Today I’ve been enjoying a variety of reading at the Emerging Writers Network. This site is a must-read for anybody working to get that first novel finished, entering fiction contests, running that gauntlet of the underpaid non-nonfiction writer. This site is dedicated to quality writing, and better yet, supporting those who do quality work. Emerging Writers Network isn’t just full of reviews of emerging authors, it’s exactly what the name implies. When writers join up, they can take advantage of free services including reviews for a new book, press opportunities, and access to the writer’s forum.

One of my all-time pet peeves is the use of bait-and-switch tricks to con people into thinking something is free. Like those programs where you pay a subscription fee to get access to discounts–where’s the big advantage to paying for some cruddy little discount? Or the gag where they say “$25 for a one-year membership that includes a free gift.” That gift ain’t free, you just paid $25 for it! I am VERY pleased to say that Emerging Writers Network engages in none of those silly practices, when they say “free” they really do mean FREE. Kudos.

If you’re looking for new places to publish, you’ll find a ton of resources at Emerging Writers Network–there is an extensive collection of links to literary blogs and lit journals. A solid addition to a fiction writer’s list of required online reading.