Beneficial Author Relationships: Why We Need One Another

by Karen Whiting @KarenHWhiting

Getting to know and interact with other authors helps us to grow as writers, share opportunities, and build a support network. At my first large writer’s conference I met another novice writer, and we shared our ideas and hope. He later landed a contract and then connected me to his editor who wanted books for my area, families, and I got a contract. 

I also connected with local authors to form a critique group that not only polished our writing, but we shared writing opportunities we learned about and that increased everyone’s writing credits. I belong to a master mind group of authors currently that provides accountability and helps us think wider and market in new directions. Connecting with other authors is inspiring, helpful, and allows us to support one another.

The Power of Author Friends

From sharing difficulties, successes, to new methods and technology, we tap into the power of the writing community. Authors listen to works-in-progress and ideas to bring insight. Authors celebrate successes and commiserate over rejections. They get one another and that helps writers continue the journey. Consider the writing friends you’ve made, and which ones are the most beneficial currently. Figure out how you are contributing to those relationships to keep the connection healthy and strong. Be sure to show you appreciate each one.

Helping Other Writers

Even novice writers can help other writers by doing reviews, being beta readers, and sharing about books they’ve read. As you become more experienced, you can also give back more with feedback, encouragement, and share writing and marketing ideas. Consider ways to help other writers:

• Keep informed about the industry and share opportunities with other writers of where to submit manuscripts and proposals, or media outlets for interviews.
• Be part of a launch team to spread the word about a book where you can also glean new ideas on marketing your own upcoming releases.
• Set up times to practice pitches on one another.
• Join writer groups or events where you can encourage one another.
• Share about other writers and their books and events. Promote their books at the right season, such as books for moms before Mother’s Day.

Connecting with Successful Writers

Writers with publishing credits and marketing success you’d like to experience are great people to get to know. You will tap into a great resource and wealth of knowledge. These people may be very busy with numerous deadlines, so be patient in developing such connections. Start by reading their books and following them online. Post comments and meet up at a conference where the author will speak. If the author is local, offer to meet up and buy them lunch, coffee, or tea. Listen to their wisdom and ask about how he or she got started. One of my first successful friends lived nearby and I invited her to dinner as a neighbor before I knew she wrote. We became walking partners, and her advice made a huge difference in my writing journey.

Some great authors are so generous! My friends Pam Farrel, Michelle Medlock Adams, and Julie Lavender are authors I know who truly support other writers the most. They are always sharing posts and posting about author friends, new releases, and book sightings! They also share how they market and model what they do. Following such people can remind you to share posts, congratulate those doing well, and celebrate success. If you are generous with your helping other authors, then many will respond and share your news too.

Build Your Author Network

Start locally and follow writers online. One local group I belong to hosts an annual book event in conjunction with an art show and a small writer’s conference. These are events to learn, teach, sell, and connect. Attending events and writer conferences opens doors to many new author friendships.

Collect business cards to recall people you meet. Once you have a card add a note about why that person is important. Scan the cards with an app like Camcard.com to keep them handy and create groups. Add people to the groups to make them easier to find.

Keep in contact with authors and follow them on social media. Place those authors into a fried list if the social media has such an option. Spend time weekly to read posts of author friends and post comments. If you plan to attend an event, schedule time with friends who will also attend.

Be open to meeting authors. At the post office this week, the postal worker asked about my writing and then pointed out another writer who entered. I greeted the woman and gave her my card. She mentioned a fiction writer’s group and when I mentioned I write NF, she added that their group includes many genres including NF, and invited me to visit. 

Mutually Beneficial

We need community and one another in many ways. In good relationships, everyone gains. The practical gains include:

• Knowledge
• Training
• Feedback
• Wider reach
• Cross marketing
• Valuable resources
• Opportunities

Emotional gains include:

• Friendship
• Accountability
• Motivation
• Encouragement
• Inspiration
• Support

It’s nice to build a strong network of writers. Great author relationships help each person grow.

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Beneficial Author Relationships: Why We Need One Another - insight from author @KarenHWhiting on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)

Don't Miss the Other Post in this Series:

Increase Marketing by Building Publishing Relationships 

Beneficial Author Relationships: Why We Need One Another

Karen Whiting (WWW.KARENWHITING.COM) is an international speaker, former television host of Puppets on Parade, certified writing and marketing coach, and award-winning author of twenty-seven books for women, children, and families. Her newest book, The Gift of Bread: Recipes for the Heart and the Table reflects her passion for bread and growing up helping at her grandparent’s restaurant. Check out her newest book Growing a Mother’s Heart: Devotions of Faith, Hope, and Love from Mothers Past, Present, and Future. It's full of heartwarming and teary-eyed stories of moms.

Karen has a heart to grow tomorrow’s wholesome families today. She has written more than eight hundred articles for more than sixty publications and loves to let creativity splash over the pages of what she writes. She writes for Crosswalk. Connect with Karen on Twitter @KarenHWhiting Pinterest KarenWhiting FB KarenHWhiting.

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