Sow What You Reap from James W. Ziskin

In person conferences are great for socialization and building a community and increasing motivation. But if you're not in the position to make it to one of these conferences. What are some good way to stay involved in the writing community? 

Over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to have made many friends in the writing community. I advise all writers, aspiring, new, and old hands to do the same. The benefits of belonging are undeniable. But be sure to sow or you will not reap.

Ways to belong:

When my first novel (Styx & Stone) was published in 2013, I didn’t know anyone in the writing biz. My editor suggested I attend conferences to get to know people, so I started with Bouchercon (Albany). I’ve written in this space before that many in our community have less-than-fond memories of that conference, but I had a blast. For me, it opened up a brand-new world of ideas, possibilities, and dreams. During those four days back in 2013, I made lots of new, fast friends. But along with the camaraderie, I embarked on a long journey of learning and enrichment, thanks in great part to the many conferences I attended in the years that followed. I quickly came to consider Bouchercon, Left Coast Crime, ThrillerFest, Malice Domestic, New England Crime Bake, California Crime, and other industry gatherings as priceless opportunities to improve my craft. I tried to attend as many panels as I could and introduced myself to other authors and readers whenever they stood still. Yes, I made the most of my time by listening and socializing. But I also paid it back to the community. How? I invited countless others into the conversations I was having, introduced newbies and wallflowers to my acquaintances, and tried to be a good citizen. An author unwilling to lend a hand—or ear—to an aspiring writer or eager reader is an author who should have stayed home.

If, however, you’re unable to attend conferences as often as you’d like, there are other ways to get involved. You can join professional organizations such as Sisters in Crime (SinC), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), and local writers groups. Want to meet some fine, generous writers? Offer to judge some of the juried award competitions such as the MWA’s Edgars and Thrillerfest’s Thriller Awards. It’s a ton of reading, but that’s a good thing!

You should also make productive use of social media. We all know social media can be a cesspool of…well…sewage. But we can at least attempt to water down the sewage with some positivity. Make friends on Facebook, promote yourself but also others. If you only toot your own horn, you’ll end up in a one-man band. There’s also Instagram and Bluesky, but I find that writers tend to gravitate toward Facebook. Don’t be afraid to reach out and request friendships! But be careful whom you accept. Avoid the bots and trolls.

What will you get out of it?

So what benefits can you expect to receive from all this hard work and socializing? That’s easy.

1. Emotional support—ears to bend, encouragement, care.

2. Editorial support—e.g. beta readers, subject-matter experts, etc.

3. Promotional support—ideas for publicity, brand development.

4. Friendship

5. Resources—research, questions, networking.

6. Hive mind—get advice and answers.

7. Blurbs—Be polite and realize it’s a big ask. Pay it forward and backward.

7. Introductions—you might be able to make important contacts with agents, editors, writers you admire.

8. Help in burying bodies—This goes without saying.

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