UK Writers websites?

[andrew.v.spencer]

Does anybody know any good and well frequented UK writers based/orientated/dominated websites? Those that I have are pretty much all American (or US dominated), the general author advice is helpful, but as I'm back in Britain now I'd like something more UK orientated.

Thanks in advance

Andrew

[Troo]

Are you looking for the sites of UK-based authors, or are you looking for communities where writers from the UK hang out and talk writing?

Do you want genre-specific, or general?

[andrew.v.spencer]

Not individual authors, but as you say websites for UK (predominantly) folk talking writing. Both genre and general.

[iansales]

You could try joining the BSFA and one of their orbiters. Or alternatively look for a genre writing group in your locality - here's one in Sheffield.

All the on-line groups I've been in have had a predominately US membership. So there's been the odd comment on "you've spelt honor incorrectly throughout...". I don't think there are any British ones.

[Troo]

Pantechnicon hosts an online writing group in its forums, so naturally I'm going to mention that.

The Writing Group

The BSFA are working on getting their shiny new forums up and running, so I'm sure once that kicks off it'll be super for all kinds of market info, networking, and such. And as Ian says, if you join you can get into one of the Orbiter groups, each of which consist of only five people who write and comment on one-another's writing by post.

[The Alamo Avenger]

Ok, I'm actually looking for the opposite. Does anyone here know of any writer's websites in the US? I am specifically looking for somewhere to get the first 3 chapters of my novel critqued prior to sumbitting to agents. The only website I've found so far was mainly centered around short stories. Just looking for somewhere or someone who would be willing to do this. My novel could loosely be categorized as Space Opera.

I guess it could be a UK website as well, if I was going to forward the MS via email, but to avoid the recepient having to print all that out I am assuming it would be easier to mail....

[iansales]

Try OWW or SFNovelist.

[chopper]

or here, obviously as we have an internationalist flavour (or flavor).

[SJAB]

OWW is good, I was a member from the time it was sponsered by Dey Rey. Though the last two years I have moved on, using a couple of writing partners that take the skin off my back.

[gil]

Palimpsest is a pretty good place to try. It's UK-based, but very wide-ranging. The forums are where all the action takes place.

[Anarchon]

Anyone knows something about Litopia Writers' Colony - Home ? Us or UK?

Is it interesting?

And what about this one?

Online Writing Workshop for SF, Fantasy & Horror: Become a Better Writer!

A US agent recommends it on her blog.

[The Alamo Avenger]

Originally Posted by chopper

or here, obviously as we have an internationalist flavour (or flavor).

Ok, so anyone here want to volunteer to be my first guinea pig? (aside from my wife, that is...) The novel is Space Opera, so if you've read some science fiction, that would be helpful. I'm looking for someone to read at least the first chapter. It is a little under 15,000 words. I'm looking not so much for grammar, but to see if it's interesting, does it flow, dialogue, etc. I would of course, be willing to return the favor now or at some point in the future.

[Troo]

Why not pop it in the critique section?

[chrispenycate]

Originally Posted by Troo

Why not pop it in the critique section?

Fifteen thousand words? Even I'd blanche at that.

Oh, I'd do it, but he's specified not grammar, so I'd end up vetting technical matters – not what's required.

And there's the additional problem that agents and publishers don't mind if there's been a teaser with public access but prefer to plan their advertising strategies themselves, and control who reads what (big brother is distributing you.

But perhaps a little bit.

[SJAB]

The critique section here is good, but you can't edit the work or remove it. A critique group like OWW is fee paying members only, and you can remove, edit etc as you will.