Writing—like all language—is social. We write for an audience—to communicate our ideas to others. We learn how to write from our teachers, tutors, family members, friends, and so on.
Because communicating our thoughts—in writing—to other people can be difficult at times, we strongly suggest that you get input on your writing from other people. Rarely do professional writers try to publish anything without lots of input from others.
Here are some ways to work with others on your writing:
- Form or join a Writing Group
- We are of course happy to meet with you at one of our Writing Center locations.
- We can offer help to faculty teaching Writing Intensive courses through the peer tutors in our Writing Fellows program.
- Get other folks to help! Here are just a few ways:
- Ask a friend to read your draft.
- Email a paper to a family member for input.
- Ask a colleague on Facebook to look over a piece of writing.
- Organize a “writer’s group” on your floor.
Overall, just don’t feel like you need to create a perfect final draft all on your own.
Below, you’ll find links to helpful resources for tutors, editors, peer review groups, writing groups, and others who work with fellow writers.
Tutoring Resources
The International Writing Centers Association’s “Peer Tutoring” Links
Peer Review Resources
Hamilton College’s Nesbitt-Johnston Writing Center offers these “Tips for Peer Review”
Resources for Writers with Learning Differences
Colorado State’s Teaching Guide: Teaching Strategies for Students with Learning Disabilities
Writing Groups
The Neighborhood Writing Alliance
Writers.Com (Writers on the Net)
The Writer Magazine’s Community Groups page
Writing Popular Fiction (from Seton Hill University)
Professional Associations and Resources
Occupational Outlook Handbook Online
This is the official web site of the Occupational Outlook Handbook, published by the United States Department of Labor. It has a wealth of information about employment trends, employers, and related topics, as well as a search function. This resource is available in print as well as online, and you can find copies in almost any library, including DePaul’s, and in DePaul’s Career Center offices at the Loop and Lincoln Park campuses.
The Riley Guide Listing of Resources for Writers, Broadcasting, Journalism, and Photojournalism
This site is very helpful to use in tandem with the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Editor & Publisher
This is the web site of Editor & Publisher, a weekly publication covering the newspaper industry in North America.
Association of American Publishers
The Association of American Publishers (AAP) offers information and support to professions from almost every wing of the publishing industry
National Writers Union
As quoted from the Riley Guide: The NWU is a labor union that represents “freelance writers in all genres, formats, and media.” All working writers are eligible to join the union. Part of their service is the Job Hotline, a list of writing, authoring, and multimedia jobs in the United States. While anyone can view the list of jobs, the contact information for each employer is available only to members. If you win a job with the help of a Hotline listing, you must agree to pay the Hotline a nominal finder’s fee, which goes to help continue the service. Freelance writers will appreciate the many resources on the site, including the Alerts from the Grievance and Contracts Division.
The Writers Guild of America
The WGA main page includes news and articles on the writing business. The site authors of The Writers Guild of America List of Agents and Agencies say that, “…all listed in this directory have agreed to abide by the standards set by the WGA for the representation and protection of writers.” The list is arranged by state and includes address and phone numbers for all.
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is the “international news source of book publishing and bookselling.” In the online companion to their print publication, you’ll find weekly updates on news affecting this industry along with other services and resources you can use. They also link to other Cahners’ publications, including Library Journal and School Library Journal. Scroll down the left side to Tool and Services where you’ll see Jobs-Publishing and Links (to additional organizations and resources)
American Society of Journalists and Authors
The American Society of Journalists and Authors is a professional society for nonfiction writers. This page includes information on publishing and protecting your work, but the association offers a lot of support and resources for anyone in this field.
Research Society for American Periodicals
From the web site: “The RSAP is an interdisciplinary organization of scholars interested in American magazines and newspapers. It publishes the journal American Periodicals, sponsors panels at the annual meeting of the American Literature Association, and has a free moderated discussion list, which you may join from this site.”
