At the conclusion of my time in writing workshops, one thing I looked back on with a smile was the compassion and helpfulness of other writers in the program. True, this is a profession where jealousy can separate us, particularly because in this era of publishing, the business is highly competitive. But writers, at the root, understand the struggles and the setbacks. They know, from experience, what works and what doesn’t work, and depending on what level you’re working at in your own writing workshops, they know what’s going to make your story sell. To that end, it’s important to network with other authors in your professional life and keep them in your circle of friends.
There are a few ways to do this, including meeting other authors in writing workshops and inside writing schools/courses, and striking up friendships on social media. Facebook has many groups for writers, and using hashtags on Twitter, you can probably find writing groups on that platform as well. LinkedIn is a terrific way to network with other writers, and even Pinterest or Instagram might direct you toward writers with similar interests, goals, and genres. Outside of the normal social media outlets, you might also consider a podcast, video correspondence (such as Skype), blogging, and personal websites (how about set up a video on your website’s main page with information for making connections with other writers?). Below this article, I’ve included links to start you off with social media groups and writing workshops.
Tip: Don’t forget to pop into social media groups on a regular basis: don’t just write a post about your latest release with the obvious intention of trying to market a book or published project. It’s important to keep a weekly back and forth going, and help other writers when you can.
If you’re not a social media person and prefer to do some footwork, you can visit local bookstores during events, or even make connections at your local museums. For example, in my home state of Connecticut, the Mark Twain house and museum in Hartford sponsors write-in sessions where you actually sit in Mark Twain’s library with other writers for a few hours (there is a fee, however). You can also check out your town’s library to set up a speaking event or lead a writing group, or you can attend writing conferences in your area. Finally, you might consider renting out some space and starting up your own writing group with meetings every other week.
The positives for networking with other authors are countless. First, you may find you can exchange your writing with another trusted writer for feedback to strengthen your project. Second, you have a point person to bounce ideas off and basically just talk to about the life of a writer (we’ve all had both rejections and high points). Perhaps the most important aspect of networking includes the pinnacle of any writer’s career: publication. Your writing buddy may receive a publishing contract and offer your name to their publishing company, they might start their own publishing company, or they might ask you to assist them with a publishable writing project. They will also be there for you (and you for them!) when published writing projects need marketing, reviews, and word-of-mouth exposure.
Here are some links for writing workshops, social groups, and articles on networking. Good luck with this and let us know if you have any questions, opinions, or suggestions for author networking!
