Resources for Writers and Writing Groups

A running list

Hello! This list is evolving weekly. All suggestions are welcome so fire away in the comments below.

Writing Instruction and Workshops

Multiple Offerings

• Writing by Writers Founded by author, teacher, and speaker, Pam Houston, WxW hosts multi-day writing workshops for people interested in writing fiction, nonfiction, memoir and poetry. The workshops are taught by nationally known, published authors, who are adept at teaching the craft of writing to all levels of student. In addition, participants learn how to read other’s work critically and apply those lessons to their own writing.

• Grub Street All writers need insightful readers, inspiration, support, and honest feedback. That’s what GrubStreet aims to provide, in a supportive and thriving community. Over six hundred classes, services, and events a year are offered for writers of all genres and ambitions—from first-time poets or fledgling memoirists to MFA graduates and published novelists.

Online Courses

• MasterClass: Neil Gaiman Teaches The Art of Storytelling: 16 video lectures with downloads included. Lots here for the writer at every stage of development and includes a section on graphic novels. (I loved it). Requires a subscription to MasterClass but if shared with a friend this can be affordable and there is a wide range of classes to take over the course of a year.

• MasterClass: Margaret Atwood Teaches Creative Writing: 6 video lectures with downloads. Of particular value: the case studies, and discussions of structure and point of view. Requires a subscription to MasterClass but if shared with a friend this can be affordable and there is a wide range of classes to take over the course of a year.

Nonfiction, Memoir

• For those who want to keep track of Lilly Dancyger’s upcoming classes in nonfiction, subscribe to her periodic newsletter here and check out her classes on her website here.

Generative Writing Workshops

• “Prompt Church,” a generative writing workshop led by Judy Reeves meets the fourth Sunday of every month beginning tomorrow, January 23rd. Learn more and register here: “Prompt Church.”

Journaling

• Writer and teacher Martha McPhee returned to journaling and now teaches her students how to use journaling to increase their powers of observation and to take joy in the concrete feel of a notebook in their hands. Here’s a brief essay by her that explains her approach. If you can’t access it, let me know and I will send it to you in another format.

• The Great Book of Journaling: How Journal Writing Can Support a Life of Wellness, Creativity, Meaning, and Purpose by Eric Maisel PhD (Editor), Lynda Monk MSW RSW CPCCby Lynda Monk and Eric Maisel is an anthology of essays by writers and journal-keepers that offer inspiration and support for journaling.

Writing Fiction and More

• Writing Exercises From Matt Bell - Author and teacher Matt Bell offers a once-a-month exercise for writers in all genres and invites discussion

• CRAFT TALK by Jami Attenberg (this is where you can find out about #1000wordsofsummer)

• Victoria Weisfeld, novelist, traveller, and avid reader, writes almost daily about books she has read or what she has learned as a writer that can help other writers. A member of Sisters in Crime (see next entry) In Writer’s First Draft, you’ll find writing tips and insights based on her own and others’ experiences with the written word.

• Sisters in Crime is “the premier crime writing association focused on equity and inclusion in our community and in publishing.” Its 4,500+ members enjoy access to tools to help them learn, grow, improve, thrive, reinvent if necessary. They also gain a community of supportive fellow writers and readers, both peers to share the peaks and valleys of writing, and mentors to model the way forward.

• I Have Notes is Nicole Chung’s excellent newsletter from Atlantic Magazine. She answers questions, interviews other writers, and offers glimpses of her own writer’s journey all aimed at lifting writers up when they need it most.

• SubMakk is writer Rebecca Makkai’s (The Great Believers) newsletter for readers but mostly writers. You’ll find lots of fun reading material but writers will appreciate the periodic writer’s advice issues which contain frank, practical answers to common writer’s questions like this one about how to find a writer’s group:

Questionable Advice

• Well Worded by Anne Welsbacher is an unusual but interesting offering that focuses on supporting the kinds of writing we depend on (or used to) for communicating every day. Letters. Obituaries. Recipes. This bimonthly publication offers “advice on the writing we do in our everyday lives…plus a little more.”

The Business of Writing

• The Novelleist by Elle Griffin - Information, research, and community around new ways to self-publish fiction and take control of the process and strategy

• New Pages - Weekly lists of publications seeking submissions

• Jane Friedman - Jane Friedman uses her 20+ years in publishing to help writers with all aspects of their work from writing to publishing. She focuses on how the “digital age” has transformed and continues to alter the environment for writers and publishers. Her newsletters with her own offerings as well as guest posts from others have become staples for many writers who want to find information, data, insights, and classes that will help them navigate the world of writing and publishing.

• The Writers Bridge and the The Writers Bridge Express Lane are two resources offered by a team of two writers, Ashley Renard and Allison K. Williams who offer advice aimed at helping writers build successful platforms for their work. Renard is a memoirist, social media coach and strategist. Williams a.k.a, “the unkind editor,” is a writer, editor, and book coach. They are effective communicators, have a demonstrably strong track record in their fields, and best of all offer free biweekly Zoom sessions on a particular topic, often offering complementary views. The archives of these sessions are also available along with other consultative services at Writer’s Bridge Express Lane. Their newsletters make it easy to pick and choose which topics and services to make time for.

• #AskAlli Broadcasts offer podcasts and videos by the Alliance of Independent Authors which Spark community member Mary Locke says is “the best organization to belong to if you are, or are interested in becoming an independent author (or hybrid-combining traditional and independent publishing.)

Books and Interviews

• Refuse To Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts by Matt Bell. In this  Interview. Caroline Leavitt asks Matt Bell about this new book that writers and teachers like Rebecca Makkai are raving about. (Spoiler: Bell admits you’ll be writing more than three drafts).  

• A List of 18 Books About the Craft of Writing. Leah Schnelbach of TOR.COM assembled this terrific list of books by writers for writers. You’ll find Walter Mosley, Alexander Chee, Toni Morrison, George Saunders, Ursula Le Guin, among others along with helpful summaries and specifics about each book.

• Writing the Novella by Sharon Oard Warner. Using well-known novellas, Warner illustrates the difference between the novella and a short story or novel. What may be most appealing and useful about this books is that it offers basic and helpful guidance to story telling along with the very useful notes about what sets a novella apart. The smaller “container” offered by the novella offers both opportunities and challenges. The resources and exercises throughout will be useful to any writer of fiction.