WRITERLY WISDOM: Donna L Martin

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Here is another post in my WRITERLY WISDOM series I first ran back in 2013. Five years later, I’ve updated the material and made sure it still applies to today’s writers. This week’s post is a little gift from me as I explain why writers should consider joining a professional writing group…

 

Three Reasons To Join A Professional Writing Organization
By Donna L Martin

 

 
New writers have so much to figure out. Otherwise, authors have covered so many of those topics since this series began in January of this year. Now it’s time to consider joining a professional writer’s group if you don’t already belong to one. While writing can be a solitary endeavor, the writing life itself doesn’t have to be. Professional groups devoted to writing can certainly boost the confidence of a beginner writer while providing networking opportunities to the established one. Take your time when considering which professional writing organization to join and remember there are three good reasons to associate with a particular group…

 

CONNECTIONS

 

 
There is a comfortable feeling being part of a group where members understand how driven you are to write. Chat rooms, critique groups, and question forums all give new writers a chance to dip a toe in the writing community and create new friendships which can last a lifetime. Agents and publishers are also members of some of these same groups and what better way to get to know them than through an industry-related organization? Those kind of connections are priceless and can sometimes lead to future successes.

 

KNOWLEDGE

 

 
A professional writing organization will usually have tons of articles available for it’s members on many different topics. Everything from how to write character-driven stories and developing proper tension to how to create a strong query letter will be waiting for the novice writer to discover. Conferences, workshops, and contests will be listed if available and sometimes there are even online bookstores promoting member books. Professional writing organizations offer the foundation for any writer to continually improve their creative skills.

 

CLOUT

 

Everywhere you look there will be obstacles in your writing career. Competition to become a published author is fierce and a great support group will not only celebrate your successes, no matter how small, they will also be there to ease the sting of all the bumps and bruises you will collect along that path to publication. But even more important than the fellowship, becoming a member of a writing organization adds clout to your query letter. Joining groups like the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse, or other professional writing organizations show agents and publishers you are serious about your craft and your career. If you invest in your own writing future then it’s possible they will too.
As an added bonus, I have included 25 of the literally hundreds of possible writing groups where you can become a member. Look around, ask questions, find the one that is right for you, and join the fun!

 

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

 

 
Academy of American Poets (www.poets.org)
American Independent Writers (www.americanindependantwriters.org)
American Society of Journalists & Authors (www.asja.org)
The Authors Guild, Inc (www.authorsguild.org)
Canadian Authors Association (www.canauthors.org)
Canadian Society of Children’s Authors, Illustrators & Performers (www.canscaip.org)
Children’s Book Insider Clubhouse (www.cbiclubhouse.com)
Education Writers Association (www.ewa.org)
Fellowship of Australian Writers (writers.asn.au)
The International Women’s Writing Guild (www.iwwg.com)
Kidlitosphere Central (www.kidlitosphere.org)
National Association of Independent Writers & Editors (www.naiwe.com)
National Association of Women Writers (www.naww.org)
National League of American Pen Women (www.americanpenwomen.org)
National Writers Association (www.nationalwriters.com)
National Writers Union (www.nwu.org)
Poetry Society of America (www.poetrysociety.org)
Poets & Writers Inc (www.pw.org)
Small Publishers, Artists & Writers Network (www.spawn.org)
Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (www.scbwi.org)
Teachers & Writers Collaborative (www.twc.org)
Willamette Writers Group (www.willamettewriters.com)
Writers Guild of America-East (www.wgaeast.org)
Writers Guild of America-West (www.wga.org)
Writers Union of Canada (www.writersunion.ca)

 

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donna

 

International best selling, award-winning author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna is a BOOK NOOK REVIEWS host providing the latest book reviews on all genres of children’s books, and the host of WRITERLY WISDOM, a resource series for writers. Donna is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators and Children’s Book Insider. She is a lover of dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection. Donna’s latest book, LUNADAR: Homeward Bound (a YA fantasy), is now available in ebook and print form from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, and other online retailers.

Donna L

Hybrid award winning author; aspiring sketch artist; and 4th Degree Senior Certified Taekwondo Instructor. Host of BOOK NOOK REVIEWS. Member of SCBWI. Mom to fabulous son and adventurer delving into the tricky world of indie-publishing.

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