Marketing Expert David Somerfleck

Welcome to an interactive list of online digital marketing tools.

Recommend a Tool
Privacy Focused Search

 

But Wait, There’s More:

In checking sources, it helps to evaluate accuracy of information using the C.R.A.P. test procedure that only takes a few extra minutes.

Also, learn more about online safety using these links:

Searching the Dark Web

But what if you want to search the legendary “dark web?”

Well, you have to use the TOR browser, should probably use a VPN concurrently, and exercise added caution in judging accuracy. Saying all of that, here are a few unvetted, untested links:

Common Dark Web Search Engines

  1. Ahmia

    • One of the most reputable dark web search engines.

    • Also accessible from the surface web (filters out illegal content).

  2. Torch

    • One of the oldest search engines on the dark web.

    • No censorship, so it can include illegal material (use caution).

  3. Kilos (the specific onion address changes regularly)

    • Focused on darknet markets (often used for illicit trade).

    • Not recommended unless you’re conducting academic or journalistic research with caution and legality in mind.

  4. DuckDuckGo on Tor

    • A privacy-focused surface web search engine that is also accessible via Tor.

    • Doesn’t index much dark web content but is secure for anonymous searching.

Warnings:

  • Accessing dark web content can be risky: You may encounter scams, malware, hacked sites, or illegal content.

  • Stay legal: Even viewing certain sites can be illegal depending on your jurisdiction.

  • Use strong security practices: VPN + Tor, disable scripts, avoid logging in to any personal accounts.

Privacy Focused Email

 

 

Privacy Focused VOIP

TextNow (textnow.com)

  • Free U.S. and Canadian numbers.
  • Can send texts and make calls via the app.
  • Requires an internet connection.

TextFree (Pinger) (textfree.us)

  • Free U.S.-based VoIP numbers.
  • Supports texting and calling.
  • May require occasional use to keep the number active.

Dingtone (dingtone.me)

  • Free U.S. VoIP number (ads required).
  • Offers international numbers (paid feature).

Hushed (hushed.com)

  • Provides a free trial number for a limited time.
  • Good for temporary use (paid plans for longer use).

Burner (burnerapp.com)

  • Free trial number available.
  • Paid plans for extended use.

Talkatone (talkatone.com)

  • Free U.S. and Canadian numbers.
  • Can be used for calls and texts over WiFi.

 

More Privacy (but with Strings Attached):

 

  • Receive-SMS-Free (receive-sms-free.cc) – Publicly available numbers for receiving SMS only.
  • SMS Receive Free (smsreceivefree.com) – Temporary numbers for verification codes.
  • FreePhoneNum (freephonenum.com) – Public VoIP numbers that can receive SMS messages.

🚨 Downside: These services (and their data) may be public, meaning anyone can see messages, and they may not support calls.

 

Privacy Focused Maps & GPS

This list is focused on Android users but most if not all of these are available for Apple users as well (in addition to Apple Maps):

 

Privacy Focused Collaboration

Here are a few more private alternatives to Google Docs:

Website Security Checks

 

IP Lookup

 

Domain Lookup

 

Broken Link Checkers

 


Link Checker or Link Scanners

Send & Store Large Files

 Send Large Files

 

Store Large Files

 

 

Privacy-focused / end-to-end encryption options

  • Proton Drive — https://proton.me/drive Proton
  • Tresorit — https://tresorit.com/ tresorit.com
  • Sync.com — https://www.sync.com/ Sync
  • MEGA — https://mega.io/ Mega.io
  • Internxt — https://internxt.com/drive Internxt
  • Icedrive — https://icedrive.net/ icedrive.net
  • Koofr — https://koofr.eu/ koofr.eu

Regional / alternative ecosystems

  • Yandex Disk — https://360.yandex.com/disk/ 360.yandex.com
  • Infomaniak kDrive — https://www.infomaniak.com/en/ksuite/kdrive infomaniak.com
  • Rakuten Drive — https://home.rakuten-drive.com/ Rakuten Drive

Budget/freeware & classic file-hosting

Photo-centric (storage + apps)

  • Amazon Photos — https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Photos Amazon

Backup & object storage (power-user friendly)

  • IDrive — https://www.idrive.com/ IDrive
  • Backblaze — https://www.backblaze.com/ Backblaze
  • Wasabi — https://wasabi.com/ Wasabi

 

 

Scholarly Search

 

Similar Searches

 

Podcast Guest Resources

 Facebook Groups

Reddit Groups

Free Courses

 

Google Courses

OpenCulture

 

 

 

Foreign Travel Advisories

 

Timers

 

Bookmarking

 

 

Event Organizing

Restricted Access

Image Editors

 

Image Compression

Image Resizing

Image Hosting

Reverse Image Search

Audio Editors

 

Time Zones
Web Proxies

 

Online Storage
SEO Tools

 

Free eBooks & Audio Books

eBooks

 

Audio Books

Website Monitors

 

Money Transfers

 

Dictionaries & Thesauri

 Dictionaries

 

Rhyming Dictionaries

Phrase & Expression Dictionaries

Thesauri

 

Video Summarizers

 

 

Screen Recorders

Screen Recorders that should work with Windows 11, and record whatever appears on your screen.

 

Online Device Testing
Writer's Resources

 

National Writing Organizations

  • Academy of American Poets: The largest membership-based nonprofit organization fostering an appreciation for contemporary poetry and supporting American poets.

 

 

  • Authors Guild: A national membership organization that provides advice on contracts and defends freedom of expression.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Specialized Writing Organizations

 

 

 

Regional and Local Writing Organizations

  • California Writers Club: One of the oldest and largest professional writers’ clubs in the nation, with branches throughout California.

 

 

Diversity-Focused Writing Organizations

  • Kundiman: Dedicated to nurturing generations of writers and readers of Asian American literature.

 

 

Additional Resources

 

  • Poetry Coalition: A national alliance of organizations promoting the value poets bring to our culture.

 

Statewide Virginia Organizations

 

  • Poetry Society of Virginia: Founded in 1923, this membership-based organization promotes poetry through monthly open mics, writing workshops, contests, and readings.
    poets.org

Regional and Local Organizations

  • James River Writers: A multifaceted nonprofit based in Richmond, serving as central Virginia’s literary hub by connecting and inspiring writers and those with a love for the written word.
    jamesriverwriters.org

 

 

  • The Writers Guild of Virginia: Founded in 2015, this nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting writing and the arts, providing a platform for writers to learn, network, and collaborate through digital meetings and events.
    writersguildva.com

 

 

  • Write by the Rails: The Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Writers Club, supporting writers in the Prince William County area through resources, networking, and events.
    wbtr.org

Literary Magazines and Workshops

 

 

Additional Resources

 

Statewide New York Organizations

  • New York State Writers Institute: Based at the University at Albany, this institute offers readings, workshops, and residencies to support writers and foster a literary community across New York State.

New York City-Based Organizations

 

 

  • The Writers Room: New York City’s first nonprofit, shared writing workspace, providing a quiet environment for writers 24/7 in a top-floor loft on Astor Place.
    writersroom.org

 

 

 

  • The Poetry Project: Based at St. Mark’s Church in-the-Bowery, this organization has been a forum for public literary events, a resource for writers, and a venue for new and experimental poetry since 1966.

 

  • The Authors Guild: The nation’s oldest and largest professional organization for writers, offering legal assistance, web services, and advocacy for authors’ rights.

 

  • PEN America: A branch of the international writers’ organization, PEN America works to defend and celebrate free expression in the United States and worldwide through the advancement of literature and human rights.

 

  • The Center for Fiction: The only nonprofit literary organization in the U.S. solely dedicated to celebrating fiction, offering reading groups, workshops, and a circulating library.

 

 

  • Cave Canem Foundation: Committed to cultivating the artistic and professional growth of African American poets, offering workshops, retreats, and readings.

 

  • Poets House: A national poetry library and literary center that invites poets and the public to step into the living tradition of poetry.

Regional and Local Organizations

  • Hudson Valley Writers Center: Located in Sleepy Hollow, this center offers readings, workshops, and a community for writers in the Hudson Valley region.

 

  • Brooklyn Poets: A nonprofit organization celebrating and cultivating the poets, poetry, and literary heritage of Brooklyn through workshops, readings, and other events.

 

  • Staten Island Writers Group: A community of writers on Staten Island offering critique groups, workshops, and support for writers of all genres.

Diversity-Focused Writing Organizations

  • Lambda Literary: Nurtures and advocates for LGBTQ writers, elevating the impact of their words to create community, preserve legacies, and affirm the value of LGBTQ stories.

 

  • Kundiman: Dedicated to nurturing generations of writers and readers of Asian American literature.

Additional Resources

  • WriteByNight: Provides a collection of resources for writers in New York, including information on conferences, local critique groups, and literary magazines.

 

Online Poetry Communities

  • AllPoetry: The largest poetry community on the web, offering a platform to share poems, receive feedback, and participate in contests.

 

  • Poetry Foundation: Publisher of Poetry magazine, providing a vast archive of poems, articles, and resources for poets and poetry enthusiasts.

 

  • Poets.org: Managed by the Academy of American Poets, this site offers a wealth of poems, essays, and educational materials, along with virtual events and readings.

Online Writing Communities

  • WritersCafe.org: An online writing community where writers can post their work, get reviews, join writing groups, and participate in free writing contests.
    writerscafe.org

 

  • Critique Circle: A members-only site that allows authors to post stories in exchange for feedback on other people’s writing, offering tools like storyboarding, writing prompts, and workshops.
    blog.reedsy.com

 

  • Scribophile: A writing community that provides detailed critiques, writing contests, and forums to discuss all things writing.

 

  • Wattpad: A global platform where writers can share their stories and readers can discover new voices, fostering a large online community.

 

  • TheNextBigWriter: An online writing workshop and community where writers can post their work, receive feedback, and connect with other writers.

 

  • FanStory: A writing community offering feedback on stories and poetry, with writing contests and a platform to share your work.

Additional Resources

  • Shut Up & Write!: A global community that offers both in-person and online writing events, providing a structured time to write and connect with other writers.
    shutupwrite.com

 

Novlr: A creative writing platform built by writers, offering a community-driven space with tools to support your writing journey.

Additional Online Poetry Communities

  • Deep Underground Poetry: A writing and poetry community that allows members to share and publish poems, lyrics, short stories, and spoken word performances. The platform offers critique opportunities, poetry competitions, and a space to connect with other poets and writers.
    deepundergroundpoetry.com

 

  • Poetizer: A social network dedicated to poets, allowing users to share their original poetry, discover new poems daily, and connect with a global community of poetry enthusiasts.
    poetizer.com

 

  • Writing.Com: Established in 2000, Writing.Com is an online community for writers of all interests and skill levels. It offers creative writing help, online portfolios, and various writers’ tools.
    writing.com

 

  • Eratosphere: A free-to-join workshop for formal poetry, as well as a forum for free verse, poetry and prose translation, fiction, art, literary criticism, and discussions on writing.
    en.wikipedia.org

 

  • WritersCafe.org: An online writing community where writers can post their work, receive reviews, join writing groups, and participate in free writing contests. The platform supports various forms of writing, including poetry, short stories, novels, scripts, and screenplays.
    writerscafe.org

 

  • The Writers Lounge: Established in 1997, this international community allows poets to publish their work for free, discuss and like poems, and connect with authors worldwide.
    writerslounge.net

Additional Online Poetry Communities

  • PoetrySoup: A comprehensive online poetry community and resource where poets can submit their poems, participate in contests, and engage with other members.
    poetrysoup.com

 

  • Her Heart Poetry: An online poetry community that features new and emerging voices on their Instagram platform. Poets can use the hashtag #herheartpoetry for a chance to be featured.
    readpoetry.com

Additional Online Writing Communities

 

  • Critique Circle: An online writing workshop where writers can submit their work for feedback and provide critiques to others, fostering a reciprocal learning environment.
    clevergirlauthor.com

 

  • Fictionaut: An online community for short fiction and poetry writers to share their work, receive feedback, and connect with other writers.

 

 Book Review Sites

(Disclaimer: This list is STILL being sorted out and organized, so be aware that some of the links could be inactive or accidentally repeated while they’re being sorted. Ya dig?)

Book Reviewer Websites & Directories for Authors

This list contains directories and reviewer blogs appropriate for speculative, dystopian, and science fiction authors. Always verify each site’s submission rules and whether they accept indie authors.

Directories / Lists

Specific Review Blogs (Genre-Friendly)

 

Tip: Keep review requests professional, include your book blurb, cover image, and relevant metadata (ISBN, word count, genre, and availability). Always check for review policies before submitting.

 

General Links (to be Sorted)

 

Book Marketing & Publicity

 

Book Cover Design

 

Book Editing

 

Book Reviews

 

Copyrights

 

Interior Book Design

 Writing Online Tools

 

Recommend a Link

World Clocks

Portugal

Costa Rica

Malaysia

Richmond

New York

London

Tokyo

Washington

Bejing

Mexico City