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Resources for writers on the web
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Resources on this site
These forms are in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader required
The Prose Book for running prose meetings
The Poetry Book for running poetry meetings
Feedback Form. An aid to preparing feedback
Feedback Hint List. Commom problems in writing to look for (almost entirely relevant to prose)
Resources on external sites
Writers Holiday (Recommended by Joyce)
Information on Caerleon. Last week in July each year. Single, en-suite accommodation with full board.
Also Winter Weekend writing breaks in Fishguard.
Transita Publishing - (women) writers wanted (Recommended by Sandy Humphrey)
This is an extract from the website of Transita publishing(click on the heding above for more)- :
"We’re looking for contemporary women’s fiction that reflects the lives of women aged 45 – 75.We are looking for 80-85,000 words but otherwise we are not prescriptive. The books can be as varied as women themselves are at this time of life! We are seeking what is most relevant to the lives of other women out there who are facing the challenges and opportunities of the exciting but often difficult later time of life.
...As well as publishing the work of established authors it is part of Transita's mission to discover new talent so if you are interested in writing for Transita please do get in touch with us."
It's not clear whether men are excluded from the world of Transita, but I would hope gender is less important than the ability to write convincing women characters.
elance (Recommended by Sandy Humphrey)
This is like e-bay for writers. Firms or individuals who need some copy written post their 'project' on the site, and writers bid to provide the 'service.' To win, you have to quote an acceptable rate, and sell your writing skills as well.
The site covers all sorts of skills from programming to graphic design, but within the Writing and Translation category you can find demands for copy-writing, proof-reading, editing, articles, and more.
It's not free. USD60 per year allows you 8 bids per month, and for any successful bids you get charged 8% of your earnings for that project. A lot of the writing projects are for web content, which don't pay very highly per word, but do offer repeat work e.g. a series of 20 articles on dogs, or 50 articles on women's footwear(!)
Writelink (Recommended by Sandy Humphrey)
Aimed at amateur and wannabe freelance writers, this is a useful resource with regularly updated sections on markets and competitions.
It is a money-making website, which means you have to join as a 'Writer' (£15p.a.) to enter the Arena competitions, join in the Forums and submit work to the feedback 'Arena' for peer review.
However, it is free to be a 'reader,' which allows you to read the articles and work posted by others, and generally get a feel for the site.
Creative Writing Prompts (Recommended by Gentian Walls)
Ideas for stories - marvellous if you're 'blocked'.
This is a fascinating site which gives ideas for writng stories. You just have to point your mouse at a number and immediately a suggestion for a story will appear.
Just what some of us need to get writing again...
Yoda and Fluff (Recommended by Elliott)
Is your poetry full of fluff and Yoda-speak? This page offers mostly useful advice on "de-Seussifying" your poems. Such as: if place you words in order odd to rhyme achieve, 'tis best I think, to write again or laughter leave.
I say "mostly useful" because there is one rule that, if followed, would rule out most classical English verse including Shakepeare's sonnets. Can you spot which one I'm complaining about?
Print on Demand (Recommended by Elliott)
Advice to authors considering print-on-demand publishing. How to spot the signs that you might lose money and still not sell any books. A sad but balanced look at the realities of the market. US-centric but applies in general here too.
Jan Haag (Recommended by Elliott)
Want to know about poetic forms?
Jan Haag has set out to write a poem on the theme of desolation using every poetic form ever used in English and a few never before used in English.
gnod (Recommended by Gentian)
Marvellous site for linking to authors similar to those with whom you are already acquainted. Enter the author's name, and you will be fascinated at what transpires. Of all the names shown, those that are closest are the most similar. Please try it!
Rhyme - UVic Writers' Guide - Poetry (Recommended by Elliott)
A quick explantation of masculine/feminine, perfect/partial and end/internal rhymes
Silva Rhetoricae (The Forest of Rhetoric) (Recommended by Elliott)
This amazing site from Brigham Young University is a grammar geek's paradise. Do you know your apophasis from your apologue? If not, you need this site. I am distressed to discover that I've been confusing zeugma with syllepsis all my life.
Southern Writers' Conference (Recommended by Martin Hall)
The Southern Writers' Conference stands out because of the number of things that it gets right. The environment is superb, less than a mile from the sea and set amongst landscaped gardens, the Earnley Concourse (complete with large, heated pool) provides an attractive setting. The speakers are high quality. In the past we have had Jack Higgins, Ruth Rendell, Bernard Cornwell amongst others. Our first confirmed speakers for 2004 are Shelley Rohde and Sarah Harrison. Additionally, discussion groups run by the delegates themselves give everyone an opportunity to talk as well as listen. Finally, the people who attend the conference themselves make the Southern Writers' conference so special. It's an ideal opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and everyone is so friendly that newcomers feel at home very quickly. Oh, and the food is brilliant and the bar is lovely.
Burgundy (Recommended by Elliott)
A lively and friendly poetry discussion board.
I found it hard to navigate and follow threads - but there's enough of interest here to keep me trying. There's also some excellent poetry and some interesting challenges. For example: can you write a sonnet that is not iambic, not in pent or tet and is not 14 lines - and yet is still recognisably a sonnet?
Literary and rhetorical terms (Recommended by Elliott)
Definitions of many terms such as 'conceit', 'point of view', 'poetic justice' etc.
Ty Newydd (Recommended by Joyce)
A programme of different writing courses and writers' retreats throughout the year. The courses run from Monday evening to Saturday morning.
Ty Newydd is set in stunning surroundings on the edge of Snowdonia National Park. It was Lloyd George's last house.
Sample courses: Drama; Fiction; Poetry and the Short Story; Crime Fiction; Comedy; Storytelling.
Writers' Circles: Competitions (Recommended by Elliott)
A long list of competitions. Looks like it's kept up to date.
Writers Summer Holiday at Caerleon, Nr. Newport, Wales (Recommended by Gentian)
Courses on every aspect of writing, lectures, workshops, good food and the company of people with similar interests. Refresh your skills and explore other genres.
Jacqui Bennett Writers' Bureau (Recommended by Gentian)
Packed with info for writers. Markets, competitions, advice - it's all here. Includes HBW in its resources.
Author.co.uk (Recommended by Elliott)
A British site with lots of links and resources for authors. Lists writers' circles - including us!
The-Phone-Book.com (Recommended by Elliott)
A site dedicated to very, very short stories. You write a tiny number of words - and get paid by the word! I found it unusual and inspiring.
Update: I've just had two of my stories accepted for the 1st Sept edition.
World Wide Words (Recommended by Elliott)
A rich source of interesting and amusing information on words and their usage. Covers new coinages, archaisms and unusual words. Who can tell me what "zenzizenzizenzic" means, for example?
There is also a mailing list you can join. Send an email to
listserv@listserv.linguistlist.org
with the following text in the BODY (not the subject line) of the email:
SUBSCRIBE WORLDWIDEWORDS Your-first-name Your-last-name
Bibliomania (Recommended by Elliott)
Primarily aimed at book lovers rather than writers but I am recommending it here because it has online versions of Roget's Thesaurus and Soule's Synonymes. They are available for free and seem to be the complete texts. I wonder how they deal with the copyright issues...
The Word Pool (Recommended by Valerie Wilding)
The Word Pool is a site full of links and resources, run by a children's author. It's used by children's writers, illustrators, teachers, librarians, parents, publishers - anyone interested in any aspect of children's books. It is all info - no frills, and I've used it since it started.
Soho Theatre (Recommended by Elliott)
According to the site: "No other theatre company in Britain works with so many writers on so many different levels." The site describes what the theatre does to encourage new writers and gives details of workshops
Anam Cara Retreat (Recommended by Elliott)
A year-round Irish retreat for writers and artists overlooking Coulagh Bay.
I haven't been on the retreat so I can't comment on it, but I've been to West Cork where it is located and I can't imagine a more perfect place to write.
Midnight Edition (Recommended by Gentian)
Lots of different writing related imput
WriteLink Creative Writing site (Recommended by GentianHBW@aol.com)
This is a gem of a site - last night they had a live chat evening with the editor of the Midland Exposure site, (the agency which has two competitions each year) and offers a contract and will sell the stories to targeted magazines. Writelink has a wealth of information, competitions etc and is well worth a visit.