Links to Information about Agents and Publishers Links to Reference Sites for Writers Links to Information on the Craft of Writing Links to Support Groups for Writers Recommended Books Glossary Inclusion of a web site on these lists does not constitute an endorsement.             Links to Information About Agents and Publishers Authorlink Provides "the serious writer with access and exposure to the broadest range of legitimate publishing professionals." Booktalk Lists of agents and publishers with contact information, plus recommended books. Preditors and Editors A guide to publishers and publishing services for serious writers. Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America Information on fraudulent agents (under "Writer Beware"); model contracts (under "Writing: The Business"); and articles on the craft of writing (under Writing: The Craft"). SPAN - Small Publishers Association of North America Self-described as "the home of authors, self-publishers and independent presses - your one-stop online resource for publishing profits and book marketing know-how." Writers Net Directory of literary agents by location or topic, and articles on how to avoid scams. Writers Write Information on writing and publishing, including lists of markets for writers and articles on the craft of writing. Writing.org Articles on how to avoid scams, and on whether writers need agents and how to find one, plus agency listings.             Links to Reference Sites for Writers Bartleby.com "The preeminent Internet publisher of literature, reference and verse . . . " Indexes by author, subject, title; encyclopedia; quotations; and much more. CopyLaw.com Covers the business and legal side of publishing. Fiction Factor The online magazine for fiction writers. The Library of Congress Includes a link to The U.S. Copyright Office to obtain online forms for copywriting works, plus vast resources for research. Access is free. National Writers Union The only labor union that represents freelance writers in all genres, formats, and media. Thesaurus.com Synonyms, of course, but antonyms too. Web del Sol A guide to literary and other e-zines. Writer's Way A resource site for writers with lists of writers' associations and other links. yourdictionary.com Both a dictionary and a thesaurus.             Links to Information on the Craft of Writing Guide to Grammar and Writing Discussions of grammar, plus questions about grammar answered by email. Wordsmith.org Worldwide community of readers who share a love for words, wordplay, language, and literature. Writer's Digest Site of the largest writer's magazine in the U.S. Write MS - Writer's Resource Center Articles on the craft of writing, areas of interest to writers, and book reviews.       Links to Support Groups for Writers AuthorMe.com A support group for writers and authors.             Recommended Books The Art of Fiction, by John Gardner "Notes on the Craft for Young Writers" Bird by Bird, by Anne Lamott "Some Instructions on Writing and Life" The Handbook of Good English, by Edward D. Johnson "A comprehensive, easy-to-use guide to modern grammar, punctuation, usage, and style." Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, by Renni Browne and Dave King "How to Edit Yourself Into Print." Writing Down the Bones, by Natalie Goldberg "Freeing the Writer Within" Writing the Novel, from Plot to Print, by Lawrence Block "A step-by-step guide from idea through outline to the final sale." Zen in the Art of Writing, by Ray Bradbury "Releasing the Creative Genius Within You." Character & Viewpoint, by Orson Scott Card "Explains in depth the techniques of inventing, developing and presenting characters." Plot, by Ansen Dibell "All aspects of creating plot"             Glossary Cadence     The rhythm of a sentence or of sentences together; the flow of language Cliché     A trite, stereotyped expression or idea that has lost originality through overuse Conciseness     Brevity; a lack of wordiness Mechanics     The basic details of text, such as grammar, spelling, and punctuation Redundancy     Unnecessary repetition of a word, phrase, or idea Substantive editing     Editing that focuses on style and content rather than mechanics Syntax     The way words are arranged in a sentence; sentence structure Voice     The way in which verbs convey action: in active voice, the subject performs the action; in passive voice, the subject     receives the action