Writer’s Digest Best Genre/Niche Websites 2023
Here are the top genre and niche websites as identified in the 25th Annual 101 Best Websites from the May/June 2023 issue of Writer’s Digest.
Children’s, MG, YA
1. Go Teen Writers
If you are a teenager who enjoys writing or if you are an adult writing for a teen audience, Go Teen Writer (managed by Stephanie Morrill, Jill Williamson, and Shannon Dittemore) aims to provide encouragement, community, and resources for your writing and publication journey, including a YouTube channel and free downloads.
2. Highlights Foundation*
This nonprofit dedicates itself to writers who want to educate and uplift children of all ages. While they offer online and in-person workshops and retreats at their center in Pennsylvania for a fee, they provide scholarship opportunities for their paid programs as well as free webinars. Their programs are led by children’s books experts, including editors, authors, illustrators, art directors, publishers, agents, academics, and more.
3. Kidlit 411
Founded by picture book and middle-grade author Elaine Kiely Kearns, Kidlit 411 features easy-to-navigate topics for children’s book authors and illustrators, including author and illustrator spotlights and the Weekly 411—a newsletter update that compiles all new links and sources.
4. Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
This membership-based organization is the place to be for any writer or illustrator of children’s books. While they have digital classes, a virtual archive, a podcast, and a book club that you can access from the comfort of your home, they also have regional chapters with in-person events, and a yearly national event in N.Y. Be sure to check out their awards and grants page.
5. The Open Book Blog by Lee & Low Books
The Open Book Blog is part of Lee & Low Books—founded in in 1991 by Tom Low and Philip Lee as a response to the lack of diversity in children’s books—and offers publishing news, book recommendations, op-eds, and more, all to drive their mission of “address[ing] the dearth of multicultural children’s books in the marketplace and make a special effort to work with unpublished authors of color.”
Creative Nonfiction
1. Brevity Magazine
This literary magazine is committed to publishing the best micro nonfiction by emerging and up-and-coming writers, as well as book reviews and craft essays. Selected works receive payment. The Brevity blog posts daily discussions of craft and the writing life, but writers do not receive payment for these. Brevity also provides teaching materials for free.
2. Hippocampus Magazine
Hippocampus Magazine is a submission-based nonfiction magazine, run by volunteers, with each issue featuring memoir excerpts, personal essays, reviews, and more. The fee to submit is $3 with the opportunity for waiver for those who need it.
Freelance
1. All Freelance Writing
For 17 years, All Freelance Writing and its owner Jennifer Mattern have helped launch successful careers for countless freelance writers through writing resources, advice, tips, and more.
2. The Editorial Freelancers Association
If you’re a freelance writer, editor, indexer, proofreader, researcher, translator, etc., join the EFA to list your services for others to find. Likewise, if you’re an author in need of a specific type of help, search the EFA database and make use of their resources for finding reliable help at industry standard prices.
3. The Writers’ Co-op*
An “online community for freelancers everywhere,” The Writer’ Co-op philosophy is that “a more stable business model allows freelance writers to do better work.” To assist freelancers, they provide a podcast plus webinars and courses on everything from mindset work to managing finances to contract negotiation. Patreon members get added benefits.
Historical
1. Historical Novel Society
This literary society is dedicated to promoting historical fiction and its authors. Perhaps best known for its biannual North American conference, their blog is free and covers topics from conducting proper research to marketing advice for indie authors. Paid members gain access to regional communities, the society’s publication (with publishing opportunities), and book reviews.
2. The History Quill
Based in the U.K., The History Quill offers informational (and frequently amusing) blogs, master classes, and editorial resources for writers of historical fiction. Visit the Tools and Resources page to find writing prompts, worksheets, and other websites and blogs writers of historical fiction might find useful.
Horror
1. Horror Tree
Created in 2011 as a resource for genre and speculative fiction writers, this website has dedicated itself to promoting up-to-date paid publishing and anthology opportunities. From calls for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry to audio, artwork, and novels, this site makes it easy for writers to see exactly where they can submit and how much (and how) they’d be paid for their work.
2. Horror Writers Association
Horror Writers Association is a nonprofit organization supporting horror and dark fantasy writers globally, while also encouraging the public to take an interest in these genres. HWA covers such topics as classic literature, author interviews, promoting positive mental health, and more. Membership fees range based on tiers from $59/year to $99/year.
Journalism
1. Asian American Journalists Association
Founded in 1981, this association’s goal has always been to support and promote the works of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists through trainings, opportunities, and resources. They also have a yearly conference where members can network, as well as engage in dialogue about equity and inclusion, innovation, and the evolution of newsrooms.
2. Nieman Storyboard
Whether you’re just venturing into the world of journalism or a seasoned veteran, Nieman Storyboard, a publication of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard should be a go-to resource. Read the articles to analyze examples of exceptional storytelling in journalism or pitch your own writing to boost your bylines.
3. Society of Professional Journalists
The Society of Professional Journalists is a century-old organization to encourage the practice of the free press and to uphold the high standards of ethical journalistic behavior. SPJ is also the publisher of Quill magazine, a regularly used resource for journalists, industry leaders, and students for more than 90 years.
Mystery/Thriller
1. Crime Writers of Color
Founded by Walter Mosley, Gigi Pandian, and Kellye Garrett in 2018, this organize aims to support, uplift, and promote crime writers of color by showcasing their books in a searchable catalog and managing a database of speakers with their areas of expertise listed. Don’t miss the podcast hosted by writer Robert Justice!
2. Kill Zone
A collaboration of suspense writers and industry professionals, this daily blog is dedicated to covering the publishing business, marketing, and craft of writing suspense fiction. They cover topics from things that can sink your novel to the open domain. They offer a free first-page critique of your manuscript which are posted anonymously to protect the author’s identity while helping others use their feedback.
3. Mystery & Suspense Magazine*
Founded in 2020 and available as a print magazine or free download, Mystery & Suspense is a “web daily and quarterly” edited by Sam Boush. It features author interviews, book reviews, and articles about key elements, tropes, and hot topics in the mystery, thriller, crime, horror, and suspense genres.
4. Mystery Writers of America
A membership-based organization for mystery writers, publishing professionals, and aspiring writers, MWA is dedicated to the education and support of everyone in the crime-writing field. Membership includes access to regional chapters, regular meetings, a newsletter, an online community, access to their contracts and grievances committee, a national mentor program, and much more.
Poetry
1. Poetry Foundation
The Poetry Foundation, established in 2003—and its publication, Poetry magazine, founded in 1912—has served poets of all ages through interviews, podcasts, events, a newsletter and more.
2. Rattle
This quarterly publication has been delivering the best poetry since 1995—by amateur and established poets alike. While the print publication is subscription-based, every poem that appears in it will eventually be released on the daily blog. They also produce “Rattlecast,” their free podcast, an archive of poet interviews, writing challenges, audio archives, and more.
3. The Haiku Foundation*
Founded in 2006, The Haiku Foundation has three goals: 1) “archive the first century of English-language haiku;” 2) “expand possibilities for our second century;” and 3) “seek active exchange with other haiku languages and cultures around the world.” Find resources for learning more, an archive from around the world, and a fascinating exploration of how haiku has been incorporated into film, comics, music, and more.
Romance
1. Fated Mates Podcast*
We couldn’t have said it better than the description on this podcast’s website: “Fated Mates is a romance novel podcast co-hosted by author Sarah MacLean and romance critic Jen Prokop. Weekly episodes include romance novel read-alongs and discussions of the work of the genre, highlighting the romance novel as a powerful tool in fighting patriarchy … with absolutely no kink shaming.”
2. Girl! Have You Read…*
With the goal of centering Black romance, this highlights new releases and spotlights backlist books. They also cover Black romance author news from cover reveals to book tours to an easy-to-use author directory so you can get your book in front of more people.
Science Fiction/Fantasy
1. Liminal Fiction
Liminal Fiction is “an inclusive library of spec fic titles (fantasy, sci fi, paranormal, and horror)” with a weekly newsletter and a blog focusing on topics geared toward these subgenres. Keep up to date with what other writers are doing or join as an author when your book is ready to be promoted to this audience.
2. Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association
Since 1965, the SFWA has supported science-fiction and fantasy writers by promoting and supporting their work, and by educating the public about these genres. The nonprofit boasts many free resources—including a bi-monthly newsletter, a blog, and Writer Beware—or become a member for added benefits.
3. Tor.com
Debuting online in 2008, Tor.com is dedicated to discussing sci-fi, fantasy, and everything tangentially related. While they regularly publish short genre fiction by up-and-coming and established writers, they also post commentary about genre fiction from a variety of people throughout the publishing industry.
Screenwriting
1. International Screenwriters’ Association
Sign up for the ISA newsletter to get daily screenwriting gigs directly to your inbox or browse the website for open contests, read other writer success stories, and discover articles and podcasts dedicated to sharing tips to improve your craft.
2. No Film School*
Founded in 2010 by award-winning filmmaker Ryan Koo, No Film School publishes film-related news, tutorials, and interviews to help filmmakers with their craft. Their popular, highly rated podcast of the same name covers all things film and television, featuring interviews with industry leaders and breaking news on filmmaking trends and technology. Membership is free and comes with a PDF of their free screenwriting e-book.
3. Pipeline Artists*
Pipeline Artists focuses on education and empowerment by elevating authentic voices in film, publishing, and more. With articles separated by genre and purpose, from fiction writing to mentoring programs, they also offer competition news, a library of podcasts, and more. Free membership includes monthly giveaways, exclusive invites to virtual events, and early access to featured articles.
4. ScreenCraft*
Launched in 2012, this company is dedicated to supporting screenwriters, no matter what stage they’re at in their career. From their free blog that covers everything from proper formatting to upcoming contests to classes and resources available for a fee, they have plenty of options available for your budget.
Short Fiction
1. 100 Word Story*
100 Word Story is only interested in the drabble—a story of exactly 100 words. They operate on rolling submissions (though will sometimes close to catch up on their inbox) and publish the best stories directly on their website. They host a monthly photo-prompt challenge, and their blog also includes essays, interviews, and book reviews.
2. Flash Fiction Online*
Established in 2007, FFO is dedicated to promoting the best flash fiction between 500–1,000 words across a wide range of speculative and literary genres. Each issue is posted directly online and can be accessed for free! In an issue, readers can expect three new pieces and one reprint by emerging and established writers, as well as an editorial and one nonfiction column.
3. The Centifictionist*
The Centifictionist is an online magazine dedicated to the publication of microfiction (no poetry or nonfiction) of 100 words or fewer (excluding the title). Published twice yearly with 30 stories per issue, you can submit up to three stories at a time using the Submittable form on their website.
Spiritual
1. The Write Conversation
TheWriteConversation.blogspot.com
The Write Conversation is a Christian-focused writing blog run by author and editor Edie Melson. With contributions from countless guest bloggers, they focus on writing and publishing advice from a Christian perspective and boasts over 4 million visitors.
Travel
1. International Food Wine Travel Writers Association*
With different levels of membership for different types of writers, the IFWTWA aims to “create programs and services to enhance professional development and facilitate networking” and to “to meet the dynamic needs of our writers’ community making a lasting impact on the careers of our members.”
2. Pitch Travel Write
Created by Roy Stevenson, a successful freelance travel writer, this resource helps people break into travel writing. Free resources on the site include a weekly e-zine, tips for traveling with writing assignments in mind, plus writing and pitching to reputable markets. There are also online and in-person events and group and one-on-one coaching services offered for a fee.
View our best general resources websites roundup here.
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