Bookish Thursday - Guest Post with Barbara Barth - Author

This is a first for me! 

A guest post!

My review of her novella, A Wingman for Christmas, will take place next week. But in accepting the chance to review her book, I also wanted to also host a guest post since the topic is something I have done (or at least attempted to do) in the past while in Montana.

Please read on and enjoy (and stay turned for next Thursday when I post my review).

How To Start a Writing Group

By Barbara Barth

      

    Two online resources have been indispensable in helping me start writing groups over the years. Going back to 2011 when I had a small shop outside of metro Atlanta, I discovered my local online Patch newsletter. Patch.com offers many services including news, neighbor posts, and a free events calendar all tailored to your zip code. It is free to join but does require a personal profile to post. 

     We met in my shop that year, but my shop didn’t stay in business long, due to big dreams and a small pocketbook. We moved our monthly meeting to a local restaurant. Make note if you do meet in a restaurant, they want you to order food! We were politely asked to leave one restaurant but relocated to another. Lesson learned. If you are not paying for your space, you need to give them some business. You are taking up space that other customers are waiting for. And always tip your waiter. Then you are happily welcomed back.

     The second resource I used was Meetup.com. If you are not familiar with Meetup it is simple to find groups and events that are close to you. You put in your zip code and the mile radius of what you are looking for. Example, writing groups within 25 miles of your zip code. It is free to join, and very little personal information is required. As a group organizer there is a fee, which allows you to host up to three different groups. I chose to pay monthly (approx. $25) rather than the cheaper annual fee. I am the queen of paying monthly.

     Then there are the usual suspects. Articles in local newspapers. Facebook and Instagram.

     When I moved to Walton County in 2017, I discovered the Monroe-Walton Center for The Arts in Monroe, Georgia ( https://www.monroewaltonarts.org/ ). Their motto is Art for All, which included writing. The director graciously welcomed me, and I became a Board member as their newly formed Literary Arts Chair. We have our writing group, a book nook for local authors, and space for writing classes and book launches, all surrounded by amazing art and a fabulous gift shop.  I still post our meetings on my Facebook page, but our director keeps all our events on the art center website and art center social media pages. While most everything we do is held at the art center, I continue to have two Zoom meetings a month. Several out of state writers found us on Meetup a few years ago and we’ve become a tight family. 

      I think the most important thing in starting a group is to just do it and be consistent with your meetings. Listen to what your members want in addition to sharing your visions for the group. Writing groups can offer critiques, classes, and inspiration, and a good community to fine tune your craft.

Thanks again to Barbara Barth for the chance to host her post. For further information on Barbara and her writing, check out her website.