Writing Resources
A collection of the books, tools, blogs, and email newsletters I read, use, and heartily recommend.
SOFTWARE
Scrivener
I wrote the entirety of my book in Scrivener. It’s very, very unlikely I’ll ever use anything else for word processing and ebook formatting. It’s writing software for writers, no matter what kind of writer you are. Yes, there’s a learning curve, but that’s where the next writing resource will help you.
Learn Scrivener Fast
I took this online, self-paced, video-based course after writing my book in Scrivener, and I still learned a ton. Whether you want to put out ebooks or print books, or you want to get your blogging über-organized, the Learn Scrivener Fast course will help you become a more effective writer.
Backblaze
On a recommendation from a photographer friend who absolutely relies on her online storage, I chose Backblaze as my online backup solution. At $50/year for unlimited storage, it was an easy choice. If you use this affiliate link, you’ll get a month free.
PODCASTS
The Rocking Self-Publishing Podcast
Simon Whistler [iTunes]
Simon is an audiobook narrator who interviews many different self-published authors. Not en episode goes by that I don’t learn something new. Fun fact: Simon interviewed me for his forthcoming book, Audiobooks for Indies.
Novel Marketing
Thomas Umstattd Jr. + James L. Rubart [iTunes]
Novel Marketing is the shortest podcast I listen to at often less than 20 minutes, but it’s packed with insight.
The Sell More Books Show
Jim Kukral + Bryan Cohen [iTunes]
This is the newest podcast of those I’ve listed here. They cover the top news in the self-publishing industry as well as interview authors from time to time.
The Self-Publishing Podcast
Johnny B. Truant + Sean Platt + Dave Wright [iTunes: explicit]
Johnny, Sean, and Dave talk about the voluminous amounts of work they do and how they do it. You’ll be challenged (if you’re not offended first).
The Creative Penn
Joanna Penn [iTunes]
Dive into self-publishing long enough and you’ll hear Joanna’s name. She’s released a number of books, and she’ll often interview other indie authors, as well as dish on what she’s experimenting with in regards to her own books.
BOOKS
On Writing, Stephen King
Journal of a Novel, John Steinbeck
Walking on Water, Madeline L’Engle
Story, Robert McKee
Bird by Bird, Anne Lamott
On Writing Well, William Zinsser
The Elements of Style, Strunk + White
Save the Cat!, Blake Snyder
The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Campbell
To learn more about most of these books, read “The 7 Best Books on Writing.”