Post by J.A. Stinger on Sept 9, 2016 7:54:43 GMT -5
This is a list that I found on one of the blogs/sites that I follow. The full site can be located at: www.adirondackediting.com/links-2
Beware of Scams & Piracy
Since most of my customers are planning on self-publishing, these links are particularly pertinent. Preditors and Editors has been removed from this list because it hasn’t been updated since 2012. While it was once a well-regarded, premier site in dispensing publishing information, its lack of current information means it is no longer reliable for the companies already listed there, and new companies identified as vanity presses have not been added.
1. Science Fiction Writers of America Writer Beware Alerts
2. The Author Exploitation Business (a discussion of vanity presses)
3. Savvy Writers & e-Books online Author Scams Part 1 and Author Scams Part 2.
4. Writer Beware
5. A Step-by-Step Guide to Dealing with Content Theft
And for those of you who are considering submitting to an agent or traditional publisher, this series is an excellent guide to understanding a publishing contract—and making sure you know what you’re signing!
1. Savvy Writers & e-Books online—Part 1, Less than Minimum Wage for Authors?
2. Part 2, The Traps in Publishing Contracts
3. Part 3, Do You Understand Your Publishing Contract?
4. Savvy Book Writers Trade Publishers: Unethical Contract Practices
5. Attorney Lloyd J. Jassin’s article, "What Not to Miss When Drafting & Negotiating Your Book Publishing Contract"
Working with a Freelance Copyeditor
My FAQ page answers many particular questions about me and my business, but this two-part series outlines guidelines and good practices for safeguarding your time and money when hiring freelance professionals.
1. Hiring Professionals: Part 1 and Part 2
2. When (and How) to Tell Your Editor No
3. What Level of Editing Do You Need?
Books & Magazines
Being a writer is an ongoing process, and most writers never stop honing their craft. These links offer respected publications that can help you grow and stretch yourself as a writer. If you’re just starting out in your writing career, you may not realize how many nuances there are to writing. These will definitely open your eyes!
1. Susan Uttendorfsky's ever-growing "Books For Editing Customers" on Amazon.com
2. Writer's Digest
3. Poets & Writers Magazine
Blogs
Well-written blogs are the backbone of an author’s education, as well as keeping up with new trends in writing and publishing. These blogs cover a wide range of information crucial for writers—from writing to self-editing to publishing to marketing, as well as industry news and information. I follow all these blogs myself!
1. Susan Uttendorfsky's Self-Editing tips on The Story Reading Ape's blog
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
4. All Write - Fiction Advice
5. Finish Your Book (publishing, self-publishing, and marketing)
6. Life Write Thrive (great ongoing series)
7. The Blood-Red Pencil
8. edittorrent (infrequent new posts, but great archives!)
9. The Passive Voice (industry trends and information)
Websites
There are so many websites on the Internet that have to do with writing. How can you possibly find ones that might be useful or helpful to you? I’ve compiled this list just for you. These websites cover various aspects of writing, but I have found them to be detailed, unique sites. Regarding Facebook, I own the groups "Fiction Writers and Editors" and "Experienced Writers Helping New Authors"—come join us!
1. Writing-World.com (be sure to check out the archives)
2. Forence Osmund's Educational Site for New and Aspiring Authors
3. LinkedIn (many writing groups)
4. DailyWritingTips Archives
5. Gotham Writer’s Workshop Character Questionnaires
6. This website has an excellent character worksheet, and check out the rest of the Fiction-Writers-Mentor site, too, as it is excellent!
7. Portrait Illustration Maker (knowing what your character looks like will help you make him or her unique)
8. Behind the Name (my favorite random name generator)
9. Social Security Popular Baby Names By Decade (especially good for historical accuracy)
10. Motivation to stick to a word count or time slot for writing: WriteOrDie
11. Using Another Language in Your Manuscript
Your Author Platform
Every author is encouraged to have an author platform—a web and social media presence that shows you are a serious professional. While creating (and maintaining) a platform takes a lot of time, it’s a necessary task in today’s Internet world. Agents and potential publishers will search the Internet to examine your reputation and presence. These helpful how-to and informational links can help you get started!
1. How to Build a Website (step-by-step guide for WordPress)
2. How to Start a Blog
3. How to Start Your Blog Today (step-by-step guide)
4. Detailed Instructions on Backing Up Your WordPress Blog (very important!)
5. OnBlastBlog's "Go To" Resource page (excellent tips on all aspects of blogging)
6. 10 Social Media Tips for Authors
7. Be sure to back up your Google Accounts (Gmail, Google+, and Blogger blogs)! Consider exporting your contact list occasionally. Don't forget your Facebook account, too!
About Critiques & Beta Readers
At some point, you’re going to want to get some feedback on your writing—preferably before sending it to a freelance copyeditor. These well-known sites offer tips on using and finding beta readers, or submitting your material for a critique. Be warned, though—on many of these critique sites, you have to participate! Be prepared to take the time to read and critique other writers’ material, too.
1. Belinda Pollard's excellent set of articles on beta readers
2. BetaReader.us (find a beta reader or editor)
3. Using Beta Readers
4. deviantART
5. Protagonize
6. Critique Circle
7. review fuse
8. Scribophile
9. Ladies Who Critique
Publishing & Marketing
Note: Some of these are marketing businesses that charge money for their services. I have no experience with any of their paid marketing services, but all of them also have newsletters or blogs you can sign up for which are very informative.
Whether you self-publish or sign a contract with a traditional publisher, you’ll still have to spend time marketing your book. The old days of publishers paying for book tours and ongoing marketing are gone. Publishing your book is no longer the last step—author marketing (and getting reviews) is an essential task for any writer who wants sales. I’ve also included links to some cover artists, if you need them…they didn’t seem to fit anywhere else!
1. Chris the Story Reading Ape (author promotions)
2. Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
3. Chris McMullen—writing, formatting, publishing, and marketing
4. The Creative Penn—writing, publishing, and marketing
5. Savvy Book Writers—writing, publishing, and marketing
6. The Book Designer—covers, publishing, and marketing
7. Readers' Favorite book reviews (free and paid options)
8. Cover Your Dreams—affordable book covers (Recommended by a client!)
9. Hot Damn Designs (part of The Killion Group, Inc.)—affordable book covers (Recommended by a client!)
10. Book-Design.com—higher end but still affordable book covers
11. Jamie Noble, Cover Designer
12. Nancy Batra, Freelance Illustrator, Cover Designer
Beware of Scams & Piracy
Since most of my customers are planning on self-publishing, these links are particularly pertinent. Preditors and Editors has been removed from this list because it hasn’t been updated since 2012. While it was once a well-regarded, premier site in dispensing publishing information, its lack of current information means it is no longer reliable for the companies already listed there, and new companies identified as vanity presses have not been added.
1. Science Fiction Writers of America Writer Beware Alerts
2. The Author Exploitation Business (a discussion of vanity presses)
3. Savvy Writers & e-Books online Author Scams Part 1 and Author Scams Part 2.
4. Writer Beware
5. A Step-by-Step Guide to Dealing with Content Theft
And for those of you who are considering submitting to an agent or traditional publisher, this series is an excellent guide to understanding a publishing contract—and making sure you know what you’re signing!
1. Savvy Writers & e-Books online—Part 1, Less than Minimum Wage for Authors?
2. Part 2, The Traps in Publishing Contracts
3. Part 3, Do You Understand Your Publishing Contract?
4. Savvy Book Writers Trade Publishers: Unethical Contract Practices
5. Attorney Lloyd J. Jassin’s article, "What Not to Miss When Drafting & Negotiating Your Book Publishing Contract"
Working with a Freelance Copyeditor
My FAQ page answers many particular questions about me and my business, but this two-part series outlines guidelines and good practices for safeguarding your time and money when hiring freelance professionals.
1. Hiring Professionals: Part 1 and Part 2
2. When (and How) to Tell Your Editor No
3. What Level of Editing Do You Need?
Books & Magazines
Being a writer is an ongoing process, and most writers never stop honing their craft. These links offer respected publications that can help you grow and stretch yourself as a writer. If you’re just starting out in your writing career, you may not realize how many nuances there are to writing. These will definitely open your eyes!
1. Susan Uttendorfsky's ever-growing "Books For Editing Customers" on Amazon.com
2. Writer's Digest
3. Poets & Writers Magazine
Blogs
Well-written blogs are the backbone of an author’s education, as well as keeping up with new trends in writing and publishing. These blogs cover a wide range of information crucial for writers—from writing to self-editing to publishing to marketing, as well as industry news and information. I follow all these blogs myself!
1. Susan Uttendorfsky's Self-Editing tips on The Story Reading Ape's blog
2. Helping Writers Become Authors
3. Rachelle Gardner, Literary Agent
4. All Write - Fiction Advice
5. Finish Your Book (publishing, self-publishing, and marketing)
6. Life Write Thrive (great ongoing series)
7. The Blood-Red Pencil
8. edittorrent (infrequent new posts, but great archives!)
9. The Passive Voice (industry trends and information)
Websites
There are so many websites on the Internet that have to do with writing. How can you possibly find ones that might be useful or helpful to you? I’ve compiled this list just for you. These websites cover various aspects of writing, but I have found them to be detailed, unique sites. Regarding Facebook, I own the groups "Fiction Writers and Editors" and "Experienced Writers Helping New Authors"—come join us!
1. Writing-World.com (be sure to check out the archives)
2. Forence Osmund's Educational Site for New and Aspiring Authors
3. LinkedIn (many writing groups)
4. DailyWritingTips Archives
5. Gotham Writer’s Workshop Character Questionnaires
6. This website has an excellent character worksheet, and check out the rest of the Fiction-Writers-Mentor site, too, as it is excellent!
7. Portrait Illustration Maker (knowing what your character looks like will help you make him or her unique)
8. Behind the Name (my favorite random name generator)
9. Social Security Popular Baby Names By Decade (especially good for historical accuracy)
10. Motivation to stick to a word count or time slot for writing: WriteOrDie
11. Using Another Language in Your Manuscript
Your Author Platform
Every author is encouraged to have an author platform—a web and social media presence that shows you are a serious professional. While creating (and maintaining) a platform takes a lot of time, it’s a necessary task in today’s Internet world. Agents and potential publishers will search the Internet to examine your reputation and presence. These helpful how-to and informational links can help you get started!
1. How to Build a Website (step-by-step guide for WordPress)
2. How to Start a Blog
3. How to Start Your Blog Today (step-by-step guide)
4. Detailed Instructions on Backing Up Your WordPress Blog (very important!)
5. OnBlastBlog's "Go To" Resource page (excellent tips on all aspects of blogging)
6. 10 Social Media Tips for Authors
7. Be sure to back up your Google Accounts (Gmail, Google+, and Blogger blogs)! Consider exporting your contact list occasionally. Don't forget your Facebook account, too!
About Critiques & Beta Readers
At some point, you’re going to want to get some feedback on your writing—preferably before sending it to a freelance copyeditor. These well-known sites offer tips on using and finding beta readers, or submitting your material for a critique. Be warned, though—on many of these critique sites, you have to participate! Be prepared to take the time to read and critique other writers’ material, too.
1. Belinda Pollard's excellent set of articles on beta readers
2. BetaReader.us (find a beta reader or editor)
3. Using Beta Readers
4. deviantART
5. Protagonize
6. Critique Circle
7. review fuse
8. Scribophile
9. Ladies Who Critique
Publishing & Marketing
Note: Some of these are marketing businesses that charge money for their services. I have no experience with any of their paid marketing services, but all of them also have newsletters or blogs you can sign up for which are very informative.
Whether you self-publish or sign a contract with a traditional publisher, you’ll still have to spend time marketing your book. The old days of publishers paying for book tours and ongoing marketing are gone. Publishing your book is no longer the last step—author marketing (and getting reviews) is an essential task for any writer who wants sales. I’ve also included links to some cover artists, if you need them…they didn’t seem to fit anywhere else!
1. Chris the Story Reading Ape (author promotions)
2. Author Marketing Experts, Inc.
3. Chris McMullen—writing, formatting, publishing, and marketing
4. The Creative Penn—writing, publishing, and marketing
5. Savvy Book Writers—writing, publishing, and marketing
6. The Book Designer—covers, publishing, and marketing
7. Readers' Favorite book reviews (free and paid options)
8. Cover Your Dreams—affordable book covers (Recommended by a client!)
9. Hot Damn Designs (part of The Killion Group, Inc.)—affordable book covers (Recommended by a client!)
10. Book-Design.com—higher end but still affordable book covers
11. Jamie Noble, Cover Designer
12. Nancy Batra, Freelance Illustrator, Cover Designer