As a newbie full-time writer, I have a lot to learn about the craft, the industry, and the whole process. I am pretty sure learning continues even after I’m no longer new so I’m cataloging some sites that might be useful to me now and in the future. Traditional publishing stars here as that’s the route I wish to go. Perhaps you’ll also find something of interest here. “POV” probably gives too narrow a definition for what follows on the tabs but I wanted some sort of consistency across the tabs. Forgive me, it’s a thing. Some of the sites below are not necessarily from the [tab name] point of view, but rather give an insight into the knowledge and perseverance that might be needed in order to grow from writer to published author.
Writer POV
Craftsmanship, artistry, talent, automatic writing. However you classify your efforts, there exists a slew of information out there on the internet and elsewhere to guide or misguide you. Tricks, formulas, advice, lessons learned, critique groups, support groups, and so on out there to help or hinder. Choose wisely, believe not everything you read, and tailor your experience to your needs. This list might change often until I find the ones I want to follow consistently.
Current
- Query Tracker: Forums, Forums
In Queue to Evaluate
- Legend Fire, Critique Community
- Hatrack River Writer’s Workshop, Forums
- NaNoWriMo: National Novel Writing Month: Forums, Forums
- Write Life, The, Blog
- Writer Unboxed, Craft / Business
- Writer’s Digest, Forums
- Writer’s Edit, Blog
- Writers Net, Forums
- Writing Forums, Forums
Old, or: Not for Me
- Deep Genre, Critique (old, but check out the 13-line critiques)
- Absolute Write Water Cooler, Forums
Market POV
Once we have a manuscript, what do we do with it? Why, find a place to market it, of course. This might be first to an agent or directly to a publisher – it all depends on the publisher’s requirements. How do we find out what those requirements are? Search, poke, prod, and slog through the various sources out there for information.
Agent POV
We’ve figured out that our target market(s) require(s) an agent. How do we find one? What questions do we ask them? What do we expect them to ask us? How do we get one – Cookies? Bribes? Scintillating conversation? Stalking? What do they do for us and require of us? What are the telltale signs of a slimeball versus a gem?
- Agent Query
- Agent Savant, Laurie McClean
- Janet Reid, Literary Agent
- Jennifer Represents, An oldie but a goodie.
- Manuscript Wish List: Agents
- Miss Snark, the literary agent< An oldie but a goodie.
- Pub Rants (Kristin Nelson)
- QueryTracker: Agents
- Rachelle Gardner, Also an editor
- Writer’s Digest: Guide to Literary Agents, Chuck Sambuchino
- Query Shark
Editor POV
We probably think our oft-revised manuscript as spit-polished when we go agent hunting, but chances are the agent and/or the publisher’s editor (once our agent secures us a publisher) will return it to us bleeding, desperately in need of first life-support then rehabilitation. We might be able to lessen some of that pain by learning about the types of feedback we might receive, what editors look for, why they look for it, and how to correct – or better yet, avoid – common stumbling blocks. The more silver we can put in the platter before we offer it, the happier our agents, editors, and publishers will be. Unless they’re allergic to silver.
- Novel Doctor
- Rachelle Gardner, Also an agent.
Publisher POV
Keeping an eye on the publishing world can’t hurt.
Published Author POV
Ahhh, the limelight, the respect, the instant gratification! Wait. What? It took some of these published authors lifetimes or large portions thereof to get published the first time?! Others did just kind of waltz in early.
- 17 years to fist paycheck, Steven Pressfield
- Fantasy Writing Tips, Various Authors
- Lisa Schroeder Books, Lisa Schroeder
- Nathan Bransford, Author and Former Literary Agent
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft, Stephen King
- Published at 17 years of age, S.E. Hinton
- Rejections, Lit Rejections
- Stephanie Knipper
Organization POV
A collection of organizations that might be of help in learning craft and/or surviving life beyond publication and/or giving back to the writing community. A variety because I have three distinct categories of Things In My Head. I’m not saying I’m a member of all or even any of them, I’m just leaving them here in case I want to come back to them later. :0)