Resources for Writers

Book Publishing Resources

The 3 Streams of Publishing & What Each Entails, by Jane Friedman
How to Get Your Book Published (Fiction & Nonfiction) by Jane Friedman
Planning Your Nonfiction Book’s Timeline (how long you’ll need to write the manuscript)
How to Find a Literary Agent for Your Book (Jane Friedman)
Do You Need a Literary Agent? The Definitive List of Pros and Cons
Pros & Cons of Self-Publishing vs. Traditional Publishing
How to legally use source material (copyright info)

Literary Agent & Publisher Lists

Literary Agents at Poets & Writers (U.S., Canada, & some International) *an excellent database
The Writers’ Market (Print)
Canadian Writers’ Union Literary Agent Database
Canadian Writers’ Union Guide to Publishing in Canada
Complete list of Canadian Book Publishers (large house & independent)
The Literary Marketplace
Association of Authors’ Representatives
Another Realm– reference of legitimate and scam literary agencies

Submission, Contest & Residency Lists

Poets & Writers– full submission calendar for contests, conferences, residencies, and awards
Poets & Writers: Small Presses Guide
New Pages– full guide to literary magazines, contests, submissions, conferences and residencies
Magazine Awards– for Canadian literary magazines
Places for Writers– calls for submissions, contests, publishers & literary journals
Organizations and residencies for mothers/parents
Canadian Literary Magazines & Journals
Canadian Major Newspaper Editors
How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (necessary for all literary magazine submissions)

Self-Publishing Resources

Comprehensive Guide for Self Publishing
The Self-Publishing Checklist: Editorial, Production, Distribution, by Jane Friedman
List of Resources for Self Publishing– Lisa Poisso, Editor & Book Coach
The Cost of Self-Publishing a Book
Book: The Self-Publisher’s Ultimate Resource Guide: Every Indie Author’s Essential Directory—To Help You Prepare, Publish, and Promote Professional Looking Books
Draft2Digital: free self-publishing on all online bookseller platforms (except Amazon)
Bookbaby blog: loads of great info for the would-be self-published author
FAQs about KDP
Books.by
Book Cover Designers:
- One Lit Place cover art designer Michelle Fairbanks
- Reider Books
- Stuart Bache
- Jeremy Parker

Writer Guides

Glimmer Train Writers Ask
Academic Resources for Writing Essays
Purdue Online Writing Lab- Scholarly Papers
Ethical Guidelines for Editing Student Texts (undergraduate and graduate)
Sensitivity Guidelines: A Comprehensive Article on Avoiding Biases and Writing About People with Care

Support for Parent Writers

Pen Parentis: a non-profit organization for writers who are parents

Grammar, Style & Usage

The Elements of Style, William Strunk, Jr. and E.B. White
The Copyeditor’s Handbook, Amy Einsohn
Grammarly
Library Spot– comprehensive resource list for grammar, style and usage guides and websites
Chicago Manual of Style ONLINE
Conscious Style Guide (an excellent resource for conscious language usages)

Academic Writing Resources

How to Write a Literature Review

Marketing & Social Media

Book Marketing Plan: the Definitive Checklist
Book Buzz Book Marketing Plan Template (downloadable PDF with links)
The One Lit Place Book Marketing Timeline & To-Do List Spreadsheet Template
A Complete How-To of Using Facebook
The Best Times of Day to Post on Social Media
A Comprehensive Guide: How to Start Your Own Blog *sponsored by WordPress & Bluehost
How to Newsletter, by Ann Handley (PDF)
Book Marketing Ultimate Author Toolkit (from the Nonfiction Authors Association)
A Step-by-Step Indie Author Guide for How to Attract Media Attention
How to get your self-published book into indie bookstores

DIY Website Building

The Complete Guide to Creating an Author Website (everything you need to include, why, and how!)
The Write Practice: 10 Steps to Building an Author Website
How to Build an Author Website- Jane Friedman (excellent resource!)
How to Make a Website (Squarespace)
5 Reasons Why Fresh Content is Critical for Your Website and SE

Software & Writing Platforms

Literary Websites & Magazines

Lithub– New books, lit news, articles, and excerpts
Poets & Writers– News and articles on craft and nitty gritty of publication, agents, and being a writer, full guide to contests, submissions, conferences and residencies
AWP (Associated Writing Programs)
CCWWP (Canadian Creative Writers and Writing Programs)
Aerogramme Studio– contests and submissions, literary magazines, prompts, books, items of general literary interest
The Millions
Tin House
McSweeney’s
We Got Story

Literary News

Articles

Writing Craft

The Three-Act Structure

Excerpts

Biblioklept

Reviews

Writing Lifestyle

Short Stories

Essays

FlavorWire

Lectures

Videos

AEON

Podcasts

KCRW
Late Night Library- features first-time authors
The Allusionist with Helen Saltzman
The New York Times Book Review Podcast
The Lonely Writer’s Podcast, with Eden Boudreau
Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso- intimate conversations with artists, activists, and politicians
I’m a Writer, But– a podcast for writers with LIVES

Emergency Fire Resources for LA Writers

Thank you to Pen Parentis: for writers who are parents and Mark Duplass (IG @markduplass) for contributing to these resources:

The Writer’s Guild Foundation– Emergency fire resources, GoFundMe database, spend time in the library (7000 West 3rd St.), and apply for relief/grants
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association– Emergency grants and medical funding
American Society of Journalists and Authors- Writers Emergency Assistance Fund
We Need Diverse Books– Emergency grants
AWP– Database of emergency money for writers and resources, travel and accommodation, air quality, business closures, and wildfire updates
Author’s League Fund– Emergency funding

TO DONATE
“Where to donate to people who’ve lost their homes in the LA fires” (includes master list of Gofundme campaigns)
CanadaHelps: Wildfire Relief