Every year, the Writers Digest publishes a list of the best internet sites for writers. Whether they are the best, or the best for you, is up for grabs. I thought I would share a few of mine.
Note the word “few.” I plan to search for more, not only about writing, but publishing and other writerly topics.
This blog is an open invitation to share your favorites. If I receive enough of your choice sites with descriptions (either through the comment section below or by contacting me from my website), I will compile a list, update it as more people add sites, and make it permanently available for download.
Setting Your Sights on the Sites
LinkedIn is a great social media meeting place for professionals of all stripes. This is where I post about each blog I write. Sometimes quite a few people view them and occasionally comment. Depending on the topic, I will drill down to other categories in LinkedIn:
- Writers’ Network… This is a good space to converse with other writers, editors, and people in publishing. However, links and promotions are forbidden, so I do not mention my blog here. But I can pose questions, such as: should writers break those hard and fast writing rules? I received a lot of comments on that one, and apparently no one follows rules anymore. However, I didn’t ask if those delightful rebels are “traditionally” published, but they sounded happy with their results.
- Spiritual Writers Association… Writing from a Christian perspective is welcome, as is simply promoting spirituality. Does not prohibit links.
Facebook Groups
- Writers for Life started by author Denise George…Denise welcomes every writer who joins and invites each to tell about themselves and their work. She asks interesting questions about people’s writing habits, posts interesting photos of people with questions like “What is he thinking?” or perhaps she will offer a writing prompt. It’s a place to celebrate, complain, and ask questions.
- Rochester NY Writers…For a taste of home, it’s a great place to chat with fellow writers in our area. Some I know well, and others are strangers (for now). I must say, writers are a friendly bunch, both in person and online.
Writing Organizations Online
- Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild periodically opens to new members. If you want to pay the yearly dues, you will get master classes from writers, publishers, agents, etc. Jerry Jenkins (author of over 160 books) has office hours where you can type in your questions and he responds in real time. His “manuscript rewrite and repair” section demonstrates visual, live, ferocious editing of pages members submit. As he says, “All writing is rewriting.” Finally, he offers online classes for fiction or non-fiction. Honestly, I don’t have enough hours in the day to take advantage of all he has to offer. But I’ve learned more about the craft of writing from Jenkins than from any other source— even if I must listen to his master classes while I cook!
- Faithwriters ranks as another of my go-to sites. Silver membership is free and offers many benefits. Gold and Platinum memberships have annual fees that will prove more helpful as you grow as a writer.
There are weekly writing challenges, a place to post your work for critiquing, and an area to upload your work (for payment or not) for selection by editors. Editors can click on “hire this writer” or send a message about work opportunities. Two of my articles were chosen for Christian websites. I was able to view them before I gave my permission for publication. You retain copyright of your work even when it is posted on Faithwriters website.
To expand your platform to sell more book(s), the Platinum level provides a place to advertise, create 2 free eBooks, and garner reviews from members (after a free read) to post on Faithwriters website plus other venues such as Amazon. And its forum is a great place to ask questions and learn from others. Visitors to the site number in the thousands, even up to 300,000.
- American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) There is something for published and non-published Christian fiction writers on this site. To hone your craft, they offer critique groups, free monthly writing courses, webinars, and so much more. Published authors will find teaching and mentoring opportunities, industry news and marketing tips as well.
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I admit quite a few of my writer websites pertain to Christian writing, but whether you write for the Christian market or the secular, good writing is good writing no matter the genre. In fact, many books are “crossovers,” that appeal to everyone, Christians as well as non-Christians.
Where do you hang out in the internet world of writers? I would love to hear your favorite websites so I can add them to the list.
