My Baker’s Dozen of Free Online Resources for Learning the Writing Business

​Publishing for pay isn’t my main gig. But I love to write, and someday I might want to seek publication. Meanwhile, I wordsmith for personal and business enjoyment. And in my copyediting, proofreading, and research work, I partner with authors. I believe I can best help them by understanding their worlds and walking at least a mile in their shoes.

So I spend a lot of time acting as if I’m a real author (I like to think of my role as either author-by-proxy or author wannabe, depending on my fluid perspective). For some time, I’ve been hanging out with many writers who make a living from their writing and who also use online platforms to share their knowledge and experience.

While lurking in writers’ e-mail lists, blogs, forums, webinars, podcasts, and social-media groups, I’ve learned a lot about the current writing-business and publishing landscapes. No one seems to mind my passive participation. Of course, these are writing pros who market services, courses, books, and products—and for good reason. They’ve earned their expertise; and although they’re absolutely lovely and generous and freely give away much time and information, they deserve to earn a little money from anyone who wants to pay them for even more guidance.​​

Maybe I’ll eventually decide to take the next step and click the “purchase” or “enroll” button. But I’m not there yet; I just keep enjoying the no-cost education provided by quality resources who want to help me understand the mysterious world of the writing business.

I suspect, too, that some of my procrastination stems from the difficulty I would have in choosing where to commit my money and time for more in-depth learning. These gurus are all good, in different ways, and I don’t know how to pick one to be the voice in my ear as I navigate the intricacies of today’s publishing options and requirements.

With that disclaimer (so please don’t ask me to recommend one over another!), here are my thirteen favorite places to lurk and learn about the writing business. Do I need to mention that this list isn’t ranked? Or that my favorites might change tomorrow? And that I have no business relationship with any guide, each included here completely arbitrarily? There are other great sites that teach the business, and I find more every week. 

Anyway, click on the names below (linked) to explore for yourself. As I have, you’ll probably find that one writing pro leads to another, expanding your possibilities for information. And if you sign up for an e-mail list and don’t want to stick with that resource, it will take you just a couple of seconds to unsubscribe. These are writers, after all, and they don’t want to force their words on anyone.

Where do you go online to learn about the writing business? Please share your favorites in the comments below.

1. Jeff Goins
2. Ninja Writers
3. The Creative Penn
4. Jane Friedman
5. BuildBookBuzz
6. The Write Life
7. Nick Stephenson
8. Tim Grahl
9. FundsforWriters
10. Writer’s Digest (of course)
11. Create If Writing
12. Author Marketing Institute
13. Chris Syme

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