website and newsletter are filled with inspiration, ideas and action items to help you #GetGutsy and step outside your comfort zone.
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Kristi Hines is a blogging powerhouse, and her site documents her marketing strategies, guest blogging methods and social media tips for writers and professional bloggers. She also discusses the best digital tools for publishing, productivity and content marketing.
Marketing expert Michael Hyatt shares advice on everything from blogging to publishing, and his goal is “to help leaders leverage their influence” by managing their platforms. Read his blog for advice on productivity, goal setting, social media and traditional publishing.
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Derek Halpern mixes psychology and social behavior to develop marketing and pricing ideas that will knock your socks off. His no-nonsense attitude will go a long way toward helping you make more sales, price products based on value and become a profitable freelancer.
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Marketing does not come easily for many writers, but selling your work is all part of making a living as a writer. Bernadette Jiwa is a bestselling business author who shares how to create meaningful work, embrace marketing and tell your best story.
Post you’ll like: Value Creation and Stories to Believe In
To sell books, novels and products, you have to build a readership of loyal followers, and that’s where Marya comes in. She’s in her fourth year of business and shares her personal experiences, tips and ideas for gaining blog subscribers who become buyers.
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Author Joe Konrath has published 24 novels and sold millions of books, giving him the experience to create a must-read blog. If you write mysteries, thrillers, horror or sci-fi, you’ll find a ton of helpful advice for writing, editing and publishing your novel.
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Have you ever wanted to deconstruct a popular novel to learn how authors create bestsellers? Christine Frazier explores common elements in popular novels, draws conclusions from her findings and creates a master outline for a “better novel.” She offers insights on plot analysis, creating excitement in your novels, word counts and character development.
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Jenny Bravo, founder of Blots & Plots, focuses on writers and their stories. Through her personal anecdotes and writing advice, you’ll find encouraging ways to bring your story to life and publish your work. Readers love her #TATM series (These Are The Moments), where she details the journey of writing her novel.
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A professional writer for more than 40 years, Dean Wesley Smith has published independently and traditionally. In addition to the valuable editing, craft and productivity advice in his blog posts, make sure to read the comments — they often offer even more helpful information.
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Authors Malinda Lo and Cindy Pon founded Diversity in YA to celebrate young adult books about diverse characters and subject matter and “to bring attention to books and authors that might fall outside the mainstream.” Read their posts for conversational, nuanced takes on diversity in the publishing industry.
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Author Jeff Goins has written and published multiple books, and he’s on a mission to help writers tell better stories. Along with building his career as a successful writer, he’s established a community that helps answer questions like “What does it really take to get published?” and “How do successful writers make a living?” His free 31-day writing challenge is also popular.
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K.M. Weiland’s site features hundreds of posts about writing, publishing, marketing and other fiction-related topics. If you need help crafting a captivating story, exploring the psychology behind the inspiration, and following through till publication, this site is for you.
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Mary Carroll Moore shares weekly tips and techniques on how to structure, create, write and sell your first manuscript — whether it’s a novel, memoir or nonfiction book. She also offers writing classes to help writers hone their craft and navigate the publishing process.
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Created to help independent authors write, publish and promote their work, Indies Unlimited is run by a team of writers and publishing industry professionals. With a nearly overwhelming number of posts, tutorials, lists of low-cost books and writing prompts, there’s lots for writers to explore.
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With more than 15 years of experience in publishing, including work with Writer’s Digest, Jane Friedman focuses on moving from writing as a hobby into creating a full-fledged digital publishing career. She shares tips on storytelling, writing techniques and finding your creative inspiration.
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While many TWL readers highlighted the wonderful Friday Fridge Clean Out features, Lisa Romeo also shares posts, interviews and writerly opinion pieces. She writes candidly about what it means to be a writer, from submissions and editing to getting published and dealing with rejection.
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Author and editor C.S. Lakin’s blog provides valuable writing tips and editing advice for fiction writers. In addition to focusing on the craft of writing, Live Write Thrive helps writers with their publishing and marketing strategy. If you’re writing a novel in 2015, be sure to check out this site.
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Regardless of whether you choose traditional or self-publishing, the Novel Publicity team’s blog offers helpful advice on craft, marketing and publishing. With posts offering writing tips, social media strategy, publishing techniques and more, you’re sure to learn something new each time you visit.
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Run by a group of authors and publishing industry professionals, this site shares advice on writing craft, publishing and marketing, as well as interviews with authors, illustrators and literary agents. The popular “Question of the Month” series is fun to follow as well.
Post you’ll like: Writing Out of Order
If you want practical ideas on how to sell your books on Amazon and make a living from your writing, you need to read Steve Scott’s blog. The successful Amazon Kindle publisher offers proven strategies and case studies of his publishing experiments to help other writers learn from his efforts. You’ll appreciate his transparent analysis and income reporting for the real numbers and results he shares.
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Although NSFW (not safe for work), Chuck Wendig’s blog is spot-on and funny. He writes about what it really means to be a writer, author and storyteller, without bothering to be politically correct. Having published both traditionally and on his own, he offers interesting, nuanced comments on publishing industry trends and debates.
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Alan Rinzler has worked in traditional publishing for more than 40 years. His blog is an in-depth look at how to write an attention-getting book proposal, land a literary agent, market your book and otherwise succeed in traditional publishing.
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With a background in book design, advertising and layout, Joel Friedlander shares guidance on how to make sure your book looks its best. He touches upon marketing and writing, but readers flock for his advice on cover design and self-publishing, which is detailed and authoritative. Check out his Ebook Cover Design Awards for inspiration for your next ebook cover.
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Stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in self- and indie publishing from the perspective of a lawyer who specializes in these topics. Before diving into the world of being a published author, David Vandagriff (aka Passive Guy) will help you arm yourself with the information you’ll need to succeed.
If you’re interested in literary magazines, check out The Review Review. It assists writers to better target their submissions to literary magazines by interviewing representatives and analyzing past issues of various publications. The site also offers a classifieds section of magazines looking for submissions.
Brooke Warner, a publisher and author, is dedicated to demystifying the business of book publishing. She works to give writers the confidence and information they need to publish well and self-promote with confidence.
Post you’ll like: Writing When No One Is Listening
A Writer’s Bucket List is a place for writers who think outside the box, have a sense of humor and enjoy connecting with quirky, like-minded peers. Created by author Dana Sitar, the site features articles from writers in the community, as well as experts who share topics on blogging, freelancing and storytelling.
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Fantasy Faction’s discussion forums are invaluable for inspiration and discussion of every aspect of good fantasy writing. They also feature interviews and industry news for fantasy fans.
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Kboards is a site devoted to all things Kindle and has become a powerhouse community for Kindle authors and publishers. This all-inclusive site will keep you updated on the latest Amazon Kindle news, KDP changes and how you can make a living selling ebooks.
Founded by author Kamy Wicoff, She Writes is a community for people who write — yes, men are welcome! With more than 20,000 active members from around the world, you’re bound to find interesting discussions of writing craft, marketing strategies, publishing advice and more.
Wattpad is a community of more than 35 million users writing, reading and sharing stories — all for free. Want to share a short story that’s tangential to your novel? Or tempt readers with an excerpt from your upcoming book? This might be the platform for you.
100. Writer’s Carnival
Writer’s Carnival draws many novelists wanting to receive useful critiques through prompts and challenges. Explore poetry, flash fiction, short stories and writing contests in this community for writers.
Which sites do you regularly read and find helpful as a writer? Are there any other sites you think should be on this list?
