I'm pleased to host Nutschell Windsor, The Writing Nut, to talk about belonging to writing organizations and the collaborative effort published by her group. Thank you, Nutschell!
The Benefits of Joining a Professional Writing Organization
The Benefits of Joining a Professional Writing Organization
While some writers can pursue a career without being part of
a professional writing organization, most will benefit from joining one.
I belong to two wonderful writing organizations: The Society
of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (www.scbwi.org)
and the Children’s Book Writers of Los Angeles (www.cbw-la.org),
which I founded.
Here are some of the benefits I see from being a part of
both:
1.
Networking
Networking is an important part of growing any
business. And writing is a business. Gone are the days of hermit writers and
hidden authors. Nowadays, with so many books vying for readers’ attentions, the
name of the game is exposure. Networking with fellow authors will give you the
chance to increase your book’s visibility. And if you aren’t published yet,
networking will open various opportunities for you. You might find critique
partners through networking, or find a freelance editor or literary agent who
will help you improve your craft. You might meet a blogger who will
enthusiastically review or books or even help you set up your own website.
2.
Career Opportunities
Joining a writing organization might also
present you with opportunities to get published or expand your career options.
You might impress a literary agent or editor during a workshop or conference
and find yourself faced with an offer of representation or an offer of
publication. Likewise, a writer you meet at a schmooze might invite you to be a
speaker for their writing group, or might offer to write a stellar review of
your book.
3.
Professional Development
Writing organizations often present workshops
and conferences which feature industry professionals. This presents budding
authors with an opportunity to learn from the best. Agents, editors and other
authors have a storehouse of knowledge and personal experience in publishing
and gaining access to both will help writers improve their own craft. These industry
professionals will not share writing techniques, they’ll also provide you with
helpful tips on how to market your books.
Aside from workshops and conferences, writing
organizations will also have other resources like newsletters, magazines,
handbooks, and websites full of helpful links and insiders’ information. You
might also find online critique partners through your writing organization.
4.
Recognition
Writing organizations will also
have a slew of contests, scholarships, and awards. Your talent will be
recognized by professionals if you win any one of these; and having that
recognition will certainly help open doors and push you further along on the
road to publication. If you’re already a published author, winning an award
might help boost sales or help improve your next contract.
Winning a contest might also
provide you with an opportunity to attend a conference or workshop for free.
The Los Angeles branch of the SCBWI, for example, offers the first place
winners of their annual Writer’s Day contest a chance to attend one of the
three local events they hold each year.
5.
Support
Writing can be a lonely task and
the road to publication is never easy. Having the support of fellow writers who
understand the journey you’re taking will help you overcome many of the
obstacles you’ll encounter along the way. You’ll also get great support in
terms of legal and professional situations.
For instance, if you were offered a
contract by a publisher, but you have no literary agent to help you look it
over, your writing organization might provide you with a handbook, a set of
guidelines or some helpful information to help you figure it out. They might
also provide you with a directory of entertainment lawyers, and you can hire
one of them to help negotiate a better publishing deal for you, or to help you out in case you get tangled in
some legal situation.
Some writing organizations will
also have member insurance policies or emergency funds which might help you in
your time of need.
6.
Publication
While schmoozing with agents,
authors and editors might get your foot in the door, they don’t necessarily
lead to instant publication.
Some writing organizations,
however, provide definite opportunities for you to get published in other ways.
They might encourage submissions to their newsletters or magazines. Or they
might even allow you an opportunity to get published in an anthology.
CBW-LA, for example, holds an
annual Writing Day Anthology Workshop where participants are led through a
series of writing exercises. At the end of the workshop, each participant
produces two pieces which are published months later in the group’s STORY
SPROUTS anthology.
Joining a writing group will cost money and also require time, since you’ll have to attend various events to make full use of your membership. While there might be detriments to being part of one, such as possible group infighting or power struggles, I have yet to see this in the writing organizations I belong to.
Whatever other cons there may be for joining a writing
organization, I can say from experience that the benefits of belonging to one
far outweigh them all.
*************************************************************************************
Super
thanks for having me on your blog, Arlee!
STORY
SPROUTS: CBW-LA WRITING DAY EXERCISES & ANTHOLOGY 2013
·
Paperback: 240 pages
·
Publisher: CBW-LA Publications (October
18, 2013)
·
Edited by: Alana Garrigues, Nutschell Anne
Windsor
·
Language: English
·
ISBN-10: 0989878791
·
ISBN-13: 978-0989878791
·
Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x
0.6 inches
STORY
SPROUTS 2013 ANTHOLOGY STATISTICS:
·
19 Authors
·
38 Combined Anthology Entries – 2 per Contributing Author
·
6-hour Workshop
·
10 Writing Exercises (included in Story Sprouts)
·
Dozens of Photo, Character and Conflict Prompts (included in Story
Sprouts)
·
240 pages
BLURB:
What happens when linguistic lovers and tale tellers workshop
together? Inspiration. Wonder. Discovery. Growth. Magic.
Brave and talented, the writers featured in this anthology took on the
challenge of dedicating one day to the raw and creative process of writing.
A rare view into the building blocks of composition, Story Sprouts is
made up of nearly 40 works of poetry and prose from 19 published and aspiring
children's book authors.
This compilation includes all of the anthology writing exercises and
prompts, along with tips, techniques and free online writing resources to help
writers improve their craft.
KINDLE
& PRINT COPIES AVAILABLE THROUGH AMAZON:
LINKS:
Find
Nutschell at:
The IWSG is the only one I belong to, but it has been tremendously helpful. There just aren't any locally here and my publisher isn't listed with the SFWA, so I can't join.
ReplyDeleteI was a member of RWA for a while, but the meetings were never close enough for me to attend.
ReplyDeleteGreat advice and all valid points. When I started out I joined two local groups and started one of my own, it does make all the difference!
ReplyDeleteThank you Nutschell for your informative post. Sorry my formatting wasn't as good as it should have been.
ReplyDeleteThis comment is essentially being made to test my comment box.
Lee
Alex, the ISWG is such a great group! I'd already started my Wednesday Writer's Workspace series by the time I discovered it, but I read everyone's posts :)
ReplyDeleteDiane, I hear RWA is a good group to belong to :)
ReplyDeleteYolanda, huzzah for starting your own group! It can be time consuming but so worth it.
Lee, the formatting looks just fine! THanks soooooo much for hosting us here today! hugs all around!
ReplyDeleteI've thought about joining a group but never do. Events would never be close enough to attend (as I don't drive).
ReplyDeleteThere is a possibility of starting one but my town is fairly small.
Perhaps there is a group with online stuff (chats, workshops, etc.) that would suit me.
Wonderful advice, I already plan to join at least one Society this year. Thanks for all the extra knowledge.
ReplyDeleteIf I lived near Nutschell, I would definitely join her writers' group.
ReplyDeleteI think such organisations are very helpful whatever you do be it writing or something else.
ReplyDeleteWriting groups rock! Especially with Nutschell in the helm as the fearless leader. :)
ReplyDelete"Tossing It Out" has been included in the A Sunday Drive for this week. Be assured that I hope this helps to point even more new visitors in your direction.
ReplyDeletehttp://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-sunday-drive_19.html
I have been thinking of joining a writer's group. As of now I am a part of IWSG which suits me well as every member is a good friend.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, online groups work just as well and may be perfect if you don't drive as much. :)
ReplyDeleteSheena, Good luck! I hope you pick a group that's a perfect fit for your needs.
Susan, awww! Thanks! I wish you did live closer so you could be in the group!!
Jo, agreed! Every professional will benefit from joining an organization of some kind.
Alana, awww! you're too kind. My job is made all the more fun with co-organizers like you!
Jerry, I'll have to check that out!
Rachnal good luck! I'm glad you're a part of IWSG. I hear it's a great group.