Build a Strong Writing Community

Top Tips and Resources for New Writers to Find Critique Partners, Beta Readers, and Writer Friends!

Myth: Writers are solitary creatures.

Reality: Writers from tight-knit communities and support networks, helping each other through the ups and downs of the writing life.

Starting a writing career can be a lonely journey, but it doesn't have to stay that way. In fact, having a supportive community of writers can make the experience of writing not only less lonely but also more productive, enjoyable, and successful.

As a new writer, finding like-minded individuals who share your passion for writing can be challenging, but it's essential to your growth as a writer. Having beta readers, critique partners, and writer friends can help you get constructive feedback, stay motivated, and learn from others' experiences.

Why is it important to establish a writing community?

Establishing a writing community is a vital part of the journey and growing a supportive group of writers around you can make all the difference in your journey to becoming a published author. Having a community of writers can provide a safe and supportive space to share your work and receive feedback. Whether you're looking for constructive criticism or simply seeking encouragement, a writing community can offer you the support you need to grow as a writer.

Being part of a writing community allows you to connect with other writers and learn from their experiences. You can share tips and tricks, discuss writing challenges, and learn from other writers who have already been through the traditional publishing process. Your writer friends can help you stay motivated and on track. Writing can be a lonely pursuit, but being part of a community of writers who understand what you're going through can help you stay focused and inspired. Whether you're just starting out on your writing journey or looking to take your writing to the next level, having a supportive writing community is an invaluable resource.

Where to find writer friends and begin to build a strong writing community

Join Writing Workshops and Writing Groups

Attending writing workshops or joining writing groups can provide an excellent opportunity to connect with other writers. You can attend in-person workshops and writing groups or participate in online writing communities and forums. These groups are designed for writers to share their work and receive feedback from others, making them a great place to start building your community of support.

Here are some writing workshops and writing groups you can look into for more information:

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) - An online writing community and challenge to write a 50,000-word novel in November.
The Writer’s Center - An online writing community that offers workshops, writing prompts, and resources for writers.
Writing Mastery Academy - Created by Save The Cat Writes a Novel author, Jessica Brody, this is an online workshop and community perfect for new writers.
Gotham Writers Workshop - A New York-based writing school that offers writing workshops, classes, and events.
Scribophile - An online writing community that offers workshops, writing prompts, and resources for writers.
Writer's Digest - An online resource for writers that offers workshops, webinars, and events.
Poets & Writers - A non-profit organization that offers resources, events, and opportunities for writers.

These are just a few of the many writing workshops and writing groups available for writers. By taking advantage of these resources, you can connect with other writers and build your writing community.

Utilize Social Media

Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn have robust writing communities that you can tap into. By following writing-related hashtags and participating in online writing challenges and prompts, you can connect with other writers and build a supportive community. Two great places to start building your community on Instagram: Writers Friends Challenge and Find My Writer Friends.

Writer Friends Challenge - A monthly challenge on Instagram for writers to connect, build their writing community, and share their work. The challenge is a fun and interactive way to meet other writers and share all about your stories. Simply follow the prompts and tag your posts with the designated hashtag to participate. To learn more about Writer Friends Challenge, you can read more here.

If you're looking for an easy and efficient way to connect with other writers, consider checking out Find My Writer Friends on Instagram. This monthly event is specifically designed for writers to connect and build their writing community.

With a growing community of writers from all over the world, Find My Writer Friends offers a unique opportunity for writers to connect, collaborate, and support each other in their writing journeys.

Whether you're looking for beta readers, critique partners, or just fellow writers to chat with, Find My Writer Friends is the perfect place to start. So, head on over to Instagram and give it a try today!

Thank you - Find My Writer Friends 4x5.png

Attend Writing Conferences and Events

Writing conferences and events provide an opportunity for writers to network and connect with each other. Not only can you attend workshops and lectures, but you can also meet other writers and exchange ideas and experiences.

Here are some writing conferences and events you can look into for more information:

The Association of Writers & Writing Programs Conference (AWP) - An annual conference for writers, teachers, and students of writing.
The Muse and The Marketplace - Offering both in-person and online opportunities, this is an annual conference for writers, offering workshops and access to literary agents and editors.
Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators - Offering both national and regional conferences and events, both in-person and online.
The London Book Fair - An annual international book fair for the publishing industry, with a focus on new and upcoming authors.
The Writers' Conference - An annual conference for writers, offering workshops, panels, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
ThrillerFest - An annual conference for writers and fans of thrillers and suspense novels, offering workshops, panels, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals.
Writer’s Digest Annual Conference - Offering workshops, panels, and opportunities to connect with industry professionals.

These are just a few of the many writing conferences and events available for writers. By attending these events, you can connect with other writers, learn from industry professionals, and build your writing community.

Join Online Writing Communities

Online writing communities like Reddit and Wattpad provide a platform for writers to connect with each other and share their work. Joining these communities can provide you with a supportive network of writers who can provide feedback, support, and encouragement.

Wondering where to find these online writing communities? Here are some you can consider, starting today:

Reddit Writing Prompts and Writing Communities - Reddit is a great place to find writing prompts and connect with other writers. There are many subreddits dedicated to writing and fiction, such as /r/writing and /r/WritingPrompts.
Goodreads Writing Groups - Goodreads is a social media platform for book lovers, and it also has a writing group feature. You can join groups for writers, get feedback on your writing, and connect with other writers.
Scribophile - Scribophile is an online writing community where writers can receive feedback on their work and connect with other writers. It's a great place to find beta readers and critique partners.
Wattpad - Wattpad is a free online writing community where writers can share their work, receive feedback, and connect with other writers. It's a great place to find readers for your work and build your writing community.
Critique Circle - Critique Circle is an online writing community where writers can receive feedback on their work and connect with other writers. It's a great place to find beta readers and critique partners.

By participating in these online writing communities, you can connect with other writers, receive feedback on your work, and build your writing community.

Join Local Writing Communities

Here are some ways for new writers to grow their community on a local level:

Writing Workshops and Conferences - Attend writing workshops and conferences in your local area. This is a great way to connect with other writers and learn from industry professionals.
Writer's Groups - Join a local writers' group or start one of your own. This can be a great way to connect with other writers, receive feedback on your work, and participate in writing exercises and prompts.
Literary Festivals and Book Fairs - Attend local literary festivals and book fairs to meet other writers, publishers, and literary agents.
Open Mic Nights - Participate in open mic nights, where you can read your work in front of an audience and receive feedback.
Bookstores and Libraries - Visit local bookstores and libraries and participate in writing-related events and workshops.

By taking advantage of these local resources, new writers can build a face-to-face writing community and receive valuable feedback on their work. Whether you're looking to improve your writing skills, connect with other writers, or simply find a supportive community, these options are a great place to start.

What’s this going to cost?

Some of the above suggestions are free to explore like the online writing communities, such as Reddit, Goodreads Writing Groups, Scribophile, Wattpad, and Critique Circle.

Writer's groups, either online or local, are also usually free to join. Consider joining a local writers' group or starting one of your own. This can be a great way to connect with other writers and receive feedback on your work.

Social Media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook are also free ways to connect with other writers and share your work. Writers Friends Challenge and Find My Writer Friends are both free events on Instagram and all are welcome to join.

It is free to reach out to other writers directly through social media and can be a great way to connect and start building your community. By offering to exchange work for feedback or simply reaching out to introduce yourself, you can start to build relationships with other writers.

Need help with Instagram? **Read my Top Tips!**

You could however reach a point where you want to pay to participate in writing events that lead to community building. Ranging from affordable to investment-level prices, you can find writing workshops and conferences, where you can receive feedback on your work from industry professionals as well as lead to connections within the writing community.

By taking advantage of these resources, both free and paid, you can find writer friends, critique partners, and trusted beta readers.

A Word of Caution

While building a writing community can be a great way to get support and feedback, it's important to be cautious when reaching out to others. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Respect Privacy: When reaching out to other writers, it's important to respect their privacy. Don't share personal information or contact information without their consent.
Be Professional: I can’t stress enough how imortant it is to make a good first impression and to be professional. This means avoiding offensive or harassing language and being respectful of others' opinions and experiences.
Avoid Spamming: Just don’t. Spamming is the worst and not the way to make friends. This means avoiding mass emails or messages and taking the time to personalize your outreach efforts.
Be Patient: Building a writing community takes time, so be patient. It may take several attempts to connect with other writers and build meaningful relationships.

Subscribe to my Newsletter Here - for the latest Instagram updates, tips, and strategies to help all writers shine on social media. The launch for my newsletter is coming up. I have much to share with you.

Let’s connect!

I hope these tips help you find the writing community you're looking for. If you have any other suggestions for building a writing community or if you have a personal experience to share, feel free to leave a comment below. I would love to hear from you and continue the conversation on how to best support and connect with fellow writers.

If you want to get social, come find me at all the links below. Happy writing friends!

Follow Susan: