Top 5 Websites for New Fiction Writers

Perhaps you are just embarking on the writing life. Perhaps, like me, you've been writing for fifteen years (or longer!) but are just beginning to submit your writing for publication. Either way, staying informed of the publishing industry, while also reaching out for guidance and inspiration, is crucial to writing success.

If you are an aspiring fiction writer, bookmark these websites and refer to them often. They offer the new writer a plentiful source for information, advice, and inspiration.

Fiction Writing at About.com
fictionwriting.about.com

Most people experienced with the Internet will already be familiar with About.com as a site at which one can browse advice and information on almost any topic. Its broad scope makes the Fiction Writing page at About.com a good source for beginning writers, with articles such as "Basic Plot," "Find a Writing Class," and "Am I Ready to Publish?" Begin by accessing the Fiction Writing home page at the address above and then browse the tabs at the top of the page entitled, "Get Started," "Style/Technique," and "Get Published."

Book Page
www.bookpage.com

Those who frequent libraries and book stores (what writer doesn't?) will have seen Book Page, a monthly book review journal available for free in some public libraries. Every writer reads; and keeping up with bestselling fiction is part of the writing life. The BookPage.com website offers a free e-newsletter and some excellent blogs for writers, including Author Enablers (two publishing experts answer the questions of aspiring authors), and The Book Case (editors of Book Page give up-to-the-minute news on books and authors).

Writer's Digest
www.writersdigest.com/GeneralMenu

Even novice writers have likely heard of Writer's Digest, the monthly magazine for writers in circulation since 1920. Writer's Digest Books (part of F + W Publications) has an enormous library of publications, including the indispensable Writer's Market. The WritersDigest.com website is an attempt to present the multitude of information, services, online workshops, and competitions they offer. One could get lost in here for weeks, especially a new and eager writer looking to absorb as much information as possible.

Guide to Literary Agents
www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog

Guide to Literary Agents is a publication of Writer's Digest Books, but the accompanying website offers a blog by editor Chuck Sambuchino that is essential to new writers. You may not even be thinking about a literary agent yet. And even if you are, you may be thinking about it way too soon in the game. However, following this blog--with its posts on querying agents, agent advice, and authors' stories of how they found their agents--will help new writers have the confidence to tackle the complicated process of seeking an agent when the time comes.

Writer's Market
www.writersmarket.com

I save this one for last because unlike the previous websites, this one is not free. Writer's Market is a guide published every year that lists, you guessed it, the markets to which writers can sell their work. The online version is an up-to-the-minute version of this guide. There is an annual fee of $39.99 for full membership, but for those serious about writing, the online WritersMarket.com is essential. Also on the website: interviews with authors, agents, and publishers, with lots of advice and guidelines for submitting to markets.

Remember, while these websites will keep you informed, don't let yourself get distracted from writing. It's easy to get caught up in reading about writing and forget to do the actual writing. I speak from experience! Allow yourself a set amount of time for research on these websites, and then, as soon as you can, get back to the page.