Does Your Author Community Click? Here’s 6 Questions to Ask

Does Your Author Community Click? Here’s 6 Questions to Ask

Authors want to walk in the shoes of successful authors.

There isn’t a time when a budding author doesn’t aspire to hang with author stars—the ones that have hit the winner’s circle—be it landing on a best-seller list, nabbing a premium sale to an exclusive buyer, having a standing room only book signing, getting a fabulous book review or anything that spells and smells like it’s in the success column.

They want to hang out and they would love to get a nod, inviting them into the inner circle. There’s energy, there’s a plus on being in on the “know,” and there certainly is status in others’ eyes—authors and non-authors.

Once the decision is made to become the author—the transition from writer to author; from expert to author; from “fill in the blank” to author—the authoring experience begins.

Clique vs Click

One of the smartest things a would-be author and established author does is reach out. Getting connected with others who are beginning the journey as well as those who have been on the path can reduce the learning curve and open doors. Staying connected keeps the learning curve in play and enables authors to take advantage of the new publishing paradigm.

Smart authors join associations and groups that are author-centric—some are in-person for attendance; some are online; some are a combo such as what the AuthorYOU.org community delivers.

Before you officially join any group or association, one of the things that you want to determine should include the existence of the clique factor—

Is the leadership group so exclusive that those within it only hang with each other? Take a pass.
Are there publishing predators in the group—those who take other’s ideas and claim them as their own or are constantly pushing to buy their “stuff” … whatever the stuff is? Always do your homework and get referrals for those you work with.
How about attendees and membership—do only certain members sit at certain tables …or with each other at each meeting? How boring … new faces and voices could reveal gems in their knowledge base.
Is there schmoozing and sharing restricted to only those “regulars” know? Another yawn … authoring and book marketing
Is there a welcome openness when guests show up at in-person events? How about online ones? This is a must—remember there are no stupid questions.
Do members openly share information? They better … share the secret sauce to what works … and doesn’t!

You want to be in a community that “clicks”—Where guests and new members regularly can attend events and meld in. There’s nothing exclusive about an empty chair. Everyone quickly knows each other name and what their book is.

At one AuthorYOU.org, a member was telling an attendee who was a non-member from out-of-state about his forthcoming book. Within minutes, his new author friend bought a book from him. That doesn’t happen when there is a sense of a clique in the midst. It happens when there is a sense of openness and connection.

AuthorYOU has always been about the serious author—no matter what stage your Author Walk is in. Existing members assume that anyone who attends our meetings is also serious. It’s a community of like-minded, amazing men and women—authors who are looking for a community of other like-minded authors.

Author book marketing ideas. Author writing tips and feedback. Author Success.

What’s not to like? It’s where your author’s success is seeded.

Dr. Judith Briles is a book publishing expert and coach. Often, she must roll up her writing sleeves and become a Book Doctor, juicing up storylines and author words. She empowers authors and works directly with authors who want to be seriously successful and has been writing about and conducting workshops on publishing since the ’80s. Judith is the author of 44 books including Author YOU: Creating and Building Your Author and Book Platforms, Snappy Sassy Salty: Success for Authors and Writers, and How to Create a Million Dollar Speech. Her personal memoir When God Says NO-Revealing the YES When Adversity and Loss Are Present is a #1 bestseller on Amazon and her historical fiction debut Secret Journey. Collectively, her books have earned over 45 book awards. Judith speaks throughout the year at publishing conferences.

Throughout the year, she holds Judith Briles Book Unplugged in-person and online experiences: Publishing, Speaking, Marketing, and Social Media. All are two-day intensives limited to a small group of authors who want to be seriously successful. Join Judith live for the “AuthorU-Your Guide to Book Publishing” podcast on the Toginet Radio Network HERE.

Follow @AuthorUYOUBooks and @MyBookShepherd on Twitter and do a “Like” at AuthorYOU, and join the Facebook group Book Publishing with The Book Shepherd. If you want to create a book that has no regrets, contact her.