Writing Links

On this page you will find links to writing resources, bookstores, writing groups, websites of Colorado writers, and anything else I can link to writing in some way.  (Each section is listed alphabetically.  The Colorado Writers section is listed alphabetically by author's last name.)

Resources

Bartleby.com -- A compendium of public domain works for your perusal.

Bay Leaves -- Why not?

Black Hole List -- A website dedicated to tracking the response times of various SF/F/H markets.  Very handy for people who are submitting their work often.  Writers are urged to keep the site current by submitting their response times from editors at these markets.

bluejack -- Bluejack's website is part blog, part review site.  If you want to get one Seattle writer's view of the writing life, this is a good place to start.  His reviews of current magazine fiction make good snapshots, and his Clarion West journals give a glimpse into the workings of the most coveted genre writing workshop in the U.S. 

Book-A-Minute -- Fine literature ultra-condensed.  Cliff's Notes are tomes compared to these "books," and these are much more enjoyable.

Bowl of Writers' Cereal Writing Tutorial -- A good way to nail down a troublesome character.

Brain Planet -- North Carolina author Brian Plante's website.  Brian is a gutsy writer.  He is not afraid to take chances, as evidenced by his Chronicles of the Garden Variety Writers.  Take the time to read and enjoy his monthly essays, Plain Banter.  (I wish I could make cool anagrams out of my name like he can!)

Critters Resources -- A comprehensive page of writing and workshop resources for every level of writer.  If you're workshopping, be sure to check out the link to Ed Bryant's article "How the Workshop is Supposed to Work."  Heck, even if you aren't in a workshop, check it out anyway.  It's good advice.

Engen's Science Fiction and Fantasy Market Search Engine -- Imagine being able to select a specific SF/F/H writing subgenre, enter your word count, the word rate you would like to receive as payment, and click a button to get a custom list of viable markets for your fiction.  Then imagine that the website, writer's guidelines, and subscription information for that market are only a click away.  Engen has created an invaluable tool for new writers who are serious about getting their work published, and for established writers who might be looking for fresh markets. 

Fantasy & Science Fiction -- The venerable science fiction digest that launched the careers of many great authors.  F&SF still serves up some of the best speculative fiction available.

Gila Queen's Guide to Markets -- Kathyrn Ptacek's writing market list comes highly recommended by several award-winning authors.  If you're having trouble finding a home for that cross-genre short story or novel, this is a good place to start looking.  A subscription form and sample articles are available online.

The Golden Age of Science Fiction -- Michael Main, of the University of Colorado, put together this comprehensive list of Golden Age authors, complete with noted accomplishments and links to other information about those authors.  An excellent resource.

Horror Writers Association -- HWA, for short.  One of the top professional Horror writers guilds.

John E. Stith's Manuscript Format guidelines -- The appearance of a manuscript can land it in the trash before an editor even reads it.  When a manuscript does make it to the slush pile, its grammar, spelling and punctuation errors can make or break it.  Successful Colorado SF writer John E. Stith gives us some basic rules to follow to help keep our submissions out of the round file.

Light Bulb Alley -- Terry Hickman's page of writing resources and ideas.

Locus Magazine Online -- What's newsworthy in the worlds of science fiction, fantasy and horror publishing.

Northern Colorado Writers Workshop -- An invitation-only group, but the page still has a number of writing resources that are open to the public.

Polyphony -- A new serial anthology of slipstream, magic realism and other genre jumping fiction published by Wheatland Press.

Project Gutenberg -- Fine literature digitally re-published.

Reasonably Clever -- Okay, it's not a writing or music site.  But you can't tell me you don't want to know what you look like as a Lego® minifig.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers -- A strong fiction organization offering support, promotion and resources for Rocky Mountain writers.

Sci Fi Wire -- News relevant to the world of speculative fiction, brought to you by the Sci Fi Channel.  While you're there, check out Ellen Datlow's online magazine, SciFiction.

Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America -- SFWA, for short.  The top professional SF/F writers guild.

The Science Fiction Poetry Association -- This page contains information about the SFPA and the Rhysling award.

SF-Colorado -- An excellent site dedicated to the Colorado speculative fiction scene.

SFF.net -- Many established science fiction and fantasy writers make their online home here.

SpecFicWorld.com -- A comprehensive listing of speculative fiction markets, resources and contests, maintained by author and editor Doyle Wilmoth.  The site also acts as a gateway to the Rogue Worlds E-Zine and the SpecFicMe market newsletter.

Speculations -- Kent Brewster's online market resource, information site and discussion home for the speculative fiction crowd.  Of particular value is the Rumor Mill.

Take Our Word For It -- A wonderful site for exploring word etymologies.

The Writers' Information Registry -- Need a first-hand account to make your story come alive?  Check here first.

The Writer's Postage Chart -- Terry Hickman and Greg Koster have put together a comprehensive page giving postage guidelines covering several countries.  This is a great tool.  Use it!

Writers Write -- A page chock full of information, suggestions and answers to your questions.

Critique Groups and Sites

Critters.org -- The best online SF writing group I have seen yet.  Limited to science fiction, fantasy and horror writing, but with a massive membership roster.  Also includes the Crit Finder (a database of existing workshops arranged by zip code) and a secure online workshop hosting utility called TESTWW.  

The Short Story Workshop -- Another online critique group.

Bookstores/Booksellers/Small Presses

The Advanced Book Exchange -- Find it here, no matter what it is!

Boulder Book Store -- A fine independent book store in Boulder, Colorado.  The store is on four levels of an old Boulder office building, on the Pearl Street Mall.  Parking validations are available for customers, and the selection is great.  Come see the building that William Gibson recently described as "a complete ballroom on top of a book store."

Cocytus Press -- This limited edition fine press is the source for Stigmata, a beautiful writing and art anthology.

Old Possum's Bookstore -- The best new and used book store in the Denver North area.  The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, with theme-appropriate decorations in each section of the store.

Subterranean Press -- Fine hardback and chapbook publisher.

The Tattered Cover -- Denver's premier independent bookseller.

West Side's Book Annex -- Used and collectable books and merchandise in the busy Highlands Square district of Denver.  Home of Stories for All Seasons, a free literary arts series held on the third Wednesday of every month.

Wormhole Books -- A new chapbook publisher based jointly in Colorado and Indiana.  These folks offer superb chapbooks by established authors for reasonable prices.

Websites of Colorado Writers
(in alphabetical order by last name)

TreyRBarker.com -- Trey R. Barker used to live in Colorado before abandoning us for the wilds of Illinois, and we still miss him occasionally.  Fortunately for us, he has a website, complete with blog link, that we can use to keep up on his activities.  Trey is a multi-talented person; writing, broadcasting, guitar playing, and stage tech are among his many skills.  When despair looms, I look at all the creative things Trey has accomplished, and realize that there's hope for me yet.

Aburt's Page -- Andrew Burt's website

Wordfire.com -- Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta share this website to promote their works.  (Fitting, since they also share a home and a life together.) 

www.pdcacek.com -- P.D. (Trish) Cacek's website

12 Point Racing -- What?  Why is there a link to a motorcycle racing page here?  Simple.  Dave Gallant, the 12 Point Racing webmaster, lives in Colorado and is a fine writer in addition to being an MRA champion rider.  (Rider/writer.  Get it?  Never mind ....)  He's also a helluva nice guy and a good neighbor.  Check out his racing schedule, and support Dave and his teammates when they race near you.

Noble Dead -- Noble Dead is the online home of Barb and JC Hendee.  It is the primary source of information about their high fantasy/gothic crossover series of novels beginning with Dhampir.

Thinking Rock Press -- Jim Hess is a New York transplant who enjoys writing mysteries and humor about western stereotypes.  His site is possibly the only cyberplace where the sentence "He passed out following a slow dance with a moose head" has a believable context.

Will Hobbs -- I remember sitting in this man's classroom in seventh grade as he trained our Knowledge Bowl team for competition.  From trophy-winning academic coach and teacher to award-winning juvenile fiction writer, Will's career has always burned brightly.  I'm proud to recommend his books to my son.

The Norm -- Writing a comic strip, like writing poetry, requires strict economy of language due to the space restraints.  Add to that the daily deadlines, and it becomes even more difficult.  Louisville is lucky to have a good example of how to do it right in Michael Jantze.  Read Jantze's syndicated comic "The Norm" at the link above.

Gary Jonas -- Gary Jonas is funny.  No, really!  He's also one of those multi-talented writer/artist/musician types, and he has a fine website.  Look for the secret story links sprinkled throughout the site, and make sure you waste as much time on the site as I did!

Vickie Krudwig -- Vickie is an award-winning children's author and illustrator.  She lives in the Denver area with her husband and three children.

Wil McCarthy's Old Time Science Bar -- Wil McCarthy's website.  Wil is an established science fiction author and editor, and a contributing editor to Wired magazine.  He's a nice guy, too.

Panisphere -- Bruce Holland Rogers no longer lives in Colorado, making Eugene, Oregon his home now.  Despite his expatriate status, he says that he's "still a Colorado writer in spirit, just more moist."  Panisphere is his publishing company site, and his main personal site is at SFF.net.  He also sells flash fiction which he delivers to your e-mailbox for $5 per year at www.shortshortshort.com.

DanSimmons.com -- I first stumbled across Dan's work when I saw Carrion Comfort on a store shelf.  Being a big Gerard Manly Hopkins fan, I knew immediately I had found an author I could relate to.  It's rare to find an author who can write well in several genres, is so prolific, and still succeeds in producing literature with depth.  My hat's off to you, Dan!

www.neverend.com -- John E. Stith's website

Penumbra -- The Melanie and Steve Rasnic Tem website

Connie Willis -- Multiple award winner Connie Willis.  This page is a bit outdated, but still has some good information.

Terry Wright -- Lakewood science fiction / horror writer.  If you like the adrenaline rush of fast-paced adventure writing, this site is for you!