(If any of the links below have expired, try running the URLs through the Wayback Machine.)
“AgentQuery.com offers one of the largest searchable database of literary agents on the web—a treasure trove of reputable, established literary agents seeking writers just like you. And it’s free (not because there’s a catch, but simply because not enough things in this world are free).”
THE CHICAGO MANUAL OF STYLE ONLINE
Per Wikipedia, “The Chicago Manual of Style (abbreviated in writing as CMS or CMOS [. . .]) is a style guide for American English published since 1906 by the University of Chicago Press. Its sixteen editions have prescribed writing and citation styles widely used in publishing. It is ‘one of the most widely used and respected style guides in the United States’.” From the CMS website: “Completely searchable and easy to use, The Chicago Manual of Style Online provides recommendations on editorial style and publishing practices for the digital age. Now offering the full contents of the 16th and 15th editions, it is the must-have reference for everyone who works with words.”
“The word _eggcorn_ was coined collectively by the linguists who write at the excellent group blog Language Log. Linguists collect usage examples. Unlike language teachers or the often self-styled grammar experts who complain in the press about the decay of English, they are not picky: the actual, real-life use is what counts, and the most interesting bits — those that might reveal something about how real people apprehend their language — often stretch the received rules of correctness.”
[…] “The aim of this site is to collect eggcorns and texts that analyze them. I have found a handful of them myself and am adding speculations and observations where they occur to me, but I do not pretend to be the ultimate source of linguistic wisdom. Whoever wishes to criticize or to add to what is noted here is very welcome to do so. Every entry has a comment area for this purpose. (Turning a blogging tool into a lexical database has certainly advantages.)”
“Do you have high hopes for your writing career? You won’t be able to quit work and write, but you might find a grant to make your writing goals easier to reach. We specialize in serious contests, too. Only those that pay in cold hard cash. No pay-per-click, $1 per blog or exposure markets either. Hope Clark writes for a living. If she wouldn’t try these opportunities, she doesn’t post them. Our newsletters are our world. Free or paid subscription. Here you always have a choice. This website has been awarded as a Best Writing Website sponsored by Writer’s Digest for the last 14 years in a row.”
Grammarist is an extremely thorough wiki devoted to the full scope of English grammar and usage. “Each of the posts are works-in-progress and we edit them continually, so we are very receptive to polite and informed suggestions.”
One of the best on-line resources for writers. “Preditors & Editors was founded in July 1997 as a resource and a simple compendium for the serious writer, composer, game designer, or artist to consult for information, regardless of genre. Even readers will find Preditors & Editors useful in locating reading material. Preditors & Editors, Inc., is a non-profit corporation. Preditors & Editors’ sole purpose is to provide writers with information and contacts for the purpose of seeking publication of their work. Because artists, composers, and game designers often face the same challenges, they have been included in our coverage. It’s hoped that they won’t take offense when we use the term ‘writer’ most of the time. After considerable thought, we realized that Preditors & Editors would perform a disservice to writers, artists, and composers if it does not warn them about known scams or problems within the industry. A new warnings page can now be referenced by anyone interested in protecting himself. However, most warnings are posted beside the appropriate entries in the listings so that those can be found easier. Additionally, we are very interested in learning about anyone who treats writers shabbily, even if they don’t have anything to do with writing.”
An excellent and informative blog sponsored by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, with additional support from the Mystery Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the American Society of Journalists and Authors. “Writer Beware […] provides warnings about literary schemes and scams, along with information on how writers can protect themselves; the Writer Beware blog, which covers schemes and scams in real time along with publishing industry news and advice for writers; and the Writer Beware Facebook page, which links to writing-related articles, blog posts, and news items and provides a forum for discussion. […] Although we’re sponsored by US-based organizations of professional fiction authors, our efforts aren’t limited by country, genre, or publication history. We’ve designed the Writer Beware website so it can be used by any writer, new or established, regardless of subject, style, genre, or nationality.”
A few of the best titles in my office are published by Writer’s Digest. Their website contains a wealth of information for new writers, along with plenty of opportunities for professional learning and networking.