Writers Helping Each Other

I’ve been talking to a number of other writers about starting something, an effort for us indie writers to help and support each other. Years ago when I first started my own publishing journey, I started a blog focused on self-publishing and invited a few other writers to join the effort. It died out relatively quickly, but it’s an idea that remains lurking in the dark corners of my brain.

I’m kicking around re-starting that blog or something similar but with much more to it. I’d like to get a group of writers together who will provide advice and support to each other and share it, via the blog, with the larger writing community. Advice and support about what? Well, writing and editing and publishing and marketing, and everything that goes into the process. The way I see it, there will be posts in which we share what we’ve learned, offer advice to new writers and old writers as well, maybe some writing exercises, and … well, how about video interviews in which authors talk about their books and their publishing experiences.

This weekend, Berthold Gambrel and I talked about my journey through writing and publishing. Here’s the video. The first in what Berthold and I hope are a number of similar interviews we conduct with other writers. We have a number of writers in mind for going through another 5-10 of these, but would like to hear from you if you’d like to join the effort. Both in these videos and on a blog if we get it started.  

Here’s what we’re looking for. Writers who write quality stories, who care about their craft, and have had some experience with publishing their work — whether traditionally or independently. This isn’t to say we don’t want to hear from or include new writers in this effort. All of us have learned things as we’ve written and thought about how to go about this. 

The other thing we want from those who join us is that you have an interest in helping other writers learn from your mistakes and your successes. While there will, of course, be some incidental promotional opportunities (like in the video discussion about my books, and I’m sure we could have a page where people put links for their published works), the focus of our effort will be on information and advice, support and assistance. The focus will not be on self-promotion.

So, give the video a look. Let Berthold or I know if you’re interested in joining the effort in comments here or at Berthold’s blog. I can also be reached at mpaxson55@gmail.com. We look forward to hearing from you.