People to Meet and Places to Explore:
American Library Association
This site has a comprehensive list of award-winning books that has helped build my and my children’s reading lists. I never knew there were so many literary awards until I started perusing this site!
The Atlantic
Excellent social and political commentary—this is one of the few sites I visit every day.
The Brevity Blog
The blog of this widely acclaimed literary journal offers a wealth of information for writers. The type of craft essays found here are difficult to find anywhere else on the web, in my experience.
The Geena Davis Institute
I admire the work this organization is doing to equalize gender roles in media.
Grammar Girl
Who or whom? Which or that? I love the Grammar Girl! I’m a bit of a grammar geek myself, so not only do I love that I can visit this site and get my questions answered, but also I just sincerely appreciate her dedication to the craft.
The National Coalition Against Censorship
I visit this site regularly to keep informed of what books are being challenged by schools and/or parents. I have been very surprised to find some of my favorite novels being rejected or opposed to.
NPR
I check in with NPR to get in-depth coverage of world news and to find the stories no other American media outlet is covering. Many of their segments offer literary journalism at its best.
Poets & Writers
This magazine covers the nitty gritty of the writing life. Candid articles about the business and where to find opportunities to market your work provide great resources for beginners and seasoned writers alike. Their annual MFA issue was extremely helpful in making my decision to pursue an advanced degree and what to look for in a program.
Publisher’s Weekly
The best place, in my opinion, to keep current on literary news.
The Sun
Not only does The Sun offer timely cultural commentary, but I find its essays often possess a wonderful timeless quality that speaks to multiple generations. I have experienced the full range of emotions flipping through this magazine, and in my mind, that’s what creative writing is meant to do.
The Writer’s Chronicle
This is the magazine of The Association of Writers & Writing Programs. A brief article or interview with my morning coffee can help put me in the proper frame of mind to tackle a problem with an essay or manuscript I’m working on. This magazine has also introduced me to some great writers I may not have otherwise become familiar with.