So many resources!

We (heart) writers.

Interested in indie/self-publishing?

I’ve compiled a huge list of resources for everything from cover designers to editors, e-book aggregators and retailers, to writing and plotting software. Click through, and be sure to download the PDF so you have a checklist with which to start your journey toward becoming a published author!

What about traditional publishing?

What’s the right path for your book babies? First question always: What do you want out of your publishing future? There are pros and cons to each, certainly. Click through for a thorough discussion on the typical path for writers who want to publish their books through a traditional publisher (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, APub, et al.).

So many USEFUL Links

I have compiled a ton of resources used by authors to help improve craft, build a web presence, sell more books—so many links! Updated quarterly, so let me know if you come across anything your fellow scribes might love. LISTED BELOW or in our ALWAYS-FREE PDF. Just click here or on the image above.

Teachers, check out our Storytellers’ Workshop!

Available via our Shopify storefront. Five bucks and you can copy as many times as necessary to engage your students in the real process behind crafting great creative fiction!

The Learning Library

An entire webpage devoted to the best writing and editing books written by working authors and editors. US Amazon links provided, but be sure to buy from your local booksellers whenever possible!

My kid wants to write!

Click above to go to my resource page geared toward young writers. Be sure to download the list of kid- and teen-friendly writing resources in PDF!

Active Links to Get You Going!

List is updated periodically. All links are active and current as of May 2025.

Do let me know if you find a dead link or if you have a reputable service provider or resource for me to add to this ever-growing list. Obviously, there are MANY options for service providers and companies within the self-pub/indie book world, but these are the ones I am familiar with via friends and/or have used or worked with firsthand. I’m not liable for any bad experiences you might have with any of the companies in my Resource list.

Do your homework, fellow scribes!

Also, please visit the INDIE PUBLISHING and/or TRADITIONAL PUBLISHING pages for marketing ideas and links to register your copyright in Canada and the US.

(Note: I do not have affiliate status with any of the vendors or companies below unless otherwise stated.)

I’m interested in independently publishing my book. Where do I start?

(Updated May 2025. Please email me if you have more services to add to the list!)

FIND YOUR NEXT TEACHER OR COMMUNITY:

ISBNs (International Standard Book Number, the barcode on the back of books) + a GREAT CHECKLIST TO MAKE SURE YOU’RE DOING IT RIGHT:

DISTRIBUTORS/AGGREGATORS:

E-BOOK AND PAPERBACK CONVERTER/CREATORS:

UNIVERSAL LINK TOOLS:

COVER DESIGNER AND EDITORIAL SERVICES RESOURCES:

POPULAR STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY SITES:

(**Via my referral/affiliate link)

FREELANCE EDITORS:

*I’ve worked with both of these editors on big projects, and they are worth every penny.

MAILING LIST PROVIDERS (there are others but these are the most popular right now):

MOST POPULAR E-BOOK and PAPERBACK/HARDCOVER PRINT AND DISTRIBUTION OPTIONS:

PRODUCE AND/OR DISTRIBUTE YOUR AUDIOBOOK (LIST NOT EXHAUSTIVE):

TO BE ADDED TO YOUR MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY:

FOR HELP WITH FINDING KEYWORD AND KEYWORD PHRASES & CATEGORIES/SUBCATEGORIES:

DISTRIBUTION OF YOUR FINISHED BOOK TO READERS TO GET REVIEWS & FOR GIVEAWAYS:

EXCELLENT RESOURCES AND COURSES FOR ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND RESEARCH:

SOME HELPFUL AND INSPIRING E-BOOKS/PAPERBACK BOOKS ON THE BUSINESS OF WRITING AND SELLING BOOKS (additional links are available via my LEARNING LIBRARY):

  • My VERY FAVORITE editing guidebook: Intuitive Editing, Tiffany Yates Martin, https://foxprinteditorial.com/intuitive-editing/

  • Immersion and Emotion: The Two Pillars of Storytelling, by Michelle Barker and David Griffin Brown

  • Writing the Romantic Comedy, Billy Mernit

  • Dreyer’s English, Benjamin Dreyer

  • Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write, Victoria Hanley

  • Spilling Ink, Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter, http://www.annemazerbooks.com/spilling-ink/

  • 7-Figure Fiction, Theodora Taylor

  • The Novel Workbook for Messy Writers, Gabrielle Prendergast

  • The Trope Thesaurus, Jennifer Hilt

  • Top Tropes, Aimee Walker

  • The Idea, Erik Bork

  • Dear Writer, You Need to Quit, Becca Syme

  • Writing Killer Cover Copy, Elana Johnson

  • Writing and Marketing Systems, Elana Johnson

  • Romance Your Brand: Building a Marketable Genre Fiction Series, Zoe York

  • Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Renni Browne and Dave King

  • Wonderbook, Jeff VanderMeer

  • The Complete Thesaurus Collection from Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi: https://writershelpingwriters.net/bookstore/

  • Save the Cat Writes a Novel, Jessica Brody: https://www.jessicabrody.com/books/non-fiction/save-cat-writes-novel/about/

  • Newsletter Ninja 2, Tammi Lebrecque, https://newsletterninja.net/

  • Let’s Get Digital, David Gaughran (self-publishing)

  • Strangers to Superfans, David Gaughran (newsletters)

  • Successful Self-Publishing, Joanna Penn*

  • Revision and Self-Editing for Publication, James Scott Bell

  • Full Time Author, Eileen Cook and Crystal Hunt

  • Scrappy Rough Draft, Donna Barker

  • Build Better Characters and Create Story Conflict, Eileen Cook

  • Strategic Series Author, Crystal Hunt

  • On Writing, Stephen King

  • Pity the Reader, Kurt Vonnegut

  • The Seven Basic Plots, Christopher Booker

  • The Anatomy of a Bestseller, Sacha Black

  • The Plot Whisperer, Martha Alderson

  • Story Genius and Wired for Story, Lisa Cron

  • The Author’s Guide to Cover Design, Stuart Bache

  • Great Stories Don’t Write Themselves, Larry Brooks

*If you go to Joanna Penn’s website, The Creative Penn, she has a TON of great books to help you. She’s considered one of the original experts in successful self-publishing.

PUBLISHING SUBSTACKS I LOVE:

SOME USEFUL PODCASTS (and podcasts are free!): 

  • The Indy Author podcast and video series: https://www.theindyauthor.com/

  • The Creative Penn podcast with Joanna Penn

  • Scriptnotes with John August and Craig Mazin

  • Grammar Girl

  • Writers, Ink.

  • The Writer Files

  • Writer’s Routine

  • Whoa!mance

  • Smart Podcast, Trashy Books

  • The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

  • Thriving Writers Podcast with Mary Kole

  • The Rebel Author Podcast with Sacha Black

  • Fiction Writing Made Easy with Savannah Gilbo

  • The Dialogue Doctor with Jeff Elkins

  • The Story Blender Podcast

  • Manuscript Academy

  • Totally Booked with Zibby

  • Day Drinking with Authors

  • Romance Happy Hour

  • Ask ALLi’s Self-Publishing Advice Podcast

  • Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing with Mark Leslie Lefebvre

  • Wish I’d Known Then … for Writers with Sara Rosett and Jami Albright

  • The Sell More Books Show

  • Helping Writers Become Authors with KM Weiland

  • The Kobo Writing Life

  • Write Your Screenplay with Jacob Krueger

  • The Book Marketing Show with Dave Chesson

  • SPA Girls (Self-Publishing Authors) Podcast

There are many out there, so have a look!

COOL WRITING AND EDITING SOFTWARE:

AI Curious? No judgment.