Resources For Writers
Whether you need to hire a sensitivity reader or want to read up on the craft of writing, here are some resources that will help on your writing journey.
There are many different resources a writer can utilize to help improve their craft.
Depending on what area you want to focus on, you may want to attend workshops, which both on and offline can prove extremely useful. Websites also contain a wealth of information and can be used to find sensitivity readers as well as bloggers and reviewers, and there are books out there for every aspect of the craft.
Websites
I attended a “How to be an Ally” webinar from Writing the Other, and will hopefully attend more in the future. The website also contains links to fantastic articles and other resources, too.
Similar to Writing the Other, Salt & Sage aims to equip writers with the tools they need if they are writing outside their own experience. they’ve released a few books, and their website has a database of sensitivity readers.
An excellent resource for finding markets to submit to, across Horror and speculative fiction. As well as writing advice and industry news.
If you’re looking for markets to submit work to, in all genres, check out Duotrope. Accessing full features does require a subscription, but if you’re going to be submitting regularly, it’s excellent to help find and track submissions.
Similar to Duotrope, The Submission Grinder provides details of open markets and allows you to track your submissions. And it’s free, though they do have a donate button on their website too, to help keep The Grinder going.
Books
Books about writing are everywhere, whether it’s general or looking at a specific aspect. I’ll note here the really good ones I come across.
Specific Aspects
The Emotion Thesaurus - Angela Ackerman, Becca Puglisi
This useful guide will help you add that extra element to your characters, giving you the tools to show internal and external emotions.
Writing the Other - Nisi Shawl, Cynthia Ward
A very useful book if you’re looking to write outside your own experiences, Writing the Other also encourages looking beyond the ‘default’, and considering what that really means.
Mastering Showing and Telling in Your Fiction - Marcy Kennedy
‘Show, don’t tell’ is said to many writers, but what, exactly, does it mean? Even if you know, this book helps put into perspective why we say this, when telling is good, actually, and how to ensure you’re not overdoing either.
Genre Specific
Horror
Writing In The Dark - Tim Waggoner
Excellent resource if you’re interested in Horror and Dark Fiction
Fantasy
The Writer’s Complete Fantasy Reference - David H. Borcherding
This is a very useful book if you’re writing fantasy - it provides guides about clothes, weapons, buildings and many other aspects.
