As a writer, I struggle with submissions and sending out queries. I know many writers that submit on a regular basis. Alas, I’m not one of them. I wrote a book proposal on my own, without assistance, and had couple of local writers help review my query letter, but I continue to pause as I submit. I also agonize over legal information surrounding authorship, and labor over what is appropriate for me to do as an emerging writer. Furthermore, here’s another huge pitfall of mine- I need to use stronger verbs around emotions in my writing.
Recently, I’ve come across a few writer resources I didn’t even know existed, or how much I needed them. I started using them and it’s changed my writing authorship life. Let’s dive in together!
The Authors Guild
This one was brought to my attention by my close friend and fellow author. It was when my friend signed with her agent that it was highly suggested to become a member of The Authors Guild. I’d never heard of it. It wasn’t until I had some important legal author questions of my own that I decided to become a member.
The Authors Guild is the largest professional organization that advocates for writers. They are a membership that provides excellent benefits: free legal assistance, liability insurance, website hosting, in person and phone-in seminars, and even a health insurance option. They also have an actively used community forum to ask your burning questions.
This incredible organization also has a foundation that advocates for all authors and journalists to defend free speech. Authors Guild is passionate about giving a voice to the marginalized. They help sustain the literary marketplace so all authors can make a decent living on their work. Sounds like something all authors need, right?
Membership does come with a yearly cost, but it is a varying levels based on where you are at in your writing career. I believe it is well worth the cost. Dues run from $100 a year ($9 monthly) up to $135 per year ($12 monthly), and students can join for $35 per year.
Submittable
This one is not new to me. I’ve known about Submittable since 2010 as it was co-founded by a local writer in my hometown. This Submission platform was built due to the incredible amount of effort and energy it takes to submit to contests, literary magazines, publishers, and journals. The time it takes to submit one piece is tiring and daunting. The founders built a platform with submissions right at your fingertips in the same portal! Hence, Submittable: Submissions Management Software system was born.
If you’re submitting, the platform is free to find publications that suits your writing, or to sleuth out contests and residencies to apply to. If you’re a publisher, this is an excellent platform to use for submissions as it is easy to navigate and to collaborate with other editors and colleagues.
Duotrope
Duotrope is another submission management system that I recently came across. With consistent market listings, Duotrope help writers save time finding publishers and agents for your work so you can spend your time writing!
As an artist you can get specified help in the following:
- As a Writer
- In Photography
- and Poetry
Offering submission trackers, deadline calendars, statistical reports on publishers and contests, along with custom search- you can’t go wrong with this website.
Duotrope is membership based offering a free 7 day trial prior to making a commitment to them. However, the commitment is basically the charge of a latte per month! Cost is $5 monthly subscription or $50 per year. This way you can see all information at your fingertips. They offer a wealth of knowledge for a small price, and numerous testimonials mention that as a writer it is well worth it!
New Pages
New Pages offers news and information to all writers. You can explore literary magazines, independent publishers, creative writing programs, creative writing events, and writing contests.
If you’re offering a contest, or some form of writing submission, New Pages is on it. They will announce your submission for free. If you want to gain visibility and extend your audience, they do have packages to purchase for additional advertising.
If you’re a writer looking for something to submit your piece, you will find it there. It’s definitely a win/win.
One of the things I love about New Pages is that they keep an Indie Bookstore Guide! If you have an indie bookstore, I highly suggest getting on their list.
New Pages has a bookstore where you will discover new and forthcoming titles from indie and university presses.
The Emotion Thesaurus
This book wasn’t even on my radar until a few months ago. Now, I wonder that as a writer how I ever lived without it! My editor’s notes on my manuscript are filled with use stronger verb/word choice!
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression, Second Edition, (Writers Helping Writers Series) is an essential guide to know how to write/create emotion in your works.
This is a ‘show, don’t tell guide’ in an easy to navigate list format. It will inspire you to create fresh character expressions. This incredible book is right next to me every time I pick up the pen. The cost is less than $20 bucks in book form, or $5.99 in Kindle. Stop saying ‘nod’, ‘frown’, or ‘smile”. Let this book assist you with a creative way to engage your audience in reading.
There you have it! My top 5 list of writer resources. Most importantly, I hope this helps you work toward easier creativity, frequent submissions, author assistance, and as a whole a connection to resources all of us need as writers.
