So I've shared some of my works in the (distant) past and I have heard others mention writing, so I wanted to see if we couldn't get more of you guys to come out and share what you've written, whether it's a blog or self-made website or even self-published work.
As much as I'd love to have a thread advertising my own works, I'd rather try to get more of the community involved, so I won't actually post links to my own stuff until others wish to share. But I would like to try to develop a pipeline of resources for anyone interested in getting their own writing off the ground, whether it's through finding others to read and provide feedback/editing or getting advice from other writers who have put their works on Amazon or even just figuring out where to start.
Resources
Feel free to mention any sites that have helped you and I'll link them here
Amazon - The most popular avenue for self-publishing (there's a link at the bottom of the home page), Amazon allows you to put your writing up for sale on Kindle and even has options for on-demand publishing of actual books. KDP Select is an awesome tool for publishing on Kindle that in exchange for not publishing with other e-book providers allows you 5 days over a 3 month period to put your book up for free to gain more readers.
Kindle PC - Kindle PC app that allows those of you who do not wish to buy a Kindle, but wish to support independent writers to do so.
Smash Words - This site covers just about every other e-reader, most notably the Nook from Barnes and Noble.
Epublishabook.com - A great blog with tips on self-publishing
OneBookshelf - Digital marketplace specializing in table-top RPG/gaming. Also has resources for self-publishing books and comics (Thanks to AliasMan02 for the link)
Ka-Blam - Online resource for publishing comics, including TPBs, T-shirts, art boards, and other fun stuff (Thanks to AliasMan02 for the link)
Lulu - Another source for e-books and on-demand publishing with a pretty robust community (Thanks to AggieOO for the link)
Brazos Writers - Writer's club in BCS area that meets monthly (Thanks to aggieann for the link)
Nathan Bransford - He is an agent turned author and has a great FAQ section and guides to nearly every step of the process. (Thanks to nai06 for the link)
Janet Reid - She answer questions and posts about various topics regarding queries, common mistakes, etc. She also runs the blog Query Shark. You submit your query letter to her and she basically tears it apart on the blog for all to see. It may seem harsh, but the end result is a much stronger query letter for you. On her main website she (like most agents) outlines what she specifically wants when you query her as well as the types of projects shes looking for. Its vital that you pay attention to these things because they will get you tossed pretty quickly. See Also (Thanks to nai06 for the links)
Query Tracker - Its pretty straight forward. It allows you to keep track of who you have queried and their response if any. There are also some pretty active forums that people use to find critique partners or to refine their query letter (Thanks to nai06 for the link)
There are plenty of resources out there and I'll continue to update this as I find more or as suggestions are made.
So feel to share your works, your blogs, your twitter, your advice, or even offer up your services as an editor. I look forward to seeing what other Aggies have written and hopefully we can convince any who are on the fence to make the jump. Trust me when I say it's a heck of a feeling to search your own name on Amazon and see your writing pop up.
Note: If you don't wish to associate your work with your handle, feel free to PM me a link and I'll throw it up there for you (I'll get an e-mail address for this eventually for those without stars)
[This message has been edited by bluefire579 (edited 7/18/2012 6:04p).]
As much as I'd love to have a thread advertising my own works, I'd rather try to get more of the community involved, so I won't actually post links to my own stuff until others wish to share. But I would like to try to develop a pipeline of resources for anyone interested in getting their own writing off the ground, whether it's through finding others to read and provide feedback/editing or getting advice from other writers who have put their works on Amazon or even just figuring out where to start.
Resources
Feel free to mention any sites that have helped you and I'll link them here
Amazon - The most popular avenue for self-publishing (there's a link at the bottom of the home page), Amazon allows you to put your writing up for sale on Kindle and even has options for on-demand publishing of actual books. KDP Select is an awesome tool for publishing on Kindle that in exchange for not publishing with other e-book providers allows you 5 days over a 3 month period to put your book up for free to gain more readers.
Kindle PC - Kindle PC app that allows those of you who do not wish to buy a Kindle, but wish to support independent writers to do so.
Smash Words - This site covers just about every other e-reader, most notably the Nook from Barnes and Noble.
Epublishabook.com - A great blog with tips on self-publishing
OneBookshelf - Digital marketplace specializing in table-top RPG/gaming. Also has resources for self-publishing books and comics (Thanks to AliasMan02 for the link)
Ka-Blam - Online resource for publishing comics, including TPBs, T-shirts, art boards, and other fun stuff (Thanks to AliasMan02 for the link)
Lulu - Another source for e-books and on-demand publishing with a pretty robust community (Thanks to AggieOO for the link)
Brazos Writers - Writer's club in BCS area that meets monthly (Thanks to aggieann for the link)
Nathan Bransford - He is an agent turned author and has a great FAQ section and guides to nearly every step of the process. (Thanks to nai06 for the link)
Janet Reid - She answer questions and posts about various topics regarding queries, common mistakes, etc. She also runs the blog Query Shark. You submit your query letter to her and she basically tears it apart on the blog for all to see. It may seem harsh, but the end result is a much stronger query letter for you. On her main website she (like most agents) outlines what she specifically wants when you query her as well as the types of projects shes looking for. Its vital that you pay attention to these things because they will get you tossed pretty quickly. See Also (Thanks to nai06 for the links)
Query Tracker - Its pretty straight forward. It allows you to keep track of who you have queried and their response if any. There are also some pretty active forums that people use to find critique partners or to refine their query letter (Thanks to nai06 for the link)
There are plenty of resources out there and I'll continue to update this as I find more or as suggestions are made.
So feel to share your works, your blogs, your twitter, your advice, or even offer up your services as an editor. I look forward to seeing what other Aggies have written and hopefully we can convince any who are on the fence to make the jump. Trust me when I say it's a heck of a feeling to search your own name on Amazon and see your writing pop up.
Note: If you don't wish to associate your work with your handle, feel free to PM me a link and I'll throw it up there for you (I'll get an e-mail address for this eventually for those without stars)
[This message has been edited by bluefire579 (edited 7/18/2012 6:04p).]