Tag: writing websites

  • 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

  • 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.

    Post you’ll like: Why Readers Read: What every writer needs to know

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 6 Tricks to Make You Better at Self-Editing

    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.

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

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Survive Blogger Paralysis

    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.

    Post you’ll like: False Memories In Fiction: How Emotional Scenes Can Create Unreliable Narrators

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Honey, I Broke the Writing Process

    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.

    Post you’ll like: The Sell-Out or the Purist?

    33. Writers Write

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

    Post you’ll like: 7 Completely Mad Plot Methods You Never Thought Of Before

    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.

    Post you’ll like: The Journey From Bottom-Feeder Content Mills to Six-Figure Freelancing

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Reasons Why No One Reads or Shares Your Blog Posts (+How to Fix It!)

    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.

    Post you’ll like: A Beginner’s Guide to SEO (Infographic)

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Validate Your Blog Post Topics: A 3-Step Process

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Develop Your Blog While Stealing Content From Others

    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.”

    Post you’ll like: Pumpkin Seeds

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Set Up Your Goodreads Author Profile (And Why You Should!)

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How To Leverage The Power of LinkedIn To Market Your Non-Fiction Book

    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.

    Episode you’ll like: How to Increase Your Sales Rank on Amazon

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Dreaming of a Writing Career? 6 Things New Writers Can do NOW

    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.”

    Post you’ll like: 5 Things I’m Not Doing to Launch My Book — Plus, What I’m Doing Instead

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Make the Bookstores Your Partners

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Money, Money, Money: The Finances of Publishing

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Necessary Book Marketing Tools

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Find Your Character’s Motivation

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Understanding Cultural Trends Can Help You Write a Bestseller

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Favorite Free Fonts for Interior Book Design

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Who Decides to Publish Your Book?

    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.

    Post you’ll like: How I Got My Agent: Julia Walton

    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.

    Post you’ll like: 11 Questions to Ask Before Submitting Your Writing to Literary Journals

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Podcasting: The Affordable Way to Boost Your Book’s Discoverability

    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.

    Post you’ll like: What Teen Writers Should Know About Pitching Their Book

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

    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!

  • The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2017

    The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2017

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

    What do you picture when you imagine yourself writing?

    Are you quietly tapping away on your office desktop computer in the early morning hours? Maybe you’re scribbling new ideas and observations amidst the hustle and bustle of a coffee shop.

    It’s likely that you imagined yourself alone. And that’s not surprising, because when it comes down to actually doing the work, you — the writer — are the one who has to put pen to paper.

    But here’s the thing about great writing: it takes a village.

    They may be your words, but the words you write are a culmination of years of practice, learning from mentors, emulating your favorite authors, workshopping with peers and supporting fellow writers.

    Each year, The Write Life celebrates this “village” by releasing a list of the 100 Best Websites for Writers, and we’re excited to do so again this year.

    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, and 2016 lists, and this year we’re thrilled to feature more than 50 newcomers. 

    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 2017 list into eight categories: Blogging, creativity and craft, editing, freelancing, marketing and platform building, podcasts, publishing and writing communities. For the first time, we are excited to include a category for podcasts, which have proven to be a powerful and growing resource for writers. All sites are listed in alphabetical order within their categories, with numbers for ease of reading (not ranking).

    No matter what your writing goals are, there’s something here for everyone.

    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!

    blogging

    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 jobs board, you’ll increase your blogging income and become an expert in your niche.

    Post you’ll like: The Batman vs. Superman Guide to Freelance Blogging

    2. Beyond Your Blog

    Are you working to grow your blog audience? Beyond Your Blog provides practical tips and resources for getting published on other blogs and and in digital publications, so you can tap into new groups of engaged fans.

    Post you’ll like:  8 Things to Avoid When Pitching a Website or Print Publication

    3. 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: 10 Content Marketing Goals Worth Pursuing

    4. 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: 10 Simple Hacks That Will Increase Your Blog Traffic

    5. 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

    6. 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: Should You Be More Business-Like About Your Writing?

    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: Write in the Middle of Traveling

    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: 9 Steps To Get Your Spec TV Pilot Written, Edited & Sent Out

    10. Barely Hare Books

    You are the hero of your own novel-writing adventure, and Rae Elliott of Barely Hare Books is here to help you defeat the monster keeping you from writing that fandom-worthy story. With blog posts, a podcast and several ebooks, this site has lots to explore.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Lessons Writers Learn from The Office About Crafting a (Genuinely) Funny Character

    100 best websites for writers 2017

    11. 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 Things You Must Have in Your Novel’s First Paragraph

    12. DIY MFA

    The folks at DIY MFA believe you can access the benefits of an 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

    13. 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

    14. 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

    15. Every Writer

    At Every Writer, owner and editor Richard Edwards covers everything you can imagine about writing, including writing tools, website building, and how to overcome writer’s block. He even shares tips on starting a literary magazine. Check out his poetry and writing contests, too.

    Post you’ll like: Grow as a Writer: Critique Your Own Work

    16. 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: Why We Should Do Bad Things To Our Characters

    17. 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

    18. 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: Why Picture Books Are Important

    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. Knockin’ Books

    The editors at Knockin’ Books are self-described “addicted” to reading, so they’ve created this site to help connect readers and authors. Whether you’re a reader looking for your next favorite book, or a writer looking for a beautiful cover design, you’ll find it at Knockin’ Books.

    Post you’ll like: Ways to sell your self-published book

    21. Lucy Flint and the Lionhearted Writing Life

    After eight years of a love/hate relationship with writing, Lucy Flint went on a mission to explore how writing can be more enjoyable, easy and fulfilling. In her blog posts, she shares tips on how to be more courageous in your writing, stop being stuck and more. Her site is a mini dance party for your writing life.

    Post you’ll like: Three Simple Steps Toward A Yummier, Happier, And Much More Sustainable Writing Life

    22. Market Meditations

    At Market Meditations, Charles Chu documents the experiments and lessons he’s learned in the pursuit of being more productive, successful and effective at the work he does. This is a great blog to follow if you’re looking to raise your potential at work.

    Post you’ll like: Why 95% of Blogs Fail

    23. 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

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Why Readers Read: What every writer needs to know

    25. Re:Fiction

    No matter what kind of fiction writer you are, 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.

    Post you’ll like: 6 Tricks to Make You Better at Self-Editing

    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. The Writing Kylie

    Kylie Day’s blog is a great place for those who are in the midst of writing a novel. With tips on outlining and story structure, and a dose of inspirational posts about the writing life, this blog will help you on your path from story idea to complete manuscript.

    Post you’ll like: The Ultimate Guide to Outlining Your Story

    28. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Infographic: How to Write a Ballad

    29. Write or Die

    Writer Mandy Wallace believes that when it comes to writing, 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.

    Post you’ll like: Where to Find Story Ideas So Good, They Practically Write Themselves

    30. 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.

    Post you’ll like: False Memories In Fiction: How Emotional Scenes Can Create Unreliable Narrators

    31. 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, and their One Stop For Writers library is teeming with tools for planning, researching and writing your book.

    Post you’ll like: The Subtle Knife: Writing Characters Readers Trust But Shouldn’t

    32. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Honey, I Broke the Writing Process

    33. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Creative Work is Performance. Assess Your Creative Health Now.

    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. 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

    38. 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 January 2017  

    39. 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)

    40. 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 Does a Freelance Writer Stay Organized When They’re Too Busy?

    41. Freelance to Freedom

    You love to write. But in order 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 e-books 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)

    42. 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

    43. 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 get updated daily, so you’re always in the know about new opportunities.

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

    44. FundsforWriters

    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: No Room for Snark

    45. Horkey Handbook

    Within six months of starting her freelance writing career, Gina Horkey was earning $4,000 a month. Now, she wants to help others achieve their dreams of making a real living off freelance writing.

    46. 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: 12 Common Freelance Writer Mistakes

    47. 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.

    Post you’ll like: How I Made 6 Figures as a Freelance Writer

    48. 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: The Definitive Guide to When to Write for Free

    49. Untamed Writing

    “Your life is YOUR life. You should be able to do whatever you want with it.” So says Karen Marston, founder of Untamed Writing, her internet home for helping people build a freelance writing career they love without sacrificing their freedom. You’ll find a full archive of blog posts, resources and courses to develop your writing skills, fearlessly approach clients, and maintain a successful career.

    best websites for writers

    50. Writers in Charge

    With over 600 posts in its archives, Writers in Charge is filled with resources and leads for freelance writers who are looking to be well-compensated for their work. Don’t miss founder Bamidele Onibalusi’s master list of 110 websites that pay writers.

    Post you’ll like: The Ultimate List of Magazines that Pay Writers

    51. 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

    52. 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.

    Post you’ll like: How I Built a $5,000/mo Freelance Writing Business in 4 Months

    53. 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.

    Post you’ll love: How to Validate Your Blog Post Topics: A 3-Step Process

    54. 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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Develop Your Blog While Stealing Content From Others

    55. MarketingProfs

    If you’re looking to grow your expertise in marketing communications, MarketingProfs is the place to go. It offers articles, podcasts, training events and more, so you can learn to use strategic, data-driven marketing.

    Post you’ll like: Five Steps to Integrating Your Blog, Social Media, and Email Marketing

    56. 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.”

    Post you’ll like: Pumpkin Seeds

    57. 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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Set Up Your Goodreads Author Profile (And Why You Should!)

    58. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Social Media Tips for Writers with Frances Caballo

    59. Beautiful Writers Podcast

    On the Beautiful Writers Podcast, host Linda Sivertsen features authors and thought leaders about their writing, business and publishing adventures. With a touch of spirituality, these conversations are great listens for those interested in creative contemplation.

    Episode you’ll like: Brené Brown: Daring to Create Greatly

    60. 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.

    Episode you’ll like: How NOT to Be Smarmy in Facebook Groups

    61. I Should Be Writing

    With author interviews and a huge archive, I Should Be Writing chronicles the journey to becoming a professional author. Conversations focus primarily on speculative fiction and traditional publishing.

    Episode you’ll like: Crippling Fear

    62. Rocking Self Publishing

    Looking to be a published indie author? This podcast is for you. Each week host Simon Whistler interviews some of the top names in self-publishing, so you can create success for yourself.

    63. Science Fiction & Fantasy Marketing Podcast

    On the Science Fiction & Fantasy Marketing Podcast, the hosts interview successful authors, engage in group discussions and dive deep into specific writing genres and niches. This is a smart listening option for those looking for solid discussion around the science fiction and fantasy markets.

    Episode you’ll like: Succeeding in the Super Hero Genre

    64. Self Publishing Formula

    Hosted by a writer who’s just starting out and another who is a best-selling author, the Self Publishing Formula podcast 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

    65. Story Geometry

    Ben Hess is an award-winning producer, director and screenwriter. After hitting a creative wall, he decided to start Story Geometry, where he interviews esteemed writers on their craft.

    Episode you’ll like: The Deep End

    66. 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

    67. The Dead Robots’ Society

    Throughout the nearly 400 episodes in its archive, the many hosts of The Dead Robots’ Society gather to discuss their writing journeys and offer tips on the writing process. They also  occasionally invite guests on the show.

    Episode you’ll like: Being a Career Writer

    68. The Worried Writer

    On The Worried Writer podcast, Sarah Painter investigates how authors overcome anxiety, distractions and worried feelings on their way to publishing success. Listen to this podcast if you’re looking for practical advice on managing self doubt.

    Episode you’ll like: Siobhan Curham: ‘Keep Your Life Interesting

    69. The Writer Files

    On The Writer Files, host Kelton Reid uncovers the secrets of productivity and creativity of some of the most well-known writers. If you find yourself stuck, plagued with writer’s block or just need to get those writing gears turning again, this podcast is for you.

    Episode you’ll like: How Wired Magazine’s Senior Maverick Kevin Kelly Writes

    70. Writer 2.0

    On Writer 2.0, A. C. Fuller sits down with bestselling authors and publishing experts like literary agents and book marketers. This show offers great content around both traditional and self-publishing, as well as the writing journey.

    Episode you’ll like: The NY Publishing Scene with Susan Shapiro

    71. 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.

    72. 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 10 for a masterclass-type season on creating a story.

    Episode you’ll like: Seriously, Where Do You Get Your Ideas?

    73. Your Creative Life

    On the Your Creative Life podcast, co-hosts Vanessa Carnevale and Kimberley Foster help writers connect to their creativity. With discussions on publishing, platform building and different genres of writing, this is a choice place to find inspiration.

    74. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Dreaming of a Writing Career? 6 Things New Writers Can do NOW

    75. Better Novel Project

    Christine Frazier takes a scientific approach to writing a best-selling novel. She deconstructs popular books to pinpoint the common elements they share. These findings are then incorporated into the “master outline” for a better, research-backed novel. Follow along for insights on plot, word counts and character development.

    Post you’ll like: How to Create a Remarkable Villain (Beyond the Cliches!)

    76. 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.

    Post you’ll like: What Teen Writers Should Know About Pitching Their Book

    77. 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

    78. 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.”

    Post you’ll like: 5 Observations on the Evolution of Author Business Models

    79. Jenny Bravo Books

    Author Jenny Bravo offers personal anecdotes and guidance for writers who want to take a leap into the publishing world. From her blog full of tips to her “Blots and Plots Party” Facebook group, to her Busy Writers Starter Kit, Jenny is here to help you realize your dream of writing a book.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Ways to Create Your Own Writing Space

    80. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Make the Bookstores Your Partners

    81. 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: 5 Things That Established Authors Would Tell New Writers

    82. 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.
    Post you’ll like: Money, Money, Money: The Finances of Publishing

    83. Self-Publishing School

    Chandler Bolt believes everyone has a book inside them. With proven systems and strategies, the Self-Publishing School blog will walk you through writing and publishing your book, even if you don’t even know what you want to write about yet!

    Post you’ll like: Find a Book Idea That Sells: 3 Things You Must Check Before You Write Your Book

    84. She’s Novel

    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 She’s Novel, a blog and resource hub that helps writers more-easily navigate the journey of crafting brilliant novels.

    Post you’ll like: How to Write a Book Series

    85. Standoutbooks

    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.

    Post you’ll like: Understanding Cultural Trends Can Help You Write a Bestseller

    86. 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.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Favorite Free Fonts for Interior Book Design

    87. The Steve Laube Agency

    What better way to get book publishing advice than from an agent himself? From resource recommendations to eight years (and counting!) 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.

    Post you’ll like: Who Decides to Publish Your Book?

    88. Writer’s Digest Editor Blogs

    Writer’s Digest is home to many resources, competitions, and communities. Their editor columns are quite popular, and we particularly like The Write Life contributor Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents, featuring all types of information on finding literary agents, sending query letters, building an author platform and marketing your book.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Things I Learned on Deadline

    89. 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 they also have a paid-subscriber-only classifieds section listing contests, conferences and residences.

    Post you’ll like: Top Ten Ways To Annoy Literary Agents

    90. 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

    91. 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 Fiction Writing here

    92. Inkitt

    Inkitt is a data-driven book publisher and community where writers can share their work and find an audience for free, even if their novel is not yet finished. Inkitt’s algorithm analyzes reading behaviors to understand whether a novel has a strong potential to become a big success. If readers love your work, Inkitt will offer you a publishing deal.

    Check out Inkitt’s community groups

    93. 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

    94. 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 Now Novel

    95. Prose

    Prose is a social network platform for writers who want to focus on the work — not the superficiality of social media. This is a great place to publish your work, connect with other authors, and participate in writing challenges.

    Join Prose

    96. She Writes

    Over 27,000 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.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Tips for Turning Your Career into a Novel

    97. 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 Talentville

    98. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Submission Strategies

    99. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Memory Lane: Memoir and Reverse Writing

    100. Wattpad

    At Wattpad, “Stories are made social.” Hailed as the world’s largest community of writers and readers, members are free to post and read original stories and engage in conversation with each other. This is a great platform to build buzz around your writing.

    Join the community here

    What writing sites would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!

    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!
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  • The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2016

    The 100 Best Websites for Writers in 2016

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

    Internet overwhelm is real, guys. How many unread articles and blog posts do you have in your RSS reader? And what about those Facebook and Twitter feeds?

    How do we keep track of it all? As writers, we want to keep up with the latest industry news, advice and opportunities, but we don’t have time to sift through everything happening in the online world.

    That’s why we created this year’s list of the 100 Best Websites for Writers. 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 and 2015 lists, and we’re excited to have dozens of newcomers to showcase this year.

    No matter what you want to accomplish in 2016, we’re sure you’ll find quality inspiration and resources.

    We’ve broken this year’s list into seven categories: Blogging, entrepreneurship, creativity and craft, freelancing, marketing, publishing, and writing communities. All sites are listed in alphabetical order within their categories, and the numbers are for easy tracking (not ranking).

    And if you’re looking to keep up with these sites on a daily basis, here’s an easy way to do that: we’ve compiled a Twitter list of all the websites in this post. Click here to subscribe via Twitter.

    Warning: this list may inspire you to start your own website! If you want to start your own website or blog, here’s our step-by-step guide.

    Sit back and explore. Cheers to the amazing resources you’ve helped us collect!

    blogging

    1. Be a Freelance Blogger

    Sophie Lizard is here to teach you how to take your freelance blogging skills to pro level. Through her blog posts, free community and jobs board, you’ll be able to increase your blogging income and become an expert in your niche.

    Post you’ll like: The Batman vs. Superman Guide to Freelance Blogging

    2. Beyond Your Blog

    Are you working to grow your blog audience? Beyond Your Blog provides practical tips and resources for getting published on other blogs and and in digital publications, so you can tap into new groups of engaged fans.

    Post you’ll like:  8 Things to Avoid When Pitching a Website or Print Publication

    3. Boost Blog Traffic

    In the big blogosphere, it’s hard to stand out and let your voice be heard over the noise. Jon Morrow and the Boost Blog Traffic team offer a wealth of resources to increase traffic to your site and build community — without sacrificing quality content.

    Post you’ll like: The Ultimate Guide to Writing Irresistible Subheads

    4. 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: 10 Content Marketing Goals Worth Pursuing

    5. ProBlogger

    It’s a trustworthy blog about how to blog. Founder Darren Rowse and the ProBlogger team bring you all 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 opportunities.

    Post you’ll like: 10 Simple Hacks That Will Increase Your Blog Traffic

    6. Sark e-Media

    With practical and motivational articles and a free 30-day blogging challenge, Sarah and Kevin Arrow help bloggers gain confidence in their writing so they can get the recognition and reach they deserve.

    7. The Daily Post

    You’ve picked out a website name, a theme, and have your WordPress site all set up — now what? At The Daily Post, the WordPress team helps you navigate your growth as a professional writer, with daily writing prompts, interviews with successful bloggers, writing and photo challenges, and WordPress tips.

    Post you’ll like: Writing About Books, Movies, Music: Quick Tips

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    8. Aerogramme Writers’ Studio

    Aerogramme Writers’ Studio keeps you up to date on writing news and opportunities, including contests, calls for submission, and MFA programs. The blog also contains tons of articles on the art of writing.

    Post you’ll like: Who Is Your Boo Radley? Finding Characters Who Motivate You To Write

    9. 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: Write in the Middle of Traveling

    10. A Writer’s Path

    Author Ryan Lanz’s website is a wealth of information for aspiring authors. His blog features frequent guest posts, and his Writer’s Toolbox is constantly updated with his favorite picks for websites, blogs, music, apps and people.

    11. Bane of Your Resistance

    Using research in the creative process and neuroscience, Rosanne Bane takes on the big issue of writing resistance in all its forms: writer’s block, procrastination, perfectionism and more. Her weekly posts offer science-backed fixes to common problems for writers.

    Post you’ll like: Momentum Beats Writer’s Block Every Day

    12. Brain Pickings

    Maria Popova created Brain Pickings to document her intellectual, creative and spiritual growth. It’s an exploration into the brilliant discoveries of different disciplines, and how we can “cross-pollinate” these ideas to move us forward in creative thinking.

    Post you’ll like: How to Save Your Soul: Willa Cather on Productivity vs. Creativity, Selling Out, and the Life-Changing Advice That Made Her a Writer

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

    Author, editor and writing coach C. S. Lakin loves helping writers get their manuscripts ready for publication. On Live Write Thrive, she writes about proper scene structure, character development, editing and crafting a fantastic story.

    Post you’ll like: 3 Things You Must Have in Your Novel’s First Paragraph

    14. 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 also a reader favorite.

    Post you’ll like: Tracking Our Recurring Storylines

    15. Fiction University

    Janice Hardy understands that there’s no “right” way to write. So instead of giving advice on what writers should be doing, she explains how you can 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: Why We Should Do Bad Things To Our Characters

    16. Ink and Quills

    With more than 10 years of studying the craft of writing under her belt, Kaitlin Hillerich created Ink and Quills to help other writers reach their novel-writing goals and tell beautiful stories. With blog posts, worksheets, ebooks and courses, there’s tons to explore.

    Post you’ll like: How to Create Life-like Characters in 6 Steps

    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: Why Picture Books Are Important

    18. KidLit411

    KidLit411 is the ultimate place for children’s writers and illustrators. Founders Elaine Kearns and Sylvia Liu curate the latest in the industry, including new blogs, conferences, awards, writing challenges, publishing resources. They also post weekly author and illustrator interviews and have a thriving facebook community.

    Post you’ll like: The Weekly 411

    19. Live Write Breathe

    Live with passion, write well, and remember to breathe. These are the core principles of author Janalyn Voigt’s site, where she reminds aspiring authors that only when we lead a passionate life can we properly fuel our writing and succeed.

    Post you’ll like: How to Make Time to Write a Novel

    20. 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

    21. ProWritingAid

    The ProWritingAid blog is all about transforming good writing into great writing. From grammar tips, writing techniques, and software recommendations, this blog is a great resource if you’re looking to polish your prose.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Tricks for Writing Fast Without Losing Quality

    22. Script

    For more than 15 years, Script has been the top place to go for inside information on writing for film and television. With how-to articles, interviews, podcasts, influencer columns, webinars, courses and resource directories, you’ll find everything you need to keep up with the industry.

    Post you’ll like: Choosing Projects: Which Screenplay Should I Write Next?

    23. Susan Dennard

    In her blog and newsletter, author Susan Dennard shares her secrets: from planning your novel and  maximizing productivity, to facing writing fears and getting published.

    Post you’ll like: Maintaining Passion for a Story

    24. The Write Practice

    The number one thing 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

    25. Witty Title Here

    Witty Title Here is the blog “For female writers who give a damn,” offering writing advice, inspiration, writer spotlights, and more — all with a feminist twist. This site also publishes reader-submitted pieces and is a great place for writers who are just starting out and finding their voice.  

    26. Write or Die

    Writer Mandy Wallace believes that when it comes to writing, don’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.

    Post you’ll like: Where to Find Story Ideas So Good, They Practically Write Themselves

    27. 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, and their One Stop For Writers library is teeming with tools for planning, researching and writing your book.

    Post you’ll like: The Subtle Knife: Writing Characters Readers Trust But Shouldn’t

    28. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Honey, I Broke the Writing Process

    29. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Creative Work is Performance. Assess Your Creative Health Now.

    30. 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  

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    31. Author Media

    A writer’s website should be robust enough to support their growing online platform, but also simple to use. The team at Author Media is made of web designers, coders, and social media managers who share tips, resources, and plug-ins for fantastic author websites.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Ways Author Websites Irritate Readers (And What to Do About It)

    32. High-Income Business Writing

    In the High-Income Business Writing podcast and blog, Ed Gandia brings you everything you need to know about building a successful career in commercial writing. With over a decade of experience, he lets you in on the strategies and secrets of various  industries so you can find great clients and command top fees.

    Post you’ll like: Why You Should Start a Newsletter (and How to Keep it From Being a Drag)

    33. Men with Pens

    In the world of business, content is king — and that means your content creation, blogging, and online marketing have to be on point. Men with Pens, led by James Chartrand, has over 1,000 blog posts to help with all your content marketing, website-writing and small-business needs.

    Post you’ll like: 7 Simple Ways to Write a List Post That Gets Read

    34. Paid to Exist

    Jonathan Mead at Paid to Exist believes you can and should get paid for doing the things you’re passionate about. His blog, training programs and resource “backpack” can help you create a career you love on your own terms.

    Post you’ll like: Why quitting your job won’t solve all your problems

    35. Penelope Trunk

    Penelope Trunk has founded four startups, and she knows a thing or two around building community. Read her blog for life advice, career advice, and everything inbetween.

    Post you’ll like: How to pick a career you’ll like

    36. Productive Flourishing

    Productive Flourishing is the place for “doers,” the people who are ready to use their creative talents to help themselves and the world around them. At Productive Flourishing, you’ll learn about the new world of work and how to thrive in it.

    Post you’ll like: Clarity, Commitment, and Community: The 3Cs of Successful Thought Leaders

    37. Riskology

    To be a great entrepreneur and make your mark in this world, you have to be able to own who you are and believe in yourself. The team at Riskology presents science-backed strategies for embracing who you are and going for your goals.

    Post you’ll like: Law of Equal Effort: How to Do Big Things Without Burning Out

    38. Seth Godin

    Seth Godin’s daily bits of wisdom on business, marketing and life help you approach your work in new ways. His posts never fail to  inspire an energy to “Go, make something happen.” No matter your industry, Godin’s blog is not to be overlooked.

    Post you’ll like: Pumpkin Seeds

    39. Side Hustle Nation

    At Side Hustle Nation, you’ll learn how to take your tiny entrepreneurial streak and propel yourself to full financial freedom. Nick Loper’s blog and podcast spotlight different types of side gigs, along with case studies to fuel your business savvy.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Steps to Turn a Hobby Into a Business

    40. The Creative Penn

    Author Joanna Penn has built a best-selling writing career, and she wants to help you do it, too. Her site has a wealth of resources on self-publishing and platform-building — from her articles and ebooks to her popular podcast library of author interviews.

    Post you’ll like: Social Media Tips for Writers with Frances Caballo

    41. The Identity

    At The Identity, Lis Dingjan and her team help entrepreneurs build beautiful websites, courses, applications and systems. Her blog is an archive of her thoughts about system development, creativity, entrepreneurship, marketing, and going for your goals.

    Post you’ll like: The Thing About Money

    42. Untamed Writing

    “Your life is YOUR life. You should be able to do whatever you want with it.” So says Karen Marston, founder of Untamed Writing, her internet home for helping people build a freelance writing career they love without having to sacrifice their freedom. Here you’ll find a full archive of blog posts, resources, and courses to develop your writing skills, fearlessly approach clients, and maintain a successful career.

    43. Writing Happiness

    You have a great online business and an active blog. Now it’s time to up the ante and create some digital products. Look no further than Marya Jan’s website for guidance on creating ebooks and online courses.

    Post you’ll like: How to make sure your ebook will sell before you write a single word

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    44. About Freelance Writing

    This site lives up to its name, with hundreds of practical posts on how to market your skills, price your projects, and deal with the nitty-gritty aspects of a freelance business. Around for more than  a decade, About Freelance Writing is a tried and true favorite for many writers.

    45. 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 January 2016  

    46. 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 Does a Freelance Writer Stay Organized When They’re Too Busy?

    47. Freelancers Union

    You live to write, but remember that as a freelancer, you’re also an independent business owner. This means dealing with contracts, handling your own health insurance, figuring out taxes and more. The Freelancers Union is the major hub for everything having to do with living a great freelancer life.

    48. Freelance Writers Academy

    The founders of Freelance Writers Academy say enough is enough when it comes to low wages and content mills. In this community of freelancers helping freelancers, you’ll find valuable advice and resources for freelance business building as well as employment leads.

    Post you’ll like: 13 Worthwhile Hobbies That’ll Make You Better At Brainstorming Freelance Writing Topics

    49. 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

    50. Freelance Writing Jobs

    With a job board updated daily and more than eight years of freelance writing and blogging tips, this site is a favorite for writers all over the world. It’s regularly updated with all the latest trends and resources freelancers should know about.

    Post you’ll like: How to Engage a Reader When you are Writing About a Boring Topic

    51. FundsforWriters

    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: No Room for Snark

    52. 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 and blog posts along with a brand new podcast, LittleZotz is a great source of practical tips for your freelance life.

    Post you’ll like: 12 Common Freelance Writer Mistakes

    53. Make a Living Writing

    At Make a Living Writing, Carol Tice is dedicated to helping writers move up from low-paying marketings and start earning more from their work. With her blog, ebooks, and paid community, you’ll find awesome advice, support and resources to grow as a freelance writer.

    Post you’ll like: How I Made 6 Figures as a Freelance Writer

    54. Productive Writers

    As a full-time freelance writer, John Soares loves what he does. But he’s also interested in getting the most out of life and not having to work around the clock. At Productive Writers, he shares strategies to help freelancers get high-paying gigs, finish them quickly and get back to life.

    Post you’ll like: 8 Simple Steps to Writing Faster

    55. The International Freelancer

    Freelancing isn’t the same everywhere in the world. Mridu Khullar Relph created The International Freelancer to provide targeted advice and resources to freelancers who work outside of the U.S. and U.K. This community is also a great source of support for U.S.-based writers looking to break into the global market.  

    Post you’ll like: The Nuts and Bolts of Turning a Story Idea Into a Query

    56. The Middle Finger Project

    Above all else in your freelance career, you want to build a business that feels good, is fun, and is totally you. Ash Ambirge provides an entertaining (and often NSFW) take on being fearless in your business ventures and dealing with the hard stuff in a bada** way.

    Post you’ll like: Business Lacking Direction? Start With the Money

    57. The Renegade Writer

    We often think that to be successful, we have to follow the rules and play the game. At the Renegade Writer, Linda Formichelli offers advice on breaking into the world of writing by breaking the rules. If you’re looking to build a freelance writing career on your own terms, this is the site for you.

    Post you’ll like: How to Work Less and Earn More as a Freelance Writer

    58. Winning Writers

    Winning Writers is a go-to source for information about contests for poets and writers. It sponsors four annual contests and keeps tabs on many other writing competitions. Subscription

    Subscribe for free to gain access to Winning Writers’ database of writing contests.

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    59. Build Book Buzz

    When it comes to book publicity and marketing, you can definitely DIY it. Author and public-relations star Sandra Beckwith provides articles, training programs and other resources that help take the guesswork out of book marketing.

    Post you’ll like: Put Your Fictional Characters on Social Media

    60. Giving Voice to Your Story

    We all have a story — a key message we want to share with the world. Through her blog and corresponding radio show, Dorit Sasson helps writers, entrepreneurs and thought leaders build a trusting relationship with their audience so they can share their message and reach new levels of success.

    Post you’ll like: How Blogging Connects Authors with their Target Readers

    61. Jessica Lawlor

    Don’t let low confidence get in the way of your marketing success. Join Jessica Lawlor and the #GetGutsy community to find inspiration and tips on how to step outside your comfort zone and go for your goals.

    Post you’ll like: A Reverse To-Do List: What What You Say NO to Matters More Than You Think

    62. 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.

    63. Michael Hyatt / Full Focus

    Michael Hyatt is the bestselling author of Platform: Get Noticed in a Noisy World, and his blog will help you do just that. Read for tips and resources about personal development, productivity, leadership, influence and more.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Steps to Building a Platform When You Hate Selling Yourself

    64. Quicksprout

    Recognized as a top entrepreneur and influencer by The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Entrepreneur, and even President Obama, Neil Patel is definitely a go-to guy for all things online marketing. He’s helped companies like Amazon and NBC increase their revenue, and his insanely useful content is sure to help your business as well.

    Post you’ll like: The Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Audience Before Your Business Launches

    65. 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.

    Post you’ll like: How to Set Up Your Goodreads Author Profile (And Why You Should!)

    66. Social Triggers

    To be successful in business, you’ve got to be able to persuade. At Social Triggers, marketing expert Derek Halpern shares his best tips, strategies and scripts for growing your audience and making the sale. His techniques are data driven, using the latest finds in psychology and social behavior.

    Post you’ll like: How to Email Influential People — And Get Responses Fast

    67. The Story of Telling

    Bernadette Jiwa says the secret sauce to great marketing is building context and understanding between you and your audience. Read her blog if you see marketing as not just a department, but also part of a holistic — and successful — entrepreneurial experience.

    Post you’ll like: The Value of Unknowns

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    68. Author.Pub

    Getting published is hard, and it only gets more complicated with a rapidly growing and shifting industry. That’s where Author.Pub steps in: helping aspiring authors manage the overwhelm of the publishing and marketing process through blog posts, guides and directories of trusted names and companies in book publishing.

    Post you’ll like: What NOT to Say to a Literary Agent (or Editor)

    69. Bent on Books

    The Bent on Books blog is run by Jenny Bent and a team of literary agents. Every month, they share their agent “wishlist” — the types of books they are looking to represent — as well as advice on marketing, publishing, working with an agent and more.

    Post you’ll like: How to Fire Your Agent

    70. Better Novel Project

    Christine Frazier takes a scientific approach to writing a best-selling novel. She deconstructs popular books to pinpoint the common elements they share. These findings are then incorporated into the “master outline” for a better, research-backed novel.  Follow along for insights on plot, word counts and character development.

    Post you’ll like: How to Create a Remarkable Villain (Beyond the Cliches!)

    71. Blots & Plots

    Founder and author Jenny Bravo offers personal anecdotes and guidance for writers who want to take a leap into the publishing world. The blog itself reads like a story, so it’s best to start at the very beginning to watch Bravo’s own publishing process unfold.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Ways to Create Your Own Writing Space

    72. 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

    73. 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.

    Post you’ll like: What Teen Writers Should Know About Pitching Their Book

    74. Guide to Literary Agents (Writer’s Digest)

    One of the most popular blogs in publishing, Chuck Sambuchino’s Guide to Literary Agents is the go-to place for all types of information on finding literary agents, sending query letters, building an author platform and marketing your book.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Things I Learned on Deadline

    75. Helping Writers Become Authors

    Consider K. M. Weiland your writing and publishing mentor. With hundreds of blog posts, instructional e-books, and an exclusive e-letter, her website is the perfect place to find the answers to all your burning 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

    76. How to Plan, Write and Develop a Book

    Through her blog posts, weekly writing exercises, and 12-week book development courses, Mary Carroll Moore is devoted to helping writers bring their novels to fruition so they can move forward in the publishing process.

    Post you’ll like: Where Do You Get Your Ideas? A Basic Primer of a Novelist’s Writing Process

    77. Indies Unlimited

    Indies Unlimited is an overwhelming source of writing, publishing, tools and news resources for independent authors. With thousands of blog posts and weekly features like Tuesday Tutorials and Thrifty Thursday, you’ll always be able to learn something new.

    Post you’ll like: Self-editing: A Helping Hand

    78. 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.”

    Post you’ll like: 5 Observations on the Evolution of Author Business Models

    79. Jody Hedlund, Author

    Follow along on Jody Hedlund’s writing journey. Her blog is full of advice, encouragement, and inspiration about writing and surviving today’s challenging publishing industry.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Traits that Foster Publishing Success

    80. Lisa Romeo Writes

    Non-fiction and freelance writer Lisa Romeo blogs on various helpful topics, like how to reclaim your writing life, get through troublesome pieces and navigate the business of writing. Her biggest piece of advice? Write first, and read blogs second!

    Post you’ll like: Unfinished: When it Comes to Personal Stories, Aren’t They All?

    81. Literary Rambles

    At Literary Rambles, blog partners Casey McCormick and Natalie Aguirre interview and highlight children’s book authors, literary agents and agencies. Get an inside look at the world of children’s book publishing.

    Post you’ll like: Researching Literary Agents Part I

    82. Nail Your Novel

    On 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: 5 Things That Established Authors Would Tell New Writers

    83. 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.

    84. Rachelle Gardner

    Rachelle Gardner’s website is one of the most popular literary-agent blogs. Her blog archive is a great resource for sound advice on how to find and partner with the right agent, hone your elevator pitch, write a query letter and more.

    Post you’ll like: What’s an Author-Agent Agreement?

    85. She’s Novel

    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 She’s Novel, a blog and resource hub that helps writers more-easily navigate the journey of crafting brilliant novels.

    86. Standoutbooks

    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. Be sure to grab your free Book Marketing Plan and Press Release templates.

    Post you’ll like: Understanding Cultural Trends Can Help You Write a Bestseller

    87. Terribleminds

    If you’re looking for the honest — and often hilariously vulgar — truth about writing, Chuck Wendig is your guy. He’s not afraid to say what we’re all really thinking, which makes Terribleminds the perfect place to gain some writing confidence and get back to creating.

    Post you’ll like: Writing Advice Is Bullshit

    88. The Book Deal

    Established editor and industry insider Alan Rinzler offers advice on traditional publishing, self-publishing, landing an agent, marketing and more.

    Post you’ll like: What 4 Top Agents Desire in a Memoir

    89. The Kill Zone

    At The Kill Zone, you get access to the minds of 11 top suspense writers and publishing professionals. Each day brings new blog posts and insights into publishing, marketing and the writing craft.

    Post you’ll like: 12 Tips for a Book Blog Tour

    90. The Passive Voice

    Navigating publisher and writing contracts? Want to brush up on your knowledge of intellectual property litigation? Attorney David Vandagriff offers his (sometimes snarky) musings on the legal side of the writing business.

    91. The World’s Greatest Book

    You have a fantastic manuscript, and now it’s time to make it into a beautiful book. Author, editor and graphic designer Dave Bricker offers straight talk on the book production and publishing business, with insights on book design, typography and marketing.

    Post you’ll like: Book Design Basics: Choosing a Book Font

    92. Writability

    YA writer and soon-to-be-published author Ava Jae has made Writability her internet home for five years, sharing vlogs, book reviews, writing tips and how-tos, and blog posts about her own journey to getting published.

    Post you’ll like: How to Turn an Idea into a Plot

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    93. 1st 10 Pages

    First impressions count, and that rule still applies in the writing world. At 1st 10 Pages, writers can post the first 10 pages of their work, to be anonymously reviewed by established industry insiders. Submit the beginning of your novel or movie script and see if you’re hitting the mark.

    Post you’ll like: Before You Submit To That Contest

    94. Fiction Writers Group

    This Facebook group of nearly 10,000 traditional, self-published and indie authors has been around since 2009. It’s a popular source of community and camaraderie without slimy self-promotion. The community also publishes three anthologies a year.

    Check out their member guidelines here.

    95. Scribophile

    At Scribophile, you’re sure to get high quality feedback on your work. The community works on a “karma points” system, in which you spend points in order to submit your writing, and receive points when you provide exceptional critiques. Scribophile also hosts free writing contests and hosts an active forum.

    Learn more about Scribophile here.

    96. She Writes

    Over 27,000 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 things in the forum.

    Post you’ll like: 5 Tips for Turning Your Career into a Novel

    97. 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.

    Post you’ll like: Memory Lane: Memoir and Reverse Writing

    98. Wattpad

    At Wattpad, “Stories are made social.” Hailed as the world’s largest community of writers and readers, members are free to post and read original stories and engage in conversation with each other. This is a great platform to build buzz around your writing.

    Join the community here.

    99. Write On

    The Amazon Kindle platform has branched out, creating an ultimate online community for writers at any stage of the creative process. Here you can talk shop on everything having to do with writing and publishing, and you can submit your writing and ideas for reviews and feedback.

    Start on the writer’s forum.

    100. Yeah Write

    To spotlight smaller blogs, Yeah Write hosts weekly writing challenges for nonfiction, fiction and poetry, and microstories. The entire community gets to vote on the most impressive stories and discover new favorite writers.

    Check out the writing challenges of the week.

    What writing sites would you add to this list? Did we include all your favorites?