TEEN WRITING RESOURCES
DISCLAIMER
These are sites I have found or been directed to. I have worked with some, but not all, and I always recommend that you do further research and check references before contacting each resource.
TEEN RECOMMENDED READING
Why We Write
“Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life” by Anne Lamott
“The Writing Life” by Annie Dillard
“Becoming a Writer” by Dorothea Brand
“If You Want to Write” by Brenda Ueland
Learning to Write
“Seize the Story: A Handbook for Teens Who Like to Write” by Victoria Hanley
“On Writing” by Stephen King
“Lessons from a Lifetime of Writing: A Novelist Looks at His Craft” by David Morrell
“From Where You Dream: The Process of Writing Fiction” by Robert Olen Butler
“Steering the Craft: A Twenty-First-Century Guide to Sailing the Sea of Story” by Ursula K. Le Guin
“Joy Writing” by Kenn Amdahl
Grammar and Style
“On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction” by William Zinsser
“The Elements of Style” by Strunk and White
“Grammatically Correct: The Essential Guide to Spelling, Style, Usage, Grammar, and Punctuation” by Anne Stillman
“The Wordwatcher’s Guide to Good Writing and Grammar” by Morton S. Freeman
“The Synonym Finder” by J.I. Rodale
Teen Publishing
Book publishing company exclusively for teen authors. Nonprofit organization covers most costs.
Social storytelling site with 70 million viewers where you can get feedback, possibly get discovered by an agent/editor, possibly get published by Wattpad, and build an audience whether you decide to traditionally or self-publish.
The Concord Review
The Concord Review publishes exemplary essays by high school students studying history and encourages submissions. It awards several monetary prizes each year.
Teen Link: WordSmiths
The New York Public Library has created a page that allows teens to submit their poetry and have it published for a month on the web. Visit this site for something to read and, while you’re here, explore the NYPL’s suggestions for published authors.
Young People’s Press Online
Get your non-fiction writing published on the web! This site based in Canada accepts personal essays, news stories, pieces on youth culture and issues, pop culture commentary, and reviews from youth ages 14-24, with a focus on North American teens.
Merlyn’s Pen
Merlyn’s Pen is an online resource and print magazine of outstanding writing by teens.
Teen Ink Magazine
Features fiction, non-fiction, art, photos, poetry, articles about teen issues and more, all written by teen authors. The website complements the monthly print magazine.
First Writers:
This site aims to provide you with all the information you need as you progress in your writing career. This site does not publish, but it does help you find a publisher.
Writing Practice
The Online Writing Center: Here’s a link to an article on how to structure an academic paper. You’ll refer back to it several times.
About Teens:
This website gives teens a forum to post their short stories, opinion pieces, jokes, and photos.
NaNoWriMo:
National Novel Writing Month happens every November. It’s a fun, seat-of-your-pants writing event where the challenge is to complete an entire novel in just 30 days.
Pomegranate Words:
This site offers free lessons in poetry and fiction, critiquing services, opportunities for teen writers, and other resources for writers of all ages.
Grammar Girl:
Your friendly guide to the world of grammar, punctuation, usage, and fun developments in the English language.
The 10 Most Common Grammatical Errors:
A helpful list of common errors to watch out for when writing.
Language Is A Virus:
This site provides writing prompts to practice timed creative writing.