Altruism for Authors

I’m a great believer in supporting the writing communitywherever possible and whenever practicable. Of course, there is competition forrepresentation, for publication, and for funding, but most of that activity happens in the privacy ofone’s outbox and those all-important decisions are beyond our control once wehave pressed send.

How can novel writers support one another, I hear you ask?(I have a very active imagination.)

Several ways come to mind for helping out your fellow authors:

1.   Sharing onsocial media. It’s not so much that you’re expected to wield great influence,more that you are likely to know people (and communities) that the other writerdoesn’t know.

2.   Hosting ablog post. Often the author will provide something for you to host. If not, asimple Q&A format, with one or two quirky questions thrown in, helps theauthor talk about their work in a new way for a fresh audience.

3.   Readingand reviewing. This can be controversial because there may be expectations of ashining review for a less than shiny book. Alternatively, it may not be yourgenre, or your thing. Sometimes authors will agree to mutual reviews, which cantake on the nature of a poker game! Honesty is always the best review policy.Amazon has some baffling rules – which it doesn’t share – about reviews sodon’t be surprised if a review there suddenly ups and disappears.

4.   Become abeta reader. You get to read the book first, sometimes as a work-in-progress,and other times it’s the pre-launch, basically good-to-go version. Here, thefocus for feedback tends to be around grammar, formatting glitches, andconsistency. You might even end up in the acknowledgements for servicesrendered.

5.   Makingrecommendations to your own readers’ list. And if you’re a published author andyou don’t have a list, consider this a prompt.

 

Why youought to consider it

If the notion of good karma doesn’t light your inner flame,there are more tangible positives to author altruism:

·     By participating in the community you are raisingyour profile, both to other authors (and their agents / publishers)and to your own followers and readers.

·     Interacting with other authors can be an education inother people’s creative process, which in turn informs yours.

·     It is an opportunity to see how other authors marketthemselves and their work, and then consider what you do.

·     More diverse authors and posts on your blog /social media streams.

·     Frankly, it takes you out of your own ‘magnum opus’centred universe. Sometimes we need a little perspective and visiting someoneelse’s universe can be a great way to do that. It normalises what youmight think of as your unique struggles, when you realise everyone goes throughthe same old crap!

·     Maybe, just maybe, other authors will go the extramile for you. Who knows, you could start a trend!

 

Reservations

I know what you’re thinking (I did say my imagination wasactive): what about the downsides? Well, as long as you know why you’re doingwhat you’re doing, and you have realistic expectations…oh, okay then, heregoes:

·     Other authors might be doing much better than me! Inthe words of an old friend from Staten Island, “Deal with it!” There willalways be more successful and less successful writersthan you. That’s the nature of the beast. But the ones ahead of you may have abigger community for you, while the ones behind you may appreciate you all themore for your kindness.

·     What if people don’t help me back? Well, like therest of life, sometimes that happens. Altruism is not a payback scheme.

·     Surely I should spend my time on my own writing? Yes,when you need to be writing. Only you know what time you can spare, but why notspare some of it to make a difference to someone else’s book / chances / day?

·     Isn’t altruism unrealistic, nay, self-defeating, in acompetitive environment like the arts? If you see supporting others (and let’sface it we’re talking about small ways, not making a sandwich board andmarching up and down Oxford Street for hours) as a drain on energy you’d ratherdevote to your own book, then this is not for you. I think it comes down topersonal values. I’m not convinced that 20 minutes spent sharing the load ofanother author will be the decider between my success and my failure. I’drather feel good about helping someone than see it as a winner takes all, ratrace with pens. 

·     I feel pressured / guilt tripped / manipulated to dosomething I really don’t want to do. Then it’s not for you. No sale; no drama!But maybe let the other writer know, so they’re not building up falseexpectations (or a grudge!).

 

Supporting your fellow authors may not advance your ownagenda one iota; that’s not the point. It may, however, make you a morefulfilled human being, a more rounded author, and a much appreciatedcontributor to the writing community.

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