Looking to get into writing and maybe get published? Here's what helped me.
On Writing, Books, and General Publishing
Book - On Writing by Stephen King
Book - Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Agent Blog - Nathan Bransford
Agent Blog - Janet Reid
Agent Blog - Kid Lit/Mary Kole
Agent Blog - Vickie Motter, Navigating the Slush Pile
Writing Blog - The Other Side of the Story by author Janice Hardy
Writing Blog - Terrible Minds by author Chuck Wendig - NSFW, but terribly helpful writing advice
For authors: Debut Author Lessons from author Mary Robinette Kowal
Finding Agents
AgentQuery - online database of agents, searchable by genre
QueryTracker - online database of agents, searchable by genre
GalleyCat's list of Best Literary Agents on Twitter
Literary Rambles - an amazing resource for middle grade and YA writers looking for agents
Querying
Queryshark - Agent Janet Reid tears apart queries and explains what works
Writer's Digest - specifically How I Got My Agent and New Agent Alerts
Absolute Write Forums - join, post your query, and have it critiqued
Verla Kay's Blue Boards - forum for picture books, middle grade, YA
My articles and guest blogs on writing topics:
25 Humpalicious Steps for Writing Your First Sex Scene at Terrible Minds
How to Write a Novella at The Other Side of the Story
My #1 Writing Advice
1. Read a lot of books in a lot of genres but especially in the one you wish to write in.
2. Write a lot. Stephen King says you have to write at least a million words before you have any talent.
3. Be gracious about criticism and use it to improve your writing. You don't have to accept all of it, but you do have to consider it carefully and thank people for their time.
4. If it's really important to you, never give up.
Good luck!
