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Author Resources

Check Your Calendar!

Community and National Events

Find local and remote author related events from these resources. Be sure to check the events and/or calendar options on the various websites.

  • African American Literature Book Club - This resource includes author profiles, book and film reviews, and book recommendations. Check events tab for links to fairs, festivals and conferences.
  • American Booksellers Association - Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is a national not-for-profit trade organization that works to help independently owned bookstores grow and succeed. Tiered-fee rate required for membership; browsing for “To Do’s” and author events is free.
  • Barnes and Noble - Arguably largest retail bookseller in the United States and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products in the country. Check the stores and events link on the upper right side of the page for regional events.
  • Bluestocking Books - For nearly 50 years, located at 3817 5th Ave the store has been an independent bookshop in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Contact via email, phone or in person to find up-to-date events throughout the year.
  • Clarion Writers' Workshop at UCSD - Established in 1968, the Clarion Writers' Workshop is the oldest workshop of its kind and is widely recognized as a premier training ground for aspiring writers of fantasy and science fiction.
  • Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore - Events - Mysterious Galaxy is an independent genre bookstore that is passionate about creating and maintaining a community of readers, authors, and booksellers. Check their event calendar for Local Author Meet and Greet opportunities. 
  • National Novel Writing Month - According to their website, "NaNoWriMo is for anyone who has ever thought about writing a novel." They provide a number of events to inspire and assist writers as they prepare for the ultimate event which takes place in November.
  • Reader's Circle - Join online book clubs and find a list of California bookstores and book related events throughout the state.
  • Romance Writers of America, San Diego Chapter - The Romance Writers of America's San Diego chapter promotes excellence in romantic fiction, helps writers become published and establish careers in their writing field. They also provide continuing support for writers within the romance publishing industry.
  • San Diego County Library - With 33 branches and 2 bookmobiles, SDCL offers many events targeting local authors. Check their calendar regularly for up to date information.
  • San Diego Magazine - A quick search for “authors” will link you to many local opportunities.
  • San Diego Reader - Events - Lists local author-related events. Check out their listings under Book Signings.
  • San Diego Union-Tribune - Events - Enter "local author" in the search field to find related events in and around San Diego.
  • San Diego State Writers' Conference - There will be workshops offering guidance and support as you improve your writing skills, develop your marketing awareness, and meet one-on-one with top editors and agents to facilitate the next step in your publishing career.
  • San Diego Writers, Ink - San Diego Writers, Ink nurtures writers and those wishing to explore the craft of writing, fosters a literary community, promotes literature and celebrates artistic diversity. See their "Calendar of Upcoming Events" for author-related events, readings, and more. The annual conference is in the fall but classes and events occur throughout the year.
  • Southern California Writers' Conference - Founded and run by professional writers, SCWC provides veteran and emerging talent authoritative guidance, extended one-on-one evaluation of advance submissions and dozens of read & critique information workshops.
  • Warwick's (La Jolla) - Events - Warwick's claims to be the oldest continuously family-owned and operated bookstore in the United States. Their events calendar is updated daily with author related activities and social events. Sign-up for their newsletter and prepare to fill-up your calendar with creative and inspiring opportunities.

Check Your Community!

Local Community Organizations

Below are brief video introductions to some of San Diego’s most respected and established writerly organizations offering you a gateway to many resources and tools.
 

San Diego Writers and Editors Guild
 
San Diego Book Awards Association
 
San DIego Memoir Writers Association logo
 
 
 
San Diego Writers, Ink
San Diego Entertainment + Arts Guild

Check Your Grammar!

Style and Grammar Online Resources

Free grammar and writing resources from around the web: 

  • CitationGenerator - Ad free citation support for APA, MLA AND Chicago citation formats.
  • Discovery Channel School - Geared towards K-12 teachers, the English section is packed with grammar goodies!
  • ESL Cafe - Nice website for ESL (English as a Second Language) students and teachers.
  • Grammar Bytes! - Many interactive exercises to challenge your command of Grammar.
  • MLA Style Center - Find writing resources from the Modern Language Association.
  • Purdue University's "OWL" Online Writing Lab - Covers a wide variety of topics: general writing, professional writing, ESL writing, parts of speech, sentence construction, punctuation, spelling, and writing in the job search.
  • University of Ottawa Writing Centre - Find lots of valuable assistance when you select the “resources” tab.
  • Zotero - Zotero is a free, open source nonprofit organization that offers research and citation assistance. Note: Links are valid at time of publication. (September 2021)

Check Your Network!

Local and Online Groups & Associations

Find local and online/community groups & associations from resources:

  • American Booksellers Association - Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is a national not-for-profit trade organization that works to help independently owned bookstores grow and succeed. Tiered-fee rate required for membership; browsing for “To Do’s” and author resources is free.
  • Independent Book Publishers Association IBPA - An organization serving the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and other tools for success. Membership for participation is required.
  • Meetup - An online social networking portal that allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest. There are several groups and themes to explore in the San Diego area.
  • Point Loma Nazarene's Writer's Symposium by the Sea - As the “professional education and public service” division of UC San Diego, the Extension program offers classes and/or certificates for adults in a number of writing related subjects.
  • UCSD Extension’s Creative Writing Program - As the “professional education and public service” division of UC San Diego, the Extension program offers classes and/or certificates for adults in a number of writing related subjects.
  • San Diego Book Awards - The San Diego Book Awards Association is a 25-year-old nonprofit that supports and recognizes published and unpublished authors with our annual competition. The submission window is OCTOBER 1 THRU DECEMBER 31.
  • San Diego Entertainment + Arts Guild - A unique blend of San Diego based musicians, artists, poets, dreamers, and shape-shifters, on a mission to shed light on how the arts touches us internally, unlocking the magic of the human spirit.
  • San Diego memoir Writers Association - Monthly meetings for members with speakers who educate our writers on both the craft and business of memoir writing.   Writers of all levels are welcome and encouraged to join us to help build their own writing tribe.
  • San Diego Writers Ink - Non-profit offering classes, groups, workshops, readings and other literary events. Nominal fee for registration.
  • San Diego Writers Guild - The Guild is a support group serving professional as well as novice authors. Guild members are active in the San Diego community and sponsor many workshops and support groups for new and accomplished writers.
  • SDSU College of Extended Studies - As with UCSD’s program (see above), Extended Studies courses are open to the general public and writing related certificates are available.
  • Writer’s Relief - Fee based association offering writers a way to connect to literary agencies, publishers, publicists, and marketing companies.
  • Point Loma Nazarene's Writer's Symposium

Check Your Publishing!

Local and Online Resources

Printing and publishing resources here:

  • Amazon Publishing - The full-service publishing arm of Amazon.. It is composed of a number of imprints including AmazonEncore, AmazonCrossing, Montlake Romance, Thomas & Mercer, and 47North. Amazon publishes e-books via its Kindle Direct Publishing platform.
  • Aventine Press - Their Self-Publishing page offers a number of fee based kits and services for local authors looking to get published.
  • Balboa Press - A division of Hay House Publishing specializing in the independent and/or self-publishing author. Fee based publishing packages and a number of regional workshops are available throughout the year.
  • BookLife - BookLife is a website from Publishers Weekly dedicated to indie authors. BookLife is there is their independent branch. Find multiple publishing endorsements under th Services- Publishing tabs.  
  • Independent Book Publishers Association IBPA - An organization serving the independent publishing community through advocacy, education, and other tools for success. Membership for participation is required.
  • Kirkus Reviews - One of the most established book review journals, a Kirkus review is respected throughout the industry and by media and libraries includes publishers, agents, and authors. Through their subsidiaries, Kirkus Indie and Kirkus Editorial you can purchase their services for a nominal fee.
  • Meetup - An online social networking portal that allows members to find and join groups unified by a common interest. This San Diego Self-Publishing meet-up for authors shares information on how to publish, promote and sell your books.
  • Midwest Book Review - The Midwest Book Review gives priority consideration to small publishers, self-published authors, academic presses, and specialty publishers whenever possible. Reviewing print books/CDs/DVDs is always free of charge.
  • Red Car Press - A non-profit publishing house for graphic journalism and historical fiction, in print and e-book form focused on true stories of corruption, crime, environmental and economic displacement, and how brave individuals can make a difference in standing against these elements.
  • Sunbelt Publications - Located in El Cajon, San Diego County, California, Sunbelt  publishes and distributes multi-language pictorials, natural science and outdoor guidebooks, regional references, and stories that celebrate the land and its people. In some cases they provide marketing and distribution services. 

Check Your Reviews!

Local and Online Reviews

Find Review Resources here:

  • Amazon Publishing - The full-service publishing arm of Amazon is composed of a number of imprints including AmazonEncore, AmazonCrossing, Montlake Romance, Thomas & Mercer, and 47North. Check the blog page at: How to get reviews for tips and advice.
  • American Library Association: Marketing to Libraries - By far the largest association for writing related topics. Go to the Reviews section to find a list of professional review magazines, journals, and newspapers. Fee for membership required, however there is no fee to access information on their website.
  • BookLife - As part of Publishers Weekly, BookLife offers reviews. Check the Review Submissions Guidelines page to see if your book qualifies. If selected it means your book will be judged by professional standards, the same standards Publishers Weekly applies.
  • Kirkus Reviews - One of the most established book review journals, Kirkus reviews are typically fewer than 300 words, and include summary content to give context along with a concise, unbiased opinion that can be positive, negative or neutral.
  • San Diego Writers, Ink - A highly reputable membership based organization that offers classes and workshops for all writerly needs. All levels of writers welcomed..
  • Midwest Book Review - The Midwest Book Review gives priority consideration to small publishers, self-published authors, academic presses, and specialty publishers whenever possible. Reviewing print books/CDs/DVDs is always free of charge.

Programs & Events