 |
|
|
Cynthia Sterling Mailing List
Romance writer Cynthia Sterling's list has the usual author information, but what makes it of general interest to romance writers is that once a week she also posts the latest market news she's picked up from her agent, editors, at conventions and meetings, and in her travels around the net. Very much worth looking into!
Romance Central
This is a big, big site, with all sorts of things to do, including message boards and a mailing list. Definitely check this one out!
Historical Romance Writers
I find this site more valuable to historical romance readers than writers, but it's definitely worth a look. They offer discussion forums, a webring, book reviews, an "Ask Julie" column (featuring historical romance writer Julie Beard), interviews with authors, and various other tips, hints, information on time periods, and advice for aspiring writers.
Useful Links for Romance Writers and Readers
Just what it sounds like, and the links are plentiful. There are even a fair amount of links for historical research.
Literary
Liasons
A place for readers and writers of historical romances
to discuss and learn the craft of writing, and the pleasure
in reading it.
The
Writer's Nook at Heart Rate Reviews
This is part of a larger site which features reviews
and other goodies, but this section has some really excellent
original articles and advice for romance writers. Top notch
information.
The Passionate Pen
A resource for Romance Writers who are interested in getting published.
Includes info on publishers, info on agents, tips on writing and submitting your completed manuscript, and information on the Buy A Historical campaign, among other good things.
Romance Writers United (RWU) is an organization for the development of a positive community, working from the philosophy of abundance as opposed to competition. Our mission is to help bridge the gap between writers of romantic fiction, agents and editors; to support, encourage and promote our authors in the pursuit of publication. By working together, we can make a difference.
Publications & Newsletters
Romantic Times Magazine
The homepage of the publication known as "the bible" of the romance industry. They have plenty of good information online to read, plus subscription information. This magazine is a must read for anyone who is seriously interested in writing in the romance genre.
Affaire de Coeur
"The Voice of the Readers and Writers of Romance Fiction". Lots of reviews and other articles of interest, plus full subscription information for the magazine.
The
Literary Times
All sorts of info and resources for romance and women's
fiction. They offer chatrooms, author lists, contests, book
reviews, publishing house profiles and so on.
Literary Agents
LiteraryAgents.com
Just what it sounds like. Just remember, you don't
need an agent until you need an agent...
literaryagents.org
The site owner offers a periodic newsletter, and the
site/newsletter includes updates is a list of Agents Currently
Looking. Basically, it's a list of agents who are actively
seeking clients and a description of the type of clients they're
seeking. The site includes lots of other excellent information,
as well. If you're "agent shopping", do drop by.
Literary Agents Directory
Search over 600 agencies in seconds and get updates by email daily.
Preditors
and Editors
Want to know if that agent you're considering is a
known "bad guy"? What about that publisher you've heard about?
Check out this site, whose puprose is to provide writers with
information and contacts for the purpose of seeking publication
of their work.
Romance Writers of America
Romance Writers of America
You don't have to be American to join, they do have more than one online chapter if you live too far away to attend regular chapter meetings, and this is undoubtedly the most helpful, best way to network with other writers and learn about the industry. Join as soon as you can; you won't regret it.
Hearts Through History
This is a "Special Interest" chapter of the Romance Writers of America; the chapter has a special focus on historical romance. The chapter is completely online, conducting business and meetings by email and chats.
Books
for Writers
How to Write a Great Query Letter
First of all, it's an eBook, so you can download it right away (personally, I like instant gratification). That aside, this is a really good aide for dealing with an aspect of authoring that a good many of us find painful and even downright terrifying. Definitely worth checking out if you're at all uncomfortable with composing query letters, or if you just want to learn how to write better ones to really grab an editor's attention.
How to Write Romances
The advice in this book is very practical and thorough, particularly insights regarding pacing, characterization, and conflict. The exercises at the end of chapters are also interesting and might well inspire.
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published
I have to admit I don't care in the least for the title, but the contents are truly excellent. A must have for the beginning and even intermediate writer.
The Romance Writer's Phrasebook
Very, very handy when you draw a blank and need a little nudge to get you going again. I'd say this is as nearly as useful as a good thesaurus.
The
Sell Your Novel Toolkit
This book claims to have "everything you need to know
about queries, synopses, marketing, and breaking in"
and I'd say that's a very good summation for an excellent
book. It includes step-by-step guides to writing synopses
and queries, with some very practical advice on what editors
and agents look for, look at, and how they assess the material
that crosses their desks.
Names
Through the Ages
I don't know what I'd do without this book. Going
from pre-Norman times through the modern era and divided by
English-speaking nation (England, Wales, the United States,
etc.), this book is an absolute wealth of information.
Gryphon
Books for Writers
Home of the much-touted Goal, Motivation, and
Conflict by Debra Dixon, plus a number of other specialty
books aimed at helping writers learn their craft. They also
now offer new, used, and out-of-print, research, and resource
books for writers.
Amazon
Who hasn't heard of Amazon, the biggest online bookseller?
Just in case you haven't, check them out. If you can't get
it locally, you can almost certainly get it at Amazon if it's
in print!
