July 17 Meeting Update

Greetings! If you missed the 7/17 meeting, here's a quick recap:

We talked a bit about networking and I shared some of the things writers can use to connect with other writers, people in the industry, and their readers. A summary (because I rambled for a while):

Business cards
You can order free business cards from Vista Print. Include at the very least your name, the words “writer”, an email address and, if you have one, your website. Be cautious about giving out your home address. Also save the cards you collect at various events. Write on the back one note about the person who gave you the card so you’ll remember them later on.

Thank You Notes
Send a “charming note” a day or week to someone whose work you admire, a person you appreciate, a teacher who encouraged you, someone who did something nice for you, etc.

Online Presence
Have a presence on the web through a blog or website. You can blog about your writing, about your school, sports, whatever you want. If nothing else, it’ll help hone your writing skills. Check out Blogger or Wordpress to get started.

Online networking groups
If you have a MySpace, Facebook or ShoutLife page you can connect with other people who share your interests (ex: sci-fi, romance writing). A lot of writers use MySpace as a marketing tool to promote their books. You can also try LinkedIn, which links business professionals, to connect with other writers, editors, agents, etc.

Local Writing Groups
Consider meeting with other writers in person at a writing group or by taking a class at Writers & Books. We all agreed that having to share our goals and then update the group in person was very motivating, even if we didn't exactly reach our goals.

Online writing groups
Online writing groups can also be extremely beneficial because you connect with writers and industry people from all over the world. An example: The Writers’ View, which is a group for working Christian writers, editors and industry professionals. The group is led by a panel of agents, editors, publishers, and writers. One place you can find groups is by searching on Yahoo Groups or asking other writers what groups they've found helpful.

Mailing List
Start building your mailing list now, before you have a book to sell. Send a monthly writing update, link to a column or something you’ve written, etc. Check out YourMailingListProvider or Constant Contact, for example.


We welcomed a couple of new members.

We updated our goals and gave Austin some feedback on his fiction story, Spiritborn. (Great job, Austin!) Tom wasn't with us so we'll give him feedback next month.

A few of us talked about maybe meeting more than once a month, maybe just to get together and spur each other on. If that's something you're interested in, let me know.

Our next meeting will be August 21, 7 PM @ Barnes and Noble.

That's all the news!
Until next month,
Joanne