George Orwell wrote: “All writers are vain, selfish, and lazy, and at the very bottom of their motives there lies a mystery.”
I disagree with George, especially regarding crime writers, although there IS usually a mystery involved.
Since my first book was published in 2019, I’ve become a part of the writing community, and I’ve learned to divide writers into two groups; those who only promote their own books and do nothing to help anyone else, and those who help their fellow authors.
So many people helped me on my journey. Some, like editors and website masters who do this for a living, require payment. Others, the ones who invite guest posts on their blogs, consistently write reviews, invite authors onto their podcasts, or offer to beta reads or send free newsletters filled with writing and publishing advice….those are the ones I want to emulate. They’re the Good Literary Citizens (GLCs).
I found a few articles on HOW to become a GLC: one by Julie Carrick Dalton on Writer Unboxed (which looks like a great site for writers), another by Eileen Weintraub (who coaches writers as one of the Witches of Pitches) in Writer’s Digest: 6 Steps to Becoming a Good Literary Citizen. Then there’s this one in Reed, Write, and Create that lists extra resources for BIPOC women who write. And I’m grateful to those like Valerie Biel, Jane Friedman and Erika Dreifus who freely share writing, publishing, and marketing tips to everyone.
Of course, just as we each decide how much of ourselves to give to the world, we must choose how much we’re going to help other authors. I don’t think it matters if you do it out of magnanimity or because you think it’ll help you sell your own books. It’s that you do it.
Drumroll……
- The GLC’s that 1) invite fellow authors as guests on their podcasts, like Blackbird Writers, Marie Sutro and Alex Greenwood, that 2) host zoom book clubs, like Books and Beer, that 3) freely share reviews with huge numbers of followers, that 4) consistently invite guest posts, like Donnell Bell and George Cramer, and that 5) share their secrets for getting close to 10,000 Instagram followers, like Laurie Buchanon.
- The GLC’s who join the boards of Sisters in Crime or Mystery Writers of America, sit through endless planning meetings, give their free time to coordinate events and are busying cold-calling defense attorneys, judges, cops, and FBI operatives to ask if they’d be willing to talk to a bunch of authors.
- The GLC’s who banded together into groups of authors that help each other in myriad ways, or who gave birth to groups like Blackbird Writers, The Wickeds, and Chicks on the Case (there are many more).
- And a Special GLC to author Ellen Byron (one of the Chicks) who once generously gave up a place on a panel for me because she’d already been scheduled to do several other things at a conference. When I run across a stellar literary citizen like Ellen, I become a lifelong fan!
I still need to figure out what the award should look like. Any ideas? What categories would you add? I apologize to anyone I’ve forgotten — who is missing from my list of recipients?
In that spirit, those who took a moment to help others on their writing journeys are now eligible for my not yet in existence but highly coveted and admired: GREAT LITERARY CITIZEN AWARD (GLCU).
I love this post, GP! You mentioned so many fellow writers who have helped me along the way too with guest blog posts, etc. They are all fantastic and deserve this award! I picture award statues like the Oscars only the person would be holding a book. 🙂
Love an award in the shape of a book!
Great topic. I hope that all writers post reviews of the books they read, and recommend books. I’ve read a few of your recommendations and reviewed them online. It’s such a simple task to share reviews and so important; reviewing seems like one of the “exams” a writer should pass to earn the big GLCA. I’ve been on boards, been an association president and newsletter editor, director of conferences, and been on many, many panels at events, and I view reviewing as an extremely part of the job of any writer and a basic GLCA task. Both sharing and learning are so much fun. Nice post! Thank you!
I love this topic and all the examples you mention. I would add a few others: authors in critique groups, authors who teach creative writing and support learners, and, a new one for me, authors who exchange plotting advice. This is a perfect post for National Authors’ Day!
It takes many people to keep the literary community running and everyone contributes in different ways, and to the extent that they are able. Thanks for reminding us of those who go the extra mile. They are role models for us all.
Great post, G.P.! I also appreciate the many Great Literary Citizens who’ve helped me along the way, and I also strive to give back in many ways. Great food for thought here. As to the award? How about a statue of a book with wings?!
GP — Such a great topic and terrific post! I like Margaret’s suggestion for the award: a statue of a book with wings!
Wonderful post! I have a list pretty similar to yours in my books’ acknowledgements! I honestly don’t know what I would do without the Blackbirds!
What a great reminder that we need to be helping. Most authors I know are so very generous with their time and energy. It’s great to know that I have colleagues watching my back – and not to stab it.
Dare I say “it takes a village.” There’s plenty to be done, for sure.
Great post. A big shout out to all the beta readers, those who blurb, and reviewers, too!
What a great post! And I have noticed that you, my dear, are always willing to help and that makes you an award-winner.