Recommended Resources | Jane Friedman

Updated April 2018

I’ve probably read, reviewed, or at least seen every single advice book, website, and service for writers. I could recommend dozens of resources, but I’ll focus on the most helpful for early-career writers.

The Best of My Advice

For free: Jane’s Writing Advice Archive
In book form: The Business of Being a Writer
Learn about my paid services.

Also, I’ve created a list of my favorite books on writing and publishing.

High-Level Editing and Coaching

Writer and editor Andi Cumbo offers a wide range of budget-friendly services for all types of writers. I recommend her manuscript review, where you can get big-picture feedback before investing in a comprehensive editing job.
Nell Boeschenstein is a creative writing professor and extensively published freelancer who offers editing and coaching services for nonfiction writers—including memoir, family history, and narrative nonfiction.
Whether you’re writing a novel, seeking a ghostwriter, or looking to publish a book from your nonfiction expertise, Stuart Horwitz of Book Architecture can help.
Editor Paul Witcover is a traditionally published author of speculative fiction who can offer editorial help across a range of fiction categories.
Mehta Book Editing can help with both children’s and adult work, including young adult, middle grade, commercial women’s fiction, literary fiction, and more.
Lexi Services (Melanie Bishop) offers manuscript editing and consulting across genres.
Ginger Moran offers novel and memoir coaching—and more.

Copyediting and Proofreading

For all genres and categories of work: Try Grad Student Freelancers.
The Editorial Freelancers Association is a national, nonprofit professional organization of writers and editors, with 2,500 members nationwide. You can post your job to their JobList for free.

Book Design and Production

Book Design Templates from Joel Friedlander is the most economical resource for producing an interior design for print (POD) book; his templates can also produce EPUB files.
BookConnectors provides design, production, and marketing assistance to authors who self-publish.
If you need help with print and ebook formatting/conversion, check out eBookPartnership.

Book Marketing and Publicity

Julie Trelstad, a former literary agent, offers a range of services for authors.
Paul Witcover offers copywriting services if you want help with your book description and marketing copy.
Books B Nimble Marketing offers ebook marketing primarily for self-published authors
For strategic social media marketing help, check out Andrea Dunlop, an author and former publicist.

Research, Permissions and Legal Issues

If you need to hire legal counsel or consult with a lawyer who specializes in the publishing industry, try Alan J. Kaufman.
If you need assistance or guidance with research or permissions, try Kelly Figueroa-Ray at Grad Student Freelancers.
If you want to hire someone to research agents and publishers at an affordable rate: Grad Student Freelancers
If you need help with historical research (novels or nonfiction): Dr. Barbara Ellermeier

Author Websites

Check out Writer Digital or Bald Guy Studio for website launches or redesigns.
If you need hourly help or task-specific support, check out BoydPress.

A Few More of My Favorite Folks

Want to start a freelance writing career? Take a class with a stellar coach who helps you get results: Christina Katz
Hope Clark’s Funds for Writers newsletter lists semi-pro or higher paying markets and contests as well as grants, crowdfunding, contests, publishers, agents and employers.
Writing a script? Jeanne Bowerman
Want to share your work with other writers and get feedback? Try one of these communities: Wattpad or Scribophile

General Industry Resources

Especially good for sussing out scams and not-quite-legitimate publishers and agents: Writer Beware. It’s also a great 101 site for learning about the publishing industry.
Wondering how to get published? Read my “start here” post.
Wondering how to find publishers and agents? Here are free resources.

Can’t find what you need? Search The Writer’s Knowledge Base for an answer; it’s curated by someone in the business you can trust.

News & Trends

Writers tend to get frustrated and bitter in their attempts to publish—usually because they don’t understand how the publishing industry works, or they have expectations that will never be met. Try these resources to better navigate your way to success and learn about the changes facing the industry: