aaronline.org
Search the Association of Authors’ Representatives database to find vetted agents and their contact info. Check out the FAQs for a wonderful breakdown on what an agent can (and can’t) do for you.

abookinside.blogspot.com
Author Carol Denbow shares excellent writing, publishing and marketing tips on her blog. If we have one complaint, it’s that she squeezes too much info on one page.

agentresearch.com/agent_ver.html
Looking into a new agent? Log on to check agents’ public records for any negative reports.

agentquery.com
Spend less time looking for an agent and more time writing with this free searchable database.

anotherrealm.com/preditors
Preditors & Editors provides writers with information and contacts, as well as warnings about potential scams.

authormba.com
This site discusses the business side of writing and offers free downloads on marketing, research and career planning.

booksandtales.com/pod/index.php
This chart comparison of print-on-demand publishers helps you learn the basics about each company. (Remember, prices and services change, so don’t rely on this exclusively. Just use it as a starting point.)

carolkluz.homestead.com/index1.html
Are 101 resources not enough for you? Swing by Carol Kluz’s site for a few dozen more.

easywaytowrite.com/articles.htm
The pop-up ads are a bit aggravating, but worth putting up with for the valuable info on this site. “Becoming a Better Writer: A 10-Step Guide” is a perfect place to start browsing.

editorunleashed.com
Former WD Editor Maria Schneider helps writers by sharing her expertise and writing tips, as well as providing interviews with high-profile authors.

fictionwriting.about.com
Updated in blog fashion, this site has great advice on fiction writing. Be sure to take its Figurative Language Quiz.

meredithsuewillis.com/writingexercises.html
This author offers more than 100 free writing exercises.

misssnarksfirstvictim.blogspot.com
Miss Snark may be gone, but her victims live on. And this victim—the first of many—returns the favor by passing along (not-so-snarky, but useful) advice in her Secret Agent contest.

newpagesblog.blogspot.com
This invaluable free blog provides news, information and guides to literary magazines, alternative media and more.

plotwhisperer.blogspot.com
We love this blog’s name. We also think it offers great plot tips for writers.

querytracker.net
In one place, you can search for agents, view example query letters and schedule e-mail reminders to follow up on queries and submissions. What else do you need?

vsgrenier.com/newsletter.aspx
Sign up for VS Grenier’s SFC Newsletter for Writers. It contains writing success stories (and trial-and-tribulation stories), tips, contests and markets. Plus, all the newsletters are archived so you can go back and catch up.

winningwriters.com
Gain access to 150 poetry contests just by subscribing to Winning Writers’ free e-newsletter. Of course, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention the Wergle Flomp Humor Poetry Contest (for the “best humor poem that has been sent to a ‘vanity poetry contest’ as a joke”).

writenews.com
Read up-to-the-minute news for writers about the publishing industry.

writerschatroom.com
Jump at the chance to connect with authors—bestsellers and up-and-comers alike—during live chats. And don’t miss Celebrity Sundays.

writersweekly.com
A great place for self-publishing resources and new writer tips, this site also offers a substantial bank of reprinted articles on writing.

writingcontests.wordpress.com
Often updated multiple times a day, this site hosts info about any and every writing contest its editor can find.


The 2009 Categories:
Agent Blogs
Writing Communities
Publishing Resources
Jobs and Markets
Creativity and Challenges
Genres/Niches
General Resources
Fun for Writers

Don’t see your favorite site? Send comments and nominations for next year’s list to writersdigest@fwmedia.com with “101 Websites” in the subject line (deadline is Jan. 1, 2010).

This article appeared in the May/June issue of Writer's Digest. Click here to order your copy in print. If you prefer a digital download of the issue, click here.