How to Join a Book Writing Group

So you want to be a writer. A book idea worthy of a Pulitzer Prize is burning in your brain and you can't wait to get it on paper. However, everyone keeps telling you that aspiring to be a book author is a waste of time. Is it? Certainly not. All famous authors were one-time hopefuls. One way to ensure that your book is ready for submission to a publisher is to join a book writing group.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Open mind to constructive criticism
• Draft manuscript, or portion thereof

Learn How To Join A Book Writing Group

1. Join a book writing group online with Barnes and Noble. The retail giant offers online forums where your work can be reviewed and critiqued by professional instructors from the Gotham Writers' Workshop.
2. Find a book writing group that meets in your local area by searching for 'Meet Ups' at Meetup.com. If there isn't an existing one, you might consider starting one yourself.
3. Enroll in writing courses led by published writers and expert instructors, such as those offered by Writers Online Workshops. Workshops are conducted as a group with other writers, but each writer is still given individual attention and works alone on assignments.
4. Scan the classifieds of magazines that are geared for writers, such as The Writer's Digest (available at newspaper and book outlets). International and regional book writing groups are often listed, as well as other helpful resources.
5. Feel free to join more than one book writing group, especially if you engage in more than one genre in your writing.

Tips & Warnings

• Expect to share something about yourself with any book writing group you may join. This information may be given orally in the form of an introduction to the group on your first appearance, or the group facilitator may request that you submit it in resume or essay format.
• Never give up on being published. John Grisham started out writing in the laundry room of his home and boosted sales of his first book, "A Time to Kill," by selling copies from the back of his car.
• Don't take comments from your book writing group personally. Your work is being critiqued to help improve your craft and is no reflection of your shortcomings as a person.

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