by KELLY Q. ANDERSON

Last fall, I attended a poetry workshop that spun me around. It was one of the scenarios where everything seemed to align: captivating instructor, good energy, cooperative attention span. I rarely refer to myself as a poet yet, that day, the poetry was flowing. It was the kind of workshop that flipped on a light in a dark room.

Later that night, I Googled the instructor, hoping to find a newsletter I could subscribe to or a Twitter feed to follow. I wanted to take one of his workshops again, or at least have the chance to follow his work or purchase his books.

Crickets.

Not even a basic website with a contact form.

Don’t get me wrong, I did manage to find some of his poems and many were published in the most lauded places. But there was no landing place for his work, no email for contact, no clear destination—no Linktree, no LinkedIn, no link period. When it came to giving this reader a chance to be follower… well, I was out of luck.

Problem: No Online Writing Presence

Cue one of my biggest writer gripes.

In a world of 24/7 information, writers don’t often get a second chance to capture a reader’s careful eye. So it’s logical that we need to be online in the places readers frequent.

I relish an opportunity to follow a writer’s work. I want to know about their latest short story success, or the pasta dish they made that inspired a whole Italian novella. I want to cheer them on when I read on Twitter that they’ve secured a residency, or register when I see they are teaching a workshop on Flash. Mostly, I want to follow the fun of storytelling.

Using Your Online Writing Presence to Build Connection

Forget the hubbub about building an online following… how about the concept of providing connection?

I applied for, and won, my first fellowship after seeing a novelist tweet out the application. I pre-ordered an essay collection that breezed through my Instagram feed — the writer and I both share a love of yoga. I found out about StoryStudio Writers' Festival by subscribing to their newsletter. Thank goodness for these landing places. Thank goodness for the ease of search-and-find in an online world.

I know, I know… building and maintaining an online writing presence is time-consuming. But you don’t have to do everything or be everywhere. Start with what you like; Instagram is visually pleasing and LinkedIn regularly features writing gigs. Twitter is great for those who wish to be witty and wordy in 240 characters or less. Some swear by social media in small doses: Facebook on Friday, website update every Monday. Being a writer online is not a waste of time if you use your time wisely.

If you wish to follow along with my writer life, you can do so at my landing place: KellyQAnderson.com or on social media at @KellyQAnderson.

[Editors Note: Kelly Q. Anderson is offering a free webinar on "How to Find A Place for Your Writing—And Get Paid" via the Glencoe Public Library on January 25, 2023.]

♥

Let's keep the conversation going.

Members may log in and subscribe to the About Write Message Board to leave your comments.  
Our authors would love to hear your feedback. You must be logged in to read/leave comments. 

KELLY Q. ANDERSON is a short-form writer and VP of Off Campus Writers' Workshop. Her work has been published in The New York Times, Atticus Review, Stanchion Zine, and Five Minute Lit, and has received nominations for Best of the Net and Best Micro Fiction. Learn more at KellyQAnderson.com.