This section of our web guide is focused on online resources for authors, poets, and writers in general.
Writing is both solitary and communal. While the act of putting words on a page is often done in isolation, writers have long relied on networks of peers, mentors, and institutions to refine their craft and share their work with the world.
In the digital age, these networks have expanded dramatically, offering writers unprecedented access to tools, communities, and opportunities. Online resources now serve as a lifeline to authors, poets, and writers of every genre, providing guidance on craft, platforms for collaboration, and pathways to publication.
For writers seeking to sharpen their skills, the Internet offers several resources for instruction and guidance. Websites and blogs, such as Writers' Digest, Helping Writers Become Authors, and The Poetry Foundation provide articles, tutorials, and exercises on everything from character development to poetic form. Online courses and workshops are available from platforms like Coursera, MasterClass, and Gotham Writers Workshop, which allow writers to learn from established authors and professors, often at their own pace. There are also podcasts and YouTube channels, with programs like Writing Excuses or Brandon Sanderson's lectures on YouTube, offering free, accessible insights into the craft. These, and many other resources, provide easy access to knowledge, enabling writers anywhere in the world to learn from experts without needing to attend a university or relocate to a literary hub.
Technology has also transformed the mechanics of writing, offering digital tools that streamline the creative process. Drafting platforms like Scrivener and Google Docs provide flexible environments for organizing long projects, with features like corkboards, outlines, and real-time collaboration. Editing tools, such as Grammarly, ProWritingAid, and Hemingway Editor help writers refine grammar, style, and readability. Plotting and worldbuilding software tools, including Plottr, Campfire, and Milanote, help novelists in structuring narratives, tracking characters, and building immersive worlds. These aids aren't a replacement for the writer's creativity, but they can allow ideas to take shape more efficiently.
For many writers, the ultimate goal is to share their work with readers. Online resources make the path to publication more transparent. Market listings (Duotrope, Poets & Writers, and Submittable) catalog literary magazines, contests, and publishers open to submissions. Online agent databases like QueryTracker and Manuscript Wish List help writers research literary agents and tailor their submissions. Today, there are several self-publishing platforms available. Services such as Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing, Kobo Writing Life, IngramSpark, and Smashwords empower authors to publish independently and reach global audiences. These platforms demystify the publishing process, giving writers multiple avenues to share their work, whether through traditional publishing houses or independent ventures.
Writing may be solitary, but growth is often attained through feedback and camaraderie. Online communities allow writers and aspiring writers to connect. Workshopping platforms (Critique Circle, Scribophile, and The Next Big Writer) allow authors to exchange critiques and improve their drafts. Social media and online forums, such as Creative Writing Forums, Writing Forums, and She Writes, foster dialogue, encouragement, accountability, and feedback from other writers. Specialized groups like Campfire Writing Challenges and local or online writing groups unite writers around shared goals, offering motivation and structure.
Even in the digital age, professional organizations and conferences, many of which now allow virtual attendance, remain vital. Groups like the Authors Guild, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association, and Romance Writers of America provide advocacy, resources, and networking opportunities. Events such as AWP Bouchercon for mystery writers, and Poetry International Festival bring together writers, publishers, and readers. These events often offer online panels and workshops, making them accessible to a global audience. These organizations and conferences provide educational benefits and networking, as well as fostering a sense of belonging within the broader literary world.
Recommended Resources
Also known as APA format, APA style is a writing style and format for academic documents such as scholarly journal articles and books. Described in the style guide of the American Psychological Association (APA), it is commonly used for citing sources within the fields of behavioral and social sciences, including sociology, education, nursing, criminal justice, anthropology, and psychology. Style and grammar guidelines are described, and instructional aids and products are featured.
https://apastyle.apa.org/
Association of Writers & Writing Programs
Founded in 1967 as "Associated Writing Programs," the AWP is a non-profit literary organization that provides support, advocacy, resources, and community to writers, college and university creative writing programs, and writers' conferences and centers. Its history, governance, membership information, conference and activity schedules, publications, awards, and writing programs, and resources are featured. Job listings can be viewed or submitted.
https://awpwriter.org/
A full-service publishing company, AuthorHouse offers editorial, design, marketing, distribution, and extra a la carte services so that authors can publish while retaining creative control. They market specific packages for various genres, such as a dedicated Children's Publishing option with illustration and design services. The company targets first-time and repeat self-publishers seeking an all-in-one package rather than managing individual vendors. Contacts are posted.
https://www.authorhouse.com/en
AuthorsDen is an online community where authors and readers converge. AuthorsDen delivers the best promotion and discovery of content. The website provides author biographies and features their works, whether it may be books, articles, stories or poetry in any genre. The website also features authors, books and new titles as well as new authors and readers. The website is also a great place for readers to discover, interact, get personal, buy and read.
http://www.authorsden.com
The digital publishing company provides an operating system called Bookwire OS to handle production, distribution, marketing, and analytics for e-books, audiobooks, podcasts, and print-on-demand products. Its OS is a consolidated platform for lifecycle management, quality control, pricing campaigns, distribution, and analytics. Its audiobook production solution (We Audiobook You, or WAY) is used together with distribution and analytics. Its services and capabilities are highlighted.
https://www.bookwire.net/
CMOS is a style guide for American English published since 1906 by the University of Chicago Press. Its editions have long prescribed writing and citation styles widely used in publishing, focusing specifically on American English and dealing with aspects of editorial practice, including grammar and usage, as well as document preparation and formatting. It is available in hardcover and by subscription as a searchable website; subscription options are listed.
https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/
Created by John Stevens, English Discourse is an open-source teaching materials site that offers resources for English composition and literature, including handouts, essays, syllabi, tutorials, and instructor materials. Its primary audience is Temple College students and college-level instructors seeking composition and literature course materials. It is licensed by Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, and materials may be used freely under that license with proper attribution.
https://www.englishdiscourse.org/
"Empowering writers since 1999," EveryWriter is a resource for writers offering articles, contests, submission opportunities, and promotional services. The site presents guides on craft, writing prompts, market listings, and themed contests, with new posts and contests regularly published. Including are how-to posts on scene tension, worldbuilding, sensory description, revision checklists, and building an author platform. Open submissions for fiction and poetry are featured.
https://www.everywritersresource.com/
Stylized as FictionPress, this is an online community where writers publish original fiction and poetry for readers to enjoy. Launched in December 2003 as the sibling site to FanFiction, focused solely on user-created, wholly original works. Anyone can browse and read without registering, but authors require a (free) account in order to post stories, poems, and verse. Its genres, categories, chaptered works, author profiles, and recommendations are provided.
https://www.fictionpress.com/
Supporting, inspiring, and guiding writers, the business and website features tools designed to nourish the creative life and help writers step into their potential. Included are paid, instructor-led, or self-paced programs focused on confidence, creativity, and productive writing habits, along with short programs, email-based offerings, and starter kits to jumpstart or refresh a writing practice. Contact details, descriptions, and an about page are included.
https://www.forthewriterssoul.com/
Formed in 1985, the HWA is a worldwide non-profit organization of professional writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting the interests of horror and dark fantasy writers. Among its missions is to encourage public interest in and foster an appreciation of quality horror and dark fantasy literature; to that end, it offers information on its website, sponsors or takes part in occasional public readings and lectures, and maintains a presence at conventions.
http://horror.org/
Institute for the Future of the Book, The
A small "think-and-do tank" that investigates how intellectual discourse is changing as it moves from printed pages to networked screens, the organization's mission is to explore the evolution of reading and writing in networked media and to experiment with new forms of scholarly and creative publishing. With independent branches in New York, London, and Brisbane, its New York branch is affiliated with the Libraries of New York University. Its projects are highlighted, and a blog is included.
https://www.futureofthebook.org/
Literary terms are the techniques, styles, and devices writers use to emphasize, embellish, and shape meaning in speech and writing. The site includes tools for persuasion, figurative language, plot and character development, sound and rhythm, wordplay, and common errors to avoid. Users can look up definitions, examples, and categories when analyzing texts, writing essays, or teaching literary concepts, and consult specific entries for quizzes, flashcards, and citation-ready definitions.
https://literaryterms.net/
Formed in 1883, the MLA is widely considered the principal professional association in the U.S. for scholars of language and literature. The MLA aims to strengthen the study and teaching of language and literature. It includes over 20,000 members in 100 countries, primarily academic scholars, professors, and graduate students who study and teach language and literature, including English, other modern languages, and comparative literature. Memberships, events, and publications are featured.
https://www.mla.org/
This online suite of creative writing tools and resources helps authors plan, write, and revise fiction, offering features for character development, plotting, worldbuilding, and descriptive language support. Included are guided tools to create realistic, layered characters, story maps, formal and informal scene maps, a drag-and-drop timeline tool for outlining and storybuilding, a thesaurus, an idea generator, and customizable surveys and tutorials to build rich settings.
https://onestopforwriters.com/
Paper Tigers is a literary blog dedicated to writers, readers, and anyone passionate about books. Its index page features navigational links to core sections (Home, Books & Education, Hot Topics), a page describing the site, and contact details. It highlights a rotating section of articles on writing advice, reading lists, and publishing trends. The site is operated by a group of book enthusiasts from various professions, including a bookshop owner, a clerk, and a student.
http://www.papertigers.org/
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant
Paradigm Online Writing Assistant supplies tips and guidelines for academic and creative writing. The website offers a comprehensive take on the writing process, with topics ranging from the basics of grammar and punctuation to the structure of an argumentative essay to finding inspiration through freewriting. You can sign up to post in the discussion forums and create a blog, or buy a PDF version of the guidelines to print and use away from your computer.
http://www.powa.org
Targeted to students looking to learn correct citation and paraphrasing techniques, instructors and librarians seeking teaching materials, policy guidance, and research to support academic integrity, and education leaders and researchers interested in benchmarking and sanctioning practices, the site explains what plagiarism is, how to prevent it, and how to teach academic integrity. It offers guides, blog posts, videos, research reports, and policy resources.
https://plagiarism.org/
The community-driven poetry platform hosts poems from both established and emerging writers, lets users submit and rate poems, and offers tools like translations, audio pronunciation, and contests. The site features monthly poetry contests with cash prizes and a rewards program for community participation. It also highlights promoted poems and maintains lists of featured and recent submissions. Poems can be translated into several languages and listened to with voice pronunciation.
https://www.poetry.com/
Established in 1975, the Poynter Institute for Media Studies is a non-profit journalism school and research organization in St. Petersburg, Florida. The school owns the Tampa Bay Times newspaper and the International Fact-Checking Network, and operates PolitiFact. Originally named the Modern Media Institute, the name of the school was changed to the Poynter Institute in 1984. Site topics include training, ethics & leadership, fact-checking, media literacy, and events.
https://www.poynter.org/
The Purdue OWL provides free, comprehensive writing resources and instructional materials for students, teachers, professionals, and organizations worldwide. Key resources include citation guides (APA Formatting and Style Guide, MLA Formatting and Style Guide), academic integrity (plagiarism guidance and examples), professional writing (resume guide, writing the introductory business letter, and cover letter), and multimedia help (videos and instructional papers).
https://owl.purdue.edu/
Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association
The SFWA is a non-profit organization of professional science fiction and fantasy writers. The organization informs, supports, promotes, defends, and advocates for its members. Its activities include informing science fiction and fantasy writers on professional matters, protecting their interests, and helping them deal effectively with agents, editors, anthologists, and producers in print and non-print media, as well as encouraging interest among the public.
https://www.sfwa.org/
Science Writers & Communicators of Canada
Formerly known as the Canadian Science Writers Association, the SWCC is a national alliance of professional science communicators that promotes excellence in science writing and journalism in Canada. The SWCC hosts an annual conference and regional events, bringing together journalists, communicators, scientists, and media professionals for workshops and panel discussions. It also administers book awards recognizing outstanding science writing, and prizes for children's and adult non-fiction.
https://sciencewriters.ca/
The all-in-one English writing tool provides grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style checks, and is activated in a single click from any text application and browser, pointing out potential errors for consideration and offering suggestions for improvement. Offered in desktop, web, and mobile versions, as well as a Chrome extension, it is available as an annual or three-year subscription. Its options are compared side-by-side, with features and prices. A demo version is also offered.
http://www.whitesmoke.com/
Created and maintained by Michael Quinion, World Wide Words is a long-running website about English words, their histories, and usage. It includes more than 3,000 articles covering word origins, new words, meanings, usage notes, and linguistic curiosities, and a linked companion called the Dictionary of Affixes defines and explains English prefixes and suffixes. An index and search page are accessible from the menu on every page, and there is no advertising.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/
Created in 2011 to help writers practice and get published, "The Write Practice" is intended to help aspiring writers develop skills through practice, coaching, timed exercises, and a feedback-focused community. Key features include guided lessons on craft and publishing, timed writing exercises, community feedback from members, coaching, and paid programs for deeper, structured support. Additionally, a free 10-step starter guide is available for download, and an online store is available.
https://thewritepractice.com/
First published as "Successful Writing" in 1920, Writer's Digest is aimed at beginning and established writers. It features interviews, market listings, calls for manuscripts, and how-to articles. Published eight times a year, Writer's Digest also sponsors several in-house contests annually, including the "Writer's Digest International Self-Published Book Awards" and an annual writing competition for short stories. Subscriptions, an archive, and an online store are available.
https://www.writersdigest.com/
With its origins in 1912, when the Authors' League of America was formed, the WGAE is a labor union representing writers in film, television, radio, news, and online media in the United States. The WGAE is an independent guild that cooperates with the WGA West under the joint WGA brand for activities like coordinated strike actions and the "Writers Guild of America Awards." Affiliated with the AFL-CIO, the WGAE negotiates contracts, administers residuals, and provides bargaining resources.
https://www.wgaeast.org/
WGAW is a labor union representing film, television, radio, and new media writers. The organization was formed in 1954 from five organizations representing writers, including the Screen Writers Guild. The WGAW and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), while independent entities, are jointly branded as the Writers Guild of America and cooperate on several activities. Membership information, a guide to the Guild, including its history, and contacts, are posted.
https://www.wga.org/
A resource for fiction writers, editors, and teachers, the website offers guides, tools, and teaching materials to strengthen character, emotion, and storytelling craft. Its blog features regular articles on craft topics such as character, emotion, and writing techniques. Tools and workshops designed to develop skills and apply craft concepts are available, along with one-of-a-kind tools and resources for writers, editors, and teachers, hosted on the site, as well as a bookstore.
https://writershelpingwriters.net/
The online resource for writers publishes practical guidance, writing prompts, how-to articles, and business-of-writing content aimed at fiction and non-fiction writers, copywriters, and content creators. It combines short actionable posts, longer tutorials, downloadable resources, and courses to help with craft, editing, plotting, character, dialogue, and publishing skills. Courses, workshops, and paid training (where available) are offered for focused skill-building.
https://www.writerswrite.com/
The online community and platform for writers offers free membership, portfolios, writing tools, contests, feedback, and community features for writers of all levels. Members can sign up for free and receive an online portfolio to display their writing. Its resources include writing tools and activities, as well as reader/writer interaction through reviews, forums, and workshops, which provide critique and encouragement. It boasts an active community. Advertising opportunities are available.
https://www.writing.com/
Founded by Moira Allen in 2000, the site's origins were from Inkspot, for which she was an editor and contributor for several years. Writing-World is intended as a resource for writers and includes articles on career essentials, the business of writing, the life of a writer, fiction writing, non-fiction writing, book publishing, book promotion, the use of social media, and other topics. Articles are written by the founder and editors, as well as several other contributors.
https://www.writing-world.com/
The online short story publisher encourages emerging writers by publishing their short stories from various genres, featuring works from both famous and new writers, which can be read for free. Although new submissions are not currently accepted, previously accepted content is available for viewing, including a collection of short stories from various genres, book reviews, and other content that can be found by category or on the editor's choice page. Contacts are included.
https://yourstoryclub.com/
