Get Publishing Information on the Web With These Eight Websites!

By Julie Rowe

1. Holt Uncensored is the blog of Pat Holt, a forty year veteran of the publishing business.  She’s been an editor, critic, author, journalist and is the founder of the Bay Area Book Reviewers Association in San Francisco, who offers “a candid look at books and the book industry”.  Her thought provoking blog posts are always on top of the very latest developments in publishing.
   
   http://www.holtuncensored.com
   

2. Publisher’s Marketplace is an online clearing house of information on publishers, editors, agents, authors, sales, reviews, and publishing news and jobs.  It offers a free daily email newsletter called Publisher’s Lunch and a more detailed version, Publisher’s Lunch Deluxe, for a monthly fee of $20.  If you’re interested in the publishing business, keeping up with deals and who’s selling what to who, this is a must have!
   
   http://www.publishersmarketplace.com
   

3. Agent Query has a large, current searchable database of literary agents.  It also boasts advice on how to write a good query letter, avoid scams, information on small and large presses and general publishing information.  And it’s free!
   
   http://www.agentquery.com
   
   

4. The Association of Authors’ Representatives, Inc. is a not for profit association of independent literary and dramatic agents with a canon of ethics governing its members.  See its ethical guidelines online and educate yourself on how a good agent should behave.
   
   http://www.aaronline.org
   
   

5. Writer’s Market online is the online version of the annual print book.  The online service continually updates its market listings, which include: magazines, publishers, agents, contests and awards, greeting cards, newspapers, short story, screenwriting, illustrators and poetry.  Writer’s Market also allows its subscribers to personalize their ‘dashboard’ to keep track of submissions and bookmark favorite markets.  A free online newsletter is also available.  Subscribe yearly or monthly.
   
   http://www.writersmarket.com

6. Author Scoop is maintained by William Haskins. Regularly updated, this blog includes literary links, quotes, news, and reviews.
   
   http://authorscoop.com
   
   

7. Inky Girl is a blog written by Debbie Ridpath Ohi.  It’s a fun, but informative blog where Debbie shares her hilarious writing themed cartoons and other information of interest to writers and freelancers.
   
   http://www.inkygirl.com
   
   She also has a list of published authors and their rejection letters that include Alex Haley, Stephen King and Meg Cabot.
   
   http://www.inkygirl.com/writers-and-rejection-dont-give-up

8. SPAWN is the Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network.  According to their mission statement they provide education, information, resources and a supportive networking environment for creative individuals and small business owners interested in the publishing process.  Their services include: member e-mail discussion group, market update, event calendar, health plan, catalog of member books & services, book festivals and members-only discounts.  Membership costs $45 per year.
   
   http://spawn.org