 | 2 Aug 06 |
I’m a member of a lot of different writing organizations….International Thriller Writers, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, National Association of Women Writers, Persephone, Horror Writers Association, and the Writers Guild of Acadiana. My primary reason for joining these orgs was to network with other writers, but I soon discovered that you get a lot more from the org if you give more than just an occasional appearance at a conference. In essence, if you volunteer for different projects, more information and contacts come your way.
The challenge for any org, especially non-profit groups, is the lack of help. Volunteers are hard to come by. Everyone’s life is so busy that even the thought of adding one more responsibility to that mile-long TO-DO list makes us ill. But it’s worth it. A volunteer often stands at the front lines, first to know what’s going on in the org, first to hear the latest in the industry, first to meet some of the biggest names in the business. Plus they get a sense of satisfaction at having earned those perks and at having contributed to an industry that puts food on their table. Their voice is heard. They make a difference.
I don’t think anyone would argue with the fact that who and what you know in this business is crucial if you plan to survival for any length of time. Idealism wants to rest on laurels, holding fast to the belief that the writing will speak for itself. Not true. Just look at the national best-seller lists. Not all of those authors reached that pinnacle because of his or her vast talent in literature. Many of them got there because of who they knew. That being said, it makes sense to immerse ourselves in many aspects of the business, and writing organizations are the perfect venue with which to accomplish that. You never know what opportunities may arise.
So what do you do for your org?
© 2006 – 2009 Deborah LeBlanc. All rights reserved.
Deborah LeBlanc is an award-winning author and business owner from Lafayette, Louisiana. She's also a licensed death scene investigator and an active member of two national paranormal investigation teams.
She is the president of the Horror Writers Association, president of the Writers' Guild of Acadiana, president of Mystery Writers of America's Southwest Chapter, and an active member of Sisters in Crime, Novelists Inc, and International Thriller Writers Inc. In 2004, she created the LeBlanc Literacy Challenge, an annual national campaign designed to encourage more people to read, and founded Literacy Inc. a non-profit organization dedicated to fighting illiteracy in America’s teens. She also takes her passion for literacy and a powerful ability to motivate to high schools around the country.
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Wow, so very true Deb. I have for years tried to find ways to stay a part of the writing community. As a, not too published, poet that isn’t always easy. So I found ways to be of service, dive in the best I can, and enjoy the community and friendship of some great people.
Recently, I gladly agreed to aid an effort by a wonderful author whose career is going so well she doesn’t have time for one of her pet projects. Saying yes, suddenly opened a door to me that I think some authors would kill to have. Literary agents swapping late night emails with me, some in total friendly chat. Who would have thunk New York agents needing a diversion at three am? Delightful.
by Cele August 2nd, 2006 at 8:16 amDeb, the best part of volunteering in my org is the friendships I’ve made. I did publish after I starting volunteering, and I think that “getting out of my box” made me a better writer, but the thing I value the most is my friends.
by Jen August 2nd, 2006 at 11:52 amCarnival For Book Writers #5
Welcome to the August 23, 2006 edition of the carnival for book writers…
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