Posts by Harper Ross

Therese here to introduce our newest regular contributor for Writer Unboxed, author Harper Ross! Harper’s debut novel of magical realism, The Unwritten Rules of Magic, will release on 2/25/26. We’re thrilled to have her with us. Welcome, Harper!

I wrote my first manuscript in secret. No one knew—not my husband, my kids, or even the dog. Well, okay, our dog might have suspected. I snuck in writing time whenever everyone else was occupied, relishing the freedom of creating something without the weight of anyone’s expectations, opinions, or questions. It was a magical experience, yet not one I would recommend. Why? Well, let’s just say that my fledgling novel holds far more sentimental value than commercial appeal.

It wasn’t until my third manuscript that I finally landed my agent. Those in-between years were my crash course in what it takes to go from dreaming about publishing to doing it. I dove into craft books, attended workshops, and wrestled with my personal demons, like self-doubt and perfectionist tendencies. (How many times can you rewrite a first chapter? Spoiler: far too many.)

But if I had to credit one thing that got me to the finish line, it would be finding my people.

Why a Writing Community Matters

As writers, we spend an inordinate amount of time alone with our imaginary friends. It can become slightly claustrophobic to live in your head, retreading your same “thought ruts,” as I call them. A circle of writer friends is a lifeline to the outside world. They also provide a creative brain trust. Unlike a lone wolf, a team can cover all the angles: brainstorming ideas, giving honest feedback, sharing industry know-how, and, most importantly, offering moral support when the writing life inevitably gets messy.

Of course, many writers are introverts, which makes the idea of “putting yourself out there” as appealing as signing up for an insurance industry networking event. Add in a rural setting or a lack of MFA connections, and it’s easy to feel like building a community is impossible.

But don’t worry—I’ve done the legwork and am happy to share my experiences.

Places to Find Your People

Writer Unboxed

Let’s start with the obvious: if you’re reading this, you’re already halfway there. Writer Unboxed has been a constant source of craft advice, writerly encouragement, and solidarity in the face of self-doubt. While online communities serve an important function, nothing beats personal contacts. If you ever get the chance to attend one of its in-person conferences, go. Seriously. There’s something thrilling about meeting your “virtual friends” in real life. The only thing that might be more delightful would be bringing your characters to life. At any rate, by the end of the conference, you will have found at least one or two writers with whom you spark, and from there you can explore offline ways to help each other along.

Genre-Specific Writing Groups

Organizations like the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, and Romance Writers of America are goldmines for connections and even offer membership levels for unpublished authors. Yes, there are annual dues (ranging from $50 to $500), but they often include benefits like critique partner programs, mentorships, and access to private online groups. Taking advantage of these opportunities affords you more continual contact with […]