ON EVERYTHING TO DO WITH WRITING.
Writing Links & Links for Writers: “One of the 101 Best Websites for Writers” — Writer’s Digest 2006
ON WRITING:
Writer Unboxed: writers on writing; consistently worthwhile.
“What’s holding you back?”: this is a very good article, written for academics but applicable to all writers.
Alexandra Sokoloff; Screenwriting Tricks for Authors: Excellent posts on story structure, etc. Highly recommended.
ON GETTING PUBLISHED (OR NOT):
The Manuscript is Ready — (Or Is It?) — What’s Next? This is a text of a workshop (plus links) given by literary author C. M. Mayo. It’s a great overview of writing and publishing. She knows whereof she speaks!
On pitching a book to a publisher
ON BOOK PROMOTION:
GREAT BOOK BLOGS:
USEFUL LINKS ON PUBLISHING:
Write a great query by Noah Lukeman
Buzz, Balls & Hype — M.J. Rose’s fabulous blog
From proposal to publication by Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner
Query Shark: a blog on writing a good query letter
The Three Questions I Am Most Often Asked About the Writing Business by C.M. Mayo (on publishers, agents and promotion)
ON BOOK DESIGN:
HISTORICAL FICTION LINKS:
“How Historical Fiction Went Highbrow”: a wonderful article in the Atlantic
“Top Historical Novels of All Time”
Historical Novels Review: a publication of the Historical Novels Society
WONDERFUL HISTORICAL NOVELS—my personal shortlist:
A Walk with Love and Death by Hans Koning
Coal Black Horse by Robert Olmstead
Conceit by Mary Novik
Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles
Music & Silence by Rose Tremain
Santa Evita by Tomas Eloy Martinez
The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald
The Boys in the Trees by Mary Swan
The Color of Lightning by Paulette Jiles
The Hummingbird’s Daughter by Luis Alberto Urrea
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel (and now, of course, Bring up the Bodies)
Year of Wonders: a Novel of the Plague by Geraldine Brooks
GREAT BOOKS ON WRITING
These are all wonderful books on writing. I have learned a great deal from them all.
A Writer’s Time, by Ken Atchity — a practical method
Becoming a Writer, by Dorothea Brande — this is a classic
Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott — an excellent book at the beginning
From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction, by Robert Olen Butler — essential truths
How to Become a Famous Writer Before You’re Dead: Your Words in Print and Your Name in Lights, by Ariel Gore—this is a very practical and realistic guide, with wonderful humour and wisdom
Reading like a Writer, by Francine Prose—because reading is the all-important first requirement
The Writer’s Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers, by Christopher Vogler—I adore this book, and go back to it often
Thirteen Ways of Looking at the Novel, by Jane Smiley—particularly Chapters 10 and 11, “A Novel of Your Own, (I) and (II)”
Walking on Alligators: A Book of Meditations for Writers, by Susan Shaughnessy — a great little inspirational book for beginning, and keeping on writing
