Posts Tagged ‘twitter’

11
Jan

Networking For The Win!

   Posted by: Michell    in Irreverent Muse, Networking and Marketing

I’ve preached the networking mantra for quite some time now talking about how important it is for writers (well, anyone actually) to go forth and meet other people through whatever means possible. In the past few months I have seen just how fantastic good networking can be. Let me give you a brief rundown of some networking successes I’ve had lately:

  • Twitter – I have met a huge number of very cool people on Twitter. Those contacts have resulted in friendships, interview guests for Get Published, collaboration projects, publishing opportunities.
  • World Fantasy Convention – I met lots of great new people that meant more interview guests, publishing opportunities and yes, more and better friendships with previously virtual friends.
  • Facebook – renewed old acquaintances and made several new ones.
  • Goodreads – as above.

Now, those sound great and all, but where’s the details? Well, from a collaboration perspective, JRMurdock and I now have a book to begin finding a home for and we are already planning the next in the series. JAHite and I are co-editing an anthology/handbook for Mad Scientists (http://madscientistanthology.wordpress.com) and you will soon see the new ActionPack Podcast out featuring JRMurdock, Spiritualtramp (Scott Roche) and myself doing a monthly serialized set of stories that I know is going to be fantastic.

Looking at the publishing opportunities, my networking through the various mediums has meant four short stories in print with various e-publishers like http://www.wolfsingerpubs.com/ and http://flyingislandpress.com not to mention my book deal with Five Rivers Publishing. I’ve also got some interest in GalaxyBillies and a few of my other projects.

Then there is Get Published. I just celebrated my third anniversary with episode 74 and I’ve got to say how great doing the podcast has been. I’ve been able to talk to so many fantastic people that, without networking, I would never have known. And trust me when I say, there are lots more awesome interviews to come along with the useful information each guest has to impart.

Is networking and getting yourself out there easy? Not by a long shot. It is work just like many other activities, but my life, writing and otherwise, have been enriched by the effort.

So, what ways do I personally network? Well, here’s my list:

  • Face-to-face whenever possible. That could be at book stores, conventions or just on the street
  • Writing Groups
  • NaNoWriMo
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Goodreads
  • LinkedIn
  • My blog and website
  • My podcasts
  • Email
  • Skype.

I know there are other places to meet, but I either haven’t discovered them personally or haven’t had the time to properly use them. If you have suggestions for some that might be important, please let me know.

The opportunities are out there if you look. Sometimes, as is the case with a couple of my projects, they find you. But that will only happen if you are out there to be found.

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Happy New Year!

As you know, I’ve been working on a novel with JRMurdock. Our work together is my first time collaborating with another auther and it has been a real learning experience. Both JR and I have had questions about collaborating from various people so we thought it would be helpful if we talk about our experiences. You will hear more in the main section of the show.

I’ve also been looking at my to-do list for 2012. It’s a pretty long one and I will be challenged to complete it. In the tips and typos section, I will be talking about the various projects and how I plan to complete them all.

This episode marks the third anniversary for “Get Published”. I’ve had a great deal of fun doing the show and hope to for the foreseeable future but I also want to be considerate of your needs. If there are any topics you would like to hear more about, please drop me a line to let me know.

That’s the lineup for today. I hope you enjoy the show.

Show Notes

00:00 — Opening – Get Published Episode 74 – The Fine Art of Collaboration

  • Everything has to start somewhere and this is the start of “Get Published”

00:14 — Introduction – Get Published Episode 74 – The Fine Art of Collaboration

Welcome to the show.

01:17 Promo: A Method to The Madness: A Guide To The Super Evil

03:06 -Tips and Typos

Mike talks about the upcoming writing and podcasting year including how he plans to tackle all the projects.

08:08 - Promo – Requiem of the Outcast

09:18 — Get Published Episode 74 – The Fine Art of Collaboration (continued)

Mike and JR Murdock talk about their shared experiences collaborating on a writing project.

53:43 - Promo - Flying Island Press

54:28 — Closing

Thank you for listening.

Websites mentioned in this episode:

JR Murdock – http://jrmurdock.com

A Method to The Madness: A Guide To The Super Evil - http://madscientistanthology.wordpress.com

Requiem of the Outcast - http://www.requiemoftheoutcast.com

Flying Island Press - http://flyingislandpress.com/

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I have a confession to make: I love Twitter. I love all the cool people I meet on Twitter and I especially love interacting with them.

I love it so much, in fact, that it sometimes cuts into my word count.

But does that make it a timesink?

I say no and I say that because one of the important activities for a writer (in my opinion, of course) is to connect with people. You never know who you’re going to meet online and ultimately your success as a writer is dependent on the books you sell. To sell more books you need people to know about them. To get people to know about them you need something that makes people aware of your work.

What better way than to have people talk about it?

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t follow people on Twitter merely to shill my work. I follow people to make that connection with them. To trade ideas, converse and do all those things that people do when they talk. For example, JAHite and I are having some fun talking about being each other’s alter-egos.

JR Murdock and I connected and we are now collaborating on a book together. It is a story that we came up with together and I know is one that we are both having lots of fun with.

I have met many cool and interesting people who have increased my own understanding of the publishing industry (many have appeared on my podcast “Get Published”) and have pointed me towards information I would never have found otherwise. In fact, I met my publisher via Twitter.

You could say, Social Media has been very good to me. I know I would say that.

How else would I meet such a diverse group as all of you? From every continent on Earth, no less (well, maybe not Antarctica – ping me if I’m wrong). Using conventional methods that wouldn’t be possible. Getting all the different feedback and opinions can’t help but make me a more well-rounded person and improve my writing.

I’ve also discovered a huge body of work from my Social Media friends. Writing and art I may not have had the opportunity to experience otherwise. That can only be a great thing too.

So thank you everyone for being part of my online life. It is because of you that I have dared to reach as far as I have and do what I do.

 

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