I promise you, once you free yourself from the notion that other writers are your competition and start viewing them as your fellow weirdos who share similar special interests as you, your life in publishing will become so much easier.
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Years ago, I had a business, a metaphysical store-books-jewelry etc. Someone else opened up one in town. I was upset. I finally talked myself down. There is enough room for everyone and everything.
Yeeeeeeeaaaaaaaahh.
But how do we impress a petulant, vindictive dork who inexplicably became a literary agent and thus holds the entire keys to the kingdom in an act that unequivocally proves that there is no god?
You can always join the Crime Writers Association. CWA for like or not like minded detective/crime writers.
Founded by John Creasey in 1953. https://thecwa.co.uk/about-the-cwa/
Absolutely! If I didn’t have you all I’d be terribly depressed and thinking something was broken in me. Having your people at your side is important! Plus! I love sharing your stuff. If I can’t get ahead, I will push you ahead despite it all!
One of my favorite pieces I did for my college paper was column with 2 other girls on staff about road trips. I really like how the piece turned out and I felt energized afterwards.
The ultimate compliment to any writer is when another writer reads your words with reverential respect and says, “wow, I wish I would have written that.”
My husband is a writer. We got married a little over a year ago. The closest place to get married was the library. Really, we can get married in the tiny library in our tiny town? We didn't even realize the irony until after we were married and walked outside. We were legally married! 😁
I've never understood the whole "competition between writers" thing. Don't compete against other authors, compete against yourself. Be and do better than you did yesterday, a month ago, a year ago. Strive to be better than your past self, not better than others
Love this. I write in an unclassified genre, so it's harder for people to find me, but I've loved the feedback from fellow authors. We're all delightfully weird, writers, and I'm slowly building my tribe here on BSky.
That was never my mindset, but I have experienced the frustration of not being cited for my work.
To combat that frustration, I set aside time everyday to focus on what matters most, my “why”. The purpose that motivates me to write and speak. That daily reset is🤌🏾
That’s kind of how reporters see each other. (At least among New Mexican journos.) A little more competitive than that, sometimes, but generally it’s a friendly rivalry if even that. I read the “competition’s” work and learn from it.
IDK why people demand competition all the damn time.
I can read more books than you.
I can spell more words than you.
I can make more noise than you.
Get over yourself.
Grow up.
I absolutely love this mentality! We should be celebrating for others' success, as hard as it can be; if we can't celebrate for others, how can we celebrate our own successes?
This is so true with so many forms of labour, it’s ridiculous. You could replace writers with sex workers or warehouse workers and publishing with the respective industries and it would be just as great advice ❤️
I might need to re-learn this. This was always my perspective starting out, but I got burned pretty badly by a few writers (one in particular who was/is bloody vicious) and it's left me more wary & reclusive. That said, I still have a lot of awesome writer weirdo pals... but I'm MUCH more cautious.
There are three big assumptions there:
1. I would view anyone competitively
2. I could get published
3. In my 40 years of trying I’ve ever met my peers.
This got me thinking of all the times I approached other writers as fellow weirdos etc. and was greeted by flagrant meanness designed to smother me in my cradle. The more successful the writer, the meaner. #oldbitterfailure
Fellow writers aren’t your competition. The real enemy is the algorithm that rewards viral listicles over thoughtful prose. Team up with your 'weirdos'—human connection wins where clicks don’t.
This resonates so deeply! There's something magical about realizing we're all just story-nerds who get excited about character arcs and plot twists. Supporting each other makes the writing journey so much more joyful. Thank you for this reminder
I wish this was the case. Sadly, even if we don't see other authors as competition, they will see us that way.
I've had authors badmouth me, set their fans on me to give bad reviews & worse.
The publishing industry can be as backstabby as showbiz.
Be selective about who you trust & call friends.
As a reader I will vouch for this. I can read faster than you can write. So if I read something good - it doesn’t have to be “great”, enjoyable is fine- then I’ll start looking for more writers like that
I completely second this. We're all colleagues in this weird and wonderful world of books. And most book people are probably towards a certain end of the spectrum. Which is fine, and also builds collegiality. Well said Danai.
Yeah, me too. I work in publishing in Ireland, and I've always found that book people - writers, illustrators, publishers, booksellers, trade organisation folk - are, pretty much without exception, lovely. Hooray for us!
I'm going to mangle this but @robertjbennett.bsky.social said something on Twitter once along the lines that writers don't compete with each other, they compete with obscurity.
Sure why not. If you think of it as a business which is fine. But if you think of it as an irresistible calling you just do it naturally and worry about platforming way after the fact. If your not Stephen King don’t quit your gig.
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But how do we impress a petulant, vindictive dork who inexplicably became a literary agent and thus holds the entire keys to the kingdom in an act that unequivocally proves that there is no god?
Founded by John Creasey in 1953.
https://thecwa.co.uk/about-the-cwa/
I create my own illusion
Everyone is running their own race, enjoy it!
To combat that frustration, I set aside time everyday to focus on what matters most, my “why”. The purpose that motivates me to write and speak. That daily reset is🤌🏾
Just because I read Jane Austen, does that mean I won't read any of the Bronte sisters? No.
Just because you like Sanderson doesn't mean you won't read, say, Phillip Pullman.
I like Star Trek & Starwars.
I can read more books than you.
I can spell more words than you.
I can make more noise than you.
Get over yourself.
Grow up.
(It's not complete sarcasm. I dont write. Facts.)
Books, tv shows, movies, etc.
“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
It is better to bleed together …
1. I would view anyone competitively
2. I could get published
3. In my 40 years of trying I’ve ever met my peers.
Otherwise, sure.
I've had authors badmouth me, set their fans on me to give bad reviews & worse.
The publishing industry can be as backstabby as showbiz.
Be selective about who you trust & call friends.
Competing with other authors is a waste of my time and brain power, and a way to sabotage possible friendships before they start.