These websites offer insight into the world of publishing and information on writing for particular audiences, as well as advice, support and writing competitions.

Author insight

Meet the Author
Go to the authors’ lounge to watch authors introduce their books in their own words. UK and US sites are updated daily.

Abe Books Author’s Corner
Abe Books is a powerful network for anyone involved in selling or buying books (though it has been acquired by Amazon). This section of their website is a fascinating selection of interviews with published writers, some of considerable note.

Authors on the Web
Authors’ websites and publishing news from the US.

Resources for writers

Shelf Awareness

Offering 'daily enlightenment for the book trade', this site highlights which books are hot, which are warming up and which will break soon. It also features interviews and blogs from the experts: book retailers, librarians, agents and publishers. Find out which are their bestselling and most popular books – and why.

Writers Services
Factsheets on the publishing process, plus book reviews, advice, links and other resources for writers including editorial services, contract vetting and self-publishing.

Aesthetica Magazine

British interdisciplinary arts magazine encompassing literature, visual arts, music, film and theatre, which celebrates the combination of different art forms into one cultural whole. The magazine and website publish features, interviews, news and reviews, and organize the annual Aesthetica Creative Works competition (see our Writing Opportunities forum for details on how to submit your work).

Writers' News and Writing Magazine

For market information, competitions, what's on, writers' tips and inspiring stories.

Literature Training
Daily updated information on courses, workshops, mentoring, critical appraisal services, conferences and events, jobs, commissions, residencies, competitions, organisations, networks, training providers, books, magazines, and funding for professional development.

The Federation of Worker Writers & Community Publishers
Non-profit making umbrella organisation for writers’ groups and community publishers open to all organisations working with words and language who believe that writing and publishing should be made accessible to all. Aims to increase access to writing and publishing, especially for those who may sometimes find it difficult to be heard.

Writer’s Dock
Busy and diverse site for writers of all genres and media formed after the closure of the BBCi site 'Get Writing' in 2005. Includes vibrant forums, regular interviews, competitions and articles on all aspects of writing.

Writing in the Margins
Cyber café offering support, motivation and inspiration to those who want to write, plus motivating exercises and downloadable advice sheets.

Essential Writers.com
The idea of the site is to transcend writing genres, so members include journalists, poets, novelists, playwrights, songwriters and non-fiction writers. Many contributors write across several mediums and genres. The purpose of the site is three-fold – it’s an information point, showcase and community for writers.
News includes updates on jobs, writing courses, competitions and literary events, as well as advice on issues ranging from how to deal with income tax to how to maintain your motivation. There is the opportunity for writers to promote themselves and their writing by submitting reviews, news and feature ideas. Writers are also invited to be interviewed for the website, offering another way to explain who they are and what they do, as well as providing inspiration to other writers.
The website is a place writers can dip into whenever they need a break from writing, and find themselves surrounded by likeminded people. Many writers work from home and miss the buzz of an office. The website offers a diversion, but hopefully one that leads to more ideas and opportunities as well as entertainment.

Crime and thriller writing

Crime Writers Association
For news and opportunities to meet authors.

Shots Magazine
Crime and thriller e-zine fiction packed with interviews with authors telling how they dunnit.

Novel-writing

National Novel Writing Month
Details of the annual ‘write a novel in a month’ write-athon, plus information and resources on other aspects of writing novels.

Short fiction and non-fiction

Story
An Arts Council England and Scottish Arts Council campaign to increase the number and visibility of high quality short fiction; give the short story form more prestige and a higher profile; enable writers to specialise in the short story form; and encourage and promote exciting short fiction.

Telltales
UK-based arts initiative and collective of authors dedicated to promoting and supporting the short story. The site is intended to be a permanent learning resource and forum for those interested in short prose and writing in general.

Five Dials

Online literary magazine published by a group of editors at Hamish Hamilton, an imprint of Penguin. The focus of the magazine is, quite simply, good writing, without  restrictions on style, genre or subject matter. Five Dials welcomes submissions from published and unpublished authors, and the first five issues included fictional extracts and short stories - both new and rediscovered gems - poetry, essays, reflections on novels or films, an interview with renowned translators, and even an 'agony uncle' section with Alain de Botton.

Journalism and feature-writing

Journalism UK
Website for UK-based journalists who write for text-based publications. Includes links to newspapers, magazines, e-zines, news sources plus information on jobs, training and organisations.

Writing for children
The Word Pool
Childrens’ books site with information on writing for children and a thriving discussion group for children’s writers.

Script- and screenwriting

Film Angel
Established in conjunction with Hammerwood Films to create a shop window for writers and would-be film angels alike. Writers submit a short synopsis which can be displayed for a pre-determined period, for a fee, while would-be angels are invited to finance a production of their choice.

Filmmaker Store
Scriptwriting resources, listings and advice.

screenwritinggoldmine

This site was set up by TV writer Phil Gladwin, based on the writing programme he devised. The site is aimed at aspiring screenwriters, and has a number of feature articles, interviews with writers and TV and film makers, as well as a weekly newsletter. It also provides practical advice and tips, news updates, and has a lively forum.

The Creative Screenwriter Magazine

Includes Q & As with writers, producers and directors including David Lynch, Stan Lee, Michel Gondry and many other luminaries. Download the free podcast.

Plays On The Net

Information and help for new playwrights launched in association with Oneword Radio. Features new work that can be down-loaded.

Screenwriters Online
Described as ‘the only professional screenwriter’s site run by major screenwriters who get their scripts and screenplays made into movies.’ Contains screenplay analysis, expert articles and The Insider Report.

The Writers’ Room
The BBC’s site that searches for fresh talented writers for film, TV and radio – for drama, comedy, and children’s programmes. Reads all unsolicited scripts and includes writing tips and tricks from the best writers in those genres.

Writernet
Includes the Playwrights Network. Exists to 'provide dramatic writers with the tools they need to build better careers and redefine the culture in which they work.'

Script angel

Experienced script editor Hayley McKenzie offers screenwriters, particularly those with an interest in writing for television, the opportunity to receive professional feedback on their work. Hayley is keen to help writers to improve their scripts and also to help them to develop their skills and move forward as professional screenwriters. She has over ten years' experience as a script editor in the UK television industry, working on  successful dramas such as 'Casualty', 'Heartbeat' and 'Blue Murder'. Where appropriate, Hayley can also use her contacts within the industry to put promising new writers in touch with  producers and agents. To find out more, visit her website – www.scriptangel.co.uk – or email info@scriptangel.co.uk

Comedy writing

Comedy Script Doctor

The world’s first website dedicated exclusively to writing comedy, probably the hardest genre to master. Offers tips, ideas and screenplay services including expert analysis of comedy treatments, features, shorts and sitcoms.

Writing poetry

Apples & Snakes
National network for performance poetry working with emerging artists. It regularly commissions and produces new work and acts as a partner to promote performance poetry through live events.”

Poetry Magazines
Free access site to the full-text digital library of 20th and 21st century UK poetry magazines from the Poetry Library collection.