ScaryAzeri asked about interesting blogs for new writers. There are so many it's impossible to list them all. I have well over a hundred blogs listed in Google Reader, and most of them are about writing, or writers, or history, or archaeology, or science. I'm going to restrict my list to the blogs I know of that are mandatory reading for someone who wants to sell their writing.
I have to admit, I did not read a single one of these until I had written three books, at which point I thought maybe I should work out how to sell one of them. This list is hardly exhaustive, but if you start from here and follow the cascade of links you will (a) learn everything you need to know about submitting your work, and (b) waste the rest of your life reading blogs.
Janet Reid. My own agent, and the source of all that is wise and good in publishing. Seriously. If she can sell me, she can sell anything. Janet's blog has piles of useful advice, all written in her own, unique style (you'll find out when you read it).
Miss Snark. A famous and very anonymous literary agent tells the truth about publishing. Her blog is now retired but remains a deep pool of information. Read it. Then you too can play the guessing game called Who-Is-Miss-Snark.
Rachelle Gardner. Rachelle's an agent working predominantly with Christian books, but even if that's not your thing, you shouldn't let it stop you reading her very sensible and thoughtful advice.
Nathan Bransford. An agent at Curtis Brown. Hugely popular with interesting things to say.
Agent Kristin. Another agent saying sensible, useful things!
Are you spotting a trend here? Agents are your friends when it comes to learning about how to deliver something they can sell.
Editorial Ass. That's Ass as in Assistant. Join the gentle world of Moonrat and learn what happens inside a publishing house, and too applaud the many victories of the loyal Mischief.
Editorial Anonymous. A children's book editor who can teach you a great deal about publishing.
Pimp My Novel. The view from the sales department.
Preditors & Editors. The site for checking out that agent who just offered to represent you.
Writer Beware. Full of excellent general advice about how to avoid being scammed.
I know I've missed many great sites. The floor is now open for suggestions. Remember, the idea is sites that a beginning writer might find useful.
I have to admit, I did not read a single one of these until I had written three books, at which point I thought maybe I should work out how to sell one of them. This list is hardly exhaustive, but if you start from here and follow the cascade of links you will (a) learn everything you need to know about submitting your work, and (b) waste the rest of your life reading blogs.
Janet Reid. My own agent, and the source of all that is wise and good in publishing. Seriously. If she can sell me, she can sell anything. Janet's blog has piles of useful advice, all written in her own, unique style (you'll find out when you read it).
Miss Snark. A famous and very anonymous literary agent tells the truth about publishing. Her blog is now retired but remains a deep pool of information. Read it. Then you too can play the guessing game called Who-Is-Miss-Snark.
Rachelle Gardner. Rachelle's an agent working predominantly with Christian books, but even if that's not your thing, you shouldn't let it stop you reading her very sensible and thoughtful advice.
Nathan Bransford. An agent at Curtis Brown. Hugely popular with interesting things to say.
Agent Kristin. Another agent saying sensible, useful things!
Are you spotting a trend here? Agents are your friends when it comes to learning about how to deliver something they can sell.
Editorial Ass. That's Ass as in Assistant. Join the gentle world of Moonrat and learn what happens inside a publishing house, and too applaud the many victories of the loyal Mischief.
Editorial Anonymous. A children's book editor who can teach you a great deal about publishing.
Pimp My Novel. The view from the sales department.
Preditors & Editors. The site for checking out that agent who just offered to represent you.
Writer Beware. Full of excellent general advice about how to avoid being scammed.
I know I've missed many great sites. The floor is now open for suggestions. Remember, the idea is sites that a beginning writer might find useful.