Recommended Resources

Updated January 2019

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. Note: None of these freelancers or services have paid to be listed, nor do I receive a commission for referring you.

The Best of My Advice

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

Editing and Coaching

  • Writer and editor Andi Cumbo-Floyd 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.
  • Lisa Cooper Ellison is an experienced writing coach and thoughtful editor who can help a wide range of fiction and creative nonfiction writers.
  • Nell Boeschenstein is a creative writing professor and freelancer who offers editing services for nonfiction writers—including memoir, personal essay, 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

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

  • Amy Collins at New Shelves offers a range of book distribution and marketing services—including assistance with libraries, bookstores, Amazon, and much more
  • Julie Trelstad, a former literary agent, offers a range of digital marketing assistance for authors (mainly websites and social).
  • Best Page Forward offers a book description toolkit to ensure professional and persuasive book marketing copy.
  • Paul Witcover also 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.

Photo Editing | Book Marketing Design

  • Christine Polomsky Photography: She can help create and source photography for your project, edit existing photos for publication or online use, and create book marketing materials such as 3D covers, social media banners, and advertisements

Agent or Publisher Research

Permissions and Fair Use Research

  • Copy Write Consultants: If you’re struggling with securing permissions, or aren’t sure if you even need permissions, this firm can help you sort through all the questions (and risks).

Legal Issues | Literary Lawyers

Author Websites

A Few More of My Favorite Folks

  • Want to start a freelance writing career? Christina Katz offers excellent classes and Carol Tice has wonderful resources
  • 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

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: