Networking Tips - Allison Symes & Myself over on Chandler's Ford Today

Allison Symes kindly invited me over to Chandler's Ford Today, to talk about the importance of networking for writers. Here's an excerpt - please click on the link at the end to read the full article:

Allison's Networking Tips:

• Go to writing conferences. You’ll learn from the courses and talk to other writers.
• Try reputable creative writing classes. You will meet other writers and soon be talking about your work and theirs.
• Talk to other writers about what they write, why they write it and so on. They’ll generally be glad to tell you. Be prepared for people asking you this. Think about what you’d say ahead of having to say it! (I’ve found this useful. Knowing you’ve got something you can say in answer to this question takes a lot of nervousness away).
• Engage with fellow writers via Facebook and Twitter especially (though don’t rule out social media such as Linkedin. Focus on what you find you’re most comfortable with so if, say, you’re a Facebook fan stick to that. It is better to network well online via one media rather than spread yourself too thin). Never dominate conversations but contribute useful comments to threads. People will start to recognise your name popping up and it may lead to chances to have more in-depth conversations on line.

The Importance of Networking – Mandy Huggins

"Networking is important to writers for a number of reasons, some of which are obvious from the outset, and some of which only become apparent when you have a book to promote!

I think it’s brilliant that the internet enables us to connect with other authors without leaving the house. Don’t get me wrong, I love to meet up with writers in real life, however I work full time in engineering and so I have very little spare time to attend events, book fairs or festivals. Being in online writing groups is therefore very important to me.

Mandy Huggins networking, at the launch of the Retreat West anthology, What Was Left, in Waterstones, Reading, 2017, with Amanda Saint, far right, and Jo Derrick, second from right.

All writers are constantly listening out for fresh opportunities, looking for feedback and advice, and seeking out new platforms on which to promote their work. If we share this information online it enables us all to explore a much wider range of possibilities than we’d ever find alone. I’ve always found writers to be an incredibly supportive bunch, and there are so many helpful blogs and groups out there, but if I had to recommend just one then it would be Paul McVeigh’s marvellous blog – http://paulmcveigh.blogspot.co.uk/

Yet although the internet is a useful tool, it’s easy to spread yourself too thin, and it’s sensible to pick just two or three things that work for you. I’ve always concentrated on Facebook groups and Twitter – the latter being the best option for marketing – however I’m now finding that blogging is becoming more important when promoting my work as well."

Check out the full article on Chandlers Ford Today