Creating this list is a yearlong project that involves an overwhelming number of bookmarked sites on our browsers. There are so many great websites for writers—with more popping up practically daily—it’s no wonder this is still one of our most popular features after 25 years.
This year, as always, you’ll find a blend of sites that are useful to writers of all types, abilities, experience levels, and genres. Some websites have been on this list for more than a few years now, because they consistently produce quality content that never disappoints, alongside other sites that are still fairly new but have already made a name for themselves. Additionally, we’re pleased to include 12 websites that appear on the list for the first time.
As with all of our recommendations, we do our best to ensure the details in the listings are accurate at the time the issue goes to the printer, but inevitably something will change. So, be sure to check the websites themselves for the most up-to-date information.
We hope this list helps you find the resources you need to improve your writing, find a community, and get your work out into the world.
A
means this is the website’s first appearance on the WD list. All listings within each category are alphabetically arranged.
1–6 Creativity
1. Author Magazine
In this online magazine, you’ll find articles by and interviews with new and established writers and literary agents, along with an editor’s blog from Editor-in-Chief William Kenower. Be sure to check out the “Author2Author” podcast for more inspiration and insight.
2. Electric Literature
With a mission “to make literature more exciting, relevant, and inclusive,” Electric Literature features essays on everything from books and culture to interviews with authors about their new books to articles on the craft of writing. Check out their two online literary magazines: The Commuter for short works and Recommended Reading for the best in contemporary fiction.
3. Library of Congress
Need a reliable source for your research? The Library of Congress’s digital collection is chock-full of historical and contemporary publications. The LOC blog is a great resource for writers and is broken down into easy-to-navigate categories, including Contemporary Books & Writers, Science, Technology & Business, and Geography & Maps. Also keep an eye out for online-exclusive free events hosted by the Library.
4. Literary Hub
Literary Hub is a literary resource for those pursuing writing careers and those who simply love to read. From practical craft advice to curated reading recommendations, Literary Hub offers daily publishing news, story excerpts, author interviews, and more.
5. MasterWriter
Whether you’re a songwriter or a creative writer, MasterWriter has a database for you. Find the right word to express your thoughts through one of MasterWriter’s collections of word families, phrases, synonyms, rhymes, and more. While this is a paid service, it comes with a 90-day, risk-free trial.
6. Terrible Minds
On this blog, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Chuck Wendig shares everything from craft advice to market trends to discussing industry-related drama (and what it means for the rest of us). Topics include whether authors should pay attention to what’s popular on BookTok, what social media sites are easiest for authors to utilize, and book recommendations.
7–12 Live Streams, Podcasts, YT
7. Grammar Girl
QuickAndDirtyTips.com/grammar-girl
“Grammar Girl” is an award-winning writing and education podcast. “Grammar Girl” provides short, approachable tips to help improve your writing skills and aims to help its listeners discover a love of the English language.
8. Minorities in Publishing Podcast
Now in its 10th year, the “Minorities in Publishing” podcast, hosted by editor and author Jennifer Baker, features candid and thoughtful interviews about the state of “diversity (or lack thereof) in the book publishing industry.” Interviewees include those working in various positions at publishing houses and authors seeing things from the other side of the table.
9. Missing Pages With Bethanne Patrick
Podglomerate.com/shows/missing-pages
Across its two seasons, literary critic and publishing insider Bethanne Patrick investigates the power struggles, mistaken identities, and unfathomably bad behavior in
