Here are the top creativity websites as identified in the 25th Annual 101 Best Websites from the May/June 2023 issue of Writer's Digest.
1. Author magazine*
Featuring writing instruction and editor and author blogs, Author magazine is an uplifting and educational online magazine dedicated to inspiring and instructing writers of all types. Check out the “Author2Author” podcast hosted by Editor-in-Chief William Kenower.
2. Electric Literature
A nonprofit digital publisher since 2014, Electric Literature is committed to highlighting writing focused on social justice and current issues. Everything published by them is free, including essays focused on culture, writing, and books, Recommended Reading (a lit mag dedicated to the best in fiction), The Commuter (their lit mag that features a single short work every Monday), and more.
3. Fantasy Name Generators
Choosing names for your characters can be tough, so use one of the 1,400 name generators in a wide range of categories to make it easier—or to spark an idea for a new character! As an added feel-good bonus, the organizer of this site donates to reforestation projects for every 5GB of bandwidth the site uses.
4. Inkarnate
While traditionally used to create maps for fantasy and sci-fi worlds, Inkarnate isn’t genre-specific; if you need help remembering the layout of a town or even just a single building or room, you can use their free account to make beautiful maps. For a fee, you can upgrade to their Pro version—paid either monthly or yearly—for access to more designs, details, and storage.
5. Library of Congress*
You don’t have to visit Washington D.C. to take advantage of the vast resources contained in the Library of Congress. Explore the digital collections for inspiration and research, or read the blogs written by LOC staff members (or occasional guests) that highlight specific finds which might serve as a catalyst for your imagination.
6. Literary Hub
Literary Hub is a literary website with daily news, story excerpts, book reviews, and more. From craft advice to book recommendations, author interviews to reading lists, this is your one-stop-shop for intersecting contemporary life with literature.
7. MasterWriter
If you’ve ever had trouble finding the precise word for the feeling you want to convey, MasterWriter is a vast resource to solve your problem. Watch the demo video and sign up for the subscription service (which you can try for 90 days risk-free) that goes beyond a traditional thesaurus.
8. Terrible Minds
Terrible Minds is the blog of science-fiction and horror writer Chuck Wendig, who is also known for his writing books. He writes about current hot topics affecting writers, politics, his own book news, and features guest posts. As he says on the site, it’s NSFW, but it’s one of the most honest, thoughtful blogs about writing and publishing out there.
About Amy Jones
Amy Jones is the Editor-in-Chief of Writer’s Digest and was the managing content director for WD Books. She is the editor of the Novel and Short Story Writer's Market and Children's Writer's and Illustrator's Market. Prior to joining the WD team, Amy was the managing editor for North Light Books and IMPACT Books. Like most WD staffers, Amy is a voracious reader and has a particular interest in literary fiction, historical fiction, steamy romance, and page-turning mysteries. When she’s not reading, Amy can be found daydreaming about Italy or volunteering at her local no-kill cat shelter. Find Amy on Twitter @AmyMJones_5.
