Writers tend to be loners. Getting too close to others, even other writers, can be a massive drain and a difficult obligation to keep up on top of a demanding writing and publishing schedule. But when you realize that you can’t really do everything entirely on your own, you’ll have no choice but to step out of your shell.
Collaboration to some extent is necessary, but how can you make the most of it?
First, you need to know what you want and where you struggle as a writer. Everyone’s different. Some people can crank out twelve books per year without a problem; others have to labor through every step to write something of quality. Some people can easily spend thousands marketing a new book; others have a hard time affording one promotion.
Wherever you feel you struggle compared with other writers, take note and look for ways to collaborate. Maybe the only thing you need to do is ask for advice on a popular Facebook group. Maybe you need to find a writing group—or maybe you need a publicity group willing to run promotions and newsletter swaps.
Maximizing your collaboration efforts.
Before we go any further, mindset is critical to your success with collaboration. If you see it as a chore, you won’t get anything out of it. Instead you’ll lose time and money that you might as well spend solving your problems yourself.
Instead, you need to view author collaboration as both an investment and an opportunity. It’s a chance to learn from others who used to be where you are now and who are willing to help you easily. It’s also an opportunity for you to join the leagues of the successful, to grow your own readership and to cross off some of the boxes that come with succeeding in self-publishing.
Collaboration can (and should) be fun on every level. Reach out to others and put something together. Throw a bash for your readers. Talk ideas and daydreams, and keep in mind the law of attraction.
You also need to be clear about your goals when you collaborate. What do you hope to get out of the collaboration, and how will you get it? If you want to bounce ideas and talk through your obstacles on a Facebook group, look for a group where people are already sharing similar stories and contribute to the discussion. If you’re looking to grow your audience, find ways to trade up with more successful authors for a few quick swaps to grow your own.
If you set specific goal posts along the way, you can measure your success accurately and determine what moves are best for advancing your own career.
As always, please share your thoughts and experiences with author collaboration in the comments below or join my group for self-publishing fiction authors on Facebook.