The Writer's Reference links are divided into two main categories: Reference and Research and Workshops, Organizations, and Publications. The Reference section focuses on the mechanics of writing and background research. Here you will find links to such useful tools as online grammar guides, encyclopedias, and databases.

The Workshops section focuses on the more human side of writing, with links to various critique groups, online writing communities, writer's guilds and organizations, and publications geared toward the unique needs of writers.

Click the links below for direct access to either section.

If you know of a good reference or writing site and would like to see it added to this library, please send it to our link librarian.



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  Reference and Research

Coach Bilmo ♦ Short story author William Shunn explains manuscript preparation, with pictures

Elements of Style Online ♦ Searchable online version of the classic style manual by Strunk and White

Encyclopedia Britannica Online ♦ Online version of the venerable reserach standard

Fantasy Name Generator ♦ Cool applet that randomly generates fantasy names based on the naming conventions of Tolkien, Deverry, and other fantasy worlds

Fantasy Worldbuilding ♦ Excellent article by acclaimed author Patricia Wrede

Internet Public Library ♦ Courtesy the University of Michigan

Internet Speculative Fiction Database ♦ Find any spec fic book ever written. Really!

iTools ♦ Formerly Research-It! and Find-It! A one-stop Internet toolbox, including language converters, search engines, research tools, and more

Legends ♦ Scholarly analysis and sources for many popular myths and legends

Medieval Sourcebook ♦ Online access to a wide range of medieval source documents and texts. Intended for scholarly research, but invaluable to writers of medieval fantasy, especially historic fantasy

Project Bartleby ♦ Roget's Thesaurus, Barlett's Familiar Quotations, and other reference works online

Odin's Castle ♦ Articles on everything from the Bronze Age through the medieval period

Online Grammar & Writing Guide ♦ Everything you never wanted to know about grammar, punctuation, and syntax

Pitfalls of Writing Science Fiction ♦ Excellent article on common mistakes in speculative fiction, by author Vonda McIntyre

Science Fiction & Fantasy Research Database ♦ Searchable tool designed to cover all aspects of science fiction, fantasy, horror, supernatural and weird fiction. History, criticism, commentary, fan writings and some reviews are all included in the database

The Standard Deviations of Writing ♦ In depth article by author Roger MacBride Allen on the most commonly made errors in style, syntax, plot, and more. A must-read for any beginning writer

Sur la Lune Fairy Tales ♦ Site offering scholarly analysis of many common fairy tales. Features a message board frequented by author/editor Terri Windling

Turkey City Lexicon ♦ Is your writing full of Tom Switfys and bathos? Do you suffer from Roget's Disease? Go here and find out, before it's too late…


  Writers' Workshops, Organizations, and Publications

Absolute Write ♦ An online community for writers

alt.fiction.original  Newsgroup specifically for posting work for critique. Group etiquette suggests reviewing two to three other people's stories for each one you post

British Fantasy Society ♦ Society of spec fic authors, artists, critics and journalists in the United Kingdom

Critters ♦ The online critique group for spec fic writers. Requires a very serious committment in time and output

Forward Motion ♦ Holly Lisle's resources and forum for writers

Hatrack River Writers Group ♦ Orson Scott Card's workshop group

Inscriptions ♦ An E-Zine for Writers

misc.writing.moderated  Moderated newsgroup for writers, focusing on developing as writers, increasing writing income and/or discussing the process and business of writing. An unmoderated version is also available at misc.writing

Online SF/F Writer's Workshop ♦ Formerly the Del Rey Workshop; now independent (small membership fee required)

rec.arts.prose  Newsgroup for writers of all genres. Does accept requests for critique

rec.arts.sf.composition  Newsgroup specifically for writers of speculative fiction. Not intended as a critique forum

SFWA ♦ Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America; sponsors of the Nebula Awards

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Workshop ♦ Email based critique circle, support group, and newsletter

SpecFic World ♦ Doyle Wilmoth's site, with tons of market info and links

Writer's Digest ♦ Online version of the print mag

Writer's Write ♦ Resources for Writers

Writing Habits ♦ Online magazine about the writing life: inspriation, good work habits, etc.

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