Last updated Aug 24, 2021.
*** 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.
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 #1
- Tips for Self-Editing #2
- 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
Publishing Resources
Online resources and tools for writers seeking publication, either traditionally or as an indie (self-publisher/small press).
Traditional, Indie, or Hybrid?
- Traditional vs Self-pub
- To Traditional or Self-pub?
- What is a Hybrid Author?
- Publishing Options Overview
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
Editors & Proofreaders
- Janeen Ippolito
- Madeline Smoot
- Kara Grant (see ‘about me’ on Goodreads)
- The Write Stage
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)
- Tool: Vellum
- Tool: BookReport
- Tool: KDPROI
Related Resources
- Author Endorsements
- 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
- eReader News Today (ENT)
- Freebooksy
- AuthorsXP (formerly Midlist)
- eReader Obsession
- Book Cave
- Annie Douglass Lima
- BKnights on Fiverr
- Kindleprenuer Article
- Aurora’s Book Butterflies
Related Resources
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
- Midwest Book Review
- Library Journal
- Lorehaven
Bloggers/Reviewers
More Reviewers
Related Resources
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
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
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 