Philippa Jognston, Director of literature training, draws up her shortlist of the best on the Net.
1. http://www.writersservices.com
This is a site that I use a lot in my work with literaturetraining, giving information and advice on professional development to writers and literature professionals. Not surprisingly, we get lots of questions about getting published and this site was set up specifically to help writers prepare for publication. It has a great resource section that includes factsheets by Michael Legat, an expert on writing and publishing; a series of Inside Publishing articles by Chris Holifield; and the full agents listing from the Writers? and Artists? Year Book.
2. http://www.booktrust.org.uk
The Booktrust site is another rich information resource with listings of grants and awards for writers, a book events calendar, factsheets on getting published (including one for aspiring children?s writers) and helpful information for writers in schools in its Writing Together section. It?s also worth visiting Booktrust?s children?s book site at http://www.booktrusted.com and its site devoted to the UK book world at http://www.bookinformation.co.uk ? this includes a searchable directory of book prizes and awards, and a listing of new and forthcoming books in the UK.
3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/
Everyone seems to want to write for television nowadays so I find that this BBC site is a godsend. It has a really comprehensive submissions section plus examples of produced BBC TV and radio scripts, Q & A interviews with writers and industry execs, and it offers free script formatting software.
4. http://www.branching-out.net
Indispensable for everyone involved in reader development. There?s a searchable database of tried and tested projects, a listing of research reports, a directory of reader development contacts in library authorities across the UK, plus a refreshingly subjective guide to independent presses in the UK with ideas and information on ways that libraries and presses can work together.
5. http://www.poetrylibrary.org.uk
Yet another fantastic (and free) resource with information on poetry publishers, events, competitions and websites, plus details of nearly 200 print and online poetry magazines. Some of the print format ones can be viewed online at the Poetry Library?s magazines website http://www.poetrymagazines.org.uk
There are many, many more great resources on the Internet for writers and literature professionals including, of course, those of literaturetraining?s eight partner literature organisations. The Internet: A Writer?s Guide by Jane Dorner (http://www.internetwriter.co.uk) has information on over 1,000 websites.
literaturetraining provides information and advice on professional development for writers and literature professionals. w: http://www.literaturetraining.com