For any artistic pursuit, there are countless professional and not-so-professional organizations to help you along your way. Tons of people join these groups and then complain when they are not provided a red-carpet to success.
I have in the past been guilty of being that person. I’ve joined groups like The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI) or Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), looking around their websites, logging onto their forums, getting bored and not doing much else. In times of unemployment, I’ve yelled at my computer, “I’ve already paid my dues, why do I have to pay MORE for a workshop?” So, I get it. I’ve been there. I’ve not only heard the excuses; I’ve made them.
I’ve also taken advantage of groups like that to the point that they have helped me get published. I'm sharing my stories here in the hope that my experiences may help you along the way.
Online Forums
Back around 2008 or 09, I ran across AgentQuery.com, which is still a fantastic database for researching agents. Back then, it had a forum associated with it, Agent Query Connect. I love net forums. They are one of the best things about the internet. Whenever I need help with something in life, I seek out a forum to find someone who has made the same stupid mistakes I’m about to make. Agent Query Connect saved me years of trial and error with my query letters.
The best way to learn, is to teach. Truer words were never spoken when it comes to query letters. I read and critiqued so many of them, I began to feel like an agent. I also made some BFOLs (Best Friends On Line) – like Mindy. They are still friends to this day even though we’ve never met.
As time went on, many of my BFOLs got agents and stopped posting on Agent Query Connect. Besides being overwhelmed with jealously, I missed them. Then I got an agent, so I thought I wouldn’t need AQC anymore, only to discover there are just as many questions, frustrations, and needs for support for an agented writer as there are for unagented ones.
So, I did what I’m suggesting you all do with your organizations. Help them help you. I contacted the tech team for AQC to ask if we could have a password protected part of the forum for agented authors. They agreed, but I had to do the work. I sent out private invitations to my friends who had agents and the response was tremendous. We all wanted support, but didn’t feel right griping in front of people who would love to have our problems.
Through that group, I met Matt Sinclair, who would go on to form Elephant’s Bookshelf Press. Matt has published several of us in anthologies – the latest is FLIGHT: A SCIENCE FICTION ANTHOLOGY. Using traditional publishing methods (line editors, cover artists, book designers, etc.) Matt has turned EBP into what I call the Sun Records of publishing. I’m honored to have by Billy Bobble Makes A Magic Wand series and my upcoming Dark Star Warrior series at his house.
Sadly, AQC is no more. Some alumni have made Query Connection, which is a perfect place for you to get in on the ground floor.
SCBWI
The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators has been around since the 1970s. It is the largest professional organization for Kid Lit authors and illustrators in the world with local chapters everywhere. I became a member when my agent recommended them. Soon after that, my local chapter in Los Angeles put out word they were looking for a board member to represent published members. I signed up.
Always sign up. Always volunteer. By helping others, you’ll discover ways you can help yourself.
As the SCBWI Published representative, I’ve organized their booths at the Los Angeles Festival of Books, Comic Con, and next year YA’ll West. I’ve also started a program to reach out to the film & television industry, producing a mixer between our published members and Disney TV, Disney +, Paramount TV, Universal Animation, Sony, etc. A few members had their books optioned from this mixer, and I now have a friend shopping Billy Bobble around as a TV series.
My point to all this braggadocery is, joining groups is just the first step. Actively participating is the second. Eventually, you’ll find you’re leading them where you could never have gone alone.
Good luck.
R.S. Mellette has written, directed, designed and acted in theatre, film and television for over 30 years. His credits in various jobs include XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS, NUTTY PROFESSOR II: THE KLUMPS, BLUE CRUSH, and his own JACKS OR BETTER, which won Dances With Films Best Screenplay award in 2000. He has been working with the festival ever since.
His Tween Sci-Fi novel series, BILLY BOBBLE MAKES A MAGIC WAND, from Elephant Bookshelf Press is available on Amazon. Look for his latest Sci-Fi adventure, DARK STAR WARRIOR: The Morian Treasure, in 2020.