Every famous poet, author, journalist, screenwriter, etc. was once right where you are. Right where I am. While I do not profess to be an expert by any means, I wanted to compile a list of links and resources that I have found to be helpful on my own journey as a writer:

On writing

  • Helping Writers Become Authors, https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/ - This website is full of great resources related to story structure, character arcs, common writing mistakes, outlining, etc.
  • Character Worksheet, .doc and .pdf - There are a million different character bios out there, but this is the worksheet I usually use when I'm writing up a new character. It's my own mashup creation of several different bios I've come across. Great resource to help you develop strong characters. (.doc can be edited, .pdf is formatted for printing and filling out by hand)
  • Pitch Perfect, https://thinkingthroughourfingers.com/2016/09/30/surviving-the-dreaded-elevator-pitch/ - This article was immensely helpful to me in writing a clear, concise, strong story pitch. Great exercise to use not only after your story is written, but in the developmental stages to help identify weak plot points. Great overall website as well. (www.thinkingthroughourfingers.com)
  • The Emotional Craft of Fiction, by Donald Maas
  • Save the Cat! The Last Book on Screenwriting You'll Ever Need, by Blake Snyder - I prefer this book (the original) over Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book On Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody (although the latter is good, too).

On publishing

  • From the Query to the Call is a great book by author Elana Johnson about the entire querying process
  • Query Shark, http://queryshark.blogspot.com/ - Great blog dedicated to helping authors learn to write and revise query letters.
  • Query Tracker, https://querytracker.net/ - Site dedicated to finding literary agents and publishers. Good database included.
  • Publisher's Marketplace, http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/ - This is THE place to go to learn about publishing deals, sales, and book reviews, and to find agents, editors, and overall news in the publishing industry. **NOTE: Always, always, always double check information on an agent, editor, or publisher by visiting their official site. Sometimes the profiles on PM are not up-to-date.
  • Predators & Editors, http://pred-ed.com/ - Good site to look up agents, editors, and publishers to verify credibility and read reviews from those that have worked with them.

For the indie author

  • Kindle Direct Publishing, https://kdp.amazon.com/ - Probably the most widely known and cost-effective self-publishing platform, which is owned and operated by Amazon. You can use your own ISBNs (see Bowker below) or use a free Amazon-assigned one (which can only ever be used to publish your book through KDP). Simple setup to publish both print and digital copies of your book (paperback only; hardcover not an option). Books published/printed through KDP are easily sold through Amazon.com and its affiliates and available as print-on-demand, so the author/publisher does not have to carry an inventory.
  • Ingram Spark, http://www.ingramspark.com/ - This is another independent printer, producing high quality books for the indie author (and many publishing houses). Print-on-demand services also available, but you must supply your own ISBNs, and every upload costs (for example, if you upload a new file to correct typos).
  • Nook Press, https://www.nookpress.com/ - This is Barnes & Noble's version of KDP/CreateSpace. You can publish your ebooks here to be available at BN.com as Nook books, and you can also publish print books. HOWEVER, they are not a print book distributor, only a printer, so you would have to have your books printed from them, then order huge quantities and distribute (or sell) them to bookstores, websites, customers, etc. yourself.
  • Smashwords, https://www.smashwords.com/ - Another great ebook publisher. You can publish your ebook into several different formats for distribution on several different sites: iBooks, Google Books, Kobo, etc.
  • Book Life, http://booklife.com/ - This is Publisher Weekly's site dedicated to the indie author. News, promotions, contests, and resources galore.
  • Bowker, http://www.bowker.com/ - If you live and publish in the United States or Australia, this is the only place to buy official ISBNs. ISBNs cost about $200 for one, or $300 for 10 (I know, seriously). **NOTE: If you are a Canadian citizen and reside in Canada, ISBNs are free to you at no charge! Check out how to get yours here: http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/isbn-canada/Pages/isbn-canada.aspx
  • Bookow, http://bookow.com/ - Great website to help with formatting, AND he offers custom barcodes at no charge!