The Writers’ Club

Do you have stories you want to tell? Poetry or song lyrics? Writing experience that you want to share with other writers? The Dobson Ranch Writers’ Club is looking for anyone interested in the art, craft, fun, and profession of writing.

Whether you’re working on a book, writing for personal expression, or just trying to get started, talking with other writers can help. We can be your early reviewers to help you improve your work, get past obstacles, and learn tools and techniques for writing and organizing your work. And you can help other writers in the same way.

Bring a sample of what you’re working on and get honest, useful feedback in a friendly environment of mutual support. Or just show up to support your fellow writers, share your experience, and learn from theirs.

Sign up for our email list

If you want to be notified about upcoming meetings and events, send an email to Jim Leth: author@jamesleth.com

Meetings

Third Tuesday of each month (except holidays), 6:30 - 8:00pm, in the Grande Room at La Casita Clubhouse

Resources for Writers

The links under each category below will take you to external sites that are not managed by or associated with Dobson Ranch, the HOA, or the Dobson Ranch Writers’ Club. We are not responsible for the content of these sites.

Writing Advice and Training
Books
Writing Tools
The Publishing Industry, Agents, and Editors
Events and Contests

To report problems with the links below or to suggest additional links, please contact Jim Leth.

Writing Advice and Training

Remove everything that has no relevance to the story. If you say in the first act that there is a rifle hanging on the wall, in the second or third act it absolutely must go off. If it's not going to be fired, it shouldn't be hanging there.
— Anton Chekhov

Writer's Digest
Writers helping writers improve their craft, achieve their goals and recognize their dreams.

• The 5 Biggest Fiction Writing Mistakes (& How to Fix Them)
• 5 Things Novelists Can Learn From Screenwriters
• David Morrell On the Key to Settings
• How to Pick Character Names
• What to Look for When Editing Your Manuscript
• Writer's Digest University

Purdue OWL® - Online Writing Lab - Purdue University

Copyright Litigation Blog: Epigraphs, Fair Use and Poetry

Word Count: Why Your Book Should Be This Long — Tiffany Hawk, Writing Coach

Books

If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.
— Stephen King

Goodreads
Find, review, and discuss books and writing with authors and readers.

Wikibooks
The open-content textbooks collection that anyone can edit

Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer by J. Michael Straczynski
The Complete Book of Scriptwriting by J. Michael Straczynski
For decades, J. Michael Straczynski has written for television, movies, books, and graphic novels. He’s best known for writing Babylon 5, Murder She Wrote, The Changeling, and a host of Marvel comics.

On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft by Stephen King
Many people have compiled brief lists of the key lessons in this book. Here’s one example: On Writing: Stephen King’s writing tips to remember | by Mary Good Books

The Chicago Manual of Style
Considered by many to be the authoritative reference on English usage and style

The Elements of Style (Wikipedia article with links to various editions of the book)
A wonderful little book about writing clearly and simply

Writing Tools

Every character should want something, even if it is only a glass of water
— Kurt Vonnegut

Scrivener | Literature & Latte
Scrivener is an excellent writing tool for any medium. It’s cheap, powerful, and can produce publication-ready content and ebooks from the same manuscript source. You can try it out for free.

Thesaurus.com
Online resource to help you find the right word

Kindle Publishing Guidelines
For anyone who wants to publish via Kindle Direct Publishing

The Publishing Industry, Agents, and Editors

WRITER BEWARE® by Victoria Strauss
Issues that affect professional writers, and the problems and pitfalls that face aspiring writers (including publishing scams and predatory agents)

Jane Friedman | Reporting on the Publishing Industry
Books, newsletters, and articles covering the publishing industry

• How to Write a Novel Synopsis
• The Complete Guide to Query Letters
• Questions to Ask Your Publisher Before You Sign the Contract

Manuscript Format: How to Format a Novel, with Examples (2025)

QueryTracker
Find literary agents and track the queries you send out

destigmatizing self-publishing - by Leigh Stein

Association of American Literary Agents - AALA

Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers Association

Independent Editors Group

Editorial Freelancers Association

Publishers Marketplace
Professional databases, tools, news, and analysis that agents, editors, publishers, writers, and industry members rely on every day (subscription-based)

The Official Manuscript Wish List Website
Agents post what they’re currently looking for in a manuscript

Events and Contests

Book Pipeline, Script Pipeline, Film Pipeline
Annual contests with monetary awards for unpublished book manuscripts, film scripts, and adaptations

Symposium, from Pipeline Artists - A year-round conference in the arts
Online presentations about writing (some paid, some free)

Active Contests | BooksShelf
Contests with monetary awards for both published and unpublished books

Hackney Literary Awards

Independent Publisher Book Awards