Greetings and salutations from Wordclay, Internet surfers.  

Last week, drafting the text for the Memoir Genre Spot, imploring authors to join online writing and book communities, it suddenly occurred to me that authors may already be too exhausted at the end of the day, tired from writing, publishing, marketing, day jobs, families, dogs and whatever number of other worldly pursuits you’ve got, to actually pour what little, precious energy they have remaining into tedious searches for online communities.  

Not when there’s so much quality late-night television, and with the writer’s strike over, it’s only going to get better. Or worse, depending on your viewpoint – worse in the sense that shows will be more likely to keep your attention. 

So I opened my laptop and, over the course of a few weeks, compiled a list of The Top 24 Online Reading and Writing Communities.  

Now, armed with this list, authors interested in networking as well as connecting with other writers, readers and literary enthusiasts should finally be able to determine the communities that are most appropriate for them, become members and maybe even forge a lasting friendship. 

Mind you, the list is in no particular order – everyone’s taste and goals are different – but these are the most comprehensive communities out there. Trust me – their information is invaluable, and their Internet presence, significant. 

Without further ado, introducing Wordclay’s List of Online Communities that all passionate writers and readers should check out. 
 

Shelfari: In addition to being a community of active readers, Shelfari allows members to create their own digital bookshelf, listing titles you’ve read as well as titles you’re going to read. Members can connect, talk about the books you have in common and make recommendations based on your shelf. Shelfari is fun, dynamic and designed for avid readers. 

Writing.Com: Picture a writing buffet, stocked with writing tips, reviews, communities, publishing jobs, shared pieces by authors, blogs, group writing, genre information, forums, surveys, anything a writer can imagine really.

LitLovers: The name says it all, honestly. Founded and maintained by an English instructor who can’t help but take her work home with her, LitLovers combines reading, writing and teaching into one exciting approach to literature that’s sure to enrich your creative life. 

Wordsy: What’s in a name? What’s in a word? What’s in a Wordsy? Fashioned after Digg.com, Wordsy does it all, from reviews and previews to discussions, newspaper articles, blog posts, videos and podcasts. You vote on the best writing, publishing and reading information and, voila, it appears on Wordsy, for all the members to consider and learn from.

BAFAB: Buy A Friend A Book: Bringing together people who love good books as well as good karma, BAFAB allows you to buy a book (maybe your book) for a friend and spread the word about great, exciting literature.

BookCrossing: With more than 600,000 members and 4.5 million books to date, now you can catch and release your books. Use a sticker (with directions) that allows readers to track the book in their database, leave instructions where an interested reader can find it and discuss its impact and power online, with readers whose love for books is only surpassed by their love for free books. 

BookMooch: It’s the wave of the future – a barter system for books – necessary for those who know the true value of good literature. Become a member, give away the books you don’t read anymore (and if you’re an author, perhaps a few of your own titles) and earn points that can buy you those books you’ve been meaning to read all these years. 

Booksie: Imagine a place where writers and readers can untuck their work-shirt and be themselves. At Booksie, members can post their own writing, feature their own books, read poetry, fiction and non-fiction by other emerging writers, and post comments or constructive criticism, free from oppression. 

Elite Skills: Reminds me of a European café, one with low music, a strong silent type sitting in the corner, thatched ceiling fans gently winding down, a place where you can post your writing, submit prompts, and just hang out as you smoke a cigarette. You’ll learn a great deal and have some casual fun at Elite Skills. 

The Next Big Writer: Here’s a community that cares about writers. In addition to posting your writing and sharing your thoughts on literature during discussions with other members, they constantly “find, reward and promote the best undiscovered writing talent.” 

Great Writing: Release the Writer Within You: Managed by former members of the BBC ‘Get Writing’ site, this community has it all. Members can read insightful articles, review each other’s work, get advice from the community and learn of events and competitions going on around the world. The design is clear, the composition is elegant and the advice, sound.

Coffeehouse for Writers: Really, Coffeehouse is a community within a community. As a member, you can find the community that suits you best, from The Poetry Café to Knowledge Swap to Reader’s Corner. Pass between the communities at your leisure and join a workshop to get motivated.

FanStory.com: Staffed with professionals who happen to be passionate about emerging talent, FanStory reviews and ranks its members. Genuine contests with cash prizes are run almost every week, and “writers of the year” get trophies. Fun, inspired and always evolving, FanStory has my seal of quality.

Protagonize: As interesting as it is helpful, Protagonize is the latest development in collaborative writing. Combining an online community with the idea of the Hugo’s “trigger,” members get chapter one, write their own versions of chapter two and compare. It’s the perfect place to write freely and compare your style to other contemporary writers. 

Writers Network: Specializing in poetry (with a secondary focus on stories), Writers Network embraces freedom of expression, challenges writers with contests and allows you to discuss marketing your future book within its forums.

Substance Books: Though you have to pay a small membership fee, Substance Books provides a publicity and marketing network for your book that will definitely help emerging writers will book sales. Increased media exposure and marketing tips geared specifically toward your genre will add the professional boost to your marketing plan that really helps with the buzz.

Book Marketing Network: This is a community of professionals and writers alike, all with the understanding that we need each other. Designers, illustrators, publicists, writers all gather information, offer services and discuss the booming publishing industry toward your and their mutual success. Discussions range from marketing advice to book trailers to other sister networks, and members enjoy a spectrum of friendships that can only help them and their book.

BookTalk.org: Let’s talk about books, shall we? That’s BookTalk’s mandate, and they’re sticking to it. Their discussion forums encompass religion, politics, philosophy, art, history, YouTube, Blogosphere, whatever floats your literary boat. As a community, you select the books to be discuss, and together, in chat rooms and discussion boards, you learn volumes about your tastes, the tastes of other readers as well as what’s hot today. 

One Book: One Community: Just a good old-fashioned community of readers that selects a new book each session to read, discuss and consider the important political and cultural issues linked to the book.

Book Lust: Like their slogan says, “a community for people who love books.” If you’re looking for great reviews, hip book clubs, interesting author blogs, best books of the year, teaching and marketing advice, as well as loads of excited readers – how can you go wrong? 

AuthorsDen: Essentially, an author’s utopia. Imagine a kid in a candy store, or an expecting mother on Cuteoverload.com. There’s so much useful marketing, promotion and publishing information on AuthorsDen, you won’t know where to begin. The members and professions at AuthorsDen (and ReadersDen, too) are insightful, helpful, courteous and, above all, knowledgeable. Invite other members, colleagues and fans to read your work, discuss your style and more. 

Gather: As Gather’s CEO says, “Gather is a place where you can share the things that are important to you with the people who are important to you, too.” Great part is the more relevant and interesting your content is (and the more traffic you drive to the ads on the site), the more Gather points you earn, points which can be traded in for other goods and services. So as you’re writing and maybe putting in a word about your book, you may even be able to earn an extra something at the end of the day.

WritersCafe.org: Hip, clean and necessary, WritersCafe has created a community of writers that has all you need. Enter the café; get reviews and publishing news; submit your work to contests; learns ways of sharing your writing with other members; join various communities to jump your artistic circuitry and get the creative juices flowing; they know what you want.

Craftster: In addition to being plain awesome, Craftster has some practical purposes for readers and writers. Browse the MIY crafts and feed your DIY mentality. If you’re a scrapbook enthusiast, and you’re thinking of self-publishing your picture book or origami manual, Craftster is a great place for inspiration and good discussion.

Unfortunately, that’s all for now, folks. But that’s hardly a fraction of all the good writing and alternative communities out there in our digital world. If you have a favorite not listed or a comment about one of the above, post a comment and get connected to us Wordclay bloggers. Don’t be scared – we don’t bite, unless we’re eating food that is. 

This is Justin Dimos, blogcasting from Wordclay, signing off.