Writing Links and Resources
Sites and Resources for Every Author
Grammars, Style Guides, and Usage Manuals
Writing and Editing Reference Resources
E-Zines and Writing “Communities”
Other Writing Sites and Resources
Other Editing-Related Resources
An Odd Assortment of Unusual Research Sites
Interesting Sites that Might Prove Helpful—Some Day
A Variety of Sites for Children’s and YA Writers
Additional Sites for Education Writers
If You Want to Write to Them, Get to Know Their World—
A Sampling of Sites for Children and YA Users
Publishing-Related Sites (includes Self-Publishing)
Sites and Resources for Every Author
Preditors & Editors
“Preditors & Editors [to quote the Web site] provides a service to writers. As such, it has a right to publish recommendations and make comments about those businesses servicing writers for which it has received complaints. P&E . . . does [not] have to consult with anyone first before making its recommendations public. . . . P&E’s recommendations are based on behavior toward writers . . .” Always check this site before entering an agreement or a contract with someone you don’t know.
Writer Beware (compiled and maintained by the Science Fiction
and Fantasy Writers Assn)
Writer Beware not only lists warnings about agents, publishers, and writing markets, but it also offers advice and links to useful online resources.
Whispers and Warnings by WritersWeekly.com
WritersWeekly updates this list of negligent markets/publishers and related breaking news stories every week. The site also contains a “forum” of updates, resolutions, and additional complaints sent in by readers.
Writing-World.com
It used to be that if you were serious about writing, you were a regular visitor to a site known as Inkspot (and its newsletter, Inklings) by Moira Allen. Now, if you are serious about writing, you need to be a regular visitor to Moira Allen’s Writing-World. I cannot even begin to summarize the information at this site—you just have to visit and look around.
Fifty Writing Tools
“From the Workbench of Roy Peter Clark” is the subtitle of this list of hints, suggestions, and (though he doesn’t use the word) rules. A senior scholar at the Poynter Institute of Journalism, Clark’s toolbox is worth recurring visits. Yes, I ask that you do not print them out—you’ll just file them away and forget about them. Instead, revisit this link occasionally and choose one tool at random to pick up, sharpen, and use.
Proper Manuscript Format
Many authors will tell you there are as many “right” ways to prepare a manuscript as there are wrong ways and other opinions. But if you take time to read through this page (December 1998 is the version posted as I review it), at least some of the mandates you’ve heard will be explained and justified.
Formatting Your Manuscript
Another “how to format manuscripts for editors” article backs up much of the guidance found in other formatting directives. If nothing else, this essay will at least re-emphasize the importance of adhering to tradition.
Writer’s Almanac
You’ve got to relax and be inspired once in a while. This Web site contains a transcript of the recorded broadcast of The Writer’s Almanac, which airs daily on most public radio stations. The information includes birthdays of literary and historical personalities (and sometimes fictional characters) and milestone dates in publication (print and broadcast) history. It’s only five minutes. Lean back, enjoy . . .
American Library Association: Challenged and Banned Books
As much as it pains me (as a former librarian) to mention it, if you are going to write, you’ve got to be aware that people and groups might take it upon themselves to “protect” others from your creations. This page from the ALA’s Web site is a good springboard for exploring the world of “Challenged and Banned Books.” You might also want to visit this beginner’s history of censored books and this list of “Books Banned at One Time or Another in the United States.” Back on the ALA site, be sure to look over the text of the First Amendment as well as the links on that page, and don’t miss their list of “The 100 Most Frequently Challenged Books of the 1990s.”
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Grammars, Style Guides, and Usage Manuals
Dr. Charles Darling’s Guide to Grammar and Writing
This site tackles many of those problematic words and expressions that appear throughout the English language but presents them in a fun sort of way with quizzes and an occasional automated presentation. Among my favorite pages are Notorious Confusables (parts 1 and 2) and the quizzes.
New Chicago Manual of Style Q & A
This official University of Chicago site provides some notes about changes in the 15th edition (versus the 14th). Particularly helpful is a forum of common topics that explains many decisions.
Non-Sexist Language
After a brief history about the generic use of the word “man,” this site (thank you, University of Minnesota) demonstrates a variety of options for eliminating sexist language.
Common Errors in English Usage
Paul Brians first published his “common errors” on this Web site in 1997. Since then, the site has become one of the most visited on the Internet and he has published the errors in book form and as a daily calendar. The online entries, which continue to expand by the way, are quite educational while being humorous and explore usage issues that are not always covered in the respected (but sometimes dated) print manuals.
The Elements of Style
If you grew up back when we actually learned English in school (I didn’t mean to insinuate it was that long ago), you grew up with two “bibles” for composition, and one of them was Strunk and White’s Elements of Style. Now in the public domain, you will find access to the complete text of the first edition (published in 1918) here. (By the way, the other one, which we just called “Turabian,” was Kate Turabian’s Manual for Writers. It is not available online in its entirety at this time.)
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Writing and Editing Reference Resources
Merriam-Webster OnLine
Even as a non-paying member of this site, you can look up spelling suggestions, get brief definitions, find synonyms and antonyms, read the definition of the Word of the Day, and listen to or read a transcript of the daily Word for the Wise broadcast. (If you need or want more, see this page for subscription information.)
AllWords.com Online Dictionary
AllWords has some unique aspects over its competitors. First, a user can browse listings, just like looking at a print dictionary. Second, if you misspell a word, the search engine offers a list of real possible words—not just the words before and after the misspelling! Third, the search results provide all possible definitions, parts of speech, derivatives, and a brief etymology on one page. And, fourth, a click of the mouse activates an out-loud pronunciation of the word. A bonus to the home page of the site is a box of “Links for Word Lovers!” that includes links to word games and puzzles, slang and specialized dictionaries, translation tools, and other resources.
Acronym Finder
Even though one of my hobbies is collecting (and knowing) acronyms, they are just too darned common these days. This is one of the best sites I’ve found to help unmask those rascally creations. The site also has a reverse lookup capability to help determine the correct acronym of an organization that chooses not to use its initial letters.
American National Biography Online
No information is available at this site (except a text version of the Biography of the Day) but paying for access is very affordable (less than $100 a year). If you work with many historical figures, the price of admission is well worth paying.
The Probert Encyclopaedia
I like this online encyclopedia because it’s free! And because it’s good. (I have to confess, though‚let this be your warning, too— that some of Probert's recent ads have been so obnoxious that I am beginning to consider other options.)
The Internet Public Library
Since 1995, the IPL has been an information portal for English language research. Need an almanac? The IPL has a list. A dictionary? The IPL links to a dozen or more. A calendar? The IPL has secular holiday calendars (since 1776), Christian calendars, sun calendars, literary calendars, a Hindu calendar, a perpetual calendar good for 10,000 years, and more! The IPL has links to information on a variety of subject collections and you can even ask a unique question and expect a response. If you don’t have any idea who to contact for information and your favorite search engine even lets you down, this is the one source you should turn to.
Glossary of Religious Terms
This dictionary of religious terms is one of the more thorough and up to date I’ve found on the Internet. It is compiled by the group Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance and pulls information from a number of current sources.
Writers Free Reference
Don’t be fooled by the size of this file—the links in the “Quick Index” box will jump you to the information below without scrolling. This is a good assortment of odds and ends of mostly useful information. But (and don’t take this the wrong way) if you don’t quickly locate what you need, move on to a more thorough and in-depth site or source.
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E-Zines and Writing “Communities”
Writing.com
Writing.com members can read and post each other’s writings, share critiques, and ask advice. Be forewarned that the site can be a bit over-stimulating and somewhat intimidating unless you really devote some time to learning your way around. If you do have the time, though, “the more you put in, the more you get back.”
WritersWeekly.com
Angela Hoy has published an e-newsletter of the same title for years. Both it and the Web site have short articles that focus on writing techniques, current markets, marketing and promotion tips, and legal concerns as well as a selection of links to additional resources and their “Whispers and Warnings” page. (You know this site is good because I continue to boast about it even after one of her aids blew off an editorial reply I once submitted!)
Writer Gazette
Brought to us by Krista Barrett, the site has helpful articles, links to resources, and a pretty safe list of agents, editors, ghostwriters, proofreaders, and other professionals.
SUNOASIS.com
For more years than I can remember, David Eide has been delivering intelligent dialogue, straightforward commentary, and helpful resources to my inbox. His companion site SUNOASIS-x is well worth the measly $10 he asks!
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Other Writing Sites and Resources
BOOK TV.ORG
This site expands on the coverage provided every weekend on C-SPAN2’s BookTV programming. Schedules for the current and previous weekends, a listing of upcoming book fairs, a search engine, and an online store are highlights of the site.
101 Best Web Sites by WritersDigest.com
(This list is for 2001, but annual updates are available at the site.)
Writing That Works
The content doesn’t change very quickly here, but the stock articles are helpful, though often too brief: they are primarily “teasers” for articles that appear in the print version (for which there is a substantial subscription fee) by Communications Concepts, Inc. CCI also sponsors the annual APEX Awards for Publication Excellence in business publications.
Writer’s Digest Book Club
I know, this is a commercial enterprise, but scattered throughout the site (and its mailings if you decide to join), you will find helpful information. You will also find out about and see reviews of print resources before most of the mainstream booksellers have information.
TheWriteGallery Creative Writing Toolbox
Though this site needs a good cleaning (to get rid of dead links), it still lists resources that are rarely found elsewhere. (New addresses for the old links can often be found on a search engine). Small writing communities also make TheWriteGallery well worth the time it takes to investigate it.
Association of Authors’ Representatives
You’ve surely heard by now that you “need” an agent to get published. Well, you don’t necessarily, but it sure does help to have one! The AAR is the official membership (and policing) organization of literary agents. The member database is searchable by genre, location, name, or a variety of specialties.
The Scriptorium
The Scriptorium is nicely organized. In fact, its inviting network of links encourages meandering through the site where you are sure to find something in the assortment of valuable on-site and off-site articles, reviews, and writing aids you can use.
forWriters.com
Formerly The Writer’s Notebook (which has recently resurfaced as a blog), forWriters.com has a valuable list of scattered writers groups and writing conferences, but the real value on the site is an exhaustive list of author and artist Web sites, official and unofficial, with descriptions and commentary on each.
Writers.Net
This ambitious site is still under construction, but it looks promising. When finished, Writers.net will provide directories of agents and editors, a discussion forum, and a list of subject readings.
Links for Canadian Authors
These links are particular to the Canadian market: booksellers, periodicals, publishers, and marketers as well as sources for general information, resources, and organizations.
WPA Life Histories
Interested in writing about American history or creating personal or family histories? What better starting point than the Library of Congress and its electronic collection of writings from the Works Projects Administration (Federal Writers’ Project, Folklore Project). Explore this site and its links and you will find other special collections for research or inspiration.
University of Kansas Writing Center
Sure, they collected and wrote this stuff for their students, but that doesn’t mean we can’t take advantage of it. The site provides LOTS of links, LOTS of information, and LOTS of advice. Happy browsing! And, thanks, KU!
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Other Editing-Related Resources
THE SLOT: A Spot for Copy Editors
The Slot is a sharply written and frequently updated resource that now carries a blog, as well as "Sharp Points," a series of musings on style, and a kind-of "so, what do copy editors do, anyway?" page.
Editorial Eye Index
The Editorial Eye is the official newsletter of EEI Communications, formerly Editorial Experts, Inc. This link goes directly to a partial index of articles that have appeared in “The Eye”—a great source for official positions on editorial issues as well as current debates and wavering interpretations.
God Save the Subjunctive!
One of the most difficult verb problems in English is understanding and successfully using the subjunctive mood. This site is full of explanations and examples—Blessed be! (That was an example!)
Dr. Abel Scribe’s Guides to Research Style and Documentation
Differentiating between footnote and endnote formats and applying an appropriate bibliography style can be a real pain in the pencil, especially if you don’t do it often. The digests and “cheat sheets” available here (AMA, APA, ASA, CBE/CSE, and MLA) will be helpful for quick jobs under ordinary circumstances, but do not expect to postpone a purchase of the real manual if you work on more comprehensive jobs.
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Copyright and Legal Resources
Author’sLawyer.com
This is one of the few online sites that helps authors with legal issues. As the author states up front, the site is always “under construction” and therefore always changing. Topics include copyright, but the site’s real value is in other relevant cases and opinions.
The Publishing Law Center
Looking at legal aspects in the worlds of writing and publishing, the PLC contains articles on Internet concerns; copyright, ownership, and fair use; and contracts and electronic rights. The site also has a bookstore of legal sources (which might be of more interest to self-publishers than authors) as well as some links to other sites.
The Copyright Website
Please—use care in straying from this page (it does link to a commercial copyright registering enterprise)! Attorney Benedict O’Mahoney has years and years of experience and has done some great work here at introducing the basics of copyright issues and in carrying those basics through to some illustrative video, audio, and Web samples of infringement. Just be careful about going to that “Wizard” tab . . .
A Q&A about Internet Issues and Copyright
This Q&A by Oppedahl & Larson LLP offers a short page of advice on copyright and use issues specific to digital information and the Internet.
10 Big Myths about Copyright Explained
Here it is: the oft-referenced Web site of Brad Templeton . . . You knew I had to have it! I am also posting a link to his “brief intro to copyright,” which also provides a link to the official Canadian copyright site.
US Copyright Office Home Page
Yes, I had to have this one, too. Straight from Washington, DC—
An Intellectual Property Law Primer...
. . . FOR MULTIMEDIA AND WEB DEVELOPERS by Brinson and Radcliffe—now this is some pretty heavy reading! It is actually fairly understandable, though, and provides a great deal of information on legal options for protecting intellectual property. Be sure to read down to the five “Internet Myths” and the four tests for determining “Fair Use.”
Publishing Law and Contracts
The law offices of Lloyd J Jassin sponsors this site. Focusing on publishing and entertainment law, the site provides numerous articles, such as “Locating Copyright Holders,” that provide information on rights, relationships, permissions, and agreements. The site also contains links to several forms that should be considered when working in the entertainment industry.
SUL: Copyright and Fair Use
From the Stanford University Libraries, this site groups links that focus more on “fair use” and information for librarians and educators. Also unique to this site is a commentary on the problems/issues related to “peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing.” You can also sign up to receive a monthly newsletter if these topics are among your primary concerns.
Creative Commons
Creative Commons is working to build a reasonable, responsible, and self-policing (and police-able) method of copyright protection that uses layers of “some rights reserved” rather than the legally guaranteed norm of “all rights reserved.” These layers would enable creators to share and distribute their works as they wish. The Creative Commons primer explains the concept behind this movement as well as some of the more popular “terms.”
Common Content is the “user” side of Creative Commons. Here you will find an open catalog of materials—illustrations, movies and audio programs, books and articles—that have been licensed under the “some rights reserved” concept of Creative Commons. (This new concept can be confusing. For a scenario that describes how it all works together, click here.)
Copyright Clearance Center
The CCC acts as an “intermediary between copyright holders and content users.” At this site, holders can register works and make arrangements for granting use permissions and receiving royalty payments. Perhaps more importantly, the site provides a central place at which the copyright status of a work can be easily researched. If the work is registered with the CCC (which does claim it “manages the rights to over 1.75 million works”), users can then see what procedures need to be followed for requesting and receiving use permission. The site also provides some very helpful information in its online version of the Campus Guide to Copyright Compliance (click “Start Here” rather than using the menu). Intended for academic institutions, much of the information will assist any person or organization.
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An Odd Assortment of Unusual Research Sites
National Archives and Records Administration
The National Archives houses records on countless topics and has put tremendous effort into processing many of those records to be accessible online. Visit this site to see if the information you need is available via the Web or can be ordered. In most cases, it will cheaper and quicker than a trip to DC!
Research at the Library of Congress
You know the dream: every publication in the United States is here! The truth is a few items might be missing, but much of what is housed at the Library of Congress is available in digital format—interview transcripts, photographs, timelines, exhibitions, in-house links, outside links, et cetera, et cetera. The site also has an “Ask a Librarian” submission form and many bibliographies, which are often broken into adult lists, advanced research lists, and lists for “younger readers.”
The Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian site is a true wonder of information presented in beautiful, colorful pages that are packed with information. Research by browsing or use the in-house search engine. I even uncovered the secrets for unfolding an old letter while clicking around!
Old-Time Radio Programs
You can’t imagine why you would need it. Until you do! And then, where else would you look? If you need information on characters, air dates, exact series or episode names—this is the place. Besides, it really is hard to imagine ever needing this stuff . . .
Radio-Locator
With links to more than 10,000 stations, I’m not doubting this is the most comprehensive list on the Web! The database is searchable by ZIP code, city or state, and format and includes stations in most countries of the world. They also have some neat stuff in their online store!
50states.com
For some reason, the page title is just “States and Capitals,” but if you have a general question about any of the fifty states or American territories, you probably won’t need to look any further. Go ahead—I’ll bet ya!
Stats about All US Cities
This site is quite comprehensive and provides so many statistics and so much information that I cannot even list a synopsis. Check out your own hometown for a start.
The Official US Government Web Portal
“FirstGov.gov” as it prefers to be called, provides information and answers about and links to resources on the federal, state, and local or tribal levels: governmental history and organization, data and statistics, forms, laws and regulations, and more. Content of the site is also available in Spanish.
The New York Times Capitol Wiz
Find the names of elected officials, read up on current legislation (and research recent votes), and see what looms on the congressional calendar. Though not the only site to provide access to this information, I think it is one of the easiest to use.
Welcome to How Stuff Works
Just trust me on this one. The day will come when you will need this site.
The History Net—Where History Lives on the Web
Sponsored by a publisher of several print magazines, the content on this site is interesting and educational. Many of the articles (accessed by selecting a magazine name from the menu, then selecting “Archives”) are first-person accounts or interviews. The site also posts a number of book reviews, a daily quiz and picture, and a list of historic events that took place “today.”
Museums Around the World
This index of online museums is alphabetical and searchable by state and type. Links to some museum sites do not provide much information, but others provide at least contact information, scope of collections, and visitation data while others link directly into the museum’s actual Web site, providing total access to all it has online.
LibWeb Directory of Libraries
According to the subtitle, this site “currently lists over 7500 . . . libraries in over 135 countries.” I don’t think I need to add anything else except perhaps, “Happy researching!”
Library and Archives Canada
The National Library of Canada and the National Archives of Canada were recently merged. Library and Archives Canada is the result. Its “mandate is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations; to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada; [and] to serve as the continuing memory of the government of Canada and its institutions.” At this point, many of the online records and resources are being kept accessible as they are merged and reorganized.
Cyndi’s List of Genealogy Links
“Cyndi’s List” is the list of genealogy resources. If it’s not on her list, it don’t exist or it ain’t no good!
Picture History—Home
Picture History is a site devoted to the research and digitization of historic photographs that document the American experience. The site has recently worked in conjunction with author Joy Hakim to make her YA series, A History of US, into a sixteen-part PBS series. The group has also provided illustrative material for AmericanPresident.org, “the most comprehensive non-partisan resource available on the history and function of the American presidency.”
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Interesting Sites that Might Prove Helpful—Some Day
Microsoft Word Tutorials
Like it or not, Microsoft Word is the most widely used word-processing software in the publishing industry. In case you thought you’d never use Word, this site will bring you quickly up to speed with step-by-step instructions for performing Word’s basic operations and many of the advanced functions, as well. Between this tutorial and that ~$@*%# little flying paperclip, you should have few problems with normal use.
BookBrowse: Excerpts and Reviews of Books
A great idea: read excerpts of books and reviews before you try to hunt them down or buy them.
MrMagazine.com
According to The Chicago Tribune, he is “the planet’s leading expert on new magazines.” His site is a bible of magazine start-ups, trends, and news. The site was once affiliated with iWantMedia, which still publishes this great list of print and advertising resources.
AllReaders.com
This is great! The index on this site will allow you to find books through plot lines, subjects, settings, even characters. “For example,” the site claims, “if you like murder mysteries involving the murder of lawyers, you can use our detailed search to specifically search for all books involving murder mysteries where the victims are lawyers.” How cool is that! Valuable in many ways . . .
What Writers Say about Writing
This list of short quotes may not always get you chuckling, but it will usually get you thinking.
Body Language and Nonverbal Cues
Need to project an image without putting it into words? This unique site describes some common body posturing cues that project mood, attitude, and emotion. Put some life into your character, whether he or she is happy or—not.
Professional Media Organizations, Trade Unions, and Related Groups
This page provides links to the leading membership groups in the media industry: periodical and book publishers, broadcast- and film-related societies, and Internet forums and consortiums, as well as relevant advertising and marketing groups and related government commissions.
Poets & Writers Literary Links
Yes, another set of links, but these are more obscure destinations that you likely haven’t seen elsewhere. Grouped into the broad categories of “Literary Magazines,” national and regional organizations, “Small Presses,” “Writing Programs,” “Young Writers Resources,” “Conferences and Residencies,” and “Grants and Awards,” what can it hurt to take a quick browse . . .
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A Variety of Sites for Children’s and YA Writers
Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literature
A publication of the International Reading Association, this journal provides reading-related research for grades 6 and above (The Reading Teacher focuses on younger readers). The articles and book reviews (of current fiction and non-fiction releases for YA readers as well as professional level resources) could be quite helpful to authors directing content and readability to this audience.
Children’s Books—Look What’s Inside!
Unfortunately not expansive enough, BookSamples contains a short review (along with a reading level or age range, number of pages, and publisher information) of only a few dozen books. With any luck, this site will continue to grow and increase in importance.
Children’s Book Council
The CBC is the professional trade organization for publishers and packagers of trade books for children and YAs. The site is a wealth of helpful industry information: awards and grants announcements, event news, and conference information; annual selections of favorite books as voted by 10,000 schoolchildren, best science and social studies books as voted by teachers, and a list of classic books for the youngest of kids; suggestions for “Choosing a Children’s Book”; listings of author and illustrator Web sites; and a Q&A on getting published.
Children’s Book Guild of DC
The CBG strictly limits its membership to the Washington, DC, area. Fortunately, though, they share two great resources from their Web site: their quarterly newsletter and a Speaker’s List, which is updated annually with biographies, contact information, rates, and personal site links.
Noteworthy Books for Children
Composed of librarians and children’s literature specialists, teachers, booksellers, and magazine editors in the metro DC area, Capitol Choices reviews and evaluates children’s and YA books. Selected titles are listed annually and even include recommended books from the current year. Lists include a very brief summary with publication information, suggested age range, and subject group. Be sure to look over the supplemental list of audio books, too.
The Purple Crayon: A Children’s Book Editor’s Site
NO list of writing resources would be complete without Harold Underdown’s site. While he specializes in children’s and YA publications, much of his information and insights apply to the adult side of the industry, as well. This is another of those sites I cannot summarize—you just have to go there and start clicking around!
Reading Level Assessment
This site is not very “pretty” but it does provide a few easy options for determining reading levels. If you are writing for this market, knowing about reading levels and readability will be very important to the success of your end product.
Children’s Writing Resource Center—write4kids.com
Laura Backes, Jon Bard, and the other folks at write4kids publish the print newsletter Children’s Book Insider. The archive of CBI is the source of much of the site’s encouraging, uplifting content. In the “Articles & Tips” section, you will find answers to common questions from the “Basics” of writing to “the Craft of Writing” to “the Business of Writing” and the latest industry news and trends. A monthly e-zine contains lists of current market needs, classes, and contests, the “Ask the Children’s Librarian” column, and a feature article.
Carol Hurst’s Children’s Literature Site
The unique aspect of Carol Hurst’s newsletters (which are the centerpiece of her Web site) is that she focuses on one book or topic at a time. Each issue consists of at least one book review, a list of thoughts and questions for discussion, some learning activities, and related books and resources for further research. If you are interested in writing for the education market, this is another site you will want to read regularly. The site is searchable by subject/topic and curriculum area.
Dave’s ESL Cafe
These days, it is important to keep in mind how many readers will not be native speakers, or rather “native readers.” With the apparent demise of “Professor TOEFL’s Fun Page,” Dave’s ESL Cafe is alone in the stand-out sites of online places for ELL (the new catchphrase for ESL/EFL students: English Language Learners). Dave Sperling is the creator and energy behind the “cafe.” His best work is in the “Stuff for Students” side. There, you’ll find alphabetical lists of phrasal verbs, idioms, and slang as well as links to quizzes and forums, both great starting places for practicing new knowledge and exchanging ideas.
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Additional Sites for Education Writers
North Carolina DPI Standard Course Curriculum
For authors interested in writing to meet school curriculum markets, state objectives must be met. This link to the state Department of Public Instruction in North Carolina is representative of the requirements of those markets. (After choosing a subject area, select “Standard Course of Study” in the drop-down menu to reach the objectives and guidelines for each grade level.) Use a search engine to locate other curriculums in other specific states (or click here and select from the “View curriculum standards by state” menu). (In addition, Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning, “McREL," has created this set of generic national standards that might serve in most cases.)
Discovery Channel School
Another site for the education market, this one focuses on providing materials for teachers—lesson plans, curriculum guides, suggested activities, and do-it-yourself tools.
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If You Want to Write to Them, Get to Know Their World—A Sampling of Sites for Children and YA Users
TeenReads.com
The crew at TeenReads strives to bring current YA literature to life! The site contains a new book list (updated monthly), reviews and excerpts, author profiles and interviews, a monthly member participation poll and question (such as “What book is on your nightstand right now?” or “What’s a book you never wanted to end because it was so good?”), comprehension and discussion questions for particular books, and relevant news reports and features. The page on starting and running a book club includes valuable suggestions and guidelines. By the way, the same folks also publish kidsReads (see separate listing) for younger readers.
kidsReads.com
Like sister site TeenReads, this site focuses on new books, but for a younger audience. As you would expect, many of the same components are present at this site (up-to-date lists, author profiles and interviews, member polls, comprehension and discussion questions, and news) with the commendable addition of games and trivia for selected titles along with a list of author birthdays. Also more prominent is a list of series books.
TIME FOR KIDS
Time for Kids is an excellent example of writing for this audience. The topics are chosen, researched, and written intentionally for them. Take an occasional look to see what is “hot,” how topics are treated, and how the audience is addressed.
Welcome to Weekly Reader Online
Once here, you can choose to see stories, activities, and polls for either kids, teens, or families. The value here is in the activities—games, puzzles, and contests. (The rest of the site can get stale once in a while.)
Wishbone
The new online home of Wishbone, “the adventure dog,” this site is full of excerpts from the books and clips from some of the programs that once aired on PBS. In case you are among the Wishbone deprived, you will be happy to know that Wishbone and his human friends introduced a new audience to several classics by applying their issues and lessons to current events and attitudes.
Grammar Bytes!
Excuse the title, and proceed to the site. You will find a very lively, but very well done, site that teaches and tests grammar skills.
Teen Ink: by Teens, for Teens
It surely is a “busy” site, it’s been around since 1989, and it has surprisingly great content! Use the menu links across the top of the page to maneuver your way around, and you won’t have much trouble. The practically hidden search box (hit your “return” key after entering a word or phrase) actually works pretty well and pulls together information from all pages on the site—movie review, opinion, interview, poem, fiction—wherever!
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Journalism and News Sites
CyberJournalist.net
CyberJournalist is a site for “digital” writers, or online journalists, who use the Internet as a research or reporting tool. The site also highlights stories that innovatively and successfully integrate technology into the news world.
Canadian Magazine Publishers Assn
Primarily arts and literary magazines, this short list is a good starting point for finding small magazines published in Canada.
National Public Radio
NPR often runs stories on writing and editing, authors, and current events that have consequences for our “industry.” From their home page, you can usually download the original broadcast; if not (or if you prefer), you can order transcripts there as well. You will also find links to additional information, to Fresh Air (“the Peabody Award-winning weekday magazine of contemporary arts and issues”), regularly updated reading lists, and the NPR Arts & Culture page.
channelOne.com
Kids have to have news, too! Channel One News claims to deliver current events information and features to nearly 8,000,000 students and 400,000 educators in nearly 12,000 middle and high schools across the country—every day! Take a look at this site to see how “our news broadcast is unique—we rely heavily on maps, graphics and popular music to package the news for a teen audience. We make sure to present historical information and represent more than one perspective on an issue.”
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Occupational Guidance
Writers and Editors
From the pages of The Occupational Outlook Handbook, this description of and outlook for the industry is a good place to start if you are thinking of becoming a professional, full-time writer or editor.
Syllabus and Course Outline
This lesson plan for a course in learning to copyedit magazines was developed in 1991, but it continues to hold its value as a sample of the basic knowledge needed to be an editor. The page also links to a spelling test of fifty commonly misspelled words, a bibliography of basic reference books, and “A Copy Editor’s Vocabulary.” Thank you, Mindy McAdams.
Titivillus Tools for Copy Editors and Those Who Employ Them
Timothy DeVinney’s site is highlighted by a small glossary of editorial terms and an outline for and questions to answer when pulling together a basic business plan.
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Publishing-Related Sites (includes Self-Publishing)
Bookwire.com
Bookwire is a primary portal into the publishing industry. Its informational resources (a calendar, author biographies, statistics, and lists) aside, Bookwire provides an unparalleled collection of active links to every major publishing house (and most small presses) that is, will be, or could be a value to any writer or editor.
ISBN.org
This is the place to apply for your project’s ISBN or to convert old ISBNs to the new 13-character format.
ISSN Information
The official ISSN registry (for serials) is administered in the United States by the Library of Congress. Remember that most other countries have their own separate equivalent. Access to those sites may be attained through this link.
Publishers’ Catalogues
This international database of publishers can be searched by city, state, or country as well as by general topic and type of publication (book, magazine, e-book, for example). The heading link ties directly to the index of alphabetical listings. Nearly all of the listings link directly to the publisher Web site for additional research.
Yale’s Web Style Manual
Created in 1994 by the Yale Center for Advanced Instructional Media, the Web Style Manual became one of the first guides that promoted using some measure of conformity and consistency in Web site design. Now in its second edition (2004), it remains one of the most widely used. “Today’s Web designers are also information architects and usability engineers, and a user-centered design approach is the key to a successful Web site.”
How to Self-Publish Your Book
Lana Jordan, formerly of Lemon Drops Press but now founder of Jorlan Publishing, composed this outline to self-publishing. The article walks the reader through the publishing process, warns about pitfalls, and shares rewards. Jorlan has a variety of other helpful, professionally written articles available on the site, as well.
Aeonix Publishing Group: List of Book Printers
This is a HUGE list of printers, primarily in the United States, who specialize in book and book cover printing (be forewarned that the entire file downloads in one page). Each entry provides surprisingly detailed information about what a particular printer can and cannot do and lists a physical location, Web site address, and phone numbers. Additional information on the site includes tips on choosing a printer, advice about using a print broker, and an excellent section on POD processes. The one and only drawback? The site does not furnish a geographic list or have search capabilities.
List of E-Book Publishers
This list of e-book publishers includes a brief note about each and a link to the company Web site. This list provides a more thorough listing of e-book resources, but it is not updated very often.
The Write News: Writing, Publishing and Internet News
This site, now maintained in a blog-style format, is a major provider of news from the print, non-print, and online publishing sectors.
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Non-Print and Unusual Markets
Movie Scripts and Screenplays
As ScriptFly Movie Scripts (my previous resource) has become more commercial, it has lost some of its helpfulness (it used to offer contests and provide attorney lists, for example), but for novice and advanced screenwriters/scriptwriters, ScriptFly still provides a few resources (samples and articles) for entering into and learning about this market. InkTip.com is the newer kid on the block and offers a growing list of resources and information on this market: current contests and competitions, tips on writing and marketing, and a list of industry contacts.
The Independent Movie Database (IMDb)
A list of film festivals, news links, and several themed message boards make this site good for writers dreaming about breaking into films by way of the independent market.
Blogs—Information about and Lists of . . .
This fairly exhaustive look at the “Web blog” movement by the Internet Public Library will provide you with as much information as you want after even a quick review. Once you pass the basics, the blog lists that will probably be of particular interest are “Books and Reading Blogs,” and “Education Blogs.”
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