Helpful links
Trusted outside resources for readers and writers, from free ebooks and grammar help to finding an agent, self-publishing and running your writing as a business. Free unless noted. Links open in a new tab.
For readers and book clubs
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Project Gutenberg
(opens in a new tab)
www.gutenberg.org
Tens of thousands of free classic ebooks, no account needed.
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Open Library
(opens in a new tab)
openlibrary.org
Borrow ebooks free from the Internet Archive's digital library.
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Libby
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www.libbyapp.com
Free ebooks and audiobooks from your local library, with a library card.
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LitLovers
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www.litlovers.com
Reading guides and practical tips for running a book club.
For writers: craft and reference
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Purdue OWL
(opens in a new tab)
owl.purdue.edu
Purdue University's Online Writing Lab: grammar, punctuation, style and citation.
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Merriam-Webster
(opens in a new tab)
www.merriam-webster.com
Dictionary and thesaurus, with word histories and usage notes.
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OneLook
(opens in a new tab)
www.onelook.com
Searches hundreds of dictionaries at once, and can find a word from its description.
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Hemingway Editor
(opens in a new tab)
hemingwayapp.com
A web editor that highlights long, dense sentences and passive voice.
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Grammar Girl
(opens in a new tab)
www.quickanddirtytips.com/grammar-girl
Short, friendly answers to common grammar and usage questions.
Finding an agent or publisher
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QueryTracker
(opens in a new tab)
querytracker.net
A free database of literary agents: who represents your genre, and how to track your queries. Premium features are paid.
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Manuscript Wish List
(opens in a new tab)
www.manuscriptwishlist.com
Agents and editors post exactly what kinds of books they're looking for.
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Association of American Literary Agents
(opens in a new tab)
aalitagents.org
The professional body for U.S. agents, whose members follow a code of ethics. Includes a Find an Agent directory.
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Poets & Writers
(opens in a new tab)
www.pw.org
Databases of literary agents, small presses, literary magazines, contests and grants.
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The Submission Grinder
(opens in a new tab)
thegrinder.diabolicalplots.com
A searchable database of magazines and anthologies that publish short fiction, filterable by genre and pay. Supported by donations.
Self-publishing
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Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
(opens in a new tab)
kdp.amazon.com
Amazon's free tools to publish ebooks and paperbacks and sell them on Amazon.
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IngramSpark
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www.ingramspark.com
Print and ebook distribution to bookstores and libraries worldwide. See its pricing page for costs.
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Draft2Digital
(opens in a new tab)
www.draft2digital.com
Ebook and print distribution to many stores at once. Some services carry fees.
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U.S. ISBN Agency (Bowker)
(opens in a new tab)
www.myidentifiers.com
The official U.S. source for ISBNs and barcodes for your books. ISBNs are paid.
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International ISBN Agency
(opens in a new tab)
www.isbn-international.org/agencies
Find the official ISBN agency for your country, if you publish outside the U.S.
Running your writing as a business
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U.S. Small Business Administration
(opens in a new tab)
www.sba.gov/business-guide
Step-by-step guide to planning, registering and running a small business.
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SCORE
(opens in a new tab)
www.score.org
Free one-on-one mentoring from experienced business owners, plus free workshops.
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IRS Self-Employed Tax Center
(opens in a new tab)
www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/self-employed-individuals-tax-center
Official guidance on taxes for self-employed people, including writers.
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The Authors Guild
(opens in a new tab)
authorsguild.org
Free resources on contracts and the business of writing, including a model book contract. Membership is paid.
Staying safe and protecting your work
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Writer Beware
(opens in a new tab)
writerbeware.blog
Warnings about publishing scams, vanity presses and bad contracts, from SFWA.
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U.S. Copyright Office
(opens in a new tab)
www.copyright.gov/registration
How to register your work's copyright in the United States.
These sites are run by others, and 100 Acre Spotlight isn’t affiliated with any of them. Nothing here is legal or tax advice; for your own situation, talk to a qualified professional.