Do you belong to an online discussion group or forum related to writing or to the theme/genre of your book project? If not, you should consider it.
While there are still writing groups meeting face-to-face, many of them have been replaced by online counterparts. Writers are connecting through social media programs, targeted message boards and discussion groups. You can also communicate with people who are interested in the topic/genre of your book. And this is something I recommend. What can you get out of connecting with others online?
• It’s a way to get word out about your book (or your book in progress).
• It’s a way to learn about what’s going on in your field.
• You will become aware of new trends and resources.
• You will meet people who can help with the promotion of your book.
• You’ll meet experts to interview for future books or promotional articles.
• You’ll get ideas for articles, books and blog topics.
• You might make a few new friends.
Just this week, people on one of my favorite discussion groups—SPAWNDiscuss—responded to a few questions I asked on behalf of clients and prospective clients. Not every writer/author has the same level and nature of experience and knowledge. And this is an important concept that many people neglect to embrace.
You might be an expert in your field, but there are still going to be people who know more about an aspect of your field than you do. There are people who have had different experiences and who have a keen interest in an area of the subject that you may not have explored. I am considered an expert in my field—publishing/book promotion. But I don’t know anything about producing, copyrighting or publishing plays, for example. Nor have I had wide experience publishing books for others. But some of our SPAWN members have. So I go to them when someone asks me questions in these areas.
If you do not belong to a discussion group or forum within the subject matter of your book, consider finding one or two and signing up. Here are a few directories to help you get started:
http://groups.yahoo.com
http://www.wallphone.com
You can also do an Internet search using keywords, “group” + (your subject)—“parenting multiples,” “agriculture,” “cooking,” “history-writing,” “fiction-writing,” “skydiving,” “breeding cats,” “photography,” etc.
I’d like to hear from those of you who follow this suggestion and who use these resources and find a suitable discussion group or forum. PLFry620@yahoo.com.
Get your FREE ebooklet 50 Reasons Why You Should Write That Book at http://www.patriciafry.com