Writing Contests and Awards

Browse our range of writing contests and awards links especially for the competitive author!
NB: Links were correct and working at time of publishing. WritersNet accepts no responsibility for dead links.

Amy Writing Awards
The Amy Foundation Writing Awards program is designed to recognize creative, skillful writing that presents in a sensitive, thought-provoking manner the biblical position on issues affecting the world today.

Bad Writing Awards
The Bad Writing Contest celebrates the most stylistically lamentable passages found in scholarly books and articles published in recent years. Ordinary journalism, fiction, departmental memos, etc. are not eligible, nor are parodies. Deliberate parody cannot be allowed in a field where unintended self-parody is so widespread.

Canadian Authors Association Literary Awards
These awards are presented at the CAA Awards Banquet at our Annual Conference each year. The 2001 Awards will be presented in Halifax in June 2001.

Children's Book Awards
Includes the Jane Addams Book Award, presented annually to the children's book that most effectively promotes the cause of peace, social justice and world community, and The Caldecott Medal, given to the artist who has created the most distinguished picture book of the year.

Dishonourable Writing Awards
Here are some of the winning entries announced in the 17th annual Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, organized by San Jose State University's English department, honoring dishonorable writing.

eBook Awards
Includes the Alan Kay Award for eBook Innovation, which recognizes the organization that has contributed the most towards acceptance and the popularization of electronic books in the past year; and the Electronic Literature Awards, with prizes that are the monetary equivalent of a National Book Award.

James Beard and Julia Child Literary Food Writing Awards
A list of award-winning cookbooks straight from the kitchen of Julia Child.

Myers Outstanding Book Awards Winners
Each year a diverse panel of reviewers reads a slew of books addressing bigotry and human rights issues. On the occasion of Human Rights Day, the Myers Center for the Study of Human Rights and Bigotry announces the twelve books published in a given year deemed truly outstanding, different in theme, style and approach.

New Century Writer Awards
Our competition is based in the United States, but its influence is international and reaches out to writers across the globe. Storytelling, after all, like art and music, is universal.

The Official Nobel Prize Site
Browse the Literature award winners from 1901 to today.

The Official Pulitzer Site
Winners, archives and history of the famous Pulitzer Prize.

OscarWorld Writing Awards
A full list of the Academy Awards for Writing.

Poetry Contests Awards and Prizes
Includes The Academy Fellowship, a fellowship offered by the Academy of American Poets with a stipend of $20,000; The Akron Poetry Prize, a competition open to all poets writing in English; and the Annual Love Poem Award.

The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
The Scholastic Art & Writing Awards have provided an avenue for young artists and writers to receive recognition and rewards for their creative achievements. The Awards have helped nurture eight decades of promising talent by providing recognition, cash awards and college scholarships.

State Library of Australia Children's Writing Awards
The Nestle Write Around Australia Program is a unique program for students, designed by the State Library of NSW and coordinated by the public library system across Australia. The program draws on the talents of established children's authors to encourage the next generation of writers through practical writing workshops.

Creative Writing

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The Art of Writing Instant Muse Utilities
The Art of Writing Instant Muse page is a gateway to writing inspiration. There are two writing prompt Muses to choose from: the Poetry Generator, which produces a first line of poetry from lists of random words, and the Story Starter, which furnishes the writer with elements for a story -- character details, themes, settings, etc.

Aylad's Writers' Group
Aylad's Writer's Group (now Aylads Publishing) has free critique groups and lots of valuable information for creative writers.

Bizango: The Writer's Domain
Thoughts and articles by creative writers.

Colorado College Creative Writing
Resources from the English department of Colorado College.

Creative Writing for Teens
A helpful resource for teenage writing enthusiasts.

Essays on the Craft of Dramatic Writing
This site offers writers of all levels and genres new ideas on the essential elements of storytelling: creating dynamic characters, identifying what's at stake in a story, and ensuring that both the plot and story lines converge into an emotionally fulfilling resolution.

FicTech for Novelists
Learn the techniques used by today's best-selling authors: characterization, description, dialog, dramatic action, exposition, setting, plot, theme structure, reviews and analyses of noteworthy novels, working methods, publishing trends, interviews, creativity exercises, literary challenges, topical links and resources for writers.

Online Workshops in Creative Writing
Earn an Accredited Creative Writing Certificate by taking any combination of the creative writing courses listed in the online course catalog. The creative writing courses below can also be taken individually for non-certificate credit.

Pizzaz! Creative Writing
PIZZAZ! is dedicated to providing simple creative writing and oral storytelling activities with copyable (yes, copyable!) handouts for use with students of all ages. Permission is given to use these resources for in-class, non-profit use only.

Poets & Writers Online
P&W focuses on the source of literature, providing support and exposure to writers at all stages in their development. P&W assists authors in their search for career-related information, outlets for their work, opportunities for professional advancement and community with other writers.

The Story A Day Writer's Kit
Every day, for 30 days, write a mini-story (500 words or less) about the topic given for that day. If this site catches on, I will be changing the topics monthly. Give it a try! It might give you some great ideas, or help you get in that all-important habit of writing every day.

The Story Exchange
The Story Exchange is a great place for anyone who loves to read to find great short stories, essays, vignettes, and poetry, and a place for writers to come together. We're sure you can find something of interest here, whether it be simply reading the writing of the talented authors we've published here, or sharing some of your own work with us.

Thoughts Beneath The Trees
Creativity at its best, promotes creative acts in others, inspirations breed inspiration, and beginnings beget beginnings. Authors, poets, and artists with complementary work are thus encouraged to submit material for inclusion here.

Write to the Heart!
Is there a relationship or time of your life you want to explore? Is there a difficult memory you want to put into perspective? Do you have family stories you want to tell or give as gifts? Is there someone you'd like to honor with a celebration of words? Writing is good therapy as well as art!

Suite101 Writers' Suite!


Booksellers

American Booksellers Association
The not-for-profit trade association representing independent bookstores.

American Booksellers Association for Free Expression
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression is the bookseller's voice in the fight against censorship. ABFFE’s mission is promote and protect the free exchange of ideas, particularly those contained in books, by opposing restrictions on the freedom of speech.

Antiquarian Booksellers Association of America
The mission of the ABAA is to promote ethical standards and professionalism in the antiquarian book trade, to encourage the collecting and preservation of antiquarian books and related materials, and to facilitate collegial relations between booksellers, librarians, scholars, and collectors.

Bookwire Booksellers Index
Bookwire's index for booksellers.

The Booksellers' Association of the UK and Ireland
The Booksellers Association of the United Kingdom and Ireland Limited, representing over 95% of booksellers in the UK and Ireland, is committed to providing the widest possible range of services to its membership.

Children's Booksellers on the Internet
This is a selective and highly subjective list of online bookstores that offer recommendations, reviews, and background information we can use to promote children's books, whether or not we actually buy anything.

Christian Booksellers Association
The CBA's mission is to see excellent Christian products impact the lives of people everywhere.

Collins Booksellers
The official site of Collins Books Australia, with an Author of the Month profile, a Book of the Month and a searchable directory of books to buy.

MacMillan Publishing
Booksellers' Information from MacMillan Publishing.

Morgan Kaufman Publishers: Booksellers
Information for booksellers from Morgan Kaufaman Publishers.

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
Welcome to the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association. These pages are a resource for readers, book lovers and consumers. Bestsellers, a store directory, recommended reading, book news, links to web sites and more can be found here.

Oxford Press
Booksellers' Information from Oxford Press.

Palgrave Publishing & Distribution
At Palgrave we strive always to support our customers as effectively and efficiently as possible. Our aim is to be your publisher of choice and as part of our commitment to building the best possible relationship with our customers we have produced this dedicated booksellers area in order to tell you about ourselves and what we offer our customers.

Writers and Authors forums and chat rooms

 

Authors on the Undernet
Our mission is to provide a supportive environment for writers - a place to relax as well as celebrate one another's successes.

Connover's Writing Corral
A site for writer's to ask and/or answer questions of other writers. A site where writers can express themselves.

The Edge: Inspiring Speculative Creativity in the Humanities & Performing Arts
The Edge was created for those strange and talented individuals who want to create speculative fiction that rides the cutting edge. The Edge offers intensive workshops and interactive sessions designed to spur and stimulate. The Edge offers resources and opportunities gleaned from on and off the internet.

Hedtec Moving Pictures Ltd
The goal of this site is to create an on line network of independent filmmakers offering critique, information, and ideas about filmmaking.

Inkspot Chat
Welcome to Inkspot Chat enables writers with Java-enabled browsers to chat digitally chat with one another.

Multi-Discipline Arts Panel Chat
Various chat topics for writers and artists.

The Official Misc.Writing Web Site
Misc.Writing ("mw") is a UseNet newsgroup that provides a forum for discussion of writing in all its forms - scholarly, technical, journalistic, artistic and mere day-to-day communication. It is a venue for professional writers, would-be professionals and all those who write to communicate.

The Online Writery
Our mission is to encourage dialogue and conversation among writers.

The Writer's BBS
In this cozy place you'll meet fellow writers and find many resources of interest to authors, poets, and journalists. Meet other writers for writing workshops, conferences, or just to talk in our more than 50 Writers' Discussion and Critique Forums covering both fiction and non-fiction with topics ranging from poetry to politics, and almost everything in between.

Writer's Notebook
On online forum of encouragement and support for writers.

Writer's Write Chat
Writers Write Chat provides general discussion of writing as well as moderated events. Log in to our chat community or check for upcoming live events. You can also check our Events Guide for upcoming literary events including booksignings, author chats, book fairs and conferences.

Yahoo! Creative Writing Workshops
Helps new writers post fiction, poetry, or nonfiction for comments from other writers and readers. Offers an exchange source for amateurs. Includes poems, stories, ideas, and critiques. ezine and critique group, presenting stories, poetry, and other writing.

Zeal.com literature forums
A selection of forums for writers' groups.

Scriptwriting

Browse our range of links for the scriptwriter or playwright in all of us!

Playwrights on the Web
This site is an international database of playwrights and their websites, offering directors, producers & publishers a free and unique way to discover new plays & fresh talent.

WordPlayer
WordPlayer, designed and maintained by screenwriters, describes itself as "a pleasant way-station on this odd, infuriating, enticing pilgrimage that is writing screenplays".

 

Writers Resources by Genre

Browse our range of links in different genres!
NB: Links were correct and working at time of publishing. Smart Writers accepts no responsibility for dead links.

Children's Writing

Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

SCBWI is the only professional organization dedicated to serving the people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children's literature.

Horror



Horror Writers' Association The Horror Writers' Association (HWA) is a worldwide organization of writers and publishing professionals dedicated to promoting the interests of writers of Horror and Dark Fantasy.

Other

Crossing the Threshold

We looks at writing romance, science fiction and fantasy and those books that cross genres. You'll find how-to articles, writing exercises and research pages on the weird and unusual.
Writer Online
This magazine includes news, reviews, interviews, poetry and even software downloads! Writer Online is a publication of WriteRead.com. 

Education for Writers

BGSU Writing Lab Online
The Bowling Green State University Writing Lab, a division of the Office of Academic Enhancement, is dedicated to helping writers take advantage of all the opportunities for learning inherent in the writing process.

Chronicles of an Internet Writer
Author Bianca Greenberg offers her book, and related articles, on writing for the Internet.

Comenius English Language Center
The Comenius Group developed this site so that students, teachers and speakers of English from around the world can have on line access to relevant materials, lessons and products.

The Creative Teaching Web Site
The Creative Teaching site is a non-profit site financed by the author to help develop creative teaching and professional enthusiasm.

The Department of Interdisciplinary Writing
The Interdisciplinary Writing Department offers courses in a wide range of applied language skills. In addition, the department offers theoretical composition courses that encourage an understanding of the ways in which language shapes and is shaped by culture.

Dr. Gwen's Research Paper Information Page
This page is setup to assist the student in doing research / term papers. Here you will find links that have information to facilitate the process of creating, and documenting your paper.

ELTASIA Writing Center
We are dedicated to providing English learners and teachers in Asia with online language educational resources. These resources include a network of learners and professionals discussing English learning and teaching in Asia through the ELTASIA-L online discussion list, articles in our online journals, online tools for lifelong learning, and professional development through online workshops and courses.

English Online
Materials for teaching & learning English online.

HappyWriters.com
HappyWriters.com is your source for the latest, hottest and newest writing tips, tricks and secrets of the pros.

The Nuts and Bolts of College Writing
Nuts and Bolts should be called a thinking guide rather than a writing guide. As a thinking guide, Nuts and Bolts offers not just a bunch of rules to memorize but a framework for how to analyze essays, from their overall structure down to individual words.

The Owl Writing Lab
This page contains information about the Writing Lab and OWL such as the services we provide for students and teachers at Purdue University, including a virtual tour, frequently asked questions, contact information, and our fair use policy. Don't forget our well-known Writing Lab Newsletter.

Painted Rock Writers and Readers Colony
Classes and seminars offered in romance, mystery, research, plotting, synopsis writing, article writing, inspirational writing, memoir writing, paranormal writing, non-fiction writing and much more. Ten research classes available. Taught by published authors and researchers who are also experienced instructors.

Robert McKee's Story Seminars
This site includes upcoming appearances, information, etc regarding Robert McKee's acclaimed "Story" seminar. Also includes information on upcoming Comedy, Thriller and Horror Seminars.

Splading University, Master of Fine Arts in Writing
The two-year program is well suited for people who wish to become better writers and desire the experience of graduate-level instruction.

Tidewater Community College Writing Center
The staff of the Writing Center, a support service of the Humanities Division, offer free assistance on a voluntary basis to students who are writing in any course at the college. Help is available at these times/ hours for writers of lab reports, research papers, essays, outlines, summaries, case studies, book reviews, and other writing assignments in any subject.

The Writing Center
Our handouts are a great way to take what you've learned at the Writing Center home to refer to while you write. Many handouts are available online to assist you with what you have learned at the Writing Center.

The Writing Center: University of Richmond
Implemented in 1992, this writing program involves faculty, students, Writing Fellows and program personnel in collaborative "writing as learning'' experiences. Instructors and Fellows work with students in various disciplines and departments.

UpWrite Press: Business Writing Tips for Professional Development
Business writing tips and writing resources for effective business communication and professional development. Books, CDs and online writing guides for improved business writing skills.

WritingClasses.com
Our philosophy is that writing is not only about talent; it is a craft that can be taught. We focus on teaching the fundamental elements of writing and we get students writing. All of our instructors are professional NYC writers and teachers; they are expert at conveying the larger concepts and nuances of writing. Students also benefit from structured, effective feedback, instructing students on how to sharpen their critiquing skills.

Authors Directories and Databases

 

American Authors on the Web
A huge list of articles featuring American authors from Ernest Hemingway to Arudhati Roy.

Authors Guild
The Author's Guild is the nation's largest society of published authors and is a leading advocate for fair compensation, free speech, and copyright protection.

Authors & Illustrators on the Web
The Internet has become a great source of information about a great many children's writers and illustrators. The websites listed here include authors' personal websites and websites maintained by fans, scholars, and readers.

Ghost Writing With Cathy Gileadi
Cathy Gileadi offers ghost-writing, research, editing and rewriting. She works with all sorts of subject matter, including business, computer, marketing, novels and art.

Native American Authors
This website provides information on Native North American authors with bibliographies of their published works, biographical information, and links to online resources including interviews, online texts and tribal websites.

Nordic Authors
Project Runeberg's continuously updated database of more than 12,000 authors and other relevant people from the Nordic countries, including hundreds of detailed biographies.

Novelists, Inc.
Novelists, Inc. keeps its members connected, communicating, and well-informed while striving to better the status of fiction writers.

Peter's Place of Freelance Journalism
Peter's Place is devoted exclusively to the business of freelance journalism, with a touch of humor. This is a primarily a professional site with some information for new journalists. Peter's Place is updated regularly and welcomes your comments and suggestions.

Samantha Valentine's Literary World
Samantha Valentine is an accomplished British author and a master in light-hearted ghost stories. She also acts on behalf of authors as a literary agent.

Suite 101
Suite 101 primarily consists of "how-to" articles on writing novels. Each week, author Kim Kay takes one aspect and offers tips and suggestions. In addition, once every now and then, she interviews a published novelist to find out his or her secrets for success.

Timeless Hemingway
A favorite maxim of Ernest Hemingway was "il faut d'abord durer" roughly translating to "first, one must endure." Come see why this writer has endured.

Write4Kids
All about writing books and stories for children: advice, how-to info, tips, messaging, research links and much more.

Write Better, Get Published
Inside this site you'll be shown how to write, how you can successfully market what you write to magazines and book publishers, and how you can choose the publishing option that's best for you.


 

Bestseller Lists

Browse our range of bestseller links especially for the trend-seeking author!

About.com Mystery
A collection of mystery bestseller lists from About.com.

About.com Publishers
A wide range of links from About.com.

About.com Science Fiction and Fantasy
A collection of science fiction and fantasy bestseller lists from About.com.

Amazon.com Books Top Sellers
Save on the titles Amazon.com customers couldn't live without. Updated hourly.

Baker & Taylor Bestsellers
Bestselling university press titles, in both cloth and paperback.

Barnes and Noble
A selection of bestsellers from Barnes and Noble

CBA Marketplace Bestseller Lists
CBA Marketplace publishes monthly best-seller lists for clothbound nonfiction, paperback nonfiction, fiction, mass-market paperbacks, children's books, Bibles, music, and videos.

Deseret Book's Bestseller Lists
Various bestseller lists from Deseret Books.

New York Times Bestsellers Lists
Extensive bestsellers from the New York Times

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association
The unique character of Northern California and the independent bookstores which serve the region help shape a bestseller list different from other such lists. The NCIBA list reflects the special qualities which help define the West Coast - culturally independent, high-tech, socially aware and ethnically diverse.

Popular Author Books
PopularAuthorBooks.com consists of pages devoted to authors old and new with Amazon.com, the leading online bookseller, fulfilling purchases made through the site. This is the place to return to find books organized either by sales rank, customer reviews, or alphabetically.

Publishers Weekly Bestsellers Lists and Stories
Bestsellers lists from Publishers Weekly.

Richard Poe Bestsellers
Richard Poe's Directory of bestseller lists.

USA Today Bestsellers
USA TODAY's list is based on a computer analysis of retail book sales nationwide last week. Included are among more than 1.5 million volumes from approximately 3,000 large inventory, diverse content bookstores.

Book Arts

Browse our range of book arts links especially for the visually-oriented author!

Artists for Independent Art
Coming in the near future, AfIA music hall, AfIA Cinema, and the AfIA Interactive Artist Palace. We will be bringing you more artists in more mediums, plus you will be able to purchase the art you see here.

The Bernard Becker Medical Library
Various links related to book art from the University of Washington.

Book Art: Basics of Book Binding
Information on book binding and more.

Book Art Criticism: New Thoughts
An online forum where users post their opinions about book art.

Book Art in the National Art Library
The National Art Library has always collected books disseminating the ideas of artists and demonstrating the artist's experimentation with the medium of the book. These publications are broadly referred to as Artists' Books and there are currently c.5,000 items in the Library's collection.

Book Art Press: Publishers of New Art International
Book Art Press are the publishers of New Art International, a fine art book of new international contemporary art. Visit our On Line Gallery to view works by artists represented in New Art International.

The Book Arts Web
This is the home of the Book Arts Web which features links to a large selection of book arts related sites on the web, including galleries with images. They are fully searchable and contain a treasure trove of all kinds of technical tips, announcements, and helpful banter.

The Canadian Bookbinders and Book Artists Guild
We celebrate the book arts on these pages; bookbinding, papermaking, calligraphy, letterpress printing & typography, wood engraving, paper decorating, and conservation.

Cartoons by Dan Rosandich
Cartoons are available for a negotiable fee, to license for any usage.

The Centre for Book Arts
Today many artists adapt the form and materials of the book to communicate their content. There are traditional letterpress books with beautiful typography, fine bookbindings, artists' books, and sculptural bookworks.

Columbia Art Center
Photographic book art in the United States.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
A museum which features picture book art from around the world.

Michael McCurdy
The site of Michael McCurdy, book illustrator and author.

Planet Cartoonist - Children's Book Art
Develop an intimate knowledge of the art of the children's book by reading any of these enlightening titles, which are sure to bring out the child in you.

Websites Dealing With Children's Book Art/Illustrations
Links to various children's book art sites.

 
Resources To Help You Protect Yourself

The Association of Authors' Representatives. (http://www.aar-online.org/) The professional trade group for US agents. The website hosts a membership roster and the AAR Canon of Ethics.

The Association of Authors' Agents. (http://www.agentsassoc.co.uk/) The professional trade group for UK agents. Their website hosts a membership roster and the AAA Code of Practice.

The Australian Literary Agents' Association. (http://austlitagentsassoc.com.au/) The professional trade group for Australian agents. The website includes a membership roster, a Code of Practice, and an extensive list of writers' resources.

Agent Research & Evaluation News. (http://www.agentresearch.com/news.html) Informative articles on agents and the deals they make.

Publishers Weekly. (http://publishersweekly.com/) The online version of the print magazine, very useful for news about agents and publishing in general. It's mainly US-focused, but covers international publishing as well.

Publishing News Online. (http://www.publishingnews.co.uk/) Also an online version of the print magazine. Comprehensive news about the UK market.

Publisher's Lunch. (http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/lunch/free/) A daily e-mail newsletter with all the latest news about publishing worldwide. A full subscription costs, but the "lite" version is still free. A feature is the weekly Deal Lunch, which covers recent agent/publisher deals.

Publishers Marketplace. (http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/). An extensive professional website where many established agents have listings (as usual, though, there are a few bad eggs).

AgentQuery. (http://www.agentquery.com/) Another useful online agent listing at a site whose owners are careful about vetting the agents they include.

Writer Beware. (http://www.writerbeware.org/) I maintain this website for SFWA. There's detailed information about literary agents here, as well as sections on independent editors, vanity/subsidy publishers, contests, copyright, electronic rights, and online publication.

Preditors & Editors. (http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/) Agent listings, with notations as to which agents aren't recommended for fee-charging and other abuses.

Agent Research & Evaluation Verification Service. (http://www.agentresearch.com/agent_ver.html) Another place to check up on agents. AR&E will search their database for sales the agent has made, and let you know if there've been any complaints.

Researching an Agent's Track Record (http://www.sff.net/people/VictoriaStrauss/trackrecord.html) My article suggests a procedure for researching agents' track records, and offers a number of resources to help.

The Safest Way to Search For an Agent (http://www.sff.net/people/VictoriaStrauss/agentsearch.html) My article recommends a procedure for agent-hunting that's designed to weed incompetent and dishonest agents out of your query list.


 

 

 

 

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