Resources

software

• krita (free)
• medibang (free)
• Ezgif (free) - not a program but a website where you can do a lot of different things, like converting image files, create gifs, lower image resolutions, splitting gifs into their individual frames, etc.
• clipnote studio - Miss Flipnote Studio? Now you can download it! This is meant to be a spiritual successor to Flipnote Studio! Mac and Linux versions are currently in the works!

photo references

• line-of-action - offers a variety of photos to use as reference with an emphasis on gesture drawing. Has a built in system to replicate gesture drawing exercises done in art classes. Also has photo references for animals, scenery, body parts, expressions, etc.
• adorkastock - variety of stock photos done by AdorkaStock (formerly known as SenshiStock)
• animal photo art reference - need a photo reference of an animal's head at a specific angle? This website may help you! There's a 3D model of an animal head and the program will find similar photos of your choosen animal with that specific angle
• reference angle - similar to the previous link but for humans. Admittedly, this one is a bit more finnicky though

tools

• posemaniacs - a huge gallery of poses using 3D models of both feminine and masculine muscle models. It's super useful if you need help understanding where the muscle placements are. The tagging system is a little finnicky (there are a few poses that I think should be tagged differently) but otherwise useful.
• height comparison - need help checking the size of your characters to others and/or their surroundings? this website will help you! Objects can be toggled between metric and imperial
• body visualizer - A toggleable 3D model used to get a general sense of how the body can be visualized at various weights
• character weight - unsure of the general weight of a character? You can plug their artwork in here and it'll give you an estimated weight
• Anatomy 4 Sculptor's 3D Reference Tool - A 3D preference tool for muscle placement by Anatomy4Sculptors! A majority of the models are blocked behind a paywall but the ones available are still helpful.
• Comics Flow - A website to help you stay on track while making your comic! It comes with a variety of templates depending on what format you want it to be and gives you a general idea of what to do during the day. This website is currently open for beta!

art assets

• brushes by vegalia - a variety of brushes by the artist Vegalia! They're more wellknown for their natural hair brushes (with different packs accommodating for different art styles!) but they offer a variety of other brushes as well. Their brushes are compatible with Procreate, Clip Studio Paint and Photoshop.

software

• libreoffice (free) - a free, open source program with a similar functionality to Office365 and Google Drive
• Ellipsus - A text browser in your browser of choice. You can also collaborate with other writers here. Login required.
• ZenPen - A minimalistic text editor. Writing is saved to your web browser so make sure to keep a backup.

story planning

• wavemaker ver. 4 (free) - A tool you can use to help organize and plan your story. You can create little wikipedia-esque pages for characters, create timelines, write out documents, lore notes, etc. in this program. You can either use this in web browser or download it on your desktop. It includes a way to "sync" the files across a single account but it is a little finnicky as you really need to make sure its properly synced to the account.
• lore forge (free with some features behind paywall) - A tool you can use to plan out your story and it's lore. It takes some time to navigate and get used to the layout as is.
• storyplotter (free with some features behind paywall) - A tool you can use to plan out your story and it's lore. An account is required to use. Unfortunately, syncing to mobile devices is locked behind a paywall (mentionings of this is not shown on the web version.). Currently, there is no desktop version.

tools

• fighter's block - A motivational web browser tool stylized as a turn-based RPG.
• hemingway app (free with some features behind a paywall) - a tool that can help determine the reading level of your work along with detecting various sentences that need tweaking
• obsidian (free with some features behind a paywall) - A notetaking app with a wikipedia-like back-linking system. If you download Obsidian, I highly recommend looking deeper into tutorials and the official manual to use this to its full potential.
• written? kitten! - A website that'll reward you with a photo of a kitten every 100 words! You can also toggle this to a specific set of words and to either give you a photo of a cat, dog or rabbit!
• trackbear.app - Track your word count with this little online tracker.
• OneLook A dictionary/thesaurus. Their thesaurus specifically also categorizes words by their related concept (ex. negative or positive quality).

software

• RPGMaker Official Website (one time purchase) - A program used typically used to code RPGs. If you're familiar with games like Yume Nikki, OFF, IB, The Witch's House, they're all created using RPGMaker. There's many different versions and they often go on sale for cheap! They come with built in assets for you so you don't have to worry about asset creations if you choose. There are many different versions of the software so pick one according to your needs.
• Ren'py (Free) - An open source and free Visual Novel creating software
• RenJS (free) - A visual novel creating software that's light on the coding part.
• Paper RPG Maker (free) - A free 2.5D software. Be aware that there's a commercial and personal license
• Godot Engine (free) - An upcoming game software that's said to be the Blender of video games
• bosca ceoil (free) - a tool to create music!
• bitsy (free) - A free game engine to make small games

assets

sprites

music

• Jordan Winslow's Royalty Free Music
• Karugamo BGM
• H/MIX Gallery - Free music you can use in your games. The website is entirely in Japanese so, unless you're familiar with Japanese, it might take some time finding what you need.
• Classical Masterpieces Sound Library - Has sound files for many classical pieces. The library can be toggled between different languages.
• Presence of Music
• amacha music
• Senses Circuit
• Chosic
• Josh Woodward
• Sound Image

backgrounds

hosts

• bearblog - A blogging platform with a super simple layout. There is a paid subscription service to allow for more features (ex. multiple blogs) but is otherwise free.
• FC2 - A Japanese blogging host but the website is translated into several languages (including English). The user dashboard can be confusing but you'll eventually understand how things work and where everything is. There is a section where you can look around for both officially made and user made layouts.
• itch.io - Not a blogging/webhosting service but you can find many indie games, comics, software and assets here. There are several times within the year where itch.io and communities will make bundles to support various causes and host things like "game jams" to encourage creating games during a set period of time. You don't have to be a creator of any kind to use a site, as there is an option in your account to toggle it.
• NekoWeb - A domain site similar to NeoCities!

creating your own website!

crisis

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (US)

demographic specific

• Call Blackline - A BIPOC-centric hotline focusing on systemic issues. It comes in with a black LGBTQ+ femme perspective.
• Su Familia: The National Hispanic Family Support Helpline (call only) - A Hispanic focused helpline. Offers services in both English and Spanish.
• Strong Hearts (call and chat) - An Indigenous (US) focused helpline.
• Hmong Family Strengthening Helpline (call and text) - A Hmong focused helpline. Offers services in both Hmong and English.
• Muslim Youth Healthline (UK based) -
• NISA Helpline (Canada based) - A helpline for Muslim women. They offer support for those living in the North Americas.
• Jewish Care helplines - Helplines for Jewish folk. This organization has two helplines: an information and advise helpline and a listening helpline.
• Trans Lifeline Hotline - A hotline for trans and questioning folk. They have a separate US and Canadian number and offers services in both English and Spanish (call only).

physical health

• Mind the Gap: A handbook of clinical signs in Black and Brown skin - A book compiling photos of symptoms manifesting on darker skin. The link given is free (with a download) and shared by its authors.
• GoodRX - Helps you find good deals for your medication.

mental health

• Now Matters Now - A website offering (volunteer) peer-meetings (allowing others to share their troubles and learn new skills) and teachings on various skills that may help you.
• 7cups.com - A volunteer run space, bringing people together to talk about their mental health and their troubles. There are also forums here and ways to connect to licensed therapists. If you'd like, you can also sign up to be a volunteer listener.
• goblin tools - A website with various tools such as breaking down tasks, task time-estimator, etc.
• feelings wheel - A graphic that of the "emotions/feelings wheel" tool, which is used to better help identify the emotions you're feeling. You identify the emotion on the outer ring that you feel closest to and then work your way to the center to the "base" emotion.
• Act matrix - A tool and visual aid to understand behaviors on that may move you towards/away from your goals. ( Note: Don't think of it in a black-and-white "good" or "bad" way. Sometimes there are situations where you need to step away.)
• you feel like shit - an interactable website that helps you ground yourself.
• Asian Mental Health Collective - Helps those who identify as Asian American Pacific IslanderAAPI get the mental health support they need. They operate in both the US and Canada.

sexual health

• sex ed for bi guys - a website focusing on sexual education for bisexual men by a sex educator.
• HIV PrEP information (US based) - information on the PrEP pre-exposure prophylaxis medication, which is used to help prevent HIV through sex or injections. You can get it in the form of oral medication or shots. According to the website, PrEP should be free under most healthcare insurance.
• communication tools by thevelvetbox - a wide variety of worksheets for you and your partner(s) to do regarding sexual needs and boundaries
• Oh Joy Sex Toy - A variety of comics focused around sexual education on a variety of topics (there is adult content here as well! Make sure to look through their categories before browsing!). There are also many queer, disabled and BIPOC comics here as well!

disability

neurodiversity

• Embrace Autism - A website focusing on providing information on autistic for and by autistic people. It also has some tests on the site in case you're wondering if you may be on the spectrum.

physical disability

• A library card gives you so many resources! Many libraries partner up with other services to offer classes. If you're unable to get a library card in person, check out these links as they provide library cards (US based, even if you're not in the same state):
• Books Unbanned
• resist.bot (US Based) - Directly send messages to your local and federal officials just using the tips of your fingertips. You can do this via SMS, Facebook Messenger, etc. If you're running low on spoons, you can even sent pre-made letters from other users of the service.
• Click to Help - Just one click a day will leave a donation to your cause of choice! They also provide proof that the donation goes through.
• BudgetBytes - A website full of recipes you can do for low cost. It also breaks down how much the ingredients and the dish itself would generally cost.

archives

• digital transgender archive - a huge archival database on everything trans related. It includes old news paper clippings, photos, articles, and more!
• queer zine archive - an archive compiling and preserving a bunch of zines themed around queerness.

learn new skills

language learning

• Mango Languages - A website/app that helps you learn languages. If you have a library card, check to see if your library uses their services! If they do, you'll be able to use the service for free.
• Transparent Language - A website/app that helps you learn languages. Check your local library/university if they are using their services. If they are, then you can sign up with your library card/university email for free.
• Signing Savvy - An American Sign Language ASL dictionary. Some features are locked behind a "login."