5 of the best support groups for published authors

Feb 24

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Some of the most interesting feedback I’ve had from my ebook The Debut Author’s Survival Guide has been about the pages right at the front of the book – all about your feelings as a debut author. I really believe (and I covered this in my post on managing your feelings as a debut author) that the experience of being published can be a little tricky to navigate. Despite it being your dream etc etc. And the more help you have with this ‘journey’, the better.

Lucky for us then, that there are now many brilliant places online for writers to get support. Much is discussed about sources of support, guidance and help for unpublished writers, so I thought in this post it might be nice to focus on places where published writers can get support.

Because I don’t think this is a subject that’s talked about enough! It’s almost as though the world thinks what we once thought - ‘as soon as you get that elusive book deal, all your worries will fade away!’.

If only eh ;)

Having said all that, I should add that not all these groups are exclusively for published writers – so if you are yet-to-be published, you will still find many of them helpful. The reason I have chosen them is because they specifically also support published authors, and have content geared towards them.

So without further ado, let’s get stuck in.

For mindset

DREAM AUTHOR

I’m starting with Sophie Hannah’s Dream Author Programme because it really creates the foundation for everything in your writing career. As in, everything else in writing comes on top of your mindset. How you feel about your writing, how you feel about yourself as a writer, and how to cultivate a mindset that really supports you in your career.

I am actually a member of Sophie’s programme and I have found it immensely helpful. I constantly battle with my mind taking me down dark routes I have no place going (!) – but listening to Sophie’s podcasts and completing her exercises always helps bring me back to the light. It’s a paid-for programme, but the value for money is incredible.

Intrigued?

Here’s a little blurb from the website that explains the programme far better than I can:

Most of us writers and aspiring writers have dreams in relation to our writing — things we want to achieve; things that would make us feel proud if we managed to make them a reality. That’s great, right?

Well, it would be…if only our writing dreams made us happy. For so many of us, our dreams are not a source of happiness. Instead they cause us stress, guilt, frustration and even shame.

Here’s the great news: all of these feelings are natural and all writers experience them. The problem, though, is that when your writing dreams bring you more anxiety than joy, it affects your resolve and your productivity, and you end up not taking the action you need to take in order to propel your dreams in the right direction so that they can stand a strong chance of coming true.

That’s why I created the Dream Author coaching programme: to teach anyone who is passionate about writing how to change the way they build, think about and pursue their writing dreams, in order to become their own most powerful ally and advocate for the rest of their writing life. And (more great news!) once you’ve learned that skill, it lasts forever.

Find out more about Dream Author here.

For peer support

SAVVY WRITERS’ SNUG

Next up is the group I really couldn’t be without. Created by my friend and fellow author Tracy Buchanan, the Savvy Writers Snug is a closed Facebook group specifically set up for published writers. It’s a place to chat through any publishing or writing dilemmas, have a whinge, ask for support and just generally talk ‘writing’ with a bunch of people who know exactly how you feel.

It is brilliant.

I love it. And I’m so grateful it exists. Everyone in the group is truly lovely and supportive, and if you’re published and not already a member then get your bum over there now, because you’re missing out. Honest.

Here’s the ‘official blurb’:

Are you a published author who needs moral support from other writers, tips on how to work with a publisher if you have one and want to find ways to reach more readers? If you're answering yes to these questions, then this group, set up by author Tracy Buchanan, is for you! As a closed group specifically for authors and no publishing staff, this is a safe monitored space to ask questions and share experiences. Each request to join is carefully considered as we want to keep the group's focus very clear. And this definitely isn't a group to share links to your books. It's all about giving and receiving advice, and celebrating the good stuff. Please request to join then grab yourself a glass of wine or cuppa, there's plenty of chocolate on the book-shaped coffee table over there!

Check out the Savvy Writers’ Snug now.

For everything in one place

THE EMPOWERED AUTHOR

If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop on ALL things publishing and writing, then Sam Missingham’s The Empowered Author really is the answer. Sam is one of the most respected industry influencers, having worked in publishing for a long time and won awards for her book marketing.

Membership is just £10 per month and for that you get access to amazing and insightful industry talks, as well as a serious amount of perks and discounts (including 50% off a subscription to The Bookseller). You also get to join a thriving community of other authors, both trad-published, indie and and yet-to-be published.

Here’s what Sam has to say about The Empowered Author:

I have created The Empowered Author to offer authors a one-stop-shop for book marketing, publicity and design advice, ideas and support. My aim is to give you tried and tested book marketing tips, case studies, expert insight and more. Plus help you navigate publishing a little too.

The Empowered Author will support you if you are traditionally published, hybrid or an indie author and whatever stage you’re at in your career. There is a lot to learn! I link to resources and experts that I trust, so you should be able to find your answers, advice and guidance. I feel very passionate about supporting authors, making publishing more accessible and inclusive.

Find out more about The Empowered Author.

For encouragement and tough love

THE UNSTOPPABLE AUTHOR

I love the name of fellow author Nicola Mostyn’s group – because let’s face it, I very often do NOT feel unstoppable as an author, and yet I know deep down that I really am. Because writing only requires my brain and a laptop…

Nicola publishes motivational articles to help entertain, inspire, and reignite your fight when you're feeling rejected, demotivated and in need of some tough love; as well as services such as manuscript reports and ghostwriting. She’s even written a book called Seven Creative Gremlins, to help you identify and remove your creative blocks and make sure you finish your writing project.

I highly recommend signing up to her weekly newsletter because her infectious and engaging way of writing really will pull you out of any writing slump you might be in that day – and basically she’ll make you smile, too.

Here’s what Nicola has to say about The Unstoppable Author:

I created The Unstoppable Author because my own informal experiments in writing stories has lead to the firm conclusion that the only way to write them is to not stop writing. And yet. Writing just seems to give us SO many great reasons to quit, from frustration at our perceived lack of ability to not knowing what to do next, to comparisons with others, to time constraints to money worries, to how, at the end of the day, it’s just so much easier to flop on the sofa and watch Netflix in your pants. So. This site dedicated entirely to helping you NOT TO STOP WRITING. As Einstein said, “You never fail until you stop trying.” So let’s all just become Goddamn Unstoppable together, M’kay?

Check out The Unstoppable Author here.

For all-things marketing

THE POWER OF WORDS

Last but very not least! Something truly practical and helpful. I KNOW how important engaging with my audience is – in fact, since I started sending more regular newsletters I’ve really felt inspired and encouraged by the positive responses. But sometimes it’s hard to get motivated. Even when I sit down to write my blog posts on author websites, I find myself wondering if anyone really cares, or if I’ve just boring everyone to death with my advice!

(On that note, if I am, please don’t tell me – hehe).

This is where Katie comes in. You might remember that I’ve interviewed Katie before on this very blog, and that I hold her in high regard when it comes to all-things-author-marketing. She has worked in-house for some of the biggest publishers in the UK and knows her stuff. She offers mentoring services on her website, but what I wanted to specifically highlight here is her free Facebook group, where she talks about marketing mindset and content marketing in particular.

I should mention this isn’t specifically a group for authors, but for anyone looking for help using words to promote themselves or their business.

Here’s what Katie has to say:

If you want to engage your audience, but feel like you haven't got enough time and aren't sure what to say, this is the place to you. Whether you are an author or a small business owner, blogger or wannabe influencer, I hope this space will be full of practical advice as well as a friendly and supportive community.

Join The Power of Words now.

I hope you found this article helpful. There are of course many other organisations out there doing great things, and it was – as it always is with these things – hard to narrow it down to just 5.

So on that note, if you have any groups that have helped you in your writing career that you would like to give a shout out to, please do leave a comment below!