| Being a veteran author I get a lot of mail from | | | | writer’s board can enhance your career just |
| readers and writers of all backgrounds. I receive a | | | | as much as participating in one. The great thing |
| lot of mail from aspiring writers especially. I | | | | about these boards is that most of them are |
| recently received many emails asking the same | | | | public with the exception of some Yahoo Groups. |
| question: "I need help with my manuscript. Where | | | | You can troll and lurk all you like and if this is |
| do I get it? Can you help me?" | | | | better for you, you’ll be able to pick up all the |
| I explain to newbies all the time that published | | | | information comfortably. You can also email other |
| writers are not able to critique others’ work | | | | writers in private if you prefer. |
| due to legal conditions as well as most of us | | | | I don’t believe that new writers understand |
| barely have the time to finish our own work, let | | | | how serious writer’s groups are. They are |
| alone critique someone else’s. Yet, I hate | | | | not only a place to socialize but they do help |
| leaving aspiring writers in the cold so I wanted to | | | | writers with their goals each day. It has been |
| create this article for those just starting out who | | | | proven that since the popularity of Internet |
| do not know how important online writing groups | | | | interaction has soared, writing groups are |
| can be for new writers seeking publication and | | | | responsible for guiding more than 50% of new |
| looking to better their craft. | | | | authors on the right path. This includes educating |
| Below are reasons why aspiring writers should not | | | | them on contracts, finding agents, and searching |
| ignore online groups. I suggest that a writer | | | | publishers and the craft of writing. Every new |
| become a regular on at least three writing groups | | | | author should make writing groups an important |
| of their choice. These are the benefits: | | | | part of their career. This is a wonderful |
| Writing Groups Can Lead to Publication | | | | educational tool that you cannot refuse to ignore. |
| Writers’ groups are the home to many | | | | There are many writing groups on the net. Below |
| newbies as well as published authors, publishers, | | | | are two of the most popular and two that I |
| agents, editors and publicists. These are all people | | | | know for a fact have helped writers become |
| that all aspiring writers should get to know. Being | | | | published and successfully find agents. |
| in a writer’s group puts your name "out | | | | Writers.Net- this is one of the most popular and |
| there" and you are getting familiar with important | | | | respected writing boards ever invented. WN is |
| people in the industry. This could lead to publication | | | | different from many boards because it actually |
| in the long run. You never know whom you meet | | | | puts you in contact with industry professionals. |
| in a group and how they can affect your career. | | | | WN is the only board that I’ve witnessed |
| Although agents and editors do not look to the | | | | where agents and editors post frequently. A new |
| net specifically for finding new talent, they do | | | | writer can meet published authors and actually |
| offer their expertise through many groups and | | | | post questions to reputable agents and publishers |
| this is priceless to any new writer. A foot in the | | | | of all magnitudes. WN is also one of few boards |
| door could make the day of any aspiring writer | | | | that is the home to famous writers who post in |
| because no matter how talented you maybe | | | | the group anonymously. Believe me, it’s true. |
| when it comes down to it, it’s about whom | | | | On WN you never know whom you are speaking |
| you know in the end. | | | | to so keep that in mind. You could meet the |
| Can’t Afford A Freelance Editor, Join a | | | | person who furthers your career. Also, WN is |
| Writer’s Group | | | | very good at giving in-depth critiques in the |
| Joining a writer’s and critique group is | | | | Writing Craft section. |
| wonderful if you know your manuscript needs | | | | This is definitely a board you should consider |
| editing and you can’t afford to pay a | | | | joining. But be warned this board is not for sissies. |
| freelance editor. Most writing groups allow you to | | | | You must have a very thick skin. WN offers a |
| post chapters online for editorial advice. Some | | | | no-holds-barred attitude with instruction and |
| boards even allow you to upload an entire | | | | advice. Most of their members are veteran |
| manuscript for these purposes. You can get | | | | authors with years of experience. If you are |
| feedback from published authors and agents | | | | seeking genuine expertise, this is the place. WN |
| themselves without paying an editor. Some new | | | | has helped many writers become published |
| authors are frightened about people stealing their | | | | authors. WN is not the best group for socializing |
| work. You shouldn’t be. This is an attitude | | | | and making friends. They seem to have a very |
| that stops most writers from getting much | | | | high turnover rate and most newbies never |
| needed help. I wouldn’t suggest you post | | | | return, proving that many can’t take the |
| your work on just any site. There are many | | | | straightforward, yet valuable criticism of the |
| respectful writing sites, which require users to log | | | | group. So, if you’d prefer a more laid back |
| in or register before posting. If you are truly | | | | group then I suggest you try the group below. |
| afraid of someone walking away with your work | | | | Absolute Write- this board offers wonderful |
| then these sites are your best bet. Also, Yahoo | | | | interaction for all types of writers. They provide |
| writing groups are good if you’re paranoid | | | | critiques and they showcase interviews with |
| about your work being stolen because most of | | | | well-known agents and publishers to give writers |
| these are private groups. | | | | in-home advice. They are also a great board for |
| Query Letter Advice | | | | warning new authors about scams such as shady |
| If there is one thing that all writers need advice | | | | self-publishing and POD companies you should |
| on then it’s query letters. It’s funny that | | | | avoid. They also help writers decide what type of |
| writing a query letter can scare even the best of | | | | publishing method is best for them. AW presents |
| us just starting out. Writers no longer need to be | | | | a more family-like atmosphere than WN but they |
| afraid. Writing groups were constructed for this | | | | do not lack anything in professionalism. The |
| very purpose. This is the perfect place for you to | | | | atmosphere is very friendly and unlike WN they |
| post your query and get free, line by line advice. | | | | do have active moderators. They do not accept |
| It’s is absolutely true that a few critiques | | | | flaming and will ban a disruptive member in a |
| from a writing group can get you a contract with | | | | minute. This is another group you should definitely |
| an agent. It happens everyday. | | | | join if you’re new to the game. I admire AW |
| Friends and Colleagues | | | | because they are very outspoken when it comes |
| The hardest thing for a writer to accept is how | | | | to presenting news to authors about shady |
| solitary the writing world can be. It can seem | | | | companies. For example, if you’re a Publish |
| even worse for a new writer who just | | | | America or Tate Publishing author, you may not |
| doesn’t know where to go to meet someone | | | | find AW or WN as your favorite places, LOL. |
| like them. Writing groups do not only put you in | | | | Both groups are completely against any company |
| contact with experts in the industry, but you can | | | | that seems to take advantages of new authors |
| meet other new writers as well. This will build up | | | | and they are not afraid to let it be known. |
| your confidence. It makes it much easier when | | | | Aspiring writers can’t afford to ignore these |
| we see someone on our level, striving to do | | | | outlets. There are millions of online groups for new |
| exactly the same thing we are. Writing groups | | | | writers to receive help but you must take |
| can build wonderful friendships as well as enhance | | | | advantage of it. I consider it lazy when such free |
| your career. You can never have too many | | | | and valuable advice is at one’s fingertips and |
| friends in this business. | | | | they do not use it. I suggest you do a search |
| You Can Choose to Participate or Not | | | | today and join a writing group of your choice. You |
| Maybe you’re the shy type. Maybe | | | | will not regret. The worse that can happen is you |
| you’ve had bad experiences with forums and | | | | become published or land an agent. Can you |
| would rather not post on any. Lurking a | | | | afford not to take the chance? |