Resources for writers
Submissions
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Writer Beware - Scam alerts provided and updated by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA).
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Great resource re: agents, editors, and the submissions process, with helpful author forums. Also useful for tracking your submissions/responses.
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Literary Market Place (LMP)
Industry reference guide to agents, editors, publishers, imprints, and types of books published. This the link to the online version. The print version is published yearly, often available in library reference departments.
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General Publishing Info
Jane Friedman
A comprehensive source for all things publishing.
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Industry news for authors
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Publishers Weekly
The publishing industry’s trade “Bible” – Subscriptions available, with online, digital and special-interest versions).
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Organizations for Mystery Writers
Sisters in Crime (SinC)
For both Sisters and Misters
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SinC Guppies
This is the “newbie” author sub-group of Sisters in Crime, about $12 extra to join. Published members often stick around after they “graduate” to offer advice and support.
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International Thriller Writers (ITW) -- This organization is for writers of mystery, thriller, and suspense. They offer a debut author program and a huge annual conference in NYC each summer. Free to published authors, but newbie writers are welcome (they do pay to join).
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Mystery Writers of America (MWA) – One of the best-known organizations for mystery writers in the U.S. There are different levels of membership and resources, depending on publishing status.
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​Crime Writers of Color – Organization for established and emerging crime writers of color.
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Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) – Resources for authors writing all children’s book levels, from picture book through Young Adult (YA).
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Short List of Conferences
International Thriller Writers (mystery, thriller & suspense) - ITW
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI)
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Books
Finding Your Path to Publication: A Step -by-Step Guide by Judy Penz Sheluk
Self-publishing: The Ins & Outs of Going Indie: A Step-by-Step Guide by Judy Penz Sheluk
How to Write a Mystery: A Handbook from Mystery Writers of America - edited by Lee Child with Laurie R. King
Save the Cat! by Blake Snyder (A favorite for plotting, with multiple editions and formats—original edition is screenplay-oriented but applicable to all genres.)
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On Writing by Stephen King (general)
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Plot Perfect by Paula Munier (another great plotting resource)
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The Elements of Style by Strunk & White (the classic, rev. by E.B. White)
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On Writing Well by William Zinsser (also classic)
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Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss (punctuation)
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Chicago Manual of Style (book publisher standard; also CMOS online)