I'm about to pull the trigger and start sending out queries. This seems like a good time for a nice, distracting blog post.

The query process, in addition to bringing out all the anxieties I didn't know I had, has really made me grateful for all the fantastic information there is out there on the web for us newbie writers. I'd like to share a list of the sites I've used (and still do) and why. Sort of good-query karma, if you will. I can't imagine what this would be like pre-internet (shudder).

These sites aren't the 'help you with the craft of writing' - there are some good ones out there, and a ton of books, too. These are the ones that are most helpful once the polishing is pretty much done and you're ready to broach the fearsome world of publishing.

Folks who have been in it a while will likely know all these, but if you're just getting going, I hope my list helps. This is also a bit of a shout-out to the people behind the sites. Thank you thank you thank you.

Online writer communities

Absolute Write: When the thought started creeping into my brain that maybe I really could one day, maybe, be a published writer, this is the first site I found. I love it. Here you can find information, feedback, advice, and encouragement.

I'm sure there are others, and I'm sure there fabulous, but AW is the one I use and return to again and again. It's useful for all things writing, at all stages of the process.

Background checks and warnings

Writer Beware: Run by Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA, which I always want to read as "San Francisco Writer's Association" for some reason). These guys have a TON of information about how to keep your head about you in the wilds of the publishing industry.
Writer Beware Blog: The fabulous blog by the owners of the website of the same name.
Preditors and Editors: This ghetto-lookin' website is the touchstone for who is scary and who is not in the publishing/agenting world. Probably the first place you want to go if you get an offer, and somewhere to check even at the query stage.

This triumvirate of sites makes me feel safe at night. The people who run them deserve some sort of award (or at least a round of drinks) for looking out for all of us.

Online tools to keep you organized

Duotrope: If you write short stories and want to see them published, this is the place to go. I started out trying to use a spreadsheet, searching online for lit journals, etc, etc. Then I went insane. When I returned to my senses, I found and began using Duotrope. They do all the database work for you, as well as keeping track of the submissions you have out and giving you stats on the acceptance/rejection rates. Yes, it costs some money, but if you're serious then you'll pay to keep them around and helping you out.
Query Tracker: This site helps you find a bit about agents and agencies you're querying, but the real utility in this site is keeping track of who you've queried. I haven't actually used it much yet but, uh... I will be soon. It's a little clunkier than Duotrope, but probably better than a spreadsheet. They're free, but have a pay version with some extra features.

Research and trying not to embarrass yourself when querying

Agentquery.com: An monster, searchable database of agents with information about what they're looking for, how to submit, and (best part) info on some of the books they've sold.
Publisher's Marketplace: This is a pay service, the go-to place for finding out what's sold and who rep's who. Not all agents submit their sales to PM, but a lot do.
Query Shark: In addition to being very entertaining, this site is one of the must-reads when you're writing a query letter. The shark (aka lit agent Janet Reid) has invited writers to submit query letters to her blog for evisceration. Read through everyone else's blunder's and triumphs to learn what works and what to avoid. While this seems like an amazingly altruistic venture for Ms. Shark, I think she has an ulterior motive: to reduce the number of insanely bad queries she (and her colleagues) have to endure. It now means there's no excuse for a terrible query.
Miss Snark: This blog went dark in 2007, back when I was only just starting to realize there was more to life than pipette tips and petri dishes. But the archives (snarkives) remain up for the betterment of us all. It's a mishmash of answered questions and critiqued synopses and queries, along with info on the world of publishing from an agent's perspective. It is entertaining as hell, not to mention informative. There's stuff on this website I never would have thought to ask, and am now very glad to know.
Chuck Sambuchino's Guide to Literary Agents blog: This one is run by Writer's Digest, who are both a blessing and (I sometimes feel) a curse. WD offers some really fantastic webinars and books for the aspiring writer, along with great blogs like this one. They try and sell you a lot of stuff, too, some of which makes me shake my head a little. Caveat emptor, and all that. I don't think they're trying to scam you, for what it's worth. The GLA blog is great for agent interviews and learning about new agents and agents looking for submissions.

And many more...

There's no shortage of websites for writers out there. These are the ones that make me want to build a small altar next to my desk for ritual sacrifices of thanks. Like I said, most of these will come as no surprise to writers who have been around the block a while, but sometimes someone comes up with the golden site you hadn't heard of yet. I'm always open to hearing what sites other writers can't live without.