6 Resources to Help Writers Earn Money and Survive

Last week, I connected with a colleague who, like me, works as an editor and writer. In our conversation, they explained how they were financially struggling, to the point where they were facing moving to a different location.

My colleague’s story unfortunately is becoming commonplace for wordsmiths. Most of us are feeling pinched. We struggle to juggle all the balls the industry now says we have to keep in the air. Because I have empathy for those who need a little support to ensure they don’t have to abandon their dream, I’m sharing the best resources I know of that can guide you through the writing business.

1. The Business of Being a Writer (Jane Friedman) — An essential read that will teach you writing industry principles. Gain a better understanding of how to consistently make money through your writing and approach it like a professional.
2. Recommended Resources (Jane Friedman) — Find professional organizations, as well as help on everything from book marketing to publisher research. Includes trustworthy professionals who can help with tasks like editing or design.
3. The Author’s Guild (United States) — A professional organization supporting writers through legal rights education and advocacy (including contract review), website services, insurance, educational events, workshops, online forums, and more. Different levels of membership are available.
4. Reedsy Recommended Resources — Tons of links that can help you with everything from generating a plot to addressing the problems in self-help.
5. Whiskey & Stardust Resources — 15 resources, including blogs, free courses, query trackers, and podcasts.
6. Writers Helping Writers — Find coaching, writing tools, learning centers, writing communities, and more.

Most of the links above include a huge range of additional links. But the sites are clean enough to allow you to quickly navigate through what will be most useful to you. Commit to the craft, do the legwork, and don’t quit.