Gay Authors Writing Resources

Gay Authors - Authors Start Here

• Writing articles — Gay Authors craft lessons on structure, character, romance, revision, and posting. Start here when the problem is the story, not a tool.
• Step-by-Step Guide to Posting on Gay Authors — How to be an Author on Gay Authors and how to post a story. Step by Step.
• Publishing on Gay Authors — Articles on posting here, not on the trade-publishing market.
• Guidelines — Site rules before you publish.
• What is not allowed — Plot requirement, like-age rule, moderated themes, warnings.
• Moderation queue — What happens to a new author’s first chapters.

Gay Authors Writing Prompt Tool

• Gay Authors Prompt Tool — Need a random name? Need some inspiration? Check out the new and growing Gay Authors Prompt Tool. (Limited access for guests. Register a free account on Gay Authors for more prompts.)

Gay Authors Writing Forums

• Writer’s Circle — A forum for members to discuss all aspects of writing.
• Speculative Fiction — Discuss speculative fiction: fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, and more.
• Poetry — A forum for members to discuss poetry.
• Anthologies and Writing Events — Discuss Gay Authors anthology events.
• Editors and Beta Reader Feedback — A forum for members to discuss editing.

Gay Authors Genres and Fandoms

• Story Archive Genres — All genres/sub-genres available on Gay Authors, with descriptions.
• Story Archive Fanfiction Fandoms — All fanfiction fandoms available on Gay Authors, with descriptions.
• Genre craft articles — How those shelves behave in a story.

Grammar / Technical Writing

• Editing and revision articles — Fix the scene before the sentences.
• Grammarly — Writing assistance to take the edge off the sharp red pencil.
• Rules for Comma Usage — Broader comma coverage.
• May vs. Might — Practical distinction for uncertainty, possibility, and tone.
• Chicago Manual of Style — Industry-standard style guidance (punctuation, capitalization, citations, and more).
• Blue Book of Grammar — Straightforward grammar and punctuation rules with examples.
• Purdue OWL — Citations, cover letters, writing help, and general advice.
• Grammar Girl — Bite-sized grammar tips for frequent “is it this or that?” questions.
• Writer’s Digest — Great newsletter.
• ProWritingAid — Grammar checking tool.
• LanguageTool — Free grammar pass. Prefer the browser check over pasting a whole manuscript into a marketing account.

Creative Writing

• Plottr — Visual plotting tool with templates.
• Writing Fix — Prompts and lesson-style exercises designed to strengthen craft skills.
• Creative Writing Now — Writing lessons, prompts, and step-by-step practice articles.
• Sci-fi Writing Ideas — Writing advice + alien name generator.
• Encyclopedia of Science Fiction — Deep genre reference for tropes, themes, and key works/authors.

General Research

• Encyclopedia.com — General reference articles for quick background research.
• World Atlas — Maps and country/region facts for setting details.
• Merriam-Webster — Definitions, usage notes, synonyms, and pronunciation.

Publishing

• Publishing on Gay Authors — How posting works on this site.
• Publisher’s Weekly — Publishing industry news, book deals, and market coverage.
• BookEnds, LLC — Querying and submission advice from the agency.
• USA Copyright Office — Official copyright basics, registration, and FAQ guidance.

World Building

• World Anvil — Worldbuilding suite for timelines, locations, cultures, and notes.
• SFWA Questions — A practical checklist to stress-test your setting’s logic and depth.
• World Building Tips — Practical tips for creating engaging, coherent settings.
• Donjon Tools — Random generators (RPG-focused, useful for fiction).
• DriveThruRPG — Paid/free gaming material for inspiration.
• DungeonFog — Online map editor.
• Time and Date — Time/date tools by location and period.
• Campfire Writing — Online tool to build worlds and characters.
• World Building Magazine — Free online magazine on worldbuilding topics.
• Azgaar map generator — Optional fantasy map. Skip it if a document is enough.

Mythologies

• Greek Mythology — Primary-source-heavy myth reference with names, variants, and citations.
• Norse Mythology — Accessible overviews of major myths, figures, and artifacts.
• General World Mythologies — Myth encyclopedia spanning cultures, deities, and legends.

Inspiration

• Pixabay — Free pics.
• Pexels — Free pics.

Image Tools

• Canva — Image design for non-designers.
• Nik Collection — Tools for improving images.
• Digital Trends — Free photo editing software roundups.
• Self-Publish Book Covers — Purchase book covers for ebooks.
• Photopea — Browser editor when you need to crop or retype.
• Bing Image Creator — Generate images from prompts for concepting and inspiration.

Writer’s Digest

• Science Fiction and Fantasy Articles — Genre-specific craft articles, trends, and prompts.
• 10 Ways to Hook Your Reader — Practical techniques to strengthen openings and first pages.
• What Makes Monsters Scary — Craft breakdown of fear, tension, and memorable antagonists.

Subreddits for Writers

• Character Development — Prompts, feedback, and discussion focused on character building.
• Fantasy Writers — Fantasy craft discussion, critiques, and worldbuilding talk.
• SciFi Writers — Sci-fi craft questions, critique requests, and idea workshopping.
• Worldbuilding — Worldbuilding theory, examples, and feedback on setting concepts.

Writing Sex Scenes

Focus on consent, character, and emotional stakes; explicitness is optional. Write the scene for these characters. Match the heat to the story rating, and put warnings in the story note and in each chapter that needs them.

• Romance and relationships articles — On-site lessons. Attraction has to create a problem, and a slow burn still needs progress.
• What is not allowed — Plot requirement, like-age rule, and moderated sexual content.

Character Development

• Character articles — On-site lessons, including making a strength into the flaw.
• Sci-Fi Name Generator — A handy way to generate sci-fi names.
• Fantasy Name Generator — Names of people and places.
• How to Create a Character Profile — A structured profile approach to deepen characters quickly.
• Behind the Name — Names from around the world.
• Hero Forge — Create your character and optionally get it 3D printed.

Writing Clubs at Gay Authors

• Critique Room — Club dedicated to writer development and feedback.

AI tools

AI can brainstorm, list continuity questions, or suggest a line edit. It is not a co-author. It often defaults to straight, thin, or stereotyped queer characters unless you correct it. Do not paste another member’s unpublished chapter, poem, or critique into any tool. Do not paste a whole manuscript into a free account if you cannot turn training off. If AI wrote a substantial part of the posted story, say so in the story notes. You are responsible for what you post.

• LanguageTool — Grammar check without sending the manuscript to a marketing account.
• Merriam-Webster — Usage, not a generated sentence.
• Prompt tool — Sparks that stay on Gay Authors.
• ProWritingAid — Optional paid style check. Not your voice.
• Bing Image Creator — Optional private concepting. Not the cover path.