Last updated October 29, 2022.
*** This is a curated collection of resources and services provided by other websites. Links listed here do not constitute an endorsement.***
Collections (listed in order): Writing Resources, Publishing Resources, Reaching Readers, Book Reviewers, and Book Illustrators & Cover Designers.
Find more free resources on my Pinterest board and on my TeachersPayTeachers page.
Writing Resources
Craft articles, online resources, and book recommendations.
If leveling up your writing skills is on your goal list, check out the writing rank quiz on StoryEmbers.org. It’ll help you discover where to focus your learning efforts.
If you are looking for a community, check out the Realm Sphere. It’s an online community for Christian writers and artists who love speculative fiction. They offer critique groups, virtual events, and host annual retreats and conferences. (There is a free plan, but you may have to scroll through to find it.)
Writing
- Words to Describe Voices
- Writing Opening Lines
- Crafting Character ARCs
- Tips for Narrative Drive
- Heroes vs Protagonists
- Villians vs Antagonists
- Depth in a Short Story
- Short Story Structure
- 3 Show, Don’t Tell Tips
- Humor Tips #1
- Humor Tips #2
- Symmetry in Writing
- Dialogue Tags & Action Beats
- Dual POVs
- Autism in Fiction
- Worldbuilding Questions
- Worksheets for Writers
- Book: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder
- Book: Creating Character ARCs by K.M. Weiland
- Book: Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman & Becca Puglisi
- Book: Show Don’t Tell by Sandra Gerth
- Book: World Building from the Inside Out by Janeen Ippolito
Helpful Websites on Writing
Self-Editing
- Words to Avoid
- Supporting Characters
- Common Grammar Mistakes
- Tips for Self-Editing (Line)
- Tips for Self-Copyediting
- Tips for Self-Proofreading
Critiquing
- The Difference Between Alpha, Betas, Critiquers, Editors, and Proofreaders (This blog)
- Alpha Reader Questions (article says beta, but it’s focused on first readers or alphas)
- Critique Checklist
- Beta Reading Worksheet
- Alphas, Betas, and ARCs
- Betas, Editors, and ARCs
Related Resources
- Encouragement for Bad Days
- Need a kick in the pants?
- Tips for Extroverted Writers
- NaNoWriMo
- Rise of Short Stories
- Why Write Short Stories
- Chicago Style Manual Online
- 3 Tools for Productivity
- Tool: Rhyme Zone
- Tool: Plot Generator (fun)
- Tool: Prompt Generators
- Tool: Scrivener
- Tool: Grammarly
- Tool: ProWritingAid
Publishing Resources
Online resources and tools for writers seeking publication, either traditionally or as an indie (self-publisher/small press).
As hybrid publishing is gaining more attention, it’s important to note that the term hybrid author originally applied to an author who had both traditional and self published books. That is how the term is used here.
The term hybrid publishing is different. It applies to publishers who offer some of the benefits of traditional publishing to those might have otherwise self-published.
Traditional, Indie, or Hybrid?
- Traditional vs Self-pub
- To Traditional or Self-pub?
- What is a Hybrid Author?
- Publishing Options Overview
- A Guide to ybrid Publishing
- Four Things to Know about Hybrid Publishing
- Using a Hybrid Publisher—Pros & Cons
- Video: Trad vs Hybrid vs Self Publishing
Traditional
- Writing a Query Letter
- Book Proposal (Overview)
- Book Proposal (Crafting)
- Writing a Synopsis
- Writing a 1-Page Synopsis
- Pitching (Overview)
- Elements of a Pitch P1
- Creating a Onesheet
- A Guide to #PitMad & #SFFPit
- A Guide to #PitchWars
- A Guide to #FaithPitch
- More Twitter Parties
Finding an Agent or Publisher
- Book: Writer’s Market by Writer’s Digest
- Book: The Christian Writer’s Market Guide by Steve Laube
- Graphic Novelist: Finding an Agent
Audiobooks
- Findaway Voices
- Article: Findaway Voices vs Author’s Republic
- Article: How to Self-Publish an Audiobook
Editors & Proofreaders
Indie (self-pub)
- IBPA Membership
- Researching Book Titles
- Indie Guide to ISBNs
- Purchase ISBNs
- Copyright Registration
- International Copyright
- Library of Congress Number
- Creating an Imprint
- Apply for EIN Online
- Draft2Digital vs Smashwords
- Publishing with IngramSpark
- Planning a Book Launch
- Timing a Book Launch
- Self-Publishing Checklist
- Formatting Checklist (This blog)
- Formatting Picture Books
- Formatting Picture Books with Procreate
- Tool: Vellum
- Tool: BookReport
- Tool: KDPROI
Related Resources
- Author Endorsements
- Book Contracts (Kristine Kathryn Rusch’s blog)
- Ingram Spark Publisher Services FAQ (distribution, sales team, etc…)
- Submittable (Finding paying markets)
- The Submissions Grinder (Finding paying markets)
Reaching Readers
Tips and tools for reaching readers through social media, local press, online interviews, and promotions.
Social Media
- Author Guide to Instagram
- Connecting on Instagram
- Instagram Engagement
- 7 Instagram Tools
- 44 Author Twitter Hashtags
- Twitter Retweet Etiquette
- Facebook Instant Experiences
- Mixtus Media Blog
- Guest Blogging List
- Guide to Guest Blogging
- Tool: Link Tree
Author Newsletter
- 16 Ways to Add Subscribers
- List Builder Service
- BookFunnel Service
- Using Instafreebie (now known as Prolific Works)
Online Interviews
Cover Reveals
Blog Tours
Local Media & Venues
- Local Press Coverage
- Local Newspaper
- Connecting with Libraries
- Indie Bookstore Finder
- Author Media Kit
- Ins & Outs of Sell Sheets
- AuthorBookings.com
Promotions
- BookBub
- BookBub Preorder Alerts
- eReader News Today (ENT)
- Freebooksy
- AuthorsXP (formerly Midlist)
- eReader Obsession
- Book Cave
- Annie Douglass Lima
- BKnights on Fiverr
- Kindleprenuer Article
- Aurora’s Book Butterflies
- Member Promo: ACFW
- Member Promo: SCBWI
- Member Promo: Realm Makers (Published tier or higher)
Related Resources
- Indie Author Project (an indie avenue into Libraries)
Getting into Schools - Writing Giveaway Message
- Book Donations #1
- Book Donations #2
- Common Indie Author Pitfalls
- Author Platform Definition
- Before Your Book is Released
- Google Search Clean up
- Amazon Author Central
- 3 Benefits of Writing Contests (This Blog)
- Printer: Vista Print
- Printer: MOO
- Printer: Print Runner
Book Reviewers
Professional organizations and bloggers who accept requests for book reviews. A few of the reviewers listed below require requests to be 2-3 months prior to publication. Most offer free options.
Industry Reviewers
- Readers Favorite
- BookLife (Publishers Weekly)
- Kirkus Reviews (paid only)
- Booklist
- Blue Ink (paid only)
- Midwest Book Review
- Library Journal
- Lorehaven
- Foreward & Clarion
- San Francisco Book Review
- The New York Review (details listed in FAQ)
- Poets & Writers Reviewer Database
Bloggers/Reviewers
Book Illustrators & Cover Designers
Artists who specialize in illustrations and cover design for books. Fiverr is another resource for connecting with cover designers and illustrators.
Cover Designers
- Sarah Helwe
- Seedlings Design Studio
- Dogeared Design
- Fiona Jayde Media
- Maria Spada
- Magpie Designs
- 99 Designs
Premade Collections
Free Stock
Illustrators
- Randilynn Jackson
- Audrey Twigg
- Picture Kitchen Studio
- Jonathan & Lola Myers
- Abigail Craft
- Rebecca P. Minor
- Julia Busko
Fonts
Related Resources
- Article on Cover Design
- Resolution Myths
- Free Online 3D Book Mockup
- Book Brush (book mockups & other marketing graphics)
- JPG Compression Distortions
- Tool: Canva.com
- Tool: Inkarnate.com (map making)
A word of caution when purchasing a cover that uses stock photos, or even when DIY’ing your own book cover. There are many free and low-cost solutions for obtaining stock photos, but, often, it is left up to the person uploading the original stock images to ensure their photo does not violate intellectual property laws. The only stock site I know from uploading my own photos that seems to use a fair amount of due diligence before accepting a photo into their stock collection is Shutterstock.com.
*** My commentary does not constitute legal advice. I am not a legal professional. ***
K.A. Cummins 