My Top Recommended Resources for Authors
Happy New Year! I hope you came through December stuffed with turkey and new motivation to tackle your goals for 2020. I have definitely been taking some time to rethink my own business strategy going into the new year. For now, I plan to continue posting here on a regular basis.
As of this year, I have been studying the craft and business of writing for a full ten years. In that decade, I have seen writers come and go, as well as the resources available to us as authors. Today, I wanted to share with you my favourite resources for keeping on top of my craft and my business. Some of these are new, but many have stood the test of time.
I hope they also help you increase your savvy as a writer, marketer, and business person.
So, without further ado, here are my top podcasts, blogs, books, and newsletter lists to add to your arsenal as a writer this year. (Note: None of these are affiliate links. I’m recommending them because I love them!)
Blogs
There are few writing blogs I have followed for almost my entire career. The fact that these authors are still blogging says a lot.
Author Kristen Lamb
https://authorkristenlamb.com/
Kristen is an author, editor, and social media marketing guru. In fact, it was through social media that I found Kristen in the first place nearly a decade ago. Subscribe to her blog to get weekly inspiration, craft tips, and marketing and business news delivered directly to your inbox.
She also has a fantastic community for writers at W.A.N.A. (We Are Not Alone) Tribe: http://wanatribe.com/.
Writers Helping Writers
https://writershelpingwriters.net/
Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are the masterminds behind the writing thesauruses series, which you have probably already heard of—The Emotion Thesaurus and The Emotional Wound Thesaurus should be in every writer’s library. This dynamic duo is also responsible for the One Stop for Writers service (which you can access through the WHW website). Subscribe to their blog to have insight and tips delivered right to your inbox.
Podcasts
I’ve only started listening to podcasts within the last year, but they have quickly become one of my favourite ways to consume craft and business information. I’ve been fortunate to find some really good ones already. Here are my top recommendations for every indie author:
The Creative Penn
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
Joanna Penn has been writing and podcasting since the beginning of the e-book revolution in 2010. Obviously, she’s way further ahead in the curve than I am. I’m currently working through her back list of episodes, and highly recommend her podcasts. Her positive, upbeat outlook is like a little beam of sunshine in an industry that can often be a tough slog.
Stark Reflections
This is the podcast that made me fall in love with podcasts. Every week, Mark Leslie LeFebvre interviews inspiring people in the publishing industry. He then shares his personal takeaways from every interview. As an author and bookseller with over 25 years experience in the book industry, Mark has a lot of wisdom to share, and an interesting roster of guests to introduce you to. (I’m thrilled and honoured to have been a guest on his podcast twice in the last several months, most recently just this week.)
Writing Excuses
Short, punchy episodes set up as an interview between a rotating roster of authors including Brandon Sanderson, Mary Robinette Kowal, Howard Tayler, and Dan Wells, among other guests. The hosts explore one specific concept in a roughly fifteen-minute episode once a week. Get rid of your writing excuses!
Alone in a Room with Invisible People
https://www.alonewithinvisiblepeople.com/
Holly Lisle was the first instructor I found when I set out on my writing journey, and she continues to push her own boundaries and teach others what she’s learned. On this podcast, Holly and her daughter, author Rebecca Gallardo, host practical, hands-on sessions that will take your writing to the next level.
Six-Figure Authors
This new podcast is hosted by not one, but three six-figure authors: Andrea Pearson, Lindsay Buroker, and Jo Lallo. With only 19 episodes, it’s easy to get it caught up on the entire back list and learn and grow in this ever-changing industry along with these fabulous best-selling authors and their guests.
Just Joshing
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLV4cT4CwH37nc01CG_gbnrLA2vhgQux6P
Two-time Aurora Award nominee and one-time winner Joshua Pantalleresco has over 300 episodes of casual, heart-to-heart conversations with creators of all kinds, but especially writers. Plus, he’s one of the nicest, most positive people you will ever hope to meet.
Newsletters
David Gaughran
Mostly just because he’s funny and has great advice for writers. But also, he writes historical fiction (which I haven’t read at all) and non-fiction books for writers (several of which I have read and recommend). And did I mention he has great advice for writers?
Tim Grahl
Book launch expert with plenty of great free info, and I also recommend his books.
Mixtus Media
Helping authors do Instagram (and other social media) better.
Holly Lisle
https://hollyswritingclasses.com/
I was on Holly’s email list for almost a year before her autoresponder of great tips ran out. By then, I had learned enough about writing—just from that newsletter—to know that she knew what she was talking about and oh, also? This was something I really wanted to do.
Yes, that was ten years ago, and I can’t promise she still has that same drip campaign. But one thing I do know—no matter how she teaches you, Holly always gives great value and sound advice, stuff that she knows works because she’s doing it. Sign up for her newsletter and grab a free class or two to check her out. She’s a great instructor.
Books every fiction author should read
(Links are Universal Links from Books2Read to take you to your favourite platform.)
5 Critical Things for a Successful Book Signings by Adam Dreece
Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King
The Emotional Wound Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi
Well, that’s the end of my first Resources for Fiction Writers Roundup. I hope you find some amazing new resources to add to your arsenal. As we step boldly into the new year, I look forward to continue to walking with you through your writing journey.
Happy writing!
Talena Winters is a freelance developmental editor, independent author, magazine writer, and tea and silver lining addict. She specializes in helping struggling self-published fiction and memoir authors unlock their inner writing wizards and unleash story magic. See her editing services here.