Writer’s Digest Presents: Writing Communities (Podcast, Episode 7)
In the seventh episode of the Writer’s Digest Presents podcast, we talk about the various types of writing communities, plus discussions with the Founders of PitBLK, a Twitter pitch party for Black authors, and Grant Faulkner, the executive director of National Novel Writing Month (aka, #NaNoWriMo).
In this seventh episode of the Writer's Digest Presents podcast, Amy, Robert, Moriah, and Michael discuss their experiences with writing communities, what makes for healthy writing communities, what actually counts as a writing community (does two people count?), and much more.
Thoughts on Writing Communities From the WD Editors:
- "You have to have the buy-in that everyone in this group has a similar goal or has a similar drive to participate in it." -Amy Jones
- "What writing groups are sometimes really helpful for are finding some people who know what it's like to be a writer." -Robert Lee Brewer
- "The heart of a writing community really should be connection, uplifting people, encouragement." -Moriah Richard
- "If you're there to help someone with their story, know the difference between being constructive and being cruel." -Michael Woodson
Conversation With Lane Clarke, Myah Ariel, and Ashyle Noelle of PitBLK
After the opening discussion, Moriah and Michael have a conversation with the Founders of PitBLK, a Twitter pitch party for Black authors, about the goals for the group, how writers can help encourage and educate each other about publishing, their new website, and more.
From Lane Clarke: "I'm really excited to start seeing the successes that come out of the pitch party and the relationships that are built."
From Myah Ariel: "The publishing industry is really opaque. There's a lot of unwritten rules; there's a lot of etiquette and expectations that as a new author you would really have no idea of how to break in."
From Ashyle Noelle: "We're really wanting to remove the blinds around publishing to make it easier and more accessible."
Conversation With Grant Faulkner
Then, Michael and Moriah talk with Grant Faulkner, the executive director of National Novel Writing Month (aka, #NaNoWriMo), which has turned into more than just a one-month challenge.
From Grant Faulkner: "Boot camp plus party equals finished novel."
