Free resources for writers are a wonderful thing to find, but sometimes finding quality resources can be like hunting in the dark. I was fortunate enough to come across Simon Haynes’s website early in my writing, and his tools and advice have been a remarkable help.

I especially like his tool Sonar, for tracking submissions. He has a novel writing software program called yWriter. It helps you storyboard, drag and drop scenes and chapters, checks for word repeats, and the list goes on. There are more free resources on his website. His applications are quick and easy to use.

His website also has plenty of articles about writing from someone who knows what it’s like to work, write, and find publishing success. Simon Haynes is the author of an award winning series of funny, fast paced science fiction novels about a spaceman named Hal Spacejock. Hal is a bumbling, macho character that fortunately has a dependable robot sidekick that tries to keep him out of trouble. If you enjoy Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett, you’ll love Simon Haynes.

To celebrate the release of the fourth book in the series, Simon Haynes is giving away a free download of book one, Hal Spacejock on his website. Don’t think that because it’s free it’s not good. It’s hilarious. But be warned. Once you read his first book, you may be hooked.