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Writers' Resources |
Writers' Resources
This list is not exhaustive and there are many duplicates among the links below. A listing on this page should not be construed as an endorsement by MWA.
If you know of any quality web sites that should be listed below, please e-mail the webmaster. Be sure to include the url address, not just the name of the site. Thanks.
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Literary Journals -- NEW!
List of Regional Literary Magazines (PDF)
A comprehensive (and growing) list of literary journals in Maryland, Virginia, the District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, that accept submissions from writers. Includes links to submission guidelines, editorial calendars, websites, contact information, and more. Compiled by Cassandra Kowal exclusively for MWA. Soon to be a members-only perk!
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Expert Texperts
The Literary CoachTM
John Fayad is The Literary CoachTM, offering essays, webinars, and individual consulting to aspiring and experienced authors. John's creative tips and techniques help authors formulate their book concepts, develop their book proposals, and achieve their dream of becoming published authors.
Rockwood Editors
Based in northern Baltimore City, this firm offers writers in Maryland access to detail-oriented editing and proofreading services for business documents, academic works, manuscripts, articles, websites, manuals, resumes, PowerPoint presentations, posters, and more.
EdiTory
Dedicated to giving authors an affordable option for pre-submittal editing. They endeavor to be affordable to emerging authors of novels, short stories, and children's books. Offers memberships with accompanying free web pages.
Grammar Now
A free site dedicated to answering any grammar, composition, research, or formatting question you might have. Send a grammar question by filling out the form, and they will e-mail you a response. Staffed by the author of MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers.
Judy
Vorfeld's Office Support Services-Writing Center
Includes: Common
Mistakes, Grammar Tips,
Idioms, and more.
Guide to Grammar and Style
Contains a miscellany of grammatical rules and explanations, comments on style, and suggestions on usage put together for classes at Rutgers University by Assistant Professor Jack Lynch.
Cedar Falls Public Library
These librarians invite anyone to ask questions requiring only short,
factual answers. They only check their email once a day so if you are
in a hurry... fogeddaboudit.
Ask
An Expert Page
Links and links to web pages where anyone can ask these experts questions
on a wide variety of topics such as health, computers, science, sports
and more. This page is maintained by New Jersey Networking Infrastructure
in Education project.
Proofreading Assistance
Lia Lewis
170 Mercer St., Apt. 1B, Somerville, NJ 08876
lialew@gmail.com
Includes: copyedit/proofread manuscripts,
edit scanned in documents,
create/correct indices for manuscripts,
re-type manuscripts.
Contact Lia for all of your proofreading needs.
Editing Services
Professional writing, editing, and proofreading services.
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Writing-Oriented Web Sites
The Ultimate Writers' Guide from Amsterdam Printing
Includes links to resources for essay writing, developing and ordering paragraphs, writing clear sentences, choosing and using words, acknowledging your sources, literary and rhetoric terms, and grammar basics.
The Graham Communications Design Group
A curator of cutting-edge communications design for business branding and messaging, The Graham Communications Design Group is your one-stop-shop for all things creative. Owned and operated by Ms. Ephra W. Graham, M.S. Communications, the design firm's services include, but are not limited to, publications and graphics design, web design, video production (coming soon!), instructional design and editorial services. The Graham Communications Design Group -- designing communications that's C.L.E.A.R. and to the point.
Film Script Writing
Free advice on most aspects of film script writing, plus a free interactive writers' forum.
The Open Directory Project's Writers' Resources Page
The Arts/Writers Resources category is for sites with resources and information about the art, craft and/or business of writing. Includes links to info about agents, freelancing, tips, style guides, self-publishing, workshops and more. A very useful, no-nonsense guide.
Ringer's Secret School of Writing
Maintained by Ted Ringer, a writer and writing teacher in Boulder, Colorado. This is an online, fee-based writing class. Cost is $165.00 for a semester of eight lessons.
LookSmart's & Publishing--Advice & Guides listing
LookSmart is an indexing search engine. This page shows the results of their labor.
The Writer's Internet Resource Guide
Fee-based service costing $19.95. Their stated purpose: "The Guide brings you a comprehensive collection of 500+ links for writers of every kind. Links are checked and upgraded on a regular basis, and include annotations and detailed descriptions."
PoeWar.Com Writer's Resource Center
Run by John Hewitt, a professional technical writer who works mainly in the field of computers. Includes tips, job opportunities for writers, recommended reading and, of course, links to other resources.
The Writer's Center
Homepage for the well-known organization located in Bethesda, MD. Includes information about their workshops, special events in the DC metropolitan area, publications and more.
Print on Demand Database
All information derived from publishers websites or direct from the publishing staff. Maintained by Dehanna Bailee.
Elite Skills
This site is a writer's resource/community where people can submit poetry, stories, thoughts, stories, fanfic, anything text commented on/rated. Includes a journal page, tutorials, resources, classic writings (famous poetry/prose by famous poets/writers). Includes love poetry, funny poetry, journals, and poetry contest information.
TheNextBigWriter
An online writing workshop that provides writers with the feedback, motivation, and advice they need to achieve their writing goals.
Writing Away Retreats
A writer's retreat in Colorado featuring agents, editors, and authors in a small setting (10-12 writers only per session with 4 staff members) in the Rocky Mountains. Described as "an all-inclusive retreat for five nights and five days in a luxurious yet isolated lodge. MS consultation with the author, editor and agent are included in your package. Delicious fresh meals will be prepared three times per day and snacks, coffee, tea, wine and linen service will be provided throughout the day and into the night. During the evenings we will host optional discussions on trends in literature, books and movies that have come from the literary greats and have readings with a roaring fire, cozy furniture and fantastic company." Five- and eleven-day plans are available, and themed writing scholarships are also offered. Scholarship application deadlines are June 15 and July 1.
Writing-World.com
Writing-World.com has been in existence for over ten years and offers more than 600 articles for writers of every level of expertise. The site offers an excellent "getting started" section for would-be freelancers, plus an extensive fiction section that covers mainstream and genre fiction tips. A free twice-monthly newsletter includes columns, news from the publishing industry, and no-fee contest information. Hosted by Moira Allen, author of Starting Your Career as a Freelance Writer (Allworth Press).
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Reference Web Sites
The links below will take you to web sites that provide links to online reference works such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and related materials.
AskUsNow!
This live online interactive service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A cooperative service of Maryland libraries, it puts you in real-time touch with librarians who can answer your reference questions, provide guidance for your research, and help you to navigate the Internet.
Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary
Merriam-Webster's online dictionary. Simply type in your word and click on "Search".
WordWeb
This is a free thesaurus and dictionary for Windows. Unlike the other links on this page, you download this software onto your computer so you do not need to be online to use it. Works independent of other programs or can be used within MS Word.
Roget's Thesaurus
Search the headwords or full text of Roget's Thesaurus version 1.02 (supplemented: July 1991) released to the public domain by MICRA, Inc. and the Gutenberg Project.
The Best Information on the Net
These links were chosen by librarians at O'Keefe Library, St. Ambrose University.
The Internet Public Library
Worth noting here is their Online Literary Criticism Collection
Internet Reference Resources
Chosen by the staff at the University of Virginia Library. Includes various directories, calculators, and government. They also link to style manuals.
The Library Spot
A portal to all things library. Contains links to experts, reference works, other libraries, online books, newspapers, magazines and much more.
Refdesk.com's Grammar, Usage, and Style Page
Scroll down a little to find links upon links to web pages dealing with grammar and writing. This site also has many other sections of interest, too. When done with the Grammar, Usage, and Style Page, click on Home to start your tour.
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Style Guides etc.
The Elements of Style
Asserting that one must first know the rules to break them, this is an
online version of the classic reference book that is a must-have for any
student and conscientious writer.
Guidelines for Writing About People With Disabilities
Here is a set of clear guidelines to help you make better choices in terms
of language and portrayal. The "Guidelines" explain preferred
terminology and offer suggestions for appropriate ways to describe people
with disabilities.
The American Heritage® Book
of English Usage
Online version with a detailed look at grammar, style, diction, word formation,
gender, social groups and scientific forms. This reference work is for
students, writers, academicians and anybody concerned about proper writing
style.
Guide to Grammar
and Writing
Maintained by Professor of English Charles Darling for English courses
at Capital Community College and for the general online public. Of particular
note is a very nice PowerPoint presentation on sentence diagraming.
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Writing for the Web
Writing for the Web
by John Morkes and Jakob Nielsen, Sun
Microsystems (1997). Although ancient in Internet years (1997), this paper is still valid and a must read for anyone intending
to write copy for web pages.
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
Information to help you write web pages with disabled people in mind.
Editing for the Web
by Thom Lieb (1996-99) associate professor in the Department of Mass Communication and Communication Studies at Towson
University. An online book with chapters such as: Evolution of Electronic Publishing, Jobs in Web Publishing, and Building
Killer Web Sites.
How to Write
Effective Text and Writing for the web
Both essays are by Daniel Will-Harris, author and designer.
Writing
Well for the Web
Although subtitled, "Quick and Easy Tips for Non-writers" the
information presented here could be very helpful to print-oriented writers
trying to adjust their styles to that of the WWW.
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Maryland Stuff
Maryland Romance Writers
Maryland Romance Writers (MRW), chapter 10 of Romance Writers of America(R) promotes excellence in romantic fiction and advances the professional interests of career-focused romance writers through networking and advocacy, dissemination of information, professional education, publications, and other appropriate activities, and to provide continuing support for writers within the romance publishing industry.
Harford Poetry and Literary Society
Publishes the literary journal Manorborn. Features an events calendar, photos, and poems.
Baltimore Review
Charm City's premier literary journal seeks to collect the voices of the great writers of today, from Baltimore and beyond.
Delmarva Review
Published by the Eastern Shore Writers' Association, Delmarva Review is a literary review of short fiction, poetry, creative nonfiction, and short reviews from the Delmarva and Chesapeake Bay region. Also seeks illustrative artwork in the form of line drawings and black and white or color photography that can be considered for the cover.
Annual Bay to Ocean Writers Conference
BTO is now sponsored by the Eastern Shore Writers' Association. The conference attracts writers and speakers from surrounding states and the District of Columbia to its base on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The 2009 conference will be February 21 at Chesapeake College. Please note that the conference always sells out in advance.
Sailor
Maryland's statewide public information network. Includes access to state and county public libraries, a page on Maryland Information sources, and news publications from around the state.
Maryland State Archives
Includes an online version of the Maryland Manual, Reference and Research, Outreach and Education, and much more.
Writers Here
and Now
Maintained by the University of
Maryland LibrariesFriends of the Libraries.
Maryland Electronic Capital
Links to all things Maryland including SAILOR, government, and getting
things done in Maryland.
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