We’ve been to each of the websites below and like them. Included in our list are great sites with advice for writers covering everything from grammar to social-networking tips and a whole bevy of places where you’ll find publishing news and other matters of interest. If you have favorites you think we should add, send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll check out your suggestion.

Writing help

The sites listed here are a selection of the soup-to-nuts writing advice now available to writers. There are plenty more to choose from, and many are fabulous, we’re sure. This is only a small selection, and we always welcome your input for more. From grammar help to book-cover inspiration, these are sites that you won’t want to miss when you’re in the process of writing your book:

• Grammar Girl: This grammar wiz can help you solve just about any grammar puzzle you’re facing. And she does so in a fun, conversational style that makes grammar more entertainment than chore.
• The Writer: A great source for advice, this magazine site should be on everyone’s visiting list.
• Writing Tips: Get your daily fix with topics ranging from grammar to punctuation, from spelling to usage and vocabulary. And, the archives are invaluable.
• DIY MFA: “The beauty of DIY MFA is that while it covers most of what you’d get in a traditional MFA, you get to decide how to structure your writing, reading and community so you can reach your goals.”

 

Marketing Advice

If only writing “the end” was the last of it, author life would seem easy. But a whole new job awaits authors once their book is published, with marketing, publicizing and selling. Here are some sites we think might be useful as you start this phase:

• Authortechtips will get you up and running with everything from podcasts to social networking to blogging. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the technology, start here!
• Seth Godin’s blog should be a stop for any self-published author in the marketing phase. This guru will give you great advice and inspire you to really get out there.
• WebsiteSetup is an easy step-by-step guide to setting up a website for your book, a must in today’s competitive market.
• Book Cover Archive: Unfortunately books are judged by covers, so get yourself educated on the current trends in cover here.
• Smith Publicity: 110 amazing marketing ideas for authors from one of the big-gun publicity firms.  Read this first!
• Reedsy Blog: Reedsy is a one-stop shop for all things independent publishing. This list of marketing tips is a must-read.

Industry news and community

There are lots of great blogs and communities for independent publishers. Here are a few that we’ve found and like:

• Self Publishing Resources has a blog for self-publishers by self-publishing guru Sue Collier. It also has links to numerous sites that are useful
• Publetariat is a great online community directed specifically to self-publishers.
• Writer Beware exposes the problems and pitfalls that face aspiring writers.
• Writer’s Digest: This site has become a mammoth hub with writer communities, blogs, classes…and more. Poke around here for a while and you’ll find just about anything you’re looking for.
• Independent Book Publishers Association: A national source of support and information for independent authors.

Online book clubs

In addition to all the great sites already mentioned, we thought we’d add a few book club sites.

• Goodreads: Get recommendations, keep track of your books, form a book club.
• Library Thing: Catalog your own reading habits and wishes here.
• Daily Lit Bite-size installments of books sent on your own schedule for all of us overworked, over-scheduled readers.

Book review blogs

There are great book review blogs for all types of books.  The problem is finding them. Thankfully, the work has already been done.

• Book Blogger List: A directory of book bloggers (organized by genre preference) that accept submissions from authors. . It also offers instructions to authors for approaching bloggers and best practices.
• Best Book Review Blogs: Reedsy has done a lot of the work for you on this front. They’ve pulled together a list of about 150 blogs that review books. And, they’ve added a search function so that you can search the blogs for specific genres, whether they accept indie books…
• 64 Book Bloggers Who Work With Indie Authors: An indie author herself, Jo Linsell has pulled together a list of bloggers who work with indie authors. It’s a pretty bare bones list so you need to do some work yourself. Once you click on a blog, you need to find the review policies, note what genres and types of books the blogger likes and decide from there whether or not to submit. Each blogger has their own submission requirements so follow those closely.