Why Competitive Authors Should Help Each Other

 

Many people have a competitive nature. After all, we have to fight for jobs, dates, parental attention, parking spaces, restaurant reservations, concert tickets, and even corona supplies. We compete in games and sports. We compete at life and how we position our lives on Facebook. Geeze, now that I think about it, all too often we are adversaries of one another, competing for everything like it’s The Hunger Games.

 But it does not have to be that way, and for others who think every other author is their enemy, they should think again. Authors can, and should, help each other. There is more to be gained from collaboration than competition.

Authors certainly compete in some fashion, certainly for a literary agent, to land a publisher, to get shelf space, earn media attention, get social media recognition, and secure rights deals, etc. but it is not so direct. The world is big enough to absorb many authors. There can be plenty of opportunities for many others. I would suggest authors see each other as people who can help each other. More benefits can arise out of a friendship vs. cut-throat competitiveness.

So, what can authors do to assist each other on their journey to publishing fame and glory?

1.      At the very least, and this costs you nothing, support one another. Give emotional support, provide advice, and be a friendly inspiration to authors who need direction, encouragement, and guidance. 

2.      Share useful resources or information, especially if it is public knowledge. 

3.      Provide feedback on another’s writing. Be constructive, fair, and nice about it. 

4.      Find ways to save costs by agreeing to share certain helpful tools, databases, subscriptions, vendors, etc

5.      Agree to like or repost social media posts of other authors. You can interview them, review their book, or offer them a guest-post opportunity. 

6.      Show support by buying their book, attending a book signing, or participating in their online event. 

7.      Find things you can do, such as calling in a favor, that helps another author.

The hope is that by doing these things you will receive favors, help, and support from others when you need it. No doubt about it, there is a business side to publishing, but by writers supporting writers they help not only to make one another a success but they help contribute something beautiful to the world.

The world has many challenges and competitors but authors should seek refuge with each other. Writers, more than any friend, therapist, or family member, should understand and appreciate each other. Be helpful and you will find you bartered for one’s goodwill that can help propel you to new heights.

 

Recent Posts

Why Are Some Writing Ideas Profitable – And Some Not?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/08/why-are-some-writing-ideas-profitable.html

Overcoming The 9 Stages Of Authors Marketing Books

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/07/overcoming-9-stages-of-authors.html

 

Authors Should Pitch Stories Based On These Upcoming Days in The Rest Of 2020

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/07/authors-should-pitch-stories-based-on.html   

 

How Do Authors Find What Works In Book Marketing?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/07/how-do-authors-find-what-works-in-book.html

 

How Should Authors Promote Books During A Plague?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/how-should-authors-promote-books-during.html

 

10 Tips For Pitching Books To The Media Now

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/10-tips-for-pitching-books-to-media-now.html   

 

The Right Social Media Strategy For Authors 

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-right-social-media-strategy-for.html

 

Are You Really Ready To Write, Publish & Market Your book?

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2020/05/are-you-ready-to-write-publish-market.html   

 

Powerful 2020 Book Marketing Toolkit -- FREE

https://bookmarketingbuzzblog.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-2020-book-marketing-pr-toolkit.html  

 

To contact Brian Feinblum, the founder of BookMarketingBuzzBlog, please reach him at brianfeinblum@gmail.com.

Brian Feinblum’s insightful views, provocative opinions, and interesting ideas expressed in this terrific blog are the product of his desire to help writers succeed. You can – and should -- follow him on Twitter @theprexpert.  He feels much more important when discussed in the third-person. This is copyrighted by Brian Feinblum ©2020. Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester. His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s Independent.  This was named one of the best book marketing blogs by Book Baby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs and recognized by Feedspot in 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. Also named by WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.” He hosted several panels on book publicity for Book Expo and often speaks before writers conferences and author seminars.