25 Writing & Reading Resources for 2025
You've got goals. We've got resources.
Sorry, there’s no TL;DR on this one. So let’s just get straight to it.
Bookshop.org - Feel guilty about buying books from Amazon instead of your local mom & pop bookshop? Then buy your books on Bookshop.org. Convenience of online shopping but the sales count for your local shop.
Get Signed by Lucinda Halpern - a must-read if you’re trying to land an agent or help a client land an agent/traditional publishing deal.
The Sh*t No One Tells You About Writing - Do yourself a favor and go subscribe to this show. Even if you’re not looking for an agent, the writing advice on here is top-notch, especially for fiction.
Stage 32 Authoring Lounge - Not just for screenwriters anymore, Stage 32 has expanded into a resource for all kinds of writing. I’m a thought leader in the Authoring Lounge, so come join the party. It’s free.
Stage 32 Writer’s Room - Not free, but for anyone interested in screenwriting, there are regular opportunities to pitch your scripts that are part of the subscription.
The Storyclock Workbook - For all my “plotters” out there, this is a must-have if you’re planning a book, keynote, podcast, sermon, etc.
Virtual Pitch Fest - Another great resource for burgeoning screenwriters, you can buy a package of pitches and pitch your scripts to studio executives. I’ve had a couple of scripts requested this way in 2024.
Book in Six writing calendar by Jennifer Locke ($47) - Jennifer is a fellow accomplished ghostwriter and created the perfect resource for anyone who wants to write their own book but needs a strict process to follow.
On Writing by Stephen King - the book that forever changed my own approach to writing and storytelling. And still the only King book I’ve read.
LibriVox audiobooks - everyone knows about Audible but did you know about this free audiobook resource? Caveat: The books are all public domain but still, save that Audible credit for something unavailable.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott - another must-read for any aspiring author. Even though it’s a bit dated, most of the advice still holds up.
The Chicago Manual of Style, 18th Edition - This was legitimately one of my Christmas gifts this year. A must for any book editor or proofreader.
Nonfiction Alchemy by Jordan Ring - Fellow ghostwriter Jordan Ring breaks down the essentials you need to know to successfully complete your nonfiction book.
The Academy of Ghostwriting - Two colleagues of mine, Tim Jacobs and Jeff Mangus, are launching this premium course for building a ghostwriting career. I have no doubts it will be topnotch.
Publishers Marketplace - Comprehensive database for looking up book deals and agents in your search for representation.
Query Tracker - Another fantastic database for looking up agents, submitting queries, and tracking responses.
Jane Friedman - Author Jane Friedman has her finger on the pulse of publishing and is a seemingly endless well of knowledge. An updated version of her book The Business of Being a Writer is coming out soon.
On Writing (and Writers) by C.S. Lewis - While not as comprehensively helpful as King’s book, this short read on Lewis’s thought of writing is definitely insightful and worth the time.
On Stories by C.S. Lewis - Let’s just make this a 2-for-1, yeah? I’ve had this one on my shelf for a couple years and will be diving in this year.
Audible - If it weren’t for Audible, I wouldn’t get much personal reading done.
On Writers and Writing: Selected Essays by Henry James - Full disclosure: Didn’t even know this existed until now, but no one can doubt James’s influence on literature.
Purdue OWL - Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab is a particularly helpful resource for anyone who is starting out.
Open Library - A nonprofit online library with millions of books available.
(Alright now we’re going to head into the shameless self-promotion section of this newsletter . . .)
Start With Story: How Great Storytellers Transform Ideas Into Impact - My book that breaks down how to approach storytelling in nonfiction, packed with real-life examples and a couple of embarrassing stories.
PurgaStory: 5 Strategies for Escaping the Hell of Writer’s Block - A short read that walks you through five unconventional strategies for avoiding and releasing so-called Writer’s Block.
And I think that’s plenty for now, folks. Until next time, keep changing the world one story at a time!
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