Free Writing Center

When you are a writer, whether you’re writing for the online market or the offline “print” market, there are a number of resources that are critical to your success. These span the whole range of skills that every writer needs, including:

1. How to write well
2. How to organize and plan your writing projects
3. How to make money from writing
4. How to get published (either online or offline)

Every month I plan to provide book reviews for the best books out there on particular topics related to writing. This month, I’d like to focus on two books in particular - the annual Writer’s Market, and the instructional and entertaining book On Writing by Stephen King.

The 2009 Writer’s Market

The Writer’s Market is published on an annual basis, and includes the most recent list of publishers, agents, and other contacts that writer’s who are looking to be published need to know. The fact is that this particular book is the Bible of the writing world. Even Stephenie Meyer, the new author who found tremendous fame in her Twilight series, pointed out what was at the very center of her publication efforts when she writes:

“I subscribed to WritersMarket.com and compiled a list of small publishers that accepted unsolicited submissions and a few literary agencies.”

The fact agents and publishers continue to “discover” new writers every year is proof enough that you too have the potential to become the next “big thing” in the literary world. This book contains everything you need to navigate that path.

Stephen King - On Writing

If there’s a single book “on writing” that I have to admit I enjoyed more as a source of entertainment than as a source of literary education, this book was it. I’ve always liked Stephen King’s dark humor and gritty sarcasm, although his arrogance, at times, is a bit difficult to stomach. Then again, when you get to his level of fame, I suppose that’s your right.

While there are some King novels that are at the top of my own “favorite” list, and others that are horrendous, like Rose Madder, this particular book titled On Writing, is at the very top of that list. The rare insight that King provides into his own life and his early struggles with writing is enlightening and encouraging for every new author. But his overwhelming advice is poignant and true - successful writers work hard, but the majority of them work hard for peanuts. Publication is often 50% skill, and 50% luck. This book is useful however, if only because of the wisdom found inside, from the “King of Horror” himself.