The COMMUNITY is Now the TRIBE

Update: October 22, 2019
“Tribe” is a word I’ve used for a long time without a second thought. But one of our own pointed out that it can be offensive to and even appropriative of indigenous peoples.

I didn’t know what I didn’t know. And after some research into the topic, I realized how problematic using this term can be. One of the main goals of this group is to create an inclusive, safe space. So, furthermore, we shall be known as the Writing Pack. (Rocket pitched the name, and you know I can’t say no to him.)

It’s so important that we—as a writing community and as humans—keep sharing with each other and listening to each other. We may not be able to fully understand another’s experience, but we can try.

- Victoria

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​If you've been hanging around here for a while, you may have heard of (or joined) The Community of Readers & Writers. I created the Community sort of on a whim, without any real plan of what I wanted it to be. I just knew that I wanted to create some sort of place for writers to connect.

Well, I've been thinking a lot lately about what the Community really means to me, and I have some ideas. The first step is a new name.
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Many elements of the Community are still going to remain. There will be quarterly newsletters in which you can share your accomplishments and announcements. But there's going to be a stronger focus on developing your personal tribe of writers. The people you can turn to, who understand. More about that in a second.
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Why "Tribe"?

I did some soul searching about what my writer friends mean to me. I believe that we each need a "tribe" of writers, and that means more than just a group of folks who might buy your book when it's released. Nobody understands what writers go through on a daily basis except other writers. We each need a group of writers we feel comfortable with, who can help us through the rough times and celebrate our successes. And while I love getting to know many, many members of the writing community, the best way to form this tribe is by joining a small group of writers who are in similar career stages.
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​"Mini Tribes"
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While a large group of supportive writers can be extremely beneficial, no matter what career stage you're in, a small group of people who are in similar parts of their respective writing journeys can provide more specific, personal support. That's the idea behind Mini Tribes.

Tribe members will have the opportunity to apply to be part of a Mini Tribe, based on their genre and career stage. For example, there will be Mini Tribes for writers who published with small presses, those who are working on their first large project, and those who are querying literary agents. Mini Tribes will be available for fiction writers, nonfiction writers, poets, and members who are readers only. There's also an optional section on the Mini Tribe application related to geographic location to help connect members who live near each other.

Each Mini Tribe will consist of 4-6 members. Once I have enough matching applications, I'll contact all the members of the new Mini Tribe and pass along email addresses. After that, it's up to you to decide the best way to structure and organize your group! You can chat exclusively over email, or you can set up a Facebook page or Slack group. You can meet in real time to discuss projects, or you can reach out when you want to talk about something specific. It's entirely up to your group, and everything is communal. If you want to choose "leaders," you're more than welcome to, but I won't be designating any members as in charge of the Mini Tribe.

And of course, if you need help or suggestions about how to structure your Mini Tribe, I'm happy fo offer guidance.

Dedicated Members Only Page
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Tribe members will be able to access a special page on my website so they always have access to the available resources. The page will include the form to submit quarterly announcements; free templates and resources for short stories, novels, and querying; the Mini Tribe application; and any other tools or resources that are added in the future. I may also use this page to post broad announcements related to the Tribe.
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​​Quarterly Newsletter & Giveaway
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As always, Tribe members will receive a quarterly newsletter with updates, resources, and articles related to writing. Each newsletter will also include a giveaway—often free editing services.

Member Spotlight
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Members have the opportunity to share their announcements and accomplishments in the quarterly newsletter. Through the members only page, Tribe members can submit a written announcement, along with optional links and images.

This is a great way to spread the word about your book releases and endeavors, but it's also a fantastic source of inspiration and encouragement for the Tribe as a whole. Personally, nothing inspires me quite like seeing other writers doing amazing things. That's part of why I believe it's so important to share our accomplishments with each other.

Private Facebook Group​
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Tribe members have access to a private Facebook group, which allows us to get to know each other and provides a forum for celebrating accomplishments, asking questions, and simply connecting with other writers. Although posting about accomplishments such as book releases is encouraged, the Facebook group is not the place for self-promotion. Our rule is that no links are allowed in posts; links may be shared in the comments if requested by another member.

That said, I will post designated self-promotion threads to allow members to share blog posts, social media accounts, and purchase links.

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Use the form below to join the Writing Tribe!

Learn More About the Tribe