Appalachian Writers Forum

The Appalachian Writers Forum

Writing Craft Development & Discussion Web Site
Operated for Writers, by Writers

Are you a writer with ties to the Appalachian Region of the eastern United States? Are you are a writer from elsewhere in the world looking for a place to improve at the craft of writing? Maybe you are an avid reader with a keen interest in the written word and the skills required producing it? If you answered yes to any of these questions then the Appalachian Writers Forum (AWF) may be right for you.

This forum is an offshoot of two writing sites designed to showcase regional writers: Appalachian Writers and Kentucky Farmer. These two sites offer excellent samples of the written word from those regional areas. We would invite and encourage you to visit them as well as the AWF. But writers must continue to grow and learn to improve upon their craft and that was not available on the writer’s sites, per se. An environment for learning, exchanging ideas and practicing the craft was needed. This need was met by the development of AWF. One of the best features of the site is that it is 100% free to join and use!

The Appalachian Writers Forum is a user-friendly web site dedicated to learning the craft of writing, not improving software navigational skills. Its easy-to-learn, easy-to-follow format allows users to "jump right in" and begin participating in forum activities immediately. Assistance is always available through forum administrators as well as an online user’s manual provided as a service to members.

AWF is chucked full of useful information for all skill levels of writers. Under the "Publication" category, for example, you will find information on:

• Selecting publishers to query.
• What is a literary agent and what do they do to help a writer get published?
• What editors love as well as hate.
• Who, in the world of publishing, is soliciting submissions?
  Information on self-publishing and Print-on-Demand (POD) publisher.
• And much more.

The "Helpful Links" category offers members countless links to sites that are of interest to writers. Links to publishers, agents, editors, writing tools and sites to name a few. The best part of these resources is that they are kept fresh with new input from members on a regular basis. And, oh yeah, did we mention that it’s free?

In the "Classroom" category, all manners of subjects are discussed that pertain to the writing craft. Language skills, editing skills, writing prompts and exercises to participate in.

The "Stadium" category is the place to submit your work for the critique of other skilled writers. There are three levels of critique offered here to cater to all levels of writer’s skills. Critiques are done in a professional manner with constructive criticism given in a way to encourage growth and improvement.

The "Library" category offers a vast collection of writer’s resource materials in the form of links to sites that have them. It is here that you will find such things as dictionaries, encyclopedias and guidelines for writing technical pieces (such as those following APA standards). The library is and will remain in a constant state of growth.

The "Discussion" area of the AWF site is dedicated to many genres of writing: fiction, nonfiction, poetry, web content/SEO and essays, to name a few. Members can discuss genre-specific topics here or post samples of their own work for the reading enjoyment of others.

The list of site features goes on and on. If this sounds like the place for you, then come on over and give us test-drive. The Appalachian Writers Forum will be glad you did and we believe you will be too.