Echo, Echo...Is This Thing On? Amplifying Your Writer's Voice in the Digital Age

One sure-fire way to put yourself authentically in front of people who will get you

It never hurts to think outside the box…((Photo by Curology on Unsplash)

Every writer needs to expand their reach. If you write posts and articles, you need more readers to engage. If you write books, your potential publishers will demand that you have a significant group of people you can connect with. If you self-publish, nobody will buy your book if you’re invisible.

Here then, is a simple failsafe key to building and growing that reach: Connect with other writers online and in real life. I give you the definitive map to locating scribes wherever you choose to hang out.

Online writing communities

1. Absolute Write Water Cooler: A large and active community with threads on every genre, freelance writing, publishing industry, and more. I have gravitated around them for decades.

2. Query Tracker — Perfect for authors who have completed their manuscript and are looking to query agents, self-publish, or promote their book. It’s free, has an active community component, and is a terrific place to begin considering finding an agent.

3. Shut Up & Write! is free. A community where writers pump up their volume of writing. About 100,000 members, weekly events, and real-life meetups (you can create your own). There’s a lot of variety and different challenges you can join – whether you’re writing a novel, penning poetry or working on a writing project.

4. Critique Circle: A platform for writers to receive feedback on their work from other writers. Muscle up — you can do it!

5. Reedsy: Provides a list of the best online writing communities for aspiring authors. You don’t have to be a battered veteran writer to fit in.

6. Booklinker Facebook Community: A great place for new authors to learn about book marketing and connect with other writers.

7. Scribophile: A community for beta readers and writers to exchange feedback on their work.

Offline writing communities

1. Local Writing Groups: Many cities have local writing groups that meet regularly to discuss writing, share work, and offer feedback. Ask your public library. Yeah, I know it’s easier to write from the couch, but a good group will catapult you into a new awareness. If you can’t find one, create one.

2. Writing Workshops: Look for workshops or retreats in your area that focus on writing skills, craft, and networking with other writers. A little less common than other groups, but they do exist.

3. Libraries and Bookstores: Many libraries and bookstores host writing groups, author readings, and events that can help you connect with other writers. You will thank yourself when you find new friends who get you.

4. Writing Conferences: Attend writing conferences to meet other writers, learn from industry professionals, and network with potential readers and publishers. Try searching Meetups website.

A quick primer on how to succeed without social anxiety

• Be Active: Participate in discussions, share your work, and offer feedback to others. Wallflowers are invisible, you know.

• Be Open: Be open to receiving constructive criticism and use it to improve your writing. These people are eager to help — understand that writers are often introverts and loners, so be tolerant of personality types. Don’t argue, defend, or debate a criticism. Use it if it seems useful, disregard it if not. No one can force you to change anything.

• Network: Build relationships with other writers, agents, and publishers to expand your reach and opportunities. Make a consistent effort to connect and sustain the connection.

I promise you will benefit from these activities in countless ways. Go thou and hook up. One of these days, I might start a writing group.

📝Question: Do you know of other great places for writers to congregate? Leave a note in the comments. We’re all in this together.

---

Jump over to the Pen2Profit website and noodle around

.