The Ultimate List of Free Resources for Creative Writers

No matter where you are in your writing journey, resources, and free ones at that, are essential. They help you connect with other writers, join peer review groups, find free workshops near you, or even learn the ins and outs of submitting and publishing your work. Let’s explore some great resources both locally in the Triangle and beyond.

Local Triangle Writing Resources

Your local public library branch is your first stop for tools and resources to help you become the best writer you can be. In Wake County, we have many libraries offering writing groups for multiple genres, often led by librarians who are experienced writers themselves. Our librarians are hard at work to provide us with the best knowledge and sources to achieve our goals; to that end, they have compiled a rather extensive Writers’ Guide and List of Writers’ Groups.

Your Best Resource is Your Library Card

Many libraries also offer free writing groups, which give you prompts and inspiration for your next piece, plus camaraderie of fellow writers. I have attended some great ones that feature seasonal open mics, craft talks by local writers, and much more. Your library card usually also grants you access to online databases where you can find ebooks, poetry archives, or style guides, depending on what type of writing you’re setting out to do.

Local Bookstore Often Offer Free Events

Here at Ink & Oak, we recently took a virtual tour of small bookstores in the Triangle and around the state. Many of these stores offer events and workshops for writers. For example, Epilogue Books in Chapel Hill hosts a monthly workshop with poet laureate Donovan Livingston. Farther afield in Asheville, Malaprop’s Bookstore has a page of their website devoted to tips for authors on establishing a relationship with a bookseller. Raleigh’s Blackbird Books offers a free monthly writer’s club meeting.  

Local Writing Groups

Local groups on Meetup are usually free to join or attend. Right here in the Triangle, we have Living Poetry, with both email and Zoom workshop options, a poetry book club, and germination workshops. It’s easy to find other creatives writing together in Raleigh, Durham, and beyond for almost any genre you can imagine. Groups such as the Carolina Piedmont Writers’ Guild, North Carolina Writers’ Network, and North Carolina Poetry Society all offer ways for writers to connect with each other and opportunities for publishing, contests, and workshops. I am a member of Living Poetry, which posts its many offerings on Meetup, and includes weekly writing prompts.

Newsletters and Substacks

There are so many great free newsletters and Substacks written by authors from across all genres. They offer fantastic advice, prompts, share submission calls, and anecdotes to remind you that you’re not alone in your writing struggles. Here are just a few of the resources I have found helpful in my own writing journey.

• Memoir Land: Sari Botton curates a newsletter in four parts to share recently published essays, interviews, personal and craft essays, and more with readers. 

• Meg Pokrass: Fiction writers are in for a treat with Meg’s prompts, workshops, and a new Substack on Fictional Dating Sites. 

• Chill Subs: We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention Chill Subs and all the opportunities that they share with the writing community. They have recently revamped their website, and there’s a great video tutorial on how to maximize your benefit from their offerings.

Instagram

Maybe you’re less about reading newsletters and more keen on connecting with other writers on social media. Don’t worry, I got you! Instagram is overflowing with writing contests, seasonal prompts, submission calls, fellowships, internships, you name it and Instagram will have it. Enjoy a sampling of the accounts I find most useful when I need inspiration or somewhere to send my newest work.

• CLMP: The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses shares publication calls, job openings for writers, award opportunities, and much more. Don’t sleep on this resource!

• Only Poems: OP frequently shares tutorials on how to approach writing different poetry forms, submission calls, awards, and showcases poets and their work. 

• Write or Die Magazine: WOD fosters community around workshops in multiple genres, contests, submissions, interviews, and the occasional on-brand writing meme.

YouTube

Alright, we have our social media fam covered. What about those of you who are visual learners and love a deep dive into a new topic? That’s where #authortube comes in clutch. Check out the YT channels below for in depth coverage of challenging writing topics like character development, worldbuilding, etc. 

• The Creative Penn: Joanna Penn hosts this channel and delivers excellent advice on an array of writing and publishing topics for various genres. Don’t miss out!

• Hello Future Me: Tim Hickson shares advice on worldbuilding and character development in the fantasy genre. He also analyzes popular movies and shows like The Last Airbender and Toothless. 

• Shaelin Writes: Shaelin posts vlogs about her experience in her MFA program, discussions of recent books she has read, and talks about the challenges of working on her own books. 

• Liselle Sambury: Liselle is a Canadian author of YA books who shares tips for querying, writing, publishing, and more. Head over to her channel for advice on navigating the world of traditional publishing. 

• Quotidian Writer: Diane Callahan writes fiction, poetry, and nonfiction, and works as a developmental editor, which is reflected in the highly detailed content on her channel for writers looking for help improving their craft.

Podcasts

Literary podcasts are great when you’re on the go whether you’re traveling on just on your daily commute. Let’s explore a few offerings that will introduce you to new writers, techniques, and a multitude of ideas to kick your own writing into gear.

• The Slowdown Show: Maggie Smith recently took over as host from Major Jackson. She does a close reading of a new poem each weekday. This show is a treat to listen to in the car and has introduced me to so many talented poets. 

• Writing Excuses: Next up, we have Writing Excuses, which is hosted by writers with advice and tips for writers. They also have a newsletter and offer retreats and office hours. 

• I Should Be Writing: Host Mur Lafferty is based in Durham and has been on the air since 2005. Check out all the resources ISBW offers and Lafferty’s growing lineup of titles! Follow along for interviews and learn from veteran writers. 

Upcoming Free Events in the Triangle for Writers

Once you have familiarized yourself with a few resources above and found your favorites, you’ll be generating more material than you know what to do with, right? You’re in luck because there are loads of free events for writers and we have included some of our top picks here. There’s something for everyone from feedback, learning to write about nature, discovering the art of slow writing, and writing prompts focused on text messages. Which one(s) will you attend?

• Novel Writing Workshop at North Regional Library: Join fellow novelists December 9th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. to share feedback on each other’s writing. Register at the link above to save your spot!

• Oberlin Writers’ Group: Texting Tales: This monthly workshop features unique prompts in a welcoming atmosphere sure to kickstart your practice. December’s theme is texting, and their workshop on the 21st is already full, so be sure to register and grab one of the last few spots on the 9th. Open to all genres and experience levels. 

• Poet-Tea in Knightdale: This chilly weather is the perfect backdrop for cozying up with a warm mug of tea and attending a poetry reading. Join fellow poetry enthusiasts on December 11th from 6 to 7 p.m. and come prepared to write. Make sure to register above.

• Zebulon Writers’ Group: Winter Write-In: Get unstuck with some new writing prompts along with fellow writers eager to share feedback with you on December 17 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Register above or email questions to shannon.nesmith@wake.gov

• Nature Writing Workshop in Durham: All genres and experience levels are invited to practice nature meditations, explore writing prompts and share feedback with one another. Register above to attend on December 13th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. 

• Durham Voices Fiction Writing Group: This group is geared toward fiction writers striving for publication. It meets December 16th from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m. Register at the link or email Phil at plocey@dconc.gov. 

• Page & Pen in Durham: This session on December 27th from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. will focus on the topic of slow writing. The group will discuss the impacts of slow writing on various aspects of your writing and your mind. Sign up above or email Bob in advance with any questions at rskesler@dconc.gov.

Final Thoughts

We hope this overview of local and farther afield writing resources has sparked your interest, connected you with kindred spirits, or, at minimum, reminded you that writing does not need to be a solitary pursuit. With so many groups, workshops, book clubs, newsletters, podcasts and more, you will not run the risk of having no one to ask for feedback or places to glean inspiration for your next piece. Once you and your newfound peer reviewers have polished your latest work, we’d love to read it, so be sure to send it our way. Submit your writing today to Ink & Oak.