Online communities:
Western Historical Romance Book Club: A rowdy herd of writers and readers who've banded together on Facebook.
SavvyAuthors: friendly, helpful and having entirely too much fun. The site offers educational blogs, online workshops and mentoring, critique groups, pitch contests with agents and editors, and good ol'-fashioned camaraderie.
She Writes: women with pens. Tailored especially for the distaff side, the site offers educational opportunities, critique and social groups, and industry news.