Should writers join organizations like SCBWI or LDStorymakers?
You don't have to, but yes, I think you should. And RWA, and SFWA, and MWA, and LUW (or your state's equivalent), and Latter-day Authors, and other writer groups and forums, and reader groups and forums, and...
There are all sorts of groups out there that provide wonderful information, networking opportunities and support. Don't join them all or you'll spread yourself too thin and never have time to actually write. And don't join any that are out of your budget. But check into some of them and find one or two that fit your needs.
Readers, which organizations have you found to be most helpful?
3 comments:
You're already rolling your eyes cause you know what I'm going to say, but that's okay.
LDStorymakers absolutely made my career. However, you can't join until you have been published by a traditional publisher.
Author's Incognito, however, is a writer's group we started for attendees to our writer's conference. It's become a great resource for published, self-published and published-to-be writers. They have a blog at www.ldswritersblogck.blogspot.com
I enjoy League of utah Writers, it's one where you can be as involved as you want to be. They have regional monthly meetings and a couple conferences in the year. I've made great contacts through this.
As LDSP said, knowing other writers and learning either from them or with them is priceless.
I'd also like to put in a plug for Authors Incognito, the LDStorymakers "little sister."
We have a great group of writers assembled together. We help each other SO MUCH, not in just the writing process, but in the support part, because writing is such a lonely business.
I've been the moderator of Authors Incognito for a few years now and it's been great to see our email list grow--and to see our members grow as writers, too. We have fun, but we learn a lot, too.
Because of our close association with LDStorymakers, we are a closed writing group open only to those who have attended an LDStorymakers conference, so attend the next one and you can join us!
Our primary focus at AI is to help LDS writers become published, but our secondary focus is to give encouragement and support to others with similar writing interests. We have succeeded in both of these goals over the past couple of years and hope to do even better in the future.
Darvell
www.AuthorsIncognito.com
I started out at League of Utah Writers. I met my fantastic critique group there that includes authors Jeff Savage & Annette Lyon. They are both LUW members. After I was published I joined LDStorymakers. I've been tempted to join others, but really, it's too much email traffic & commitment.
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