Simple answer: the sooner, the better.

There are two types of writers when it comes to joining in with a community of other writers. There are those who join all the groups, ready to launch themselves head-first into networking and learning. And then there are twitter lurkers, like myself.

And readers, there is NOTHING wrong with being either one of those people. Just like you’re an introvert or an extrovert, you can find tools and resources through either of these pathways.

I spent years reading blogs, following #pubtip and #tenqueries. I participated in many #PitMads, becoming a finalist in both #RevPit and #NoQS. While I never made it into #PitchWars, I enjoyed watching the journey of those who did. Engaging with the mentors and contests, even as an observer, taught me valuable lessons and helped me find a few other writers to connect with.

Now, all that being said, I feel like I have leveled-up in terms of my writing community. When you find your voice and genre, there are so many organizations that will connect you with like-minded individuals who are in various places on their journey. You can be in your drafting phase, querying phase, editing phase, submission phase… or struggling with debut jitters. The advice is rich in experience, and you can count on workshops targeted to where you are. I also, as a former twitter lurker, found that I enjoyed the networking component!

So, when to join an organization:

• You know your genre and want advice & support from your peers
• You want access to workshops and retreats
• You want a network of writers/readers who enjoy the same tropes and narratives as you
• You’re committed to your writing career and ready to take it to the next level

Another perk of engaging? I get insider knowledge of the Next Big Thing books before they debut! Talk about Book Club cred.