Use tools without surrendering authorship
AI can help brainstorm, organize research, test structure, identify gaps, and support revision. The writer remains responsible for voice, truthfulness, permissions, originality, and the final work.
Writer toolbox
Research, language, rights, and practical author tools.
A writer’s toolbox goes beyond word processing. Use authoritative references for language, research, copyright, identifiers, publishing safety, and professional decision-making.
Language & research
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Merriam-Webster
Dictionary, usage, thesaurus, word history, and language reference.
🧬Online Etymology Dictionary
Useful word-origin research for writers interested in the history and development of English words.
🏛️Library of Congress
Primary-source collections, photographs, newspapers, maps, books, archives, and research materials.
🔎Google Books
Search across books for bibliographic research, quotations, editions, and historical language.
🎓Google Scholar
Search scholarly papers, books, court opinions, and academic citations.
📐Purdue OWL
Grammar, style, research, citation, and writing reference from Purdue University.
Rights, identifiers & publishing safety
©️
U.S. Copyright Office
Official copyright registration, law, circulars, records, and guidance.
🔢Bowker / ISBNs
Official U.S. ISBN agency for authors and publishers who need their own ISBNs.
🛡️Writer Beware
Scam and questionable-practice information covering agents, publishers, contests, editors, and self-publishing services.
⚖️AALA Ethics
Professional ethics framework for member literary agents, including the prohibition on reading fees.
🤝Authors Guild
Professional resources, advocacy, contract education, legal support options, and author-business information.
📚Library of Congress PrePub Book Link
Information for eligible U.S. publishers seeking Library of Congress prepublication cataloging services.
AI and writing
Check every publisher’s AI policy
Policies for AI-assisted or AI-generated material differ across magazines, contests, agents, publishers, and platforms. Read the current terms before submitting.