THE 21ST ANNUAL 101 BEST WEBSITES FOR WRITERS
For 21 years, we’ve been compiling our annual 101 Best Websites for Writers. That means this year’s compendium is officially all grown up. Selected according to the discerning tastes of WD editors, our annual collection represents the finest digital destinations for writers. These internet sommeliers scour the web, sort through hundreds of reader-nominated websites that pour in all year, revisit fine vintages from the 101 Websites of yesteryear and consider staff favorites in their quest to compile the ultimate list.
Here you’ll find the toast of the internet for novelists, poets, screenwriters and freelancers of all persuasions and skill levels. For your convenience, these free resources are organized into nine sections: creativity, writing advice, everything agents, general resources, publishing/marketing resources, jobs/markets, online writing communities, genres/niches and just for fun.
Be sure to check the icon key (right) to note the features of each website at a glance. Each website may include: advice for writers, classes/workshops/conferences (or links to them), contests, critique forums, newsletters/ RSS feeds, a Facebook group or page, resources for young writers, discussion forums, an Instagram account, job listings, markets for your work, a podcast, a Tumblr site, a Twitter feed or a YouTube channel.
While some of the websites you’ll find on this list are recurring classics that have aged like fine wine—like The Market List—we’re always looking for innovative new flavors to serve the palate of today’s author. If a particular site has never before appeared on this list—like Storium under “Just for Fun,” for example—you’ll find a black box around its corresponding number.
So pull up a stool, prepare your bookmarks bar and peruse our menu of the finest websites for writers—it’s on the house.
1-8 CREATIVITY
1 ALIVENTURES
On Aliventures, Ali Luke provides business and craft advice for fiction and nonfiction writers, as well as bloggers and copywriters. Check out her free writing e-books and her newsletter.
2. BRAIN PICKINGS
Writer and thought leader Maria Popova’s website may not be just for writers, but it’s certainly an excellent resource for any storysmith. The site itself is brimming with articles on literature, science, art, philosophy and other outlets intended to inspire lateral thinking and out-of-the-box ideas, but you can also sign up for different newsletters to receive recaps and highlights each week.
3. CREATIVITY PORTAL
Coming up on its 20th anniversary in 2020, Creativity Portal offers endless writing prompts, exercises and productivity guides, as well as imaginative mixed-media inspiration. Don’t miss the Imagination Prompt Generator.
4 ELECTRIC LITERATURE
Powered by Medium, the nonprofit digital publication Electric Literature provides news and information of interest to the literary enthusiast and writing world. It focuses on creativity, publishing trends, inclusivity and storytelling secrets as well as more general information about arts and culture.
5. LANGUAGE IS A VIRUS
Play, explore and catch infectious inspiration from this cleverly named website. In this celebration of experimentation and multimedia creativity, you’ll find writing prompts, exercises, text generators and more alongside fascinating experimental projects by famous artists and writers. Don’t miss the text manipulation exercises, poetry gizmos and word games.
6 REDDIT’S /R/WRITINGPROMPTS
With more than 13 million subscribers who respond to user-submitted prompts, this subreddit is one of the best places to get your work seen and gain
