Writing your manuscript is obviously the most important part of publishing a book! There are many resources, both online and in your community, to help improve your writing skills or to provide a supportive environment to encourage and assist with the task. Some of the links below are specific to the Pacific Northwest or Seattle area; if you live elsewhere, I encourage you to check out your local library or other community organizations to find classes and/or writers' groups near you. All other links are online resources available from anywhere. This list is regularly updated; if you know of a great FREE or low-cost resource to share, or find an outdated link below, please let me know!

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Writing Craft Resources

Online Classes & Tutorials | Seattle-Area Classes & Workshops | Articles, Podcasts & Websites | Newsletters | Books 

 

​Online Classes & Tutorials:

• The Write Practice--FREE writing skills tutorials
• Coursera Creative Writing Specialization--Online creative writing course created by Wesleyan University, with scholarships available
• 10 Universities Offering Free Writing Courses Online--A list of credit-free classes by some top universities
• Jane Friedman's Online Classes--Low-cost ($25) webinars on all aspects of writing craft and publishing, taught by various instructors; money-back satisfaction guarantee and a link to the recording for later viewing
• FoxPrint Editorial Working Writer Courses--A series of low-cost ($39) courses on various aspects of writing craft by Tiffany Yates Martin (also a frequent instructor for Jane Friedman's webinars, listed above, and author of Intuitive Editing); all pre-recorded to complete at your own pace and include worksheets and other resources
• Writing Class Radio--Low-cost weekly writing classes ($6-$10 ea.) and series workshops, with feedback; writing resources, tips, and inspiration with daily writing prompts; blog and podcast on the writing process​​

 

Seattle-Area Classes & Workshops:

• Seattle Writes--FREE classes through Seattle Public Library
• Write Now--FREE classes through Sno-Isle Libraries
• Hugo House--A variety of writing workshops open to members and the public, with scholarships available
• Pacific Northwest Writers Association Workshop Series--Open to members and nonmembers
• University of Washington Writing Certificate Program--A flexible continuing-education course with class options for writers of all backgrounds and experience levels
• North Seattle College Writing Courses--A variety of writing classes offered through their Continuing Education department

 

Articles, Podcasts & Websites: 

• Conscious Style Guide--An online resource for implementing inclusive language and removing bias language from your writing
• Grammar Girl--Quick and dirty tips on all things grammar; in article and podcast format
• Grammarly--FREE tool for finding and correcting minor spelling and punctuation errors in your documents (this does NOT replace a professional editor or proofreader, but it can save you money by fixing some common errors before sending to a professional for review)
• Let's Talk Memoir--Interviews with writers and editors, discussing all aspects of the craft of writing memoir
• NaNoWriMo--A nonprofit dedicated to providing the "structure, community, and encouragement to help people find their voices, achieve creative goals, and build new worlds—on and off the page," most famously through their annual November novel-writing challenge (to write 50,000 words in 30 days) but with other programs and support year-round
• Reedsy Blog--Lots of great tips on all aspects of writing and publishing
• The 7am Novelist--Join award-winning novelist and writing teacher Michelle Hoover with tips and special guests for your morning writing wake up call, starting with a 50-day writing challenge to help you get a new project going and keep you in your chair.
• WriteOnSisters.com--A fun blog full of helpful information on writing craft, the road to publication, and the writer's life
• Writing Class Radio Podcast--If you love stories and get inspired by hearing other people tell their stories and want to learn a little bit about how to write your own stories, then this writing-class podcast is for you.

 

Newsletters:
Many authors, editors, and organizations offer FREE email newsletters that provide tips and resources for writers on craft, publishing, marketing, and other related topics. Many also offer perks for signing up, such as free downloadable resources and works or discounts on classes and other resources. Here are some of my favorites:

• Elizabeth Sims Newschat: This very infrequent newsletter from an award-winning novelist comes with a package of freebies: Deep Trouble, a novelette featuring Lillian Byrd, from her popular crime series; "9 Fast Character Hacks," a brief for writers on creating believable, vibrant fictional people; and "The Lake Effect," a personal essay on being a writer from the Midwest.
• FoxPrint Editorial Newsletter: Practical advice for writers from Tiffany Yates Martin, author of Intuitive Editing: A Creative & Practical Guide to Revising Your Writing. Freebie includes her guide "10 Tips for Editing Your Own Work" and subscribers get 10% off all FoxPrint classes.
• Jane Friedman Newsletters: Publishing-industry expert and literary citizen Jane Friedman offers a few different free newsletters. Blog Digest is daily or weekly notifications of all blog articles on Jane's poplular site with a plethora of free information for writers. Electric Speed, a biweekly newsletter with "tools and resources to make creative life easier and more enjoyable" is her most popular, with 25K subscribers. If you want to know about upcoming classes, she has a separate email for that too. (Jane also has one paid newsletter, the Hot Sheet, that shares important publishing industry news and trends, for $59 or $79/year. Two free issues when you sign up, and a free sample here.)
• Virtual Bookish Events Newsletter: A weekly list of free and paid online events for readers and writers, such as writing craft workshops, self-publishing webinars, book-launch readings, author chats, and literary discussions.
• Writing Mastery Newsletter: Tips and tools from Save the Cat! Writes a Novel author, Jessica Brody (and the YA version). Freebie includes a Save the Cat beat sheet starter kit.