I’ve compiled a list of resources I think are helpful to newbies and long-time authors alike.
INFORMATION RESOURCES
Courtney writes under the names Lyra Parish and is one half of the Kennedy Fox writing duo (a USA TODAY bestselling duo at that!).
Courtney’s videos are informative, real, and inspiring. She has so many great videos up with lots of helpful info. Plus she hosts Live Writing Sprints that have helped MANY authors crank out all the words.
I highly recommend joining her Facebook Group, Write 10k in a Day – Challenge Group, where you’ll find loads of author buddies who will helpe challenge each other to write.
Alessandra Torre is a New York Times bestselling author, has had a book made into a movie, and hosts a yearly conference (Inkers Con) to help authors of any status. (I attended this event online last year, and will be attending again this year.)
Alessandra’s website is an easy to use, informative website that has valuable links and posts for new and established authors.
Make sure to join the Facebook Group Alessandra Torre Inkers, where you’ll find even more useful information—and maybe make a few author friends!
EDITING/FORMATTING/COVERS/PROMO
EDITING & PROOFREADING
I’ve worked with a few editors & proofreaders over the years, and I ADORE all of these editors and trust them explicitly.
Editing by C. Marie
Judy’s Proofreading
Deaton Author Services
Julia Griffis
Working with Valentine PR has been a game-changer for me. I feel seen, heard, and I feel like that even though I am a little fish in a big pond, I matter to them.
If full-time PR isn’t in your budget (totally understandable), Valentine partners with Grey’s Promotions.
COVER DESIGNERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
Before I began writing I was a cover artist, so I’m fortunate enough to make my own covers most of the time. However, I have worked with some designers & photographers over the years that I recommend.
Najla Qamber Designs
Regina Wamba
The Image Apothecary
Lindee Robinson Photography
Emily Wittig Designs
FOCUS TOOLS
This easy to use extension allows you to block websites so you don’t get distracted. My favorite feature is “Work Mode”, where I can use it to do my sprints and stay focused.
I LOVE using this site to block out the world! It has such a fun variety of sounds you can play with and mix, and the Coffee Shop noise is especially helpful when I can’t make it to my beloved Starbucks.
This program is a game-changer! It blocks your computer except for the program, allowing you to ONLY focus on writing. My productivity has sky-rocketed with this. I have no idea how I got stuff done before.
(There is an option to NOT lock your computer too for those who research as they write.)
The Forest App is an incentive based app that focuses on getting you (and keeping you) off your phone while writing. You collect coins for each session, then you use them to buy pretty trees that you then plant and grow while you write! There are all kinds of settings like Deep Focus Mode that will kill your trees if you play with your phone so it really forces you to focus. And you can write and grow with friends too!
If you use the code 555FZ8VSG to sign up, you’ll get some coins to buy some new trees right away.
DESIGN & SWAG
This website offers stock images that are affordable and fresh. They have a wide variety (sometimes stuff you can never unsee) and regularly have some great sales. I use this for teasers and promo images for every release.
Need a graphic? A font? A template? A stock photo?
Creative Market has EVERYTHING. Plus, they offer 6 FREE goodies every week. It’s affordable and you can find so many hidden gems on this site.
This website offers stock images that are affordable and fresh. They have a wide variety (sometimes stuff you can never unsee) and regularly have some great sales. I use this for teasers and promo images for every release.This is one of my absolute favorite places to get stickers, coasters, and labels from.
The quality is amazing, the proofing/shipping is FAST, and they have soooo many amazing sales that make their products incredibly affordable. If you’d like a $10 store credit, click here (you won’t regret it!).
This drag and drop graphics creator is a life-saver!
Before I started writing, I was a cover designer for many years and designed nearly 500 covers. I am very efficient in Photoshop, so when I say this tool is amazing, I mean it!
Don’t walk…RUN to this tool!
It’s free, but I personally believe that paying a subscription is 100% worth the price and then some.
