Useful links to writers' resources

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Please note that the Verulam Writers' Circle cannot be held responsible for the content of any external pages linked from this site.

AllAboutStAlbans	Very handy resource if you are in and around St Albans - they list us, so it would be jolly rude not to list back.
General Writing
Writelink	Markets, newsletters, help guides, competitions - a mammoth site.
Get Writing	Part of the mammoth BBC site.
greatwriting	A site set up by fans of the BBC site when the Powers That Be decided the BBC was not allowed to support writers any more.
Author.co.uk	Something for everyone.
Festival of Writing	What it says on the tin.
Politics & the English Language	Brilliant essay by George Orwell
13 writing tips	I especially like number 11…
Is your character a Mary Sue?	Hugely entertaining reality check for your characters
Fish Publishing	Runs the Fish Short Story Prize, one of the largest international short story competitions. Also runs poetry, crime, and historical fiction competitions and provide a full editorial consultancy service to provide writers with one to one, constructive feedback.
Project Gutenberg	Stunning free resource of out of copyright books including some of the most famous and important works of literature. You can also sign up to be a volunteer editor.
Essay Info	Generally useful reference site, but the linked page is a fantastically clear and concise explanation of when and when not to capitalize (redundant capitalization being a Webmaster's Pet Hate)
The Plain English Campaign	'Nuff said.
Other writers groups
Hertford Writers' Circle	Our chums from the other end of the county
Leighton Buzzard Writers	Founded by former VWC member Kate Allan
Thames Valley Writers	TVW links to us, so it would be downright rude not to return the compliment.
Watford Writers	A thoroughly nice bunch
Watling Street Writers	Splitters!
Poetry
Ver Poets	Our friends and rivals
Writelink	Also includes poetry sections/ competitions, etc.
Screenwriting
Celtx	Superb open source (ie free) media pre-producion software (scriptwriting etc)
The Writers' Room	Another part of the BBC, this time dealing with tuition and opportunities in the world of TV.
Script Smart	Free to use formatting gizmo for use with MS WORD - small download, big help for those who can't afford mega-expensive software packages. This is REALLY good (unless you are a Mac user).
Writing Treatments	How to do it, examples etc.
Legal & Technical
Copyright Licensing Agency	All you could possibly wish to know about the laws of copyright.
BECTU (Broadcasting Entertainment Cinematograph and Theatre Union).	Code of Practice for the Submission of Programme Proposals
	BECTU's script registration service
Society of Authors	Exactly what it says on the tin.
Writers Guild of Great Britain	Similarly, for the other big body.

Useful links to writers' resources

General Writing

Other writers groups

Poetry

Screenwriting

Legal & Technical