Writer Resource Directory

As we find websites and blogs that we believe are helpful for writers and their businesses, we’ll keep adding them to this page. Some of these resources may feel a little “overlapping,” but that’s on purpose—we want new writers (especially those who haven’t published yet) to have a friendly place to learn, explore, and build confidence. If you know a website or tool that belongs here, please use our
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This page is a work in progress—definitely not the final word for every writer—but it is a strong starting point. Bookmark it and come back whenever you’re drafting, editing, researching, publishing, or growing your author business.

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Writers Tools

Great writing doesn’t happen by accident—it’s built with the right tools. This section gathers dictionaries, research databases, grammar guides, and creative aids that help you polish your craft, strengthen your voice, and write with confidence. Whether you’re editing a draft, fact-checking details, or hunting for the perfect word, these resources act like your personal editorial team.

Bartlett’s Quotes

A treasure chest of famous quotations from thinkers, writers, and historical figures. Perfect when you need a clever epigraph, a punchy line, or inspiration from voices across the centuries.

https://www.bartleby.com/100/

CIA World Factbook

Your globe-trotting research assistant. Find reliable country data, demographics, geography, and cultural details to make your settings feel authentic and believable.

https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/

Free Encyclopedia Online

An easy-to-browse reference hub covering history, science, culture, and more. Ideal for quick fact-checks when you’re writing and don’t want to fall down a research rabbit hole.

https://www.encyclopedia.com/

Grammar Rules with Grammar Exercises

Sharpen your writing skills with clear grammar explanations and practice exercises. Great for brushing up on tricky rules before you hit publish.

http://grammar.yourdictionary.com/

Student’s Guide to Grammar & Punctuation (Scribendi)

A straightforward guide that breaks down punctuation and sentence structure into easy-to-understand lessons every writer can benefit from.

https://www.scribendi.com/academy/articles/students_guide_to_grammar_and_punctuation.en.html

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Thesaurus

Your word-choice powerhouse. Check meanings, pronunciation, usage examples, and synonyms all in one place.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

Free Online Rhyming Dictionary

A lifesaver for poets, lyricists, and children’s book authors. When the perfect rhyme refuses to appear, this tool delivers.

https://www.rhymer.com/

Thesaurus – Synonyms, Antonyms, and More

Expand your vocabulary and avoid repetition with instant synonym suggestions that elevate your writing style.

https://www.thesaurus.com/

YouTube (Best Source for Learning New Skills)

From writing craft tutorials to marketing strategies, you can learn almost anything here—often for free and from industry professionals.

https://www.youtube.com/

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Writers Funding Sources and Writing Contests

Publishing and promoting books can require both creativity and resources, and that’s where these opportunities shine. Here you’ll discover platforms for raising funds, building reader support, and entering reputable contests that can boost your visibility and credibility. Many authors use these tools to finance projects, gain recognition, and grow their audience faster than they could alone.

IndieGoGo Crowd Source Funding

Raise money for publishing, book tours, or creative projects while building a community of supporters.

https://www.indiegogo.com/

Kickstarter Crowd Source Funding

A popular launchpad for book campaigns—many authors fund print runs, special editions, and extras through reader support.

https://www.kickstarter.com/

GoFundMe for Creatives

A flexible fundraising option for writers needing support for creative projects, emergencies, or career-building opportunities.

https://www.gofundme.com/discover/creative-fundraiser

Patreon for Creatives

Build recurring income by offering exclusive content, bonus chapters, or behind-the-scenes access to loyal readers.

https://www.patreon.com/create-on-patreon

Chanticleer National Book Awards Contest

A respected contest recognizing books across many genres, giving authors credibility, visibility, and promotional opportunities.

https://www.chantireviews.com/contests/

Funds for Writers

A goldmine newsletter listing grants, contests, markets, and paid writing opportunities you might never find on your own.

https://fundsforwriters.com/

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Writers Publishing Resources

Getting your book into readers’ hands is one of the most exciting milestones in the writing journey. These publishing platforms and official registration sites help you transform your manuscript into a professional product ready for sale worldwide. From ISBN registration to global distribution, each resource plays a role in helping you publish like a pro.

Barnes & Noble Press (Nook)

Publish and distribute your eBooks (and in many cases print books) through a major retailer’s publishing platform.

https://press.barnesandnoble.com/self-publishing-services

Amazon KDP (Kindle / Paperback)

A massive publishing platform that lets you release eBooks and paperbacks worldwide while maintaining control over pricing and updates.

https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/

IngramSpark

Professional publishing and distribution—especially useful for authors who want bookstore and library reach.

https://www.ingramspark.com/

Smashwords

An eBook distributor that helps you place your book in multiple online stores with one upload.

https://www.smashwords.com/

Draft2Digital

A user-friendly self-publishing option for wide eBook distribution and clean, simple formatting tools.

https://draft2digital.com/

The Book Patch (Best for Selling on Your Own Website)

If you want to publish your books and sell directly from your own website, The Book Patch can be a practical option for printing and fulfillment.

https://www.thebookpatch.com/

ISBN.org (Official ISBN Website)

Purchase and register ISBNs for each version of your book (paperback, hardcover, eBook, audiobook, etc.) so your book can be properly cataloged and sold.

https://isbn.org/

U.S. Copyright Office (Register Your Work)

Register your book with the U.S. Copyright Office to formally document ownership and strengthen your legal protection.

https://www.copyright.gov/registration/

Library of Congress Preassigned Control Number (PCN)

Apply for a Library of Congress number before publication so libraries can quickly identify and catalog your book. (Tip: Apply well ahead of your release date.)

https://www.loc.gov/publish/pcn/

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Author Fan Pages and Websites We Created

Sometimes the best way to learn what works online is to see real examples. This section showcases author fan pages and websites we’ve built—each one designed to highlight books, engage readers, and create a welcoming digital home for an author brand. If you’re building (or rebuilding) your own platform, these can spark ideas for content, layout, and reader-friendly features.

Barbara Comfort, Author, Fansite

A reader-friendly fansite designed to highlight the author’s books and keep fans connected.

https://barbaracomfort.websandblogsforwriters.com

Janie Bolitho, Author, Fansite

A fansite created to help readers find books, updates, and author information in one place.

https://janiebolitho.websandblogsforwriters.com

Dorothy Gilman, Author, Fansite (Mrs. Pollifax)

A classic mystery fansite celebrating Dorothy Gilman and the beloved Mrs. Pollifax series.

https://mrspollifax.com/blog/

Sandra West Prowell, Author, Fansite

A suspense author fansite created to showcase books and provide an easy reader path to the full catalog.

http://sandrawestprowell.websandblogsforwriters.com

Jolene’s Books and More

A fun, helpful, and just-plain-unusual mix of articles, author updates, and creative resources—plus an online bookstore offering gently used print books, PDF eBooks, and custom POD merchandise.

https://jolenesbooksandmore.com/
https://bookstore.jolenesbooksandmore.com

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Writers Groups

Writing may be a solitary activity, but successful authors rarely succeed alone. Professional organizations provide education, networking, mentorship, and industry insight that can dramatically shorten your learning curve. Many writers credit their memberships with helping them improve craft, stay motivated, and build lifelong creative friendships.

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Website and Blog Tools and Resources

In today’s publishing world, every author benefits from having an online home base. These website tools help you build a professional author platform where readers can discover your books, join your mailing list, and follow your journey. Even if you’re not tech-savvy, these resources make it simpler to create a polished site that works for you 24/7.

Auto-Generate Privacy Policy and Other Website Forms (Examples)

Helpful templates and examples for essential site pages like privacy policies—especially important if you collect emails, run ads, or use analytics.

https://www.termsfeed.com/blog/privacy-policy-blogger-blogspot/#Examples_of_Privacy_Policies_from_Blogger_blogs

WordPress.org

The official hub for learning WordPress—perfect if you want to build or manage your author website with full control and customization.

https://wordpress.org

WebsiteSetup.org (Contributed by Jennifer Aitken)

Beginner-friendly guides for building websites—even if you’re brand new. Contributed by a newbie author, Jennifer Aitken. Thank you!

https://websitesetup.org/

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Resources and Learning Sites

Authenticity can make the difference between a good story and a truly unforgettable one. This collection of research sites provides real-world information, expert training resources, historical archives, and technical references that help writers craft believable characters and accurate scenes. Whether you write mystery, thriller, historical, or nonfiction, these tools add depth and realism to your work.

APCO 10-Codes

Learn common police radio codes so your law-enforcement scenes sound more believable.

https://copradar.com/tencodes/

Be A Private Eye Course

A starting point for understanding private investigator licensing and training paths (great for realism in PI fiction).

https://privateinvestigatoredu.org/florida/

Biographers International

A professional home for biographers—useful for nonfiction writers researching best practices and community support.

https://biographersinternational.org/

Detective Training

Explore how investigations work in real life to strengthen your plotting, procedures, and realism.

https://www.detectivetraining.com/

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Official information about national security programs and public resources—useful for research-heavy fiction and nonfiction.

https://www.dhs.gov/

FamilySearch

Genealogy and historical records for digging into family histories, timelines, and real-world details.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/

FBI National Academy (Training)

Learn about high-level law enforcement training—excellent background detail for police and federal-agent characters.

https://www.fbi.gov/services/training-academy/national-academy

Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC)

A deep look into federal training programs and standards that can add realism to investigative writing.

https://www.fletc.gov/

Firearms Classifieds (Armslist)

A marketplace-style site that shows how firearms are described, categorized, and marketed. Useful for vocabulary, not recommendations.

http://www.armslist.com/classifieds/usa

Firearms Encyclopedia (Modern Firearms)

Technical firearm information and history—helpful for accuracy when writing action, military, or investigative scenes.

https://modernfirearms.net/en/

Forensic Science Info (PBS LearningMedia)

Watch educational videos and lessons on forensics to strengthen your crime-scene and lab-procedure writing.

https://thinktv.pbslearningmedia.org/search/?q=forensics

List of Law Enforcement Agencies (Wikipedia)

A quick reference list of agencies and jurisdictions—helpful when you need to check who does what, where.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_law_enforcement_agencies

Mystery Publishers

A directory of mystery publishers that can help you explore submission possibilities and publishing markets.

http://publishers.omnimystery.com/mystery-publishers.html

National Cold Case File Info (Archived)

An archived resource on cold-case tools and investigative technology—useful for reference when writing investigations.

https://web.archive.org/web/20200117143835/http://www.ncstl.org:80/education/Cold%20Case%20Investigative%20Tools%20Technology

NCISS

A professional organization for investigators—useful for understanding real-world investigative standards and community.

https://www.nciss.org/

Online Police Courses (PATC)

Training course listings for law enforcement professionals—great for terminology and procedure research.

https://www.patc.com/online/index.shtml

PI Magazine

Industry news, trends, and case-related discussions for the professional investigator world.

https://pimagazine.com/

Radio Codes (ScannerBuddy)

A reference for radio codes and communication terms—handy for adding realism to dispatch and scanner scenes.

http://www.scannerbuddy.com/alphacodes.php

The CIA (Main Site)

The CIA’s official website—helpful for understanding structure, public info, and terminology at a high level.

https://www.cia.gov/index.html

The FBI (Main Site)

Official FBI resources, press releases, and reference info for procedures, programs, and terminology.

https://www.fbi.gov/

The People History Page (Public Domain Images)

Public domain images that can support historical research, presentations, and educational materials.

https://www.thepeoplehistory.com/publicdomainimages.html

This Day in History (The People History)

A daily history reference that can spark plot ideas, timelines, and authentic historical anchors for your writing.

https://www.thepeoplehistory.com/

United States Association of Professional Investigators (USAPI)

Professional investigator association resources—useful for understanding the PI field and standards.

http://www.usapi.org/

U.S. Marshals Service

Official information about federal fugitive operations and prisoner transport—excellent for research and accuracy.

https://www.usmarshals.gov/

U.S. Secret Service

Learn about protective missions and investigations related to financial crimes—helpful for realistic plot-building.

https://www.secretservice.gov/

What is a Detective? (Wikipedia)

A quick, accessible overview of detective roles, responsibilities, and common structures across agencies.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detective

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Suggested Additions (Popular Tools Authors Often Use)

These are commonly requested by writers building a modern author platform. If you’d like, you can add them to your page as “bonus tools” or a “reader-recommended” section.

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