Compiled February 2019 for the purpose of a writing workshop I'm leading in April. A list of writing and reading resources for genre fiction in no particular order - use at your own discretion. I accept no responsibility for the content of the links. As always, caveat emptor ...
FREE BOOKS! You can download a free copy of 3 of my ebooks until 31st May 2019: Fantasy novel Edge of Dreams, short story collection Maniac & Other Storiesor dark gritty crime thriller Hamelin's Child. Books are available on Amazon too, but the mighty Zon won't let me offer them for free there ...
Classic SF books - an Amazon list of my favourite SF classics, both old and new. And yes - there are lots of other classics which probably should be on this list, but for one reason or another, simply aren't my favourites.
Winchester Writers' Festival. Usually in June each year. Great for both experienced and new writers and an excellent place to network and make contacts. Covers all genres of writing.
Locus Online. Lots of news, reviews, recommended reading and everything science fiction.
The British Fantasy Society covers sf and horror as well as fantasy. It's an excellent market for short stories in their numerous anthologies. There's also an annual short story competition which is open to non-members and an annual weekend convention where you can meet a lot of authors, who will usually be found at the bar ...
Telos Publishing publishes factual cult tv tie-in books - Dr Who, Sapphire & Steel, Blake's 7 etc, plus a small amount of fiction via their Moonrise imprint.
Writers and Artists website - 'The best industry advice for writers and artists, we have expert advice articles, inspirational author interviews, competitions, a lively online community and editorial services for every stage of your writing journey.' Also publishes various incarnations of the Writers and Artists Yearbook - invaluable information on who is publishing or agenting what and how to submit to them.
Preditors and Editors is apparently undergoing a revamp, but is the place to go for up-to-date advice and warning about vanity publishers, scams and rip-offs. Check this and Writer Beware before you send anything anywhere...
TTA Press now publishes Interzone - a top market for high-quality sf stories. Probably not for new writers but certainly something to aspire to!
Every Day Fiction - submit 'bite-sized' short stories for publication online.
Writers Online - good site for resources and also publishes the monthly Writing Magazine, with lots of competitions and articles.
Edge Lit in Derby in July is a small one-day mini-convention with talks and appearances by sf, fantasy and horror writers.
YouWriteOn is a peer-review website. Load up a sample of your work and receive feedback from other writers. Meanwhile, review other work and learn from what you see..
Check out examples of how to query a publisher or agent on Query Shark.
Wattpad describes itself as 'The world's most-loved social storytelling platform.' Upload your work and let the world judge you... allegedly several big-name authors found fame through this outlet.
AuthorsElectric is a blog site where 29 writers - traditionally and independently published, or hybrid - blog every day on a subject connected to writing in all its forms. I'm a member of this site and blog on 6th of every month. Guest posts are always welcome.
Vale Royal Writers Group is my local writers group in mid-Cheshire. There may be similar groups local to where you live - check out your local library for details, or start your own! VRWG also has two anthologies available on Amazon, containing short stories and poetry by members.
Maniac & Other Storiesis my own collection of short stories - mostly science fiction and fantasy. The title story won 2nd prize in Bella magazine's competition - you can read it for free in the Amazon ebook sample, although it's more suspense than sf.
David Gaughran's site Let's get Digital has masses of resources for writers who want to learn about independent digital publishing. There's also a blog crammed full of market information and how to avoid the latest scams out there.
Manchester Spec Fic meets monthly in Manchester's Northern Quarter to discuss member's writing.
Facebook group Writers Helping Writers. There are dozens - possibly hundreds - of facebook groups dedicated to writers, writing and reading. Many seem little more than opportunities for spamming books, but there are a few diamond groups out there with helpful members. If you find one, treasure it! Remember anyone can pretend to be anyone online.
I'm on facebook too. Feel free to follow me, although I'm not that exciting.
Another useful link from Willow, whose mum wrote to tell me how useful she found this list of resources. This tells you how to improve your creativity and is probably something I should be reading right now! Thanks, Willow and I hope you write your book.
August 2024. This link on the importance of copyright was sent to me by Eric, a young writer who hopes to become a published author and has already written several short stories. Thanks, Eric - keep writing! Note this is a US link and copyright does differ slightly in different countries, so it's always important to do your research.
