Links on this page will direct you to each resource where available. Note: all links showing on this page are non-affiliate links. No funds are generated for the BWC or the member submitting the information if a purchase is made via any of the links on this page.
Associations, Affiliations, and Groups
North Carolina Writers Network
A statewide writer’s organization with a robust website that offers free and paid resources. Weekly email blast with events, markets and opportunities. Membership is $80.00 per year.
With a focus on all things North Carolina this is a wonderful resource for information on Independent Presses, Literary Magazines, Independent Bookstores and more. If your published work is about NC, and you are, or have been, a resident of NC, you can (literally) be “put on the map” by contacting them once you meet the guidelines noted via the link above.
A regional writer’s association that offers some virtual classes and a monthly newsletter. Members can submit author news and review market listings and contests through the newsletter. The club also sponsor an annual contest with a printed anthology ‘Flying South’ created from selected submissions. Membership is $40.00 per year.
Triangle Association of Freelancers (TAF)
Founded in 2003, they are a nonprofit organization serving independent nonfiction and fiction writers in the Triangle region of NC. The TAF is committed to educating, mentoring, and promoting both aspiring and established writers by connecting them with fellow writers, resources, and services available to them. Monthly virtual meetings include presentations on various topics. They host an annual Write Now! Conference included in our Literary Events section. Membership is $25.00 per year.
Blogs and Newsletters
Weekly newsletter with articles on writing, marketing, and the publishing industry. She offers both free and paid newsletter content and classes.
A newsletter and blog about current trends in publication and analytics – especially on Amazon Kindle. Free and paid content available.
The Creative Penn – Joanna Penn
A newsletter and a weekly podcast on writing and marketing along with lots of how-to tutorials. Offers both free and paid content.
Build a Book Buzz – Sandra Beckwith
A resource for do-it-yourself marketing tips, tools, and tactics, she offers a free newsletter and blog providing guidance from personal experience and years in the industry. Paid classes and coaching are available as well.
Writers in the Storm – A Blog Specifically for Writers
A multi-genre resource for writers, including craft guidance, marketing, querying agents, writing tools, and more. Thanks to Becky for sharing this free resource where you are welcome to scan their archives for hidden gems.
Submissions
Welcome to Publishing…and Other Forms of Insanity Newsletter! by Erica Verrillo
You can sign up for a free monthly newsletter at the above link that includes a myriad of publishing resources including submissions for paying markets, no-fee writing contests, writing conferences and workshops (both virtual and in-person), agents seeking clients, publishing opportunities, and industry updates. (Note not all currencies show in USD.) An amazing global resource to several windows of opportunity.
53-Word Story Contest and Prime Number Magazine Awards – Poetry and Short Stories
Guidelines for submission can be found via the links above. 53 Press is a local publisher based in Winston-Salem and publishes both short fiction and poetry collections.
Marketing
How To Create a Book Club Kit for Your Readers by Audry Fryer is a blog article detailing some ideas to include in a Book Club Kit that doubles as a creative marketing tool. A free PDF download of an example of the kit can be found here.
Reading Resources
Get Signed: Find an Agent, Land a Book Deal, and Become a Published Author by Lucinda Halpern
An immediately actionable guide to understanding how to find a reputable agent who will be a partner to you, writing a query letter that gets an agent’s attention, what is essential when pitching a book, etc. The path to literary success begins with knowing the answers to the above questions and much more. Lucinda Halpern has an approachable and honest take on the positive approach to finding and working with an agent as a path to publishing. A free Author Training Kit and newsletter is available on her website.
