Writing, Editing, Publishing, & More!
I have gathered a list of some of my favorite writer’s resources (and even created some of my own) related to writing, editing, publishing, and so much more. There are countless resources like this, but the following are my favorites and the ones I personally use or have connections with. More are added on occasion as I discover them, so check back often!
***Be sure to scroll all the way to the end for some bonus downloadable content!
Grammar Assistance
Khan Academy
(I’ve placed this one at the top because it’s different from all the rest of the items listed below, which use AI.)
If you want to brush up on your grammar skills, Khan Academy allows you to sign up for free classes of all kinds, including grammar! These are in pre-recorded video form and you can do them at your own pace. They make learning fun and entertaining while breaking it down into simple concepts for easier understanding. Just create your account, choose your topic, and dig in!
Editor’s Note: While the following AI programs can help you brush up on your grammar skills and fix basic issues with your manuscript, AI software in no way replaces professional editing with a human being. The English language is full of nuances and complexities that AI can’t fully comprehend, which means there is a good possibility that these programs will actually introduce new errors to your manuscript if you aren’t careful. Use these with caution.
Grammarly
Grammarly is an AI program that checks your document for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even style errors. It also checks for readability, wordiness, repetition, and plagiarism and offers suggestions for rephrasing sentences to make them stronger. Grammarly works with both Windows and Mac and offers a free version with basic access or a paid version with full access.
Hemingway App
The goal of this AI program is to help make your writing clearer and more concise through the use of color-coded highlights of complex sentences, passive voice, words that could be simpler, and readability. It’s important to note that while the Hemingway App may catch some basic grammar errors, that is not its focus. Like its counterparts, Hemingway App works with both Windows and Mac and offers a free or a paid version.
Microsoft Word’s Spelling & Grammar Check
If you use Microsoft Word for your writing platform, there is a built-in spelling and grammar check on the Review ribbon. This tool helps you find potential errors with spelling, grammar, and style. It highlights these in real time while you write, or you can run it manually when you’re done. You can also use its Find & Replace tool to search how many times you use a certain word or phrase to check for repetition and create more variety.
ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid uses AI to help you analyze your text’s grammar, style, and clarity. It also provides suggestions for improvement when it senses passive voice, awkwardly worded sentences, and repeated words. ProWritingAid works with Windows or Mac and offers a free or paid version as well, however the free version has a 500-word-count limit, which makes it not viable for full-length manuscripts.
Writing Platforms
Microsoft Word
This is my personal go-to writing platform; I have been using Word for as long as I can remember. Besides writing your manuscript, Word offers tools for formatting styles and layouts, including images, reviewing changes and edits, running a spellcheck, and more. You can choose between subscribing on a monthly basis with automatic updates or making a one-time purchase.
Reedsy Studio
Reedsy Studio is a free online writing platform that allows you write your book, automatically save your work to the cloud, and format it for publishing. In this program, you can create and organize front matter (think title page, copyright page, dedication, etc.), the body (the chapters that make up the content of your book), and back matter (think acknowledgments, about the author, etc.).
Scrivener
Available for Windows or Mac, Scrivener is a paid writing software that includes helpful organization tools for outlining, notes and research, assembling content, writing, and self-editing. They offer a free trial period to test it out before committing.
Google Docs
While many authors use Google Docs with success, I personally do not like this program. It’s great for sharing documents with others, including your editor, but I have had many issues working in it with bigger documents (which manuscripts often are!). While editing, I’ve had the program delete tons of my in-line edits and comments without a trace, creating a frustrating situation of wasted time and tedious repetition. Use with caution.
Finding Your Tribe
Editor’s Note: Joining a writing group can help tremendously with your success by providing camaraderie with fellow writers, awards and notoriety, workshops and panels, and the potential to make connections with editors, agents, and publishers, and so much more!
In-Person Writing Communities
I personally believe nothing beats the real-time energy of an in-person writing community with roundtable readings and critiques. I found mine many years ago when I took creative writing classes in college, and some of us are still in touch today! These classes can provide you with connections to potential lifelong friendships—check your community college for inexpensive options that fit with your schedule. You could also consider starting a writing club at your school or creating a flyer to post at local book-lover spots, like the library or bookstores.
Facebook has a booming online presence with countless profiles, pages, and groups. Among these are writing groups for every possible writer—women only, romance writers, sci-fi writers, writing advice in general, writing services, and so much more. Just type whatever your interest is in the search bar and select Groups to narrow your search. In Facebook groups, you will be able to make your own posts and like and comment on others as you build your community. These can be wonderful places to find support, bounce ideas of like-minded people, network, and find resources.
Writing Organizations
There are countless writing organizations for whatever genre you prefer. I’ve named a few of the big ones below and included their membership fees (as of October 2023), but the list really is endless, so be sure to find one that matches you the best! Simply search “writing organizations” in your browser’s search bar to find the extensive list of organizations. Many organizations also offer discounts for seniors or students.
Vetting Your Editor
Editor’s Note: Be cautious of sites such as Fiverr and Upwork. While you can find inexpensive editorial services on them, there is no standard or editorial code of conduct those people are held to, meaning they may not be qualified for the services you hire them for. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. The following are sites with profiles for qualified editors.
Editorial Freelancers Association
The Editorial Freelancers Association, also known as the EFA, is a paid-membership community of freelance editors of all specialties, experience levels, genre preferences, and more (I am a proud member!). They have a job board where any author can submit a post with their request for an editor, detailing their project and what they are in search of, then sit back and wait as proposals arrive directly in their inbox.
Reedsy
Reedsy also has a Rolodex of freelance editors, some of which have worked with big publishing houses and well-known authors. You can narrow your search by genre and type of editorial service.
Red Quill Editorial LLC
Of course, I have to mention my own editorial services as well! I am a qualified book editor & coach specializing developmental editing, line/copyediting, and book coaching for the romance, sci-fi/fantasy, and mystery/thriller genres (other genres welcome).
To get the most out of our connection:
- Take a moment to Meet Your Editor
- Check out my Editorial Services & Book Coaching Packages
- Browse The Bookshelf and see client testimonials
- Look through the FAQs
- Read through more Tips for Writers articles, especially:
- Like & subscribe to Red Quill Editorial on YouTube
- Like & follow Red Quill Editorial on Facebook
- Follow Red Quill Editorial on Instagram
- Sign up for The Red Quill Editorial monthly newsletter (and receive an exclusive discount!)
- Check out the free downloads created by Red Quill Editorial at the bottom of this article
- If you’re ready for book coaching or professional editing, reach out via my author questionnaire and let’s discuss your manuscript!
The Business of Writing
LLC Attorney
A young writer turned me on to this valuable resource (thanks, Haley!). LLC Attorney offers online attorney services and guidance on starting your dream business, including turning writing into a career. Their article is brief, but the most valuable part of it is that it contains several links to other resources that delve deeper into essential skills, educational pathways and career opportunities, self-publishing, working with an agent and publisher, watching out for red flags and protecting yourself, and working with an editor.
SelfPublishing.com (formerly the Self-Publishing School)
If you feel you need more guidance with writing and publishing your book, SelfPublishing.com offers it from start to finish! Depending on the package you select, you can receive a free copy of founder Chandler Bolt’s book titled Published: The Proven Path from Blank Page to 10,000 Copies Sold, have one-on-one guidance with a book coach, receive tons of templates for making sure you stay on track with your book’s progress and hit all your goals, join a huge community of like-minded fiction and nonfiction authors who also plan to self-publish their books, watch live webinars where you can ask your questions and get answers, use a resource to find publishing professionals who offer special discounts to the SelfPublishing.com students (editors, cover designers, marketing services, etc.), and so much more. The pros at SelfPublishing.com will guide you every step of the way, even after your book is published!
Canva
Canva is a graphic design program with free and paid versions. You can use this to create your author logo, a cover mock-up, advertisements, or even your actual book cover (although I highly recommend hiring a professional cover designer who knows the market). I use the free version of Canva to create ads for my editorial business!
Reedsy
Reedsy is full of free and informative resources related to all things books! Hover over the Connect option in the top menu to find services including editors, cover designers, marketing services, and more. Under the Blog option, you will find tons of articles, online courses, and informational videos about being an author. You can also sign up for their weekly writing prompts if you need help getting your creative juices flowing. And there are many other fun and free tools on the Reedsy website if you are willing to explore a little bit, but those mentioned above are my favorites.
Vellum
Vellum is a paid software that allows you to format your book for paperback or ebook. It’s a bit pricey, but if you plan to publish multiple books, it could be worth it. While you can format your books through free tools such as IngramSpark’s book builder or the Reedsy Studio, Vellum has a lot more options than any free tool you will find. Besides formatting for all eReader devices and paperback trim sizes, you can also use drop caps, embedded fonts, and flourishes. You can even add custom ornaments and backgrounds or group your series into a box set with a few simple steps.
Author’s Guild
The Author’s Guild was designed to protect writers from being taken advantage of or scammed. By becoming a member, you will gain access to their discussion forums, resources, webinars, events, contract review, copyright advice, website-building services, insurance, and more! There are varying membership tiers depending on your exact situation.
Books & Movies
These lists of books and movies are always growing, so check back often!
Books
Nonfiction Books
There are countless nonfiction books on writing craft, some focusing on specific things like grammar or beats, while others are broader. Some may feel like they contradict others, while some may seem to merge seamlessly together. Read as many as you can get your hands on. Knowledge is power, and when you can view a variety of paths to take, you will be able to pick and choose the elements that best fit your style and help you the most with honing your writing craft.
On Writing by Stephen King
Dubbed as “part memoir, part master class by one of the bestselling authors of all time,” King shares his journey from his childhood to successful author, how writing helped him heal after a near-fatal accident in 1999, and tips on honing your own craft.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
In a humorous and bluntly honest style, Lamott shares craft tips from her own lessons with learning to become a better writer, how to deal with overwhelm, and much more.
5 Editors Tackle the 12 Fatal Flaws of Fiction Writing by C.S. Lakin, Linda S. Clare, Christy Distler, Robin Patchen, and Rachel Starr Thomson
This group of editors discuss the “deadly dozen” fatal flaws that can kill your novel before it’s ever published. Throughout this book, they include before and after passages to illustrate each flaw and demonstrate how to fix them. They have also created handy checklists at the end of each chapter so you, as the author, can take active steps in honing your writing craft and avoiding the deadly dozen fatal flaws in your own novels.
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
Two editors join forces to teach the technique of self-editing your manuscript to hone your craft and save money on professional editing.
Understanding Show, Don’t Tell by Janice Hardy
Hardy explains when and how to show something instead of just telling about it, as well as when telling is acceptable.
How to Write Dazzling Dialogue by James Scott Bell
Dialogue is a key element in fiction novels, but many writers struggle to perfect it. Through examples, rules, tips, and tricks in this book, you will discover the top dialogue issues and learn how to avoid them.
Point of View in Fiction by Marcy Kennedy
There are so many elements to point of view that it can be complex and difficult to understand. But with point of view being the foundation of your book, you need to have a firm grasp on it. Kennedy’s book explains the various points of view and their individual strengths and weaknesses, the common mistake of head hopping and how to resolve it, how to select the right point of view for your story, and much more.
Deep Point of View by Marcy Kennedy
Taking her previous book a step further, Kennedy dives deep into deep point of view, also known as close point of view. This is when the reader has insight into the character’s thoughts and feelings, essentially experiencing the story with them.
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell
Bell guides you in crafting an engaging plot using certain techniques, plotting diagrams, exercises, structure models, and tips.
GMC: Goal, Motivation, & Confict by Debra Dixon
Dixon argues that these three elements are the foundation of everything that occurs in your novel. She uses charts and examples to break these down into digestible components.
A Writer’s Guide to Active Setting by Mary Buckham
Buckham claims that “setting is one of the most underutilized and misunderstood elements of the writing craft.” In her book, she guides you in creating “vivid, detailed settings that bring your story to life.” She shares examples across genres and illustrates how powerful proper use of setting is to enhancing your story.
How Not to Write a Novel by Howard Mittelmark & Sandra Newman
There are tons of books on how to hone your craft and write well. The authors of this book took the opposite approach, pointing out hundreds of common writing mistakes and offering advice on how to avoid making them.
Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
Brody takes the Save the Cat screenwriting method (studied and detailed in Blake Snyder’s Save the Cat) and applies it to novel writing. She discovered that most every successful book hits 15 specific beats at similar benchmarks, creating a recipe for success that any writer can understand and apply to their manuscript, regardless of genre.
Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes
Hayes delivers valuable tips on hitting the four major beats that all romances require in a humorous and irreverent manner, making her feel like a friend who is simply having a conversation with you, though very informative and insightful. This is a quick read that can be finished in a single sitting and is a must-read for any romance author.
Blueprint for a Book by Jennie Nash
Nash’s Blueprint for a Book discusses her 14-step method for taking an idea all the way to finished book. The last couple of steps revolve around a tool she calls the Inside Outline. While every step is helpful, the Inside Outline is the most detailed and likely to change the way you write books forever. During this process, she directs the author to pair plot (what happens) with point (why it matters to your protagonist) in a cause-and-effect trajectory, ensuring your story makes sense, moves with perfect pace, and pulls the reader in from start to finish—a method I have adopted when guiding my clients to write even better books!
5,000 Writing Prompts by Bryn Donovan
Donovan has truly curated a “master list of plot ideas, creative exercises, and more” in this incredibly useful resource for writers of all kinds. She has organized 5,000 writing prompts by genre (fantasy, science fiction, horror, mystery, romance, young adult, historical fiction, and general fiction) as well as specific aspects of the craft (character, setting, and dialogue). This book will keep you writing even when you are struggling to come up with a fresh idea.
Creative Writing Prompts for Kids by Eleanor Thompson
If you know a young prodigy who is showing a passion for writing, this one might be a better option with prompts specifically for kids! This book not only has a wide variety of prompts, but also includes tips and tricks for honing their craft, fun challenges, and much more.
The Emotion Thesaurus by Becca Puglisi & Angela Ackerman
The Emotion Thesaurus is a wonderful resource for authors who want to show rather than tell, to write powerfully rather than relying on weak adverbs. This book begins with a well-rounded introduction to emotion-related topics such as the power of emotion, making it authentic, showing it in dialogue and subtext, and more. Next, it dives into more than 250 pages of specific emotions from acceptance to desperation, grief to jealousy, moodiness to pity, satisfaction to validation, and finally, worthlessness. Each emotion receives a dedicated definition, physical signs and behaviors, internal sensations, mental responses, acute or long-term responses, signs of suppression, possible escalation and de-escalation, associated power verbs, and a writer’s tip. A must-have resource for writers of all skill levels!
The Best Punctuation Book, Period by June Casagrande
How are you supposed to understand punctuation when various forms of publication follow different rules? With more than one right answer, Casagrande opens by explaining the subtle differences among style guides, and then dives into the plethora of punctuation options (apostrophe, comma, semicolon, quotation mark, ellipsis, em dash, and more). She explains the purpose of each, how each style guide chooses to use each, and even provides examples. The Best Punctuation Book, Period will teach you how to “punctuate with confidence—no matter the style.”
The Penguin Guide to Punctuation by RL Trask
Another great guide to punctuation rules, this book is succinct and jargon-free.
The Writer’s Guide to Agony and Defeat by Jennie Nash
Nash discusses over forty of the most common struggles writers experience that can stop them in their tracks. Not only are these pains relatable, but she also provides valuable advice as to how to overcome each one, allowing you to conquer your own inner demons and attain your goal of becoming a published author.
Writer’s Market: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published by Writer’s Digest
Planning to traditionally publish? This book includes thousands of listings for book publishers, magazines, contests, and literary agents, articles devoted to the business and promotion of writing, sample query letters, and more!
Writer’s Digest Magazine
Although a magazine rather than a book, Writer’s Digest has been in publication since 1920, publishing six times per year. Each issue contains informational articles to help you grow in your writing craft, learn publishing secrets, discover current market trends, and be inspired by others who have published their work. The magazine also sponsors several in-house contests every year, which can significantly boost your writing career with a featured interview, a paid trip to their annual conference, provide pitch opportunities to agents and editors, and/or offer a cash prize!
Fiction Books
This may seem like it should just be for fun, but reading within your particular genre can actually teach you conventions and expectations of that genre, give you a greater grasp on grammar and spelling, and so much more (Stephen King agrees!). The following list is comprised of book-themed fiction books in a variety of genres, but you simply reading anything in your chosen genre will help guide you on your path to write within that genre.
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
Genre: magical realism, romance
A vanishing bookshop casts a spell on three strangers who have long felt like side characters in their own lives. Through the mysterious bookshop, they are transported to a new world where their own stories soon become extraordinary.
The Bookshop of Yesterdays by Amy Meyerson
Genre: women’s lit
In childhood, Miranda used to spend her days among the books in her beloved uncle’s store, solving his elaborate scavenger hunts—until her mother and uncle had a falling out. When news comes of her ucnle’s passing, Miranda learns that he has left her his nearly bankrupt bookstore, as well as one last scavenger hunt. Could this last parting gift answer her questions about what tore her family apart sixteen years ago?
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
Genre: thriller/suspense
A famous reclusive author hosts an exclusive month-long writing retreat at her private estate for a few select aspiring authors. But will they come out with the million-dollar publishing contract or something much more than they had bargained for?
Gins and Daggers by Jessica Fletcher & Donald Bain
Genre: murder mystery
In the first book in the Murder, She Wrote series, a well-known author heads to a mystery writers conference where she is supposed to deliver the keynote address. But when she is invited to attend a party at her mentor’s estate, she instead discovers a murder.
Misery by Stephen King
Genre: thriller/suspense
When a bestselling romance author kills off his beloved protagonist in search of new horizons, there are a lot of fans left upset by his choice. After a near-fatal car accident in an isolated area, the author finds himself being nursed back to health by one of his biggest fans—and she is not happy about what he did. Patient soon becomes prisoner as things take a dark turn.
Movies (For Fun!)
This list is comprised of movies about writers. While it isn’t necessarily a resource that will help you become a better writer, you could argue that it’s a time investment into studying techniques that you could translate into your writing craft. Plus you could watch them with the subtitles on to study dialogue. Either way, it’s a fun little extra I wanted to include.
Authors Anonymous
“When a dysfunctional group of unpublished writers accept Hannah into their fold, the last thing they expect is her overnight success. Can these lovable misfits achieve their artistic dreams and avoid killing one another in the process?”
The Lost City
“After being kidnapped by a villainous treasure hunter, a successful romance novelist is forced to team up with her cover model as they are swept into a cutthroat jungle adventure that proves stranger than fiction.”
Deadly Illusions
“This is a fiction thriller/suspense about a famous reclusive author who hosts an exclusive month-long writing retreat at her private estate for a few select aspiring authors. But will they come out with the million-dollar publishing contract or something much more than they had bargained for?”A bestselling female novelist hires an innocent young woman to watch over her twin children. As the novelist dangerously indulges in her new best seller, the line between the life she’s writing and the one she’s living becomes blurred.”
Editor’s Note: I was fortunate to be involved with Kiss & Tale Productions as they worked on adapting this script into a novella (coming soon)!
Stranger than Fiction
“An IRS auditor suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to affect his entire life; from his work; to his love-interest; to his death.”
The Adventures of Mark Twain
“Based on elements from the stories of Mark Twain, follow the adventures of Tom Sawyer, Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn as they stowaway aboard the interplanetary balloon of Mark Twain.”
Free Downloads!
As a bonus, I’ve designed some valuable toolkits, checklists, worksheets, and exercises to help you on your authorial journey, and you can download them for free right here! More are added as they are created, so check back often.
Tips for Readers
I offer many tips for writers, but I had to include some of my best tips for READERS too! Can’t get your hands on enough books? Here’s a few tips to find cheap or free books to keep your library full.
Physical Books
- Your local library continues to be a valuable resource that many people forget about. It’s free to get a library card and borrow books, audiobooks, CDs, movies, and more! Most likely, your library will be connected to several others (usually within your county) so you have access to even more resources! You can also use their computer, printer, copy machine, and wifi. Often, libraries also offer bonus resources to local family-friendly locales (mine provides a few tickets to the zoo every month that allow up to two adults and six children in for free). And be sure to check what events they host too, like a free movie night, story time, crafting circle, cultural events, lego club, tiny art museum, summer reading challenge, and so much more!
- Little free libraries can be found scattered all over the world. They allow you to take book or leave a book for free. Use their website or app to register your own little free library or to find one near you.
- Bookstores and yard sales offer killer deals on used books. Sometimes you can even load up a big box of them for a set price!
- Consider joining a local book swap group, especially if you have similar genre interests as the other members.
eBooks
- BookBub sends you emails either daily or weekly, depending on your preferences. They include current deals on ebooks in your preferred genres—sometimes you’ll find free books!
- Libby/Overdrive is an app that connects with your local library so you can borrow ebooks for free, extending your borrowing options! Check with your library to learn which system they use, and then create a free account using your library card number.
- Amazon Prime First Reads sends you an email once a month with several ebooks to choose from for free. Most often, you get to pick one book plus a bonus short read, but sometimes you get to pick two! This is a bonus perk that comes with your Amazon Prime membership—you simply have to sign up to receive the email!
- Amazon Prime Reading is like a bonus library through your Amazon Prime membership. You can select up to ten books, magazines, or audiobooks at a time and there are NO due dates! Just keep in mind that these are loans and once you hit your max borrow limit, you must return something in order to borrow another item.
Happy Writing (& Reading)!
Red Quill Editorial LLC
Think you might be ready for an editor or book coach? Let’s Discuss Your Manuscript!