Must-have publishing resources for authors (updated August 2026)
Updated: Aug 28
The saying “you don’t know what you don’t know” is so true when it comes to publishing, whether it’s self-publishing or traditional publishing. Authors are writers first and foremost. They know the craft of writing, but it’s all the other steps—revising and editing, publishing, and marketing—that can be daunting, even to the most seasoned among them.
I’m always gathering vetted resource links that I can recommend to authors. So this post is just that! I’ve categorized the links by topic, so no matter where you are on the journey, or no matter your publishing path, you’ll hopefully find something helpful here.
For full disclosure, none (yes, none!) of these links are affiliate links. I don’t receive any kickback for promoting any of these websites or services, though you should know that I am featured in some of the editing directories that are listed. (All categories, subcategories, and links are in alphabetical order.)
Marketing
Apps
Booky Call (book discovery app)
Story Origin (cross-marketing promo app)
Book Funnel (secure delivery of ebooks + email list builder)
Newsletter Ninja (author newsletter services)
Prolific Works (secure delivery of ebooks + email list builder)
Reviews + Awards
Services
Book Launchers (nonfiction self-pub services + marketing)
Social Media Scheduling
Social Champ (social media post management)
Websites
Podcasts
PodMatch (matches hosts and podcast guests)
Publishing – General
Editing Service Directories
Editing Rates
EFA Rate Chart (calculate the approximate cost of editing for your book based on type of editing service)
Other
Canva (online graphic design tool)
Self-Publishing
Book Cover Design
Distribution Platforms
Indie Author Organizations
ISBNs
Bowker (official site to purchase ISBNs)
Metadata
Publisher Rocket (keywords/categories)
Audiobook Production
Traditional Publishing
Prep for Submission
How to Write a Novel Synopsis - Jane Friedman (blog from publishing industry expert)
Queries/Agented Submissions (US-based)
Duotrope (for querying agents/editors, including for poetry and visual arts) Manuscript Wish List
Unagented/Open Submissions (US-based)
Authors Publish (free magazine)
Poets & Writers (database)
The Writer's Center (list of open submissions)
Writer’s Digest Books (guides to the writing market)
Writing & Editing
Craft
CMOS Shop Talk (blog; free)
Style Guides
Associated Press Stylebook (subscription required)
Chicago Manual of Style (subscription required)
Modern Language Association (MLA) Handbook (subscription required)
Tools & Software
Plottr (novel plotting software)
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Notice a link that doesn’t work? Have a link that you think I should add? Let me know!
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