FOR FELLOW WRITERS 

 

The Writer's Studio (TWS) at Simon Fraser University is where I learned the craft and business of writing. TWS also has a Writer's Tip blog with posts from TWS students, alumni, mentors and staff.

 

Vancouver Manuscript Intensive. Offered by Betsy Warland, former director of TWS and a cornerstone of the Vancouver writing scene.

 

Agent Research and Evaluation. Bill Martin, Beverly Martin, and Daisy the dog are the best. When your manuscript is done and you're ready to contact literary agents, take a look at their services.

 

Merchants of Culture, by John B. Thompson. How the publishing industry works, or rather, doesn't. It's an academic book but in no way is it boring. When this book first came out, eBooks were just gaining traction so regard this not as prophecy but a thoughtful analysis of how booksellers, publishers, agents, and authors try to do business now.  A friend gave me a copy and then I bought 2 more for other writing friends.

 

GK Design. My website designers, who provide superb technical skills, creative juice, and cheerful support. 

 

The Writer's Trust of Canada. Please donate. Or, see what they can do for you.

 

Writer's Union of Canada. Provides support and resources for writers while also advocating on their behalf to government and other organizations.

 

Writers Beware. Blog from a watchdog group sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. Warnings about the latest literary scams, schemes, and pitfalls -- including writing contests.

 

Author's Salon. Only for "serious writers desirous of publication and completely open to productive critique from qualified peers and professionals". This means I'll lurk for a bit before jumping in.

    

BLOGS & WEBSITES  I ENJOY

 

Catherine, Caffeinated: the ongoing saga of getting published, self-published, and unpublished from a talented and funny writer who doesn't hold back.

 

Cory Doctorow's Craphound: I bow at his feet for well-executed online presence, great branding, and highly original SF. 

 

Ironic Mom: Leanne Shirtliffe makes me glad I get to laugh  about her parenting experiences instead of actually suffering through them. Cats are so much easier.

 

Our Daily Beard. Weirdly intelligent poetry and rants by Meaghan Rondeau. Best to hear her poetry in live performance. I'm a fan. 

 

The Smitten Kitchen: this is the cooking blog that changed my previously adversarial relationship with piecrust.