As the author of stories, novels and plays, I know help and support are appreciated by writers. So, on this page, those who are interested in writing will find links to various websites and organisations of interest. Also, some writing aids that may be of use.
Reviews of some of these websites, along with author interviews, appear on my blog; you might like to take a look, and follow me, if you're interested.
Everything listed here is a link to another website; just click anywhere on the appropriate text and it'll take you to the named website. (If it doesn't, please use the link at the foot of the Home page to let me know)
Writers News Weekly is so full of interesting and useful information, I don’t have the room to describe it. I suggest a visit.
Competitions:
Creators Rights is a website dealing with issues to do with copyright and associated subjects, especially as they relate to competition entries. Worth a look so you know what you might be signing away by entering some contests. Of course, I have tried to make sure none of the contests below fall into the category of dodgy or money-making scams.
Sally Quilford hosts the Competitions page of Writers’ Forum magazine. On her website you’ll find details of other contests and some writing aids. Review on Blog
Funds For Writers provides a series of newsletters aimed at letting struggling writers know where there are markets willing to pay, free entry contests and available grants for writers. It’s based in the USA, of course, but is valid worldwide. Review on Blog
Ouse Valley Poetry is a charitable organisation running monthly writing competitions for stories and poetry, whilst raising money for good causes. There is no website but you can contact them at Coast to Coast Writing Competitions, or by post to Maurice James, Ouse Valley Poetry, Flat1, 9 Wellington Street, Waterloo, Liverpool, L22 8QL.
Writing Calendar.com is a site listing writing contests by the monthly deadline. Lots of different contest here and definitely worth a visit for those who like competitions. Review on Blog
Fish Publishing run various writing contests throughout the year.
Biscuit Publishing is another site running writing contests with good prizes.
The Commonwealth Broadcasting Association runs annual writing contests for citizens of Commonwealth countries, giving very good prizes.
The Bridport Prize is not only the biggest prize for an open short story in the UK, it is also a very prestigious prize – go to it if you want both kudos and fortune.
Prizemagic provides a list of details and links to current writing contests worldwide. There is some very good advice to would-be entrants in the body of the page and down at the bottom. Worth visiting and reading. Review on Blog
Predators and editors - An odd stance on paying entry fees for contests but a valuable source that warns against known bogus competitions, agents and other writers’ concerns. Also gives information on many other issues of interest to serious writers. Review on Blog
National Novel Writing Month says it’s a fun, seat-of-your-pants approach to novel writing. Participants begin writing November 1. The goal is to write a 175-page (50,000-word) novel by midnight, November 30. I call 50,000 a novelette, but that’s, perhaps, a bit pedantic.
Wrekin Writers is a writers’ group offering an annual competition for short stories, known as the Doris Gooderson Short Story Competition. If you have an offering up to 1200 words, have a go.
Flash 500 gives writers the chance to win up to £250 for up to 500 words. The contest runs quarterly, with closing dates at the end of March, June, September and December. Review on Blog
Strictly Writing’s Blog runs a monthly competition FREE to enter with a prize of £300.00. See the guidelines at the site.
The H E Bates Short Story Competition has been running for a good number of years. It’s a worthwhile contest with good cash prizes and kudos.
Global Short Stories runs a monthly contest with cash prizes. Definitely worth a go.
the Legend Writing Award is made annually. The contest generally has a final entry date of 31 August each year, but check the website for details. Good cash prizes and quite a lot of kudos.
Creative Competitor is an unusual site offering many services, competitions and advice. It produces a newsletter, free, and has links to many other sites of interest to writers. Some of the items on the site are charged but many are free.
Writers Check List promotes writing contests, giving details and links to the relevant websites. Worth a look for the information.
Grist Short Story contest looks to provide a platform for new writing from both established and new writers in the form of an anthology. There’s also £500.00 cash prize for 1st place.
The Write Factor is a relatively new website offering paid for services to writers. I place it here only because they offer a free short story contest and will place works on their shortlist for peer review.
The Fish Short Story Prize for 2010/2011 is open for entries. We are delighted to announce that Simon Mawer, author of "The Glass Room" (and seven other novels) will judge the prize. Fish Publishing runs the short story competition each year, the winners of which are published in the annual Fish Anthology. Roddy Doyle, Colum McCann and Dermot Healy, previously judges of the Fish Short Story Prize, are honorary patrons. The Fish Short Story Prize welcomes stories on any theme written in English, with a maximum of 5,000 words. The Anthology will be launched during the West Cork Literary Festival, July 2011. Fish have been running the short story contest since 1995. Publication in the anthology has been a stepping stone for many into successful writing careers. For a sample of these authors click Alumni.
For writers & readers:
Book Reporter; the tagline here is ‘Where readers and writers click’ and that about sums it up. Full of information of all sorts on new books. Review on Blog
Google Books is a digital library giving access to a huge number of scanned and digitised books on all manner of topics. Definitely worth a visit if looking for specialised information.
Authors Place is Random House’s place to meet their published authors. A useful place to find out who is successful and why.
Authortrek is the home of Punked Books, an independent British publisher looking for work in many genres. There are some links to other topics and resources of use to writers.
Shakespeare and Company is an independent bookshop based in Paris. Have a look here at a site which is clearly made for those who love books. I know I’ll be visiting the shop when and if I ever get to Paris.
Vintage Reading Group is just that, reading group. But where the vintage comes in, I’m not too sure, as they seem to read books from all periods including the here and now. But, if you’re a reader looking for peer discussion of your reading matter, have a look here – it also introduces other reader groups.
Good Reading Magazine is a comprehensive site for book lovers. Based in Australia, it has international leanings.
Book Movement is a treasure trove for readers. It involves itself with thousands of book clubs and reviews, promotes and describes books for its 220,000 members, giving away copies to small reading groups to review for their peers. Authors and publishers are encouraged to join, but, whilst the site is free for readers, the cost to authors is substantial. Have a look and see what you think.
Redroom is quite staggering in its range. The list of authors and books on site is extensive and the other features need to be seen to be fully appreciated. If you are in any way serious about either reading or writing, this site is definitely for you.
Library Thing, with a community of 1,000,000, is called the world’s largest book club. You’ll find book reviews galore, new books, old books, and a lively community devoted to the book. Great for readers and writers alike.
Library Thing’s blog is a comprehensive site covering everything library and books – a bibliophile’s treasure trove.
Peer reviews:
YouWriteOn is the site that originally published Breaking Faith. It is a peer-review site as well as a place offering publication for writers of all types.
Night Publishing is a site aimed at publishing novels by promising writers. The site runs along the lines of a peer review forum, where the winners of each month’s contest are guaranteed publication, along with another bunch that the site’s idiosyncratic originator, Tim Roux, selects as suitable. If you’ve a novel you want to see in print and can’t get an agent or mainstream publisher to take it, try this approach.
Critters.org is a USA site devoted to peer criticism of stories and novels in the Horror, Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres. It's quite a community and feedback is often extensive and detailed. Contributors gain points by criticizing the submitted work of other members until they have enough to allow them to have their own work criticized. I've found it a great way of receiving feedback and a wonderful method of learning from the mistakes of other writers.
Great Writing is a UK community site and I’m not a great one for such online communities, so you’ll have to look and see if it’s the sort of thing you want. Member’s work is criticised and there are many different threads to follow.
Just A Little Fiction is a place where writers can go to hone their skills. Writers can submit stories, receive constructive feedback, and discuss writing on the forums.
One of Us is a very good site if you’re new to writing. There’s a lot of advice on the site and an active community forum dealing with many subjects.
Write for Ten is a community site where writers are encouraged to get into the writing habit by writing for ten minutes (any topic, any genre) and post their work on the site. It seems to attract a lot of young writers, but if you think this is for you, have a look.
Authonomy is a peer review site where you upload part or all of your novel in progress and gain peer reviews. I have tried this site and found the criticism to be generally good but with the usual sprinkling of poor or envious writers. Certainly worth a try.
Critique Circle, a peer review site catering for all genres, also holds a good deal of information, links to other sites of interest and some inspiring word games. It has over 2,500 active members.
Flogging the Quill gives writers the opportunity to enter an opening chapter and have it dissected for free online. A valuable tool for all novelists.
Internet Writing Workshop is a free comprehensive peer review site with sub-sections in several genres. It is run via a USA educational institute and has strict rules of conduct. This could be for you if you’re serious about your writing.
Mike’s Writing Workshop is home to more than 9,000 writers. You have to join this Yahoo Group in order to explore it. It looks like a well-run peer review site and clearly avoids those subjects you wouldn’t want your spinster aunt or young child to see.
My Writers Circle is a peer forum, which you have to join in order to visit and explore. If forums are your thing, have a look.
Meet other writers for critique, workshops, challenges, fiction, non-fiction, Memoir Writing, Mystery writing, poetry, Romance, Mystery, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Children's Writing, Flash Fiction, politics, gardening, cooking, and much more. Writer's BBS is about writers and lending a helping hand up the publishing ladder. Or just chat and enjoy the company of our writers in our more than 50 active forums.
The Writer’s Chatroom advertises itself as so much more than a mere chatroom. We’re a vibrant group of writers whose work spans all genres, who join together to encourage one another and to share important information regarding the profession of writing.
Query Shark has sharp teeth and is not for the faint hearted. So, if you don’t like your criticism served with bite, try a less honest and more gentle site. Me, I prefer to have people tell it like it is.
Writing 4 All is a writing community with opportunities for peer reviews, resources, competitions and forums. It’s an Irish site but invites international membership.
ABC Tales is a peer review site, with some site editor input. It’s a community so you have to join, but it’s free and has a large number of members.
The Word Cloud is a lively and active community of writers, of which I am one. It runs a peer review forum, a blog, groups and many other features of use and help to writers.
My Writers Circle is largely forum based and lists hundreds, if not thousands, of topics in discussion. If you like the forum scene, this is one for you.
Writers’ Movement is a community website offering challenges, profiles, reviews and a platform for members (free membership) to promote their work. There are some resources and regular meetings on Twitter for the interchange of ideas, information and encouragement.
Language & dictionaries:
Word counter. The wordcounter site is a useful tool for checking whether you are using the same word too frequently. Just copy and paste your text into the space provided and it will tell you the frequency of use of each word, excluding definite and indefinite articles and other frequently used words.
Quotes and sayings is an interesting site for finding all sorts of quotes, including many you won’t find on other sites.
Quotationspage is an excellent site for finding those quotes you know but just can’t quite remember.
Rhymezone is a fun site for playing with words. Type in the word you want to find a rhyme for and it’ll deliver many matches for the common words but for others it returns obscure examples. I tried ‘effort’ and it came up only with US rare surnames as rhymes but my copy of the Penguin Rhyming Dictionary gives an extensive list.
Confusingwords.com is very useful when you’re not quite sure that you are using a given word in the correct way. Easy to use. Recommended.
Brainyquote is full of famous and not so famous quotes. You can search by quote, author, topic, keyword or author type. Handy for when you need a specific quote.
TFD links to free online dictionary sites with definitions, thesaurus, acronyms, idioms and links to specialist and foreign language dictionaries.
A brilliant site for finding those words the ordinary dictionary doesn’t really do justice to; words from specialisms. Glossarist is an expanding site with links to many different sources of information. Definitely worth bookmarking.
The etymology online dictionary tells you when words were first used and what they meant at that time. Useful for historical novel writers.
Word Web is a free download of a simple to use dictionary/thesaurus that ties in with your word processor and has links to Wikipedia, Wictionary and WordWeb’s own online site.
Behind the name is the place to look for the meanings of names; you can search by meaning as well as by name here. Very useful if you want your character’s name to bring meaning to a story.
English Practice is an excellent site for those times when you want to brush up on your grammar, style, vocabulary, spelling, punctuation etc. A really worthwhile site with free expert information.
Grammar CCC is a USA site giving a huge amount of guidance on grammar and associated topics. Very useful site for those writing for the American market.
Word Counter is a smashing little program that allows you to enter some text (copy and paste) and then see how many times you repeat certain words. Its a brilliant tool to avoid repetition.
One Look lets you search for words in 1049 (yes, 1049) dictionaries. It allows translation and gives examples of how to search using wild cards for roots etc. Very useful when you know there must be a word out there but can’t quite recall how it’s spelt. However, this is a work in progress, so you need patience to use it.
Grammar Blog depicts bad signs to amuse and inform. A light look at grammar in the high street.
Quick and Dirty Tips gives advice in audio and text form on USA grammar. It’s amusing and popular, with tens of thousands following the blog.
Effingpot is for Americans who want to write English English in the vernacular – explanations of the differences between our 2 languages.
The Reverse Dictionary allows you to input a concept and retrieve the word you’re looking for. You can also ask simple questions and find answers. If you’re having trouble remembering the word for...whatever, try it.
Language Log gives examples of the differences between punctuation for British and USA English.
For those who like a bit of fun attached to their search for the right words, Visuwords provides a colour-coded display for each word you input, giving alternative words as well as associated concepts.
Want to either avoid or use clichés? Enter a key word here and you’ll soon find what you seek.
On first sight, the Bookshelf Muse is a little unclear, but there is a list of links down the right hand side which will produce a list of alternative words/phrases for any number of key words, concepts etc. Definitely useful when you can’t quite think of the exact words you want.
Love words? You’ll love the Wordsmith.
Having trouble with local (or more distant) UK dialects? Visit Whoohoo and have your words of received English instantly translated into dialect from any one of a number of different regions. Add authenticity to your dialogue. But, beware; you can have too much of a good thing. It is always best to suggest dialogue rather than bash the reader over the head with it.
Tools:
Duotrope.com is a free site giving up to the minute details of many magazines that accept short story submissions. It hosts a free story tracking service, which helps writers organise their stories sent for publication. I've used the site for a while and found it extemely helpful. Review on Blog
Oxford Writers is the website of the Oxford Literary Consultancy. They have a good reputation and the newsletter they provide, free of charge, is worth receiving.
I like to make up my own names for characters, fantasy creations, countries, etc. But if you find yourself failing when trying to name people, things, lands and/or you need a name for a character from a specific country, try Seventh Sanctum. It has links to many generators which will generate all sorts of different names for you. Try it; if nothing else, it’s fun.
Archetype Writing’s generator gives you ideas about traits and problems that may beset your characters. If you have difficulty making your characters individual, this might be the site to help.
Stuck for ideas? Try Creative Writing Prompts. It’s a simple site where you hover your cursor over a number and a pop-up gives instructions on a topic, idea, theme etc to write about. It might get the creative juices flowing for you.
I can’t imagine anything I’d rather avoid writing than a continuation of someone else’s idea. But if you need that sort of trigger to boost your creativity, try The Never Ending Story. The idea is that you write the next page of a story already started.
Easy Street Prompts provides visual prompts to set the creative juices flowing. If you’re short of ideas, give the site a visit.
Six Sentences allows you to upload a piece of work in 6 sentences and gain recognition and comment from your peers. There’s fun stuff, moving words, lyrical fantasies and all sorts of other writing here.
Plot Whisperer is all about, guess what? That’s right; plot. If this is something you need help or inspiration with, visit this site.
The Writers’ Site is a bit like mine, except it only lists links to sites of interest to writers, grouped by various headings. If you can’t find what you seek on my site, try this one.
Book Fox lists journals accepting electronic submissions. Some charge for this service and they are listed as such. Links take you to the magazine’s website.
Have self-discipline problems, can’t stop when you know you should, need a reminder to do things at specific times? Have a look at this free software, yTimer, from Spacejock. It allows you to set up to 40 different timed reminders, which run whether your system is on or off, and sound an alarm at the due time (if your system is on at that time, of course).
If you’re a bit of a virgin regarding technology, Author Tech Tips will guide you through all sorts of useful applications to help you promote your writing online.
Publetariat is specifically aimed at the self-publishing author, not to be confused with vanity publishing, which is an entirely different quagmire. If you want to get involved in publishing your own book, give this one a try.
The Freelance Zone covers all those things that affect the life of the full or part time writer trying to make a living from this precarious craft of ours.
Serious about freelancing? Try Freelance UK, a comprehensive site for the writer, photographer or copywriter who wants to make a living from the craft.
Pan MacMillan publishers run an organisation called MacMillan New Writing, which actively encourages debut authors, an unusual offer from a major publisher.
Literary Agents:
The Guide to Literary Agents editor’s blog has a huge listing of advice and information, straight from the horse’s mouth. If you have the time to explore, I’d recommend a good trawl of this site. It might save you hours in the long run.
The Darley Anderson Agency is considered one of the top agencies for popular literature.
Agent Query, which is free, offers the largest, most current searchable database of literary agents on the web.
The UK Association of Authors’ Agents lists details of membership and conditions for agents. A good place to start a search for UK agents who belong to this organisation.
The Association of Author’s Representatives Online is a comprehensive site dealing with those agents (US mostly) who belong to this organisation, which protect authors by applying rules of conduct to its members.
With nearly 1300 agents, 298 publishers and 28,000 members, this is a useful site for finding a literary agent and keeping track of your submissions. It’s free.
Rachelle Gardner is a USA agent who shares her insights and inspirations with writers who wish to find out about how to get representation today. Lots of good advice here.
Query Tracker is a very comprehensive site, listing literary agents and helping with the query process, with a blog, community and many features to help writers. And it’s free. I’m a member and recommend the site.
Organisations:
The Crime Writers’ Association; for everything you ever wanted to know about writing for the crime market.
The Society of Authors is a professional body serving published writers in many ways.
Funds for Writers, although a USA site, has information about grants, contests and other sources of funding for authors worldwide. If you’re after money, or some different contest opportunities, visit this one.
The American Crime Writers’ League is exactly what it says. If you’re a crime writer, have a gander.
Do you write historical novels? Try the Historical Novel Society for support, advice and comradeship.
Horror upon horror; if this is your genre, have a look at the Horror Writers’ Association.
It’s a mystery. But if it isn’t, and you write Mystery, have a look at the Mystery Writers of America.
Whether it’s hugs and roses or raunchy raw sex that floats your boat, if you write romance of any type, have a look at Romance Writers of America.
Science Fiction and Fantasy writers should take a long look at the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America website for information, peer support and general discussions of the genres.
Writers Guild of America looks after the interests of writers in all fields of endeavour for the USA.
Wherever you write, if it’s for children, you should consider the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
For the serious reader and/or writer, The Royal Society of Literature is a must.
I don’t generally support sites that sell products. But the Arvon Foundation is such a brilliant organisation, I can’t exclude them. If you want real education about writing, these are the people. They also run a number of contests.
If you either are, or want to be a journalist, the National Union of Journalists is an organisation you need to investigate.
The European Federation of Journalists promotes good working practice, campaigns for freedom of speech and supports journalists in Europe.
Research:
Want to know where you can find various collections of interest to the researcher – art, books, artefacts etc – check out Cornucopia, which gives locations and links to the individual institutions.
This link will take you to the National Portrait Gallery site, where you’ll find information and images for thousands of portraits held in many different media.
Archetype Writing provides all sorts of information relating the psychology of your characters, including information about mental disorders and therapy.
Time and Date is a brilliant site. If you want to know when the Sun, or Moon, will rise or set in any location on Earth, what phase the moon is in, what time it is in some other land or any of a number of other facts relating to date, time, Sun and Moon, this is the place to find. And it’s easy to use. An excellent resource.
Pantheon takes you to the Encyclopedia Mythica, where you’ll find useful information and illustrations of many of the mythic beings in many of the world’s early and current religions. Useful research tool.
Want to know what something would be worth now compared to some historic date after 1830? Try Measuring Worth.
If you want information relating to crime and its detection in the USA, try Crime and Clues.
Research via books will take you to Bartleby.com, which has links to many books and sources for general research.
How Stuff Works is really quite a comprehensive research site. It takes some trawling through but the results are worth the effort. You’ll probably find the answers you’re seeking for that sticking point in your plot if it’s to do with how anything actually works.
For USA, and some World, date information. Enter the date of your fictional event at DMarie/Timecap and see what things cost at that time, what was happening, who was in the charts, etc, to lend more veracity to your story.
Info Please is an astounding site for basic research. It covers topics as diverse as language, myth, business, health, science. There are links to dictionaries, thesaurus, historical timelines and much, much more. This site appears to be aimed at USA school and college students, but as a basic point for answering many questions it’s a great starter. Should you be interested, you can also find versions of the Bible, Koran and Shakespeare on here. Definitely worth exploring.
Body Language expert does exactly what it says; it provides information all about body language. A useful research resource for making your characters’ actions more credible.
If you’re into crime (writing, that is; I’m not encouraging illegal activity here) have a look at Coroner Stories. It’s a USA site, so the detail is American, but the facts are the facts wherever you are.
The D Marie Timecap allows you to insert a date find out what happened on that date in history. You can also discover who shares your birthday. Interesting stuff but with a US bias.
Everything you ever wanted to know about the FBI.
Our Time Lines allows you to enter the lifespan of your character and will return the dates of significant events during the person’s lifetime. Useful for building background about your character. This is a US site, so bear that in mind.
Want to know something about almost anything? Try Refdesk as a starter. It links to more than 60 different sites where you can ask experts questions on almost every topic imaginable.
Whether or not you believe, the Skeptics’ Dictionary will inform and present the known facts on any one of a number of paranormal and related subjects.
Writers’ Free Reference links to hundreds of other sites and gives information on a huge range of topics. Well worth exploring.
Web Archive, run by the British Library, is an excellent source of information, especially that which is no longer on the web. Brilliant research tool.
Crime and Clues appears to be an international website dedicated to the professional business of solving crimes, forensic evidence, case studies, etc. If you write in the crime genre, I think this will be very helpful.