Networking For Writers: Why It Matters (And How To Do It)

Writers are notorious for being introverted. Writing a book is a largely solo endeavor, and it has us spending so much time in our own heads, just vibing and doing our own thing.

A book passes through so many hands before it's on the shelves. Many of these connections are made through networking.

I can already hear your long-winded sigh!

Networking as a writer doesn't have to be limited to business jargon woven into small talk around the water cooler and those hit-or-miss icebreaker activities. Some people actually enjoy it!

It's important for writers to get good at networking (even for the most introverted among us), more so than I initially thought, but it's a skill that takes time to develop. And if you're like me, the thought of networking fills you with the teensiest bit of dread...

Networking doesn't have to feel like a sales pitch on loop, and there are plenty of benefits beyond the business side of things.

In this post, we're looking at some of the reasons networking is another vital element in your writer's toolkit—plus a few tips for going about it.

Reason 1: Connections

Perhaps the most well-known reason for networking is shaking hands and making introductions that will hopefully become business connections within your industry.

For writers, it's not that different.

Even though a lot of the writing process is solitary, a book will be looked at by so many people along its way to publication. Networking at events like conferences or participating in pitch events on social media are just a couple of ways to cross paths with literary agents and editors, and potentially other folks in the publishing industry.

These connections will not guarantee instant publication as soon as you submit your querying materials, but being able to mention you met that particular agent at an in-person event or appreciated the talk they gave at an online seminar can help you stand out; similarly, networking might put you in touch with someone whose referral to an editor or agent carries weight. It's your chance to be the guy called on when somebody says "I know a guy..." (or gal or nonbinary pal).

Personal connections are often the first step through a door that might otherwise be closed off to you simply because they don't know who's come knocking.

Reason 2: Marketing & Promotion

A writer's work doesn't stop once their book is on shelves. It's only just begun...

It's a common misconception that a traditionally published author won't have to worry about marketing their book, as their publisher will handle it for them. I believed it, too, once upon a time.

No matter if you're a traditionally published author or self-published, the majority (if not all) of your marketing will be in your hands. Networking extends your reach.

Bookish events can be a great place to find members for your street team or readers who you'd like to send an ARC to in exchange for a review. You might end up connecting with a creator interested in featuring you on their podcast or YouTube channel or their social media platforms, doing a newsletter swap, or a guest blog post. If you're attending a signing or release party at a local bookshop, you may even be able to enquire about them carrying your own books.

This kind of visibility often goes beyond your own marketing efforts. Word-of-mouth remains one of the greatest forms of book promotion, and starting that conversation yourself goes a long way.

Reason 3: Making Friends & Finding Community

Networking as a writer isn't only for business connections.

We all know how lonely writing can feel.

Networking events or even just hanging out in the writerly corners of social media foster vital friendships. I cannot emphasize how important it is to have friends who just get it and to have people to commiserate with on the hard days and celebrate the wins with.

These acquaintances can become friends, who in turn might become critique partners or beta readers, or members of your street team hyping up your book ahead of its release.

Above all, though, there is so much value in having writer friends. They're the ones who are there to give you that much-needed pep talk, hold you accountable, offer feedback on your writing, and help you grow as a writer.

And that brings me to my next point...

Reason 4: Knowledge Is Power

Even with so many courses, guidebooks, creators, and resources out there, a lot of what there is to learn about writing and publishing comes from networking. The simplest conversations can offer a lot of insight.

Striking up a conversation with someone might leave you with a new trick that improves your current writing habits. Fellow writers of your genre will likely have a solid understanding of tropes and conventions in your story and give you ideas to flesh them out. Someone who has signed with an agent you'd like to query may be willing to share specific things they did in their own submission materials to pique that agent's interest. Or maybe they have a horror story about an industry professional to avoid or something they wish they'd done differently.

Seek out opportunities to learn from others. You never know what will come of it.

Reason 5: Giveaways & Sweepstakes

Circling back to promotions for a sec, let's talk about sweepstakes!

A while back, I saw a giveaway where one winner would receive about twenty sports romance novels featuring everything from football and hockey to Formula 1 racing, all from different authors. To enter, you needed to sign up for each included author's newsletter and be following them on Instagram. Bonus entries were awarded if you tagged a friend in comments and shared the post.

The giveaway wasn't created by a publisher, but by an author in the genre. And from what I gathered, they were on friendly terms with most, if not all, of the featured authors on a basis beyond merely asking for a contribution to the grand prize.

Sweepstakes like these are just another way to get your book in front of new readers, especially if they're already a fan of another author in the mix.

And even if a prospective reader doesn't win the grand prize, the inclusion of your book in the giveaway prize might spark an interest in it and lead them to purchase it for themselves.

Reason 6: Sponsorships & Brand Deals

Networking has its share of monetary prospects beyond book sales and freelancing. Many authors earn a little revenue from sponsorships and brand deals. They might be promoting a product or service for a flat fee or receive a commission through their individual link.

Some programs are open for anyone to apply, but others are limited or invite-only. For the latter, having connections through networking can build credibility and lead to new opportunities.

And, of course, networking can get more eyes on your feed, which may in turn result in more purchases made or being able to negotiate a higher baseline fee as your audience expands.

Reason 7: It's Not Just About Writing

This post has been focused on networking with fellow writers and industry pros in the publishing sphere, but they're not the only ones to connect with.

Artists and graphic designers play a pivotal role in the publishing process, from your book covers and illustrations to fun extras like maps. You might also want to have a logo for your branding as an author. And don't forget your website!

It's also worth mentioning merch here. Depending on the products you have in mind, it can be pricey and tricky to produce. Having a rapport with artisans and manufacturers can help get the ball rolling. Small businesses are doubly worth supporting when it comes to merch! As an example, you might consider joining forces with a candlemaker to create a batch of limited-edition candles inspired by your book.

Where To Network As A Writer

Now that we've looked at some of the reasons to network, let's look at some of the places you'll want to do it.

• Social Media — A lot of networking happens on social media nowadays, both on an individual level and in groups on Facebook and other platforms. Even if you don't have a large following, it can be a tool to connect with fellow writers, industry pros, and future readers alike. I'll be the first to tell you how overwhelming jumping into social media can be, so my advice here is to start small. Pick one or two platforms you're already active on and scroll for a bit, engaging with posts that pique your interests and be genuine in your own. If someone posts a QOTD, answer it in the comments. If someone's post was insightful or inspiring, let them know! Don't be afraid to post about your own writing journey or about your books—especially posts that might entice prospective readers. This can be a great way to build connections even before you're published.

  
  

• Bookstores and Libraries — As we discussed earlier, authors are left to do a substantial bit of their own marketing, and that might include initiating conversations with booksellers and librarians about carrying their books. I imagine each establishment will have its own procedures, but it never hurts to ask about their process.

  
  

• Writing Guilds and Groups — You might be lucky enough to have a writer's club that meets in your area. These are excellent for making new local writing friends or potentially receiving feedback on your work if that's their thing. Joining a writing group in your community could also lead to other opportunities to showcase your work, like live readings. Although the organization itself is defunct, NaNoWriMo and the various challenges created in its absence still inspire writing groups to form, so keep an eye out as we get closer to October and November.

  
  

• Book Fairs and Festivals — This is the part of the post where I lament living on the side of my state that doesn't get the fun events! Jokes aside, however, I've seen more and more bookish events popping up and from what I've seen, they're worthwhile not only for readers, but for writers.

  
  

• Conventions — These can be the Super Bowl of networking events. Many conventions feature cocktail hours or lunches where attendees can chit-chat. There may be Q&A sessions with industry pros. Some even include opportunities to pitch your manuscript and receive critiques. If there is a writer's event happening in your region, it might be worth going to.

  
  

• Wherever it comes up! — Sometimes, your writing will simply come up in conversation, and that can be a great way to network. As I'll get into more in the next section, forcing the conversation toward (or back toward) your writing can come across as pushy or make the entire exchange feel insincere, but if someone compliments the writing t-shirt you're sporting or asks what you like to do when you're not at your day job, that might invite a bit of casual networking.

  
  

Networking Dos, Don'ts, And Tips For Writers

As is true for any scenario where you're interacting with others, networking has its etiquette. Here are a few basics to keep in mind, whether you're networking in-person or online.

Be genuine. Coming across as artificial can be a major turn-off. Even in a digital age, we still seek and value human connection. Being yourself while remaining professional goes a long way.

Remember that networking is a skill that takes time to learn. There will be awkward exchanges and misread situations when you're first starting out.

Actively listen to listen. We've all had interactions where it's felt like the other person was just waiting for you to say the magic word that would prompt them to jump into their spiel. Don't be that person. The best connections are the ones that are natural and meaningful for everyone in the conversation.

Give before you take. Support others in the writing community and celebrate their achievements with them. Kindness and encouragement mean a lot in the writing world—significantly more than self-promo without reciprocation.

On the other side of the coin, don't feel like you have to take on every networking opportunity. I remember one incident, for lack of a better term, as an Instragram newbie, where I had agreed to do what I understood to be a promo swap with a fellow writer (turns out it was mostly promoting their WIP on my page without much reciprocation from them). As we were planning the week-long series of posts, I found I was doing most of it. I was also going out of town and had let this person know I'd be unavailable to chat during that time. They messaged me every so often about the collab and seemed irked when I didn't respond right away or when I told them I wasn't near my computer. When the posts went up, they also seemed annoyed that I wasn't using an Instagram feature that I didn't have access to yet. I got ghosted after that message.

Long story short, it may not be in your best interest to take everything on. Sometimes, "no" is the magic word.

Respect people's time. We're all busy. We all have things going on. Don't pester people because they left you on read, or send a follow-up an hour after the original to make sure they got it. This goes double for industry professionals.

DON'T cold message folks on social media about your book. This is one of my biggest pet peeves when it comes to social media. It's all too common for someone to automatically send a pre-written DM as soon as you've followed them. The same generic message and a link to buy their books. Or worse yet, they're someone you've never interacted with and they're DMing you totally out of the blue. Or possibly even worse yet...

DON'T drop your promo links mid-conversation if it doesn't feel natural. Imagine you've started messaging a fellow writer. They seem cool enough. You ask them what they're working on and BAM! You're hit with the link to buy their books with an exclusive discount code. It's often such a tonal shift that leaves me feeling like the entire conversation was a marketing ploy, and that I was little more to them than another potential customer. It's one thing if someone expresses interest in checking out your books, but another to just drop it in the chat.

DON'T keep steering the conversation back to your book if someone seems uninterested. Even if you weren't the one to initiate the conversation in the first place, if someone appears disinterested in your book, don't keep pressing them. This will make you come across as pushy or aggressive. Know when to back off and shift gears. Know when to shut up.

DON'T use generative AI. If there is one thing the majority of writers collectively hate, it's the use of artificial intelligence in writing; I say "the majority of writers" because I know of several who have used it in their writing and promotional materials, and I immediately unfollowed them when I saw it. Generative AI comes with so many detriments, including theft from pre-existing work because AI cannot create on its own and environmental harm. As we saw with the fallout of NaNoWriMo and with quite a few viral posts from the writing community, using generative AI will probably NOT be received well. Spellcheck is one thing. Generative AI is another beast entirely.

Take it day by day. Especially if you're an introvert.

Remember to have fun. Networking is more than book promotion, after all! It's a chance for folks to meet you. Allow yourself to embrace these opportunities and make the most of them. You never know what doors will open when you're just being yourself.

Networking and marketing as an author ranks highly on the list of courses I wish were part of my English degree because of how important it is to learn.

What tips and tricks would you add to this list? Tell me everything in the comments!