Writers Resources
The Muse Online Community for Writers!
The Muse has been finding ways to adapt to and thrive in the virtual sphere for the past year; one of our goals, both online and in person, has always been to create a community space for writers. To that end, we are excited to present… The Muse Writers Server, our very own Muse Discord server! This is a virtual space for all members of the Muse community to chat, write together, and generally hang out. Join The Muse Writers Server!
If you don’t have an account, the link will prompt you to create one – it is fast and easy. If you’d like to learn more about Discord and how it works, there will be more information once you join the server using the above link; you can also check out the Beginner’s Guide.
Join the Writers Reservoir!
Join our Facebook group, The Writers Reservoir and connect with other writers and share articles, essays and personal experiences about being a writer in the world today as well as information about places to submit, contests, conferences, and more. In this online writers’ community, you can share, learn, connect and find that often elusive creative spark. The Writers Reservoir is an open Facebook group. All are welcome to join and send invitations to join.
Writer Opportunities in Virginia
Trust us—we were just as excited as you to find out there's a multitude of free workshops & resources available to writers out there. Take a look at these opportunities (some free and some not free) below.
- Conferences & Workshops in VA
- Resources for Writers in Virginia
- Hampton Roads Writers Conference
- Fairfax & Other Areas Writing Workshops
- VA Writers Club Events
- UVA Young Writer's Workshops
- Annual Writers Conference - Christopher Newport University
- Literary Festival - Old Dominion University
- Literary Festival Tidewater Comunity College
- Free Writer Resource Packs
- Free Online Workshops
- Free Mini Courses
- Association of Writers & Writing Programs
- Push Comedy Theater for Improv Classes
- Zeiders American Dream Theater - Playwrighting Workshops
- The Venue on 35th's Open Mic Nights
- Yorktown Poetry Writers' Workshop
- Poetry Society of Virginia - Workshops & Readings
- MarsCon - SFF Convention!
Writer Communities
Writing is nothing if not social. We’ve gathered some great communities and opportunities for you to start making some life-long (writing) friends.
- Reedsy Prompts
- Best Online Writing Communities for Aspiring Authors
- PitchWars & PitMad
- NaNoWriMo
- Writer's Digest
- Writing Stack Exchange
- Jericho Writers
- James River Writers
- Virginia Writers Club
- National Centre for Writing's Discord
- Tidewater Writers Critique Group
- Hampton Roads Kidlit Writers & Illustrators
- Virginia Beach Writers - Critique Group
- Chesapeake Bay Writers
- The Southeastern Virginia Chapter of Sisters in Crime
Defeat Writer's Block
We understand how difficult it can be to get to work on your Great American Novel. Check out these resources to get your creative juices flowing and beat that writer’s block. Then, consider this your sign to get to work!
Genre Specific Resources
Unless you're writing a Horror-Western about a goblin warlord's romantic relations (we'd read it), different genres tend to have different demands. We've done some of the heavy lifting for you and found some great resource lists per-genre.
- Romance: Resources
- Romance: Healthy Relationships & Things to Avoid
- Fantasy: Worldbuilding Resources
- Fantasy: Writing a Fantasy Novel Breakdown
- Horror: Current Resources
- Horror: Top Resources
- Historical Fiction: Unconventional Resources
- Historical Fiction: Tips From an Author
- Sci-Fi: Terrific Resources for Writing Space-Based Hard Science Fiction
- Sci-Fi: Must-visit websites
- Crime & Mystery: Research Resources
- Crime & Mystery: Fabulous Resources
- Specifics of Worldbuilding
For Short Story Writers
Sometimes you just want a quick write. Some resources are listed here so you can do just that! Additionally, we've included some miscellaneous resources here as well.
Resources for Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Picture Book Authors
Kids—it takes a village. Young Adult, Middle Grade, and Picture Book writing is no exception. Here are some great lists to start building your "village" of resources!
- YA: Habits of Highly Successful Young-Adult Fiction Authors
- YA: Key Ingredients All Young Adult Novels Must Have
- Kidlit
- MG: Developing a Compelling Middle-Grade Fiction Premise
- MG: Writing a Middle-Grade Novel
- MG: How To Learn The Market For Middle-Grade Fiction
- Critical Differences Between Middle Grade and YA Books
- PB: How to Write a Picture Book, Frequently Asked Questions
- PB: Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators FAQs
- PB: How to Write a Children's Book, From an Editor
Nonfiction Resources
It takes true patience, poise, and dedication to write an entire book about the African Dwarf Frog, Abraham Lincoln, or Knitting a Baby Yoda: Step by Step. Here’s a great place to get started.
Editing Tips and Tricks
That’s right. An entire section devoted to editing your Great American Novel. Should you use a period there? A semi-colon here? And is it affect or effect or both? We don’t know, but these fantastic resources do.
- Hemingway Editor
- Grammarly
- Most Common Editing Mistakes Made by Writers and How to Avoid Them
- Novel Editing Mistakes
- Common Editing and Typo Mistakes to Watch for
- Punctuating Dialogue
- How often should similes and metaphors be used in fiction?
- Literature & Punctuation Statistics
- Proper Manuscript Format for a Novel
- What an Editor Wants you To know about Formatting A Book
Professional Development
From querying (scary!) to publishing (exciting!), this section has some great resources to get you started. We’re with you all the way!
- Everything You Wanted to Know about Book Sales
- The Publishing Process
- What Writers Need to Know About Literary Agents
- The Write Life
- Query Shark
- Local Publisher: Penultimate Peanut Magazine
- Local Publisher: Barely South Review
- Local Publisher: Blue Collar Review
- Local Publisher: Coastal Virginia Magazine
Self Publishing
We love to see creativity and ingenuity, and nothing screams this more than self-publishing. For all of you independent and totally-amazing self-publishing authors, here’s a great place to get started.
Books on Writing
If you’re reading this, chances are you like books. And while this isn’t your average summer reading list, we do have some great recommendations for books ABOUT writing you should check out.
- The Best Seller Code by Archers and Jockers
- Nabokov’s Favorite Word Is Mauve by Ben Blatt
- Hit Lit by James W. Hall
- Big Magic: How to Live a Creative Life and Let Go of Your Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
- On Writing by Stephen King