Creative Writing:

Writing is a creative act, but it also has structural elements that can be improved to enhance your writing. This guide offers resources to help you improve your writing, secure funding, and get published. Have questions? Ask a Librarian!

Funding

Well-known writers typically receive advances for their work. For early-career writers, grants and awards offer funding opportunities.

Poets & Writers' Contests, Grants, and Awards
Searchable database of creative writing contests
PEN America Literary Awards
Awards for fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more
Texas Institute of Letters' Awards
Literary awards for works by Texans or about Texas
University of North Texas Rilke Prize
Award for mid-career poets

Style Guides

The Elements of Style
This short guide helps writers construct clear, correct, and effective prose. It offers simple principles and tips for usage and composition.
The Chicago Manual of Style
In print since 1906, this guide is used by writers, editors, and proofreaders, and prescribes writing and citation styles used in publishing.

Advocacy

Guilds and other advocacy groups work to protect writers' rights, push for fair wages, educate members, and more.

Getting Published

These resources provide contact information for publishers and literary agents and can help determine which publications best suit your work,

Magazines

Writer's Digest
Offers advice and insider tips on how to write better fiction, non-fiction, and poetry; plus tips for getting inspired and published.
Poets & Writers Magazine
Contains practical guidance for getting published and pursuing writing careers, plus profiles, essays, and conversations.

Writing Groups

Writing is a solitary activity, but a group can provide insights and guidance to better develop your writing.