Top 10 Fantastic Writer Resources

Writing Resources

Welcome to Writers’ Corner. If you’re new to this weekly feature, please feel free to browse the archives for writing topics I’ve already covered. 

Regular followers know I promote research and education to be an effective writer. I’m not referring to college degrees. As a contemporary writer trying to break into Christian publishing, it’s imperative to be educated in the current market. This includes knowing current acceptable grammar usage, how to write queries, and subject trends. Over the past several months, I’ve shared various books and websites useful in developing writing skills, network, and platform. So you will recognize some of my Top 10 from other posts. I thought it might be helpful to have them all in one place. 

Disclaimer: I’m not guaranteeing your success if you purchase any products listed below. Only you can decide what’s best for your career, including expending financial resources for services offered on any website. 

Top 10

The Write Conversation Are query letters confusing? Difficult? Make you want to pull your hair out or throw something against a wall? You’re not alone. Most published writers have been in your shoes. Here’s a great article (and writer’s website) written by Edie Melson, editor and writer with hundreds of articles and books to her credit.  

Characteristics Of A Hero Most fiction storylines involve a hero and/or heroine. They should possess characteristics like bravery and courage but also quiet characteristics like humility and selflessness.

Open Submissions List of 200+ Christian magazines and book publishers with open submissions. 

Editorial Freelancers Association Are you considering hiring an editor or ghostwriter to assist you in a project? This is a great website to aid your research.

American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) I can't begin to list all the resources available by signing up for a membership. First year is $65, and it drops to $45 for subsequent years. Members have access to critique groups, networking, contests, conferences, a bi-monthly magazine, and more. This is one resource I’ve utilized that has paid huge dividends in my writing career. 

Story Sensei Acclaimed Christian writer Camy Tang’s website offers an extensive list of articles on every writing subject imaginable. She also offers an array of paid services including worksheets and coaching.

Self-Editing For Fiction Writers: How To Edit Yourself Into Print If you can only afford a couple of writing books, this should be at the top of your list. Many fundamental writing errors can be eliminated by utilizing the concepts outlined in this book.  

Writer's Digest This is the first writing resource I used, even before I had Internet! It is chocked-full of writing market information, current trends, and writing lessons for all genres. In addition, if you can’t afford $20 for a yearly magazine subscription, the website archives is filled with educational articles.

2013 Writer's Market Hot off the presses with the latest writing market information available! It’s worth the investment because you can utilize it several years by going to the website for each listing and checking their updated writer’s guidelines. In addition to current writing markets are contest listings. Contests are a great way to get feedback and get your work noticed.

The Christian Writer's Market Guide 2012 Like the regular Writer’s Market above, you can utilize this information for a few years by going to the websites for the individual listings to find current submission guidelines.

Do you have a favorite writing resource that’s not on this list? I’d love to hear about it.

God bless,

Laura

 © Laura Hodges Poole