Are you writing a book? Considering self-publishing? Here is the 3rd and final part of some web resources that will help in all aspects of writing—from the first draft through marketing.
These links are categorized by topic in alphabetical order. NOTE: as of October 2015 all are active. No evaluation or approval is implied by the listing; you must evaluate the merits of any site you check on the list. On just a few listings there will be some pros or cons. Some items on this list contain lists of their own—links to other sites with more links. So there is a great deal of information to be gleaned here, some better than others. This is just a small sample of what’s available, but it’s a start. To update that old biblical quote—search the web and you shall find [some good stuff and some junk].
Social Media
- Facebook—if you are already on it, you may find it useful; don’t join just to promote your book
- Goodreads—offers author pages, promotional opportunities, ability to blog or link to posts from elsewhere, networking, reviews, and more BUT must have a book out to get an author page. You should be on here and networking with prospective readers.
- Google Plus—Facebook competitor with blogging capability and brand sites
- LinkedIn
- How to benefit from the LinkedIn publishing platform—(long form posts)
- How To Use SlideShare To Market Your Book (SlideShare is now a part of LinkedIn)
- Long-form posts on LinkedIn—overview with more links (on LinkedIn itself)
- More–Yes there are more, more than listed below. If you like or use any of them already or think they will help you market your book, go for it. Just remember, while it is important to have a presence as an author, every minute you spend on social media is a minute you are NOT spending working on your book(s).
Other Writing Resources
- Absolute Write—great source for lots of things, too much to describe here just check it
- Beta Readers
- Beta Readers Bulletin Board—despite the name, this is much more
- Everything you need to know [maybe]
- What to ask them to do—how, when, etc. Don’t just ask for general feedback from friends, coworkers, relatives, etc.
- Copyright—the government agency for the United States; sorry, no links for other countries
- Creative Non-Fiction—magazine, website, books, tips (memoirs, etc.)
- Critters Workshop—info/links, critique exchange for sci-fi, fantasy and horror writers; more
- Library of Congress cataloguing for print books–not a great shot at getting your book on a shelf there, but you can go for it just in case
- Morris Rosenthal’s guide to self publishing—one of the originals in self-publishing; he used to have a blog on this topic but that’s no longer there, apparently. His site is technical and not so great for beginners but his information can be helpful
- National Writers Union—an actual union of all kinds of writers; offers lots of help and takes positions on issues concerning writers
- Specific writing tips—dialogue, motif, etc.
- Conflict, using it to make your book a page turner—an essential plot element
- Crime Writers Resource—links and tips compiled by author Sue Coletta
- Dialogue—how to write it; not new but these tips don’t age
- 52 tips for writing better—links to tips on other sites; still has good stuff
- Keeping readers hooked (turning the page)
- Motif—using the literary device of motif
- Turning a blog into a book—tips on how to do that
- WritersEdit—various resources for writers, book reviews and some opportunities
- Writer’s Guild of America, West—NOT for book authors; this is for content writers– screen, TV, web/mobile apps, etc.
- Writer’s Market—paid subscription service; for freelancers and others—where to sell your work
- WritersNet—a site that includes agents, editors, publishers and writers (or so they say) with resources on various topics
Excerpted from Part 4 of Becoming a Writer, a series published in the Eagle Peak Quarterly.