How to Meet Other Writers

Where? What? How? Who???

Your family doesn’t get it. The years of waiting. The self doubt. The ridiculousness of trying to celebrate invisible milestones and make art in the midst of real life.

That’s ok.

Other writers get it.

When you have friends you can talk with about the ups and downs of writing, it is validating and encouraging. It helps you feel like a writer and it helps you keep going. So how do you find these magical creatures?

A lot of them are here on Substack.

I like to think of meeting new people as a way to enter new circles. When I join a new organization, a new circle opens. When I go to a conference and connect with other writers, another circle opens. When I take a class at my local arts center, another circle opens. I don’t know which moments will lead to lifelong friendships, but I know the more circles I enter, the more likely it is that I’ll meet someone special.

Substack is a very big circle. I’ve met people here that I wouldn’t know any other way. And even though I’ve been writing for 20 (?!?) years, I still feel like more of a writer now that I’m on Substack. (Whatever that means!)

If you’re craving these kind of connections, here are some simple ways to make some honest-to-goodness writer friends who can talk you out of a pit of despair and cheer you on as you publish.

• Introduce yourself as a writer

• Share your writing online

• Find other writers you admire and become a public super fan (Many of my best writing friends work in genres I would never think about trying!)

• Go to a conference or take a workshop with the intention of meeting people, not just learning something, and follow up with them afterward

• Attend signings at your local bookstore

• Ask the writers you know how they met their writing friends

• Write in public, whether that’s on the sidelines during soccer practice or in a coffee shop

• Keep your eye open for critique groups

• Reach out to the people you know online and ask if you can send voice memos back and forth (It’s ok if you never meet in person. It can still be helpful!)

• Be brave and offer to trade manuscripts with someone, even if you’re not sure it’s a good match yet (The worst that can happen is that you cry and you never do it again!)

• Hang out on Substack (Even if you’re not ready to publish, you can comment on posts and be active on Notes.)

One easy and genuinely FUN way to meet other writers is to join The 10 Minute Writing Club. You can show up, even when you’re tired, discouraged, or just don’t want to feel like a total weirdo. There are monthly live writing sessions so you never feel alone, and we end each session with a warm, inspiring chat where you can ask me anything.

When you sign up, you’ll automatically receive The What to Do in 10 Minutes Workbook. It gives you a clear, specific next step—no matter where you are in the writing process. I’ll also send you the link to our next writing session soon. I would love to see you there!

XO

PS

Want to work together? I offer workbooks, manuscript critiques, and creative coaching at helloheidifiedler.com. My book Quickening: The Art of Being a Creative Mother will help you reconnect with you creative spark too.