For Authors
The following are resources I've found particularly helpful during my on-going journey as a writer. Please note that these are the resources I personally have found most helpful and reliable.
For books, within each subheading, titles are arranged by the author's last name. Study these in whatever order suits you, but do study them; don't just read and forget.
Choose what works for you, implement it, tweak as needed, and move to the next challenge.
Podcasts
Here's a brief list of podcasts I listen to and recommend.
Six Figure Authors: This marketing-focused podcast grew out of the now defunct Science Fiction & Fantasy Marketing Podcast, which I also highly recommend.
The Creative Penn: From authorpreneur Joanna Penn, this all-purpose podcast features advice for marketing, writing, research, and self-care as well as industry news and trends.
The Self-Publishing Show: A production of bestselling author Mark Dawson, the Self-Publishing Formula (also called the Self-Publishing Formula) covers craft and marketing as well as a wide variety of other publishing related topics.
The Sell More Books Show: One of the masterminds behind this podcast is Bryan Cohen, who wrote one of the definitive books on crafting blurbs and taglines. The podcast features an ecclectic array of topics.
Blogs
My favorite writer- and industry-focused blogs.
The Passive Voice: Written by the Passive Guy, a lawyer and husband to a writer. PG excerpts articles and usually adds pertinent commentary.
Jane Friedman: Contains posts by Friedman, an industry insider, and others on a wide variety of topics, from craft and marketing to industry news.
BookBub Partners Blog: Weekly marketing articles focused on how authors use BookBub's various services to promote their books. One of the most useful marketing resources out there.
Writer Beware: Designed to help writers sort the publishing industry's good eggs from the bad ones.
YouTube
Channels I follow because they're just that good.
Chris Fox: Fox is a six-figure SciFi and Fantasy author. He also publishes an awesome series of books aimed at helping writers become successful.
20Booksto50K (TM) Live Events: Contains recorded sessions from previous 20Books Vegas conferences as well as the Successful Indie Author Five Minute Focus videos created by six-figure author Craig Martelle.
QuitCast for Writers: Created by writer coach Becca Syme. Syme helps authors find a balance between their strengths, personality, work process, and life. Her QuitBooks for Writers are also helpful, and I've heard good things about her courses, but haven't taken any.
Facebook Groups
There are a ton of groups on Facebook and elsewhere aimed at writers, some legit, many not. Here are the groups I follow and why.
Professional Groups
20Booksto50K: Member wise, this is the largest marketing group for indie authors on Facebook. Being part of that group is also the only way you can attend the largest indie-oriented conference, 20Books Vegas, as well as the offshoot conferences (e.g. 20Books Madrid). I've also joined pertinent offshoot groups for specific localities and genres. Caveat: This is a marketing group, not a craft one; do not post craft-related questions, discussions, or advice. Before taking anyone's advice, check their earnings (usually included in the post).
Indie Inspiration with Elana Johnson Discussion Group: Elana Johnson is hands-down one of the nicest people on Earth. She's also an incredibly successful seven-figure author who emphasizes authors doing what works *for them*. I highly recommend her books, classes, videos, discussions...pretty much whatever she says.
Wide for the Win: This group was created for the sole purpose of providing a discussion forum for authors who are not exlusive to Amazon. There's lots of great advice in this group. Caveats: The group's creator leans politically toward extreme left-wing thought and will censor anyone who disagrees with her. Also, there's a certain amount of irrational animosity displayed toward Amazon. Finally, I have found the affiliated groups to be less useful (and less active) than the main group.
Networking Groups
In addition to the professional groups mentioned above, here are the networking groups I find most useful.
Wide Anthology, Boxed Sets, & Shared World/Brands Group: As the name implies, this is the place to go if you're looking to create or contribute to an anthology, boxed set, or shared world.
10k Readers - The Dream Team Network: Less useful than it should be due to the proliferation of authors who refuse to brand well, but still worth mentioning. I've used it in the past to find newsletter swaps and participants for anthologies. Caveat: To join, you must be a member of The Dream Team Network created by author Nick Stephenson.
BookFunnel Promotions (Authors Only): A group devoted to helping authors use BookFunnel more effectively.
Marketplaces
There are a wide array of groups promoting services to authors. I tend to steer clear of those, with a few notable exceptions, such as cover designers.
Book Cover Gallery - A Place for Authors and Artists: This group helps connect authors and cover designers. Caveat: Not all of the designers and covers displayed meet professional standards (though this is true of any such group).
Book Cover Design Marketplace: See the previous notes and caveat.
Indie Author Premades: See the previous notes and caveat.
Other
I also occasionally participate in the Facebook groups for podcasts and individual authors.
Work Habits
The Business of Publishing
Marketing
