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As a writer, you know how important the literary community can be for your work, but you don’t have to shut your creative front door as soon as you’re published. Social networks can become virtual communities that allow you to extend your influence and continue to develop your content.
Authors and journalists have long been utilizing mainstream social media — Twitter, Facebook and Quora, for example — to promote their work and interact with other writers and readers, but what about platforms specifically geared toward that type of synergy?
Check out the gallery for 10 social networks you may not have heard of, that nonetheless, can help you receive valuable feedback from peers, gain exposure for your own work, brainstorm ideas and evolve as a writer. There’s something for everyone, from poets to reporters, novelists to screenwriters.
Created in 2004, Writers-Network is a large online community devoted to pointing creative writers toward success. There’s an emphasis on poetry, but writers of all creative genres and forms are welcome and active on the site.
Special Features: contests, polls and a point system for reviewing others’ work.
Great if you’re: a poet; looking for a high number of users.
If the wordplay of this site’s title doesn’t draw you in, there are plenty of other pros. Part of The Burry Man Writers Center (a resource for freelance writers and researchers), Inked-In is a network for writers, artists and musicians.
Special Features: a very active blog and Facebook group, in addition to “groups” you can join based on your interests.
Great if you’re: a cross-genre writer or artist.
With the tagline “Fresh Perspective,” Gather offers just that. According to the site, thousands of journalists post original content, and millions of users join in conversation about various subjects.
Special Features: freelance opportunities, groups based on topics such as “Politics” or “Life & Style” and a live feed of comments on the homepage.
Great if you’re: a journalist; looking to discuss current events.
Book-in-a-Week’s motto is “BIC HOK TAM:” butt in chair, hands on keyboard, typing away madly. The first full week of every month, you can use BIW’s learning management system to reach goals you’ve set for yourself. The site certainly prides itself on a “let’s work together” approach.
Special Features: helpful tools and resources, prompts, special challenges and useful camaraderie.
Great if you’re: writing a novel; easily distracted and looking for motivation.
If you’re writing for the screen, Trigger Street Labs might be the network for you. It’s a community for writers and filmmakers, and it’s open to scouts looking for talent.
Special Features: spotlight submissions, news and blogs about Hollywood and the film industry.
Great if you’re: a screenwriter or filmmaker; looking for exposure.
Suite101 is the premier place for online journalists, freelancers and experts on various topics. Writers can get paid for posting original content, and the site offers a vast peer network.
Special Features: professional one-on-one editorial coaching and access to 3,000 topics.
Great if you’re: an online journalist; looking for freelance work.
Writertopia is determined to create the ultimate resource for the writing community, and it starts with making sure every member is serious about honing his or her professional writing skills. The network also bridges the gap between the virtual world and the real by listing dates for events, readings and workshops.
Special Features: portfolio management, graphic tools for progress and online workshops.
Great if you’re: serious about professional progression; looking to keep all of your submission data organized.
We Like to Write is a new social network for writers and bloggers. Professional and amateur writers are welcome to connect and respectfully debate, as well as collaborate with each other on projects.
Special Features: Google ID sign-in, multimedia-friendly and simple badge creation.
Great if you’re: a blogger; looking for a Facebook-like experience.
WritersCafe.org makes it easy to befriend other writers and enter writing contests. It also has topic forums that range from inspiration to publicity to marketing.
Special Features: extensive lists of literary agents, magazines and courses.
Great if you’re: looking for sound advice; looking to make writer friends.
Francis Ford Coppola launched a version of this website in 1998 to curate short story submissions for his magazine, Zoetrope: All-Story. The Virtual Studio was created when a large writing community formed around the original website. Virtual Studio not only accepts various genre submissions for the magazine, but also allows for workshopping and critiques.
Special Features: workshops, tools for filmmakers and emphasis on unconventionality.
Great if you’re: a screenwriter; writing a novella; interested in film; a fan of The Godfather (just kidding).
Since 1999, writers have called November National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo for short. The event has a huge following that grows every year. The goal is to write a 50,000-word novel by Nov. 30, a perfect challenge if you work well under pressure.
Special Features: progress tracking, widespread support and potential for in-person meetups in your area.
Great if you’re: hoping to finish or revise that novel; not afraid to write crap now and edit later; wanting to be part of a growing literary movement.
Image courtesy of Flickr, iDream_in_Infrared
