As a child, I never had to worry about purposefully surrounding myself with people my own age. The school system did that for me. Granted, I did have to go out of my way to make friends with those peers. But having common interests, common activities, and common class schedules helped with that part. Building a writer’s community is similar to this. You have to go out of your way to surround yourself with peers who share the same interests and passions. To build myself a writer’s community, I must find other literary enthusiasts! But…how does one do that?
Social Media Presence
A simple (and accessible) way to go about building a community is to get on social media. There are always going to be groves of writers on social media promoting their work and passions. You’re sure to be able to find a group of writers who are willing to include you. Jane Freidman, author of The Business of Begin a Writer, states, “There is no one- size-fits-all advice; the best strategy, frankly, is whatever works for you personally and is sustainable over a long period of time.” (Freidman, 187). Some might find it easier to stick to Facebook groups, others might choose to find a Discord server. Each platform caters to different types of entertainment and networking. Finding one that works best for you is that way to go.
Participate in Events
Research your local writing scene. Find out if there are any literary events near to you (bonus points if they’re free). Book festivals, writing fairs, writing groups, readings… Local writers and authors are sure to love having your support and vice versa. I personally love attending live readings, I always meet so many interesting people. Often times, I get to meet the featured author and even have my book signed by them! Of course, for those who can’t physically be present at these events, there are also virtual readings and online workshops. Building a writer’s community is really similar to networking. You’ve gotta put yourself out there to meet fellow writers and literary enthusiasts. This is a great way to do that. If you, a writer, attends an event for another writer, there are sure to be even more writers also in attendance!
Take a Class
Taking classes as an adult may seem daunting. You might feel as though you are too old to still be “learning how to write.” This could not be any further from the truth. As a writer myself, I know that my artform is always going to be changing, growing. And so will yours. It might seem silly for me to graduate from college and then go looking for more classes to attend, but this is just one of the ways I can continue to hone my craft. However, this way of connecting might be more difficult for some due to the fact that most classes cost money. But there are always alternatives! This is just a great way to surround yourself with other writers, while building upon your existing skillset, and to getting feedback on your work. With online and in-person classes being available, this is a great way to start building your own writer’s community.
Final Thoughts
I am a 20-year-old woman living in a very large world. Sure, I’ve made it through high school, and I’m working my way through college, but in reality… I don’t really know where I’m going to end up. Diving into any career without knowing people is scary. It’s even scarier when you’re in a field as competitive as writing. But knowing how to carve out a spot for myself is a little reassuring. There’s no better time than the present, so start now! Be polite, be friendly, and be respectful. Go out of your way to talk to people. Get their socials, their email, ask to meet up for a coffee (writers tend to love talking over coffee!). Be patient. You never know when or where your community may be, so take your time. I mean, humans do tend to live for a while.
Works Cited
Friedman, Jane. The Business of Being a Writer, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2018.
Weems, Sue. “Writers Group: How to Build a Fantastic Writing Community.” The Write Practice, 17 Nov. 2017, thewritepractice.com/fantastic-writers-group/.
Wuerdemann, Star. “How and Where to Build Your Literary Community.” Jane Friedman, 13 Mar. 2024, janefriedman.com/building-your-literary-community/.
