Location, Location, Location: Where Do We Find Our Peeps?

Finding your tribe can be difficult, especially for writers who’d much rather stay at home. It doesn’t take an introvert to prefer the comfy confines of one’s office/writing nook. However, as we discussed in Who’s Ya Buddy, our writing life can be greatly enhanced by connecting with other authors.

How? you may ask. I’ll take a cue from starting a business: the three things you need to keep in mind are Location, Location, Location. And in this day and age we have OPTIONS! The more specific question is, Where? As Dr. Seuss reminds us, “From there to here, from here to there. Funny things are everywhere.” Funny things being, in this instance, writers. The challenge can lie in finding balance between limiting or spreading ourselves too thin.

“I feel thin, sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread.”

J.R.R. Tolkien

Local Gatherings

It’s scary but beneficial to meet other authors IRL (in real life.) I promise, no one will behead you and absorb your life energy. I promise, no one will behead you and absorb your life energy.

My first critique group experience was arranged through NaNoWriMo—four total strangers meeting in Books-A-Million to submit their words to each other. (Cue nervous sweating now.) I learned to prepare my work to be shared, and not die a thousand deaths while they listened and critiqued my piece. Though I was terrified, I ended up loving our little group. The other members were far more experienced, but gracious and encouraging. It can be a transformative experience to sit down with another author and go over your WIP with them. Sometimes these are the best brainstorming sessions.

• Check your public library for opportunities and events, whether virtual or in-person, it’s a good place to connect. And, if there isn’t already a writer’s group, you can start one!
• Local comic-cons are a fun place to meet local scifi/fantasy authors who are further along the publishing journey.
• Another opportunity for author enrichment can be the local university. UAB has hosted writing festivals for several years, initially live and in-person, but adapting to virtual and hybrid meetings as the pandemic changed the way we interacted.

These local opportunities open the way to other author activities like poetry slams and book readings. Participate in community author events—you don’t need to be published to encourage other authors. You just need to show up.

Writing Conferences (Not-so-Local)

Writing conferences, whether in-person or virtual, can boost your writing attitude and energy tremendously. Whether they’re specific to your genre or encompass a variety of like-minded authors who produce differently styled works, this where you can meet your peers in drive and passion. The love of words is a powerful equalizer, able to bridge chasms of age, geography, and reading tastes. That being said, Realm Makers is a wonderful group for lovers of speculative fiction.

If finances are tight, ask about scholarship options. Most writing conferences exist to encourage new writers and will do what they can to minimize barriers. Plan ahead for lower travel expenses. Take a risk and be open to a roommate. Join the dialogue before you arrive, it’s never too early to start learning from each other.

Internet Communities

Finally, gatherings of writers abound online. Facebook, Instagram, Discord, even Twitch & Twitter are full of opportunities to connect with other authors. If you want to follow your favorite author, search their website for where they invite the public to join them online. If you want to brainstorm with spec fic authors, do a search and check out the groups that interest you. If you want to learn throughout the year, there are many opportunities to join other writers who spur each other on. I’ve listed these before, but Writers Chat, the 540 Club, and Realm Makers are welcoming communities which exist to benefit other authors.

Here’s my caveat: Not every situation will be best suited to meet your needs or expectations. You don’t have to listen to all the voices that speak into your work, but you should learn to be flexible. I have been devastated by some critiques and strengthened by others. Look for safe spaces and spaces that challenge, but you won’t find either until you strike out and take a risk. Don’t wait for the mountain to come to you, be brave and start climbing.

Sophia L Hansen is an author and editor with Havok Publishing and loves to write In Other Worlds. She’s lived on a tiny island in Alaska, the bustling cities of New York and Boston, raised kids in Tennessee, and now resides just outside Birmingham, AL. After 30+ years of marriage, seven children, and numerous pets, Sophia still fits into her high school earrings.

You can follow Sophia’s words and worlds at https://www.sophialhansen.com/, Facebook, and Instagram.