Writers are capable of captivating minds and hearts with the words they put on the page. The connections they make with their readers can leave a lasting impression for years to come.
But when it comes to making connections in person, writers face some major obstacles. The work is solitary by nature, requiring more inward focus than collaboration with others. Most writers spend their time working solo in front of a computer, dutifully transferring ideas and visions from their mind onto the page. Tapping away on a keyboard doesn’t leave much time for chatting with other professionals in their field.
But that doesn’t always have to be the case. What if you approached writing like a more traditional job where you bounced ideas off of your peers, commiserated with colleagues when the work got stale, and celebrated successes together?
When you view writing this way, it’s easier to see the benefits of reaching out to other professionals in your industry. Whether you’re an experienced pro with multiple published titles under your belt or a rookie working on your first book, there are plenty of advantages to networking. And just like in a traditional job, some of those professional connections have the potential to turn into real friendships.
But before you reap the rewards, you need to figure out how to venture outside your comfort zone and start the networking process. Take a closer look at some of the best ways to connect with other writers to figure out which of these methods could potentially give your writing career a boost.
Sometimes it helps your writing to be alone… But that doesn’t mean you have to do it all alone.
Online Writers’ Groups
Looking for a fast, easy, and unintimidating way to start your networking journey as a writer? Join an online writers’ group.
These groups, many of which can be found on Facebook, are perfect for dipping your toe into a community for writers. You can join up and peruse through posts and discussions to get the lay of the land before chiming in yourself. And if you find that the group doesn’t suit you or isn’t active enough for your tastes, you can move on and try a new one.
There are hundreds of groups online, allowing you to choose one (or more) based on a number of factors, such as:
Your experience (groups for new writers, published writers, etc.)
Your genre (groups for fiction authors, fantasy authors, children’s authors, etc.)
Your location (groups for writers in your city, state, or region)
In addition to finding groups that meet your interests, you should look for communities which align with your goals. Are you looking for a community that will provide honest feedback on your writing, or one that has weekly check-ins where you can share your progress? Do you want to discuss trends in the industry, or do you prefer to focus on practical writing tips and developing your craft?
The same groups that will help you with your writing will often provide you with a readership as well.
Writing Classes
Want to meet local writers and improve your writing skills? Sign up for a writing course or workshop. These classes offer a great combination of benefits or any writer. First, it gives you focused time to improve your skills and work on your latest project. Even if you’re an experienced writer, it doesn’t hurt to learn some new things and give yourself new challenges.
Of course, the other main benefit of joining this type of class is the opportunity to interact with other writers. The classroom provides a common experience that makes it easier to bond than if you were to just join a local writers’ meetup group.
Consider asking a few classmates if they’d like to get together at a coffee shop or campus cafeteria after class. You can chat with each other about your assignments or the teacher’s feedback to get to know one another. From there, it will be easier to venture into topics like your personal projects and your aspirations as a writer. Your classmates can provide great opportunities not only for networking but also for forming friendships with likeminded folks.
Think about these questions as you search for online writing groups. Once you discover some that match your goals and interests, you’ll find that these groups can provide a great source of support and inspiration for your writing career.
“Knowledge is a weapon. I intend to be formidably armed.”
―Terry Goodkind
Writers’ Associations
Most writers who have been working at their craft for some time have come across advertisements or invitations to join a writers’ association. For many writers, especially those who haven’t been published yet, the idea of joining a professional organization can be a bit daunting. However, these groups offer a great way to interact with other writers and further your career, even if you’re relatively new to the profession.
Writers’ association can give you a sense of community that you might be lacking in your solitary work routine. It’s not just once a year at the annual conference, either. Many of today’s writers’ associations offer great ways to connect in person with local member events or remotely through online message boards.
Membership in a writers’ association also comes with some of the best networking perks. You may be able to connect with authors or publishing professionals through your association. Some groups have job boards, writing contests, online libraries, or information about internships, fellowships, grants, and writing retreats. These kinds of resources can help push your career to the next level and connect you with powerful people in the writing industry.
Thinking about joining a writers’ association? Check out these organizations to find one that suits your interests, or search online to find more options:
Writing Events
Another great way to branch out as a writer is by attending writing conferences and retreats. These types of events can be a great opportunity to push yourself outside of your comfort zone, learn new things, and meet other people with similar writing interests.
Writing conferences are usually focused more on learning and networking. You can attend seminars on all kinds of writing topics or get the details about the ins and outs of the publishing industry. Thousands of other writers are typically in attendance, giving you plenty of opportunities to connect with your peers.
A writing retreat or residency involves a slower pace and a smaller group of people, which can be a great fit for those who prefer an intimate setting over a big event with crowds. You’ll spend time working on your own projects, but you’ll also have the chance to connect with other retreat attendees and possibly form some friendships, too.
Who is ready to push themselves?
Writing Challenges
Perhaps a specific assignment is the best way to help you connect with other writers. If so, consider participating in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) or another similar event. Because they are based on a particular writing challenge, these types of events can give you the push you need to not only be more productive with your writing but also become part of an enthusiastic community.
In addition to completing the writing work, many people who participate in challenges like NaNoWriMo share their progress on social media. Using hashtags can be a great way to connect with other people who are doing just that. Participants may also post to online forums or form local groups that meet to encourage, inspire, and help one another along the way.
Here’s a brief overview of some of the most popular writing challenges you can consider joining:
NaNoWriMo: Held each November, National Novel Writing Month is the most well-known writing challenge. Participants aim to write a 50,000-word novel in 30 days, which comes out to around 1,667 words per day.
NaPoWriMo: This is a similar challenge that takes place in April and focuses on poetry. Those who participate try to write 30 poems in 30 days.
StoryADay: In May, you can consider joining StoryADay, in which participants try to write one short story every day for a month.
International 3-Day Novel Contest: Held over Labor Day Weekend each year, this contest challenges individuals to write an entire novel in just 72 hours.
Bogged down? No worries. There’s a whole writing community out there waiting to help.
As a writer, it’s important not to get too set in your ways, so try pushing yourself to try something new by joining an online writers’ group, signing up for a class or conference, or trying any of the other strategies listed here. Regardless of which method(s) you choose for connecting with other writers, you’ll be pleased with the positive effects it has on your writing experience.
Perhaps you’ll discover new opportunities, become better at your craft, stay up to date with industry trends, or network with people who can help advance your career. For some writers, the biggest perk is simply the opportunity to make friends with fellow writers and enjoy a relationship that involves mutual encouragement, inspiration, motivation, and support. Step outside your comfort zone to form connections with other people who love writing just as much as you do.
about the author
Ashley Henshaw has been a contributing writer for a number of online publications, including The Huffington Post, USA Today, and AOL City's Best. She has a BA in English from Loyola University Chicago and previously worked for a publishing house. She is an avid fiction reader and loves to edit fiction and nonfiction alike. If she could, she'd spend every spare minute on the beaches of Lake Michigan, but Chicago's weather has proven uncooperative.
Check out Ashley’s other blog posts: “Ready to Branch Out? Try Writing Conferences, Retreats, & Workshops” and “How to Use Modern Tech in Your Novel.”