A Helping Hand: Supporting Your Fellow Writers
By Juliet Marillier | May 11, 2022 |
Recently I attended a book launch for Slipping the Noose by Meg Caddy, second book in a YA duology about notorious pirate Anne Bonny. Many attendees embraced the invitation to dress as pirates for the event. (Reader, I did not dress as a pirate.) The most exciting part, for me, was seeing a young writer whom I had mentored when they were in high school now launching their third novel to considerable acclaim. Even better, the launch was attended not only by the author’s family and friends, but by many enthusiastic members of the local writing community. The event brought home to me what a privilege it was to have been involved in the early stages of this writer’s development.
Did this event make me feel old? Just a bit. But it was wonderful to see that this writer’s joy and dedication have only increased in the time since we first met as mentor and mentee. I’m confident they are already reaching out to a new generation of writers and spreading their delight in storytelling. If you’re interested in reading the two novels featuring the unforgettable Anne Bonny, they’re available in paperback and Kindle editions. You should read Devil’s Ballast first. The books are suitable for older YA (14+) and are also a good read for adults.
This experience reminded me of the opportunities that exist for established writers, not only to create stories and send them out into the world for readers to enjoy, but also to help other writers grow and develop in their turn. That reminder came at an ideal time for me – my own writing is in the doldrums at present, and I’m asking myself serious questions about what comes next. By nature an introvert as well as something of a perfectionist, I limit my teaching to the occasional workshop these days. Sometimes I think that the more teaching I do, the more I realise how little I know. That made the recent book launch a particularly positive experience for me, even though I can claim only a small bit of credit for the writer’s success!
There are plenty of ways in which we can help our fellow writers, not only those coming up, but also our peers. There are also some possible pitfalls along the way.
Write cover endorsements: I’m often asked to do this, and I’ve read some brilliant new work as a result. An endorsement from an established writer can help boost sales. Ideally a request for an endorsement will be sent to my agent from an editor at the publishing house, allowing me to say yes or no at arm’s length. There are also direct requests from writers whom I know in real life – also OK, as I have a good idea of whether or not I’ll be able to comment favourably. Requests from my own readers are much trickier. Imagine yourself agreeing to read such an advance copy and finding that the work is not up to publishable standard, or that the publisher involved has rated a mention on the Writer Beware site. At this stage of the publishing journey, with a book almost ready for release, it’s way too late to offer helpful advice. Consider this possible scenario before agreeing to read the advance copy.
Post reviews: This is a relatively easy way of boosting other authors’ new titles, provided you have reading time. If someone asks you to do this, a wise answer is ‘I will if I can.’ I have some reservations about Goodreads but I do post reviews there, most of them books of my own choosing. Where it comes to books by writers whom I know personally, I review only if I can be both honest and positive.
Posting reviews regularly on your own blog can be effective. For example, historical novelist Kate Forsyth maintains a blog, What Katie Read, especially for reviews (and she reads a phenomenal amount.) I used to do this on my website blog and should do so again – as well as Slipping the Noose, I’ve recently read WU’s own Liz Michalski’s Darling Girl, and I will have no trouble being positive about both.
Run Q&As with other authors on your blog: When someone you know has a new book out, this kind of mini-interview is not only useful for them, but can also boost visitors to your blog, a win for all. These can be done via email, giving the interviewee time to consider their answers. Or do a video interview if that is your thing.
Share useful links on social media: Members of our writing community in Australia and New Zealand frequently share links relating to new work by fellow authors, opportunities to submit work to anthologies, upcoming conventions and so on. We can also share other authors’ good news – film rights acquired, a bold new venture announced, an award won, a brilliant review in a high profile publication. Such news deserves a bit of razzamatazz.
Agree to be an awards judge: Lots of work, heaps of fun. For major awards it can be a mammoth task even with several people on the judging panel, so don’t take it on if you have limited reading time. I’ve blogged previously about my experience as a World Fantasy judge. It opened my eyes to a far wider range of work within the fantasy genre than I previously knew, and despite gobbling up time it had a positive impact on my own writing. I met a lot of great people and ended up with so many books my floor gave way (true.) You can start small – local awards – and work up. In awards where judges give feedback to entrants, you can practise balancing honest critique with tact and kindness.
Get involved with your local writers’ centre: That’s how I first met Meg Caddy – through a writers’ centre mentorship, when I chose her as my mentee based on a sample of work without realising how young she was (a bit like the blind auditions on The Voice.) My choice proved extremely sound!
Do you reach out to help other writers, and if so how? What is the impact on your own work? Any great success stories to share?
Photo credit: Photo 60148066 © Digikhmer | Dreamstime.com
Juliet Marillier has written twenty-four novels for adults and young adults and two collections of short fiction. Her works of historical fantasy have been published around the world and have won numerous awards. Juliet’s most recent series was Warrior Bards, of which the third and final book, A Song of Flight, was published in 2021. Her collection of reimagined fairy tales, Mother Thorn and Other Tales of Courage and Kindness, had its trade release in 2022. Mother Thorn is illustrated by Kathleen Jennings and published by Serenity Press.
Juliet is currently working on a two-book fantasy series. The first book in this duology, The Amber Owl, will be published by New Dawn in February 2025.
When not writing, Juliet looks after a small crew of rescue dogs.
Juliet, I can’t imagine where I’d be without the incredible mentorship and support of accomplished authors, you prominently among them. There’s just no way I can ever thank you and your fellow generous souls enough. The only way possible is to pay it forward. You’ve reminded me that I can begin that straight away.
Think of those ripples you’ve set into motion, becoming waves as all of us with whom you’ve shared your generous spirit are inspired to follow suit. Glad you enjoyed Meg’s event. Thanks for the reminder, and for everything else!
Thank you for those kind words, Vaughn. You are a great exemplar of steadfast support for other writers – I know there are many within the Writer Unboxed community who would agree. Lots of good people here.
Wonderful list, Juliet. I’ll add a simple idea: Encourage writers who are struggling to finish a manuscript. It may mean the difference between continuing to write and quitting all together.
You, Juliet, have done so much to support the writers here at Writer Unboxed — from your own blog posts, to hosting interviews with other authors, to becoming a session leader at UnCon (and before that, to being the keynote speaker for RWA-WF), to responding to others in the Facebook group. I’m pretty sure you helped to judge a contest several years back as well. And the list goes on. Thank you for all of it, especially for saying “yes” when I asked you to join us here.
Lastly, I would love to see you in a pirate’s hat.
Thank you, Therese. I remember doing that keynote speech very clearly – I was super-nervous. But a lovely event to attend, so many great people. Also, excellent suggestion about encouraging other writers to reach the finishing line with their manuscript, whether it’s a short story or an epic.
If I get to an in-person WU Unconference at some time in the future, I promise to wear a pirate hat at some point!
Juliet, it’s always such a joy to see mentees spreading their wings and soaring. Congratulations!!! I feel your pride. And isn’t it amazing that after a few years, mentees are walking side by side with you? And even better if they race ahead of you. You’ve made a great list for supporting writers. I’ll add a discussion of business practices comes in very handy after tackling the craft aspects. Here are some pictures from last fall: https://vijayabodach.blogspot.com/2021/11/three-new-books-from-our-critique-group.html
Hi Vijaya! I love those pictures from the critique group.
Business practices, yes, that is something I missed and it’s really important. I think that needs to be discussed at the right time, when a writer is ready to take it on board rather than be overwhelmed by it. Depends very much on the individual.
Always love your posts. I might be doing things backwards, but I am part of Net Galley, writing book reviews, I’m damn good at it, and still hoping to be published. Reading and writing is my passion.
Thanks, Elizabeth! Writing book reviews for Net Galley counts as real writing – I am sure that’s an excellent way of developing your skills. I’m confident we will see your work in print some time in the future.
A few years ago I volunteered to host a podcast for the Women’s Fiction Writer’s Association. Hear Us Roar is now up to 140 episodes, one of the longest running ones out there. It takes about 3 hours of my time per week but has given great exposure to the debut writers in the group as well as giving me one heck of an education in all the different ways people find to get published. And when my debut released in March, being a fellow podcaster was instrumental in helping me secure guest spots on major podcasts myself. So a win-win all the way around.
That sounds wonderful, Maggie. I love the podcast title. Definitely a win-win!
Juliet, I am disappointed about the pirate hat, but so grateful for everything else. You and so many of the other authors in the Writer Unboxed community aren’t just mentors, but role models. Thank you for all that you do.
Liz, one day I will wear that pirate hat (probably constructed from folded newspaper – that’s how we used to make them long ago when I was young.) On a related note, the Captain Hook individual in your novel was my favourite character.
Good advice and suggestions, Juliet, and I’m so tickled that you got to share in the excitement of this young writer’s book launch. I’ve mentored a couple of young writers way back when I was active in a writer’s group. They have not published, but I don’t think that was their intent. They just wanted to improve their writing.
To support my fellow writers, I do reviews on my blog, as well as post reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and BookBub. I also follow many authors on all three sites. I’ve heard that the more followers one has the better for those pesky algorithms to give you more visibility. Not sure about that, but I figure it’s still nice to follow each other as part of this support effort.
Good suggestion about following other authors on those sites – I hadn’t considered the possible impact of that.
“Sometimes I think that the more teaching I do, the more I realise how little I know.”
Haha, yes, and that is a huge part of my struggle when trying to come up with posts for Writer Unboxed in recent years.
But as you discuss here, being a champion and cheerleader for fellow writers can mean so much to people on both sides of the equation. I find that kind of “writing work” to be some of the most rewarding now, especially in these strange and difficult times.