At a recent Writing Day Workshop in my home state, during the Q&A with agents, a writer asked, “I’m 6 months out from querying. What’s one piece of advice you could give to someone like me to do right now?”

“Great question,” I answered.

Most people are likely editing, revising and word-smithing every sentence, especially that first chapter. In addition, they may be refining their query letters (making sure the stakes are high enough and trying to get to that dreaded 300ish word count). And they may be tracking their dream agents to see when they open up next. However, my advice was different.

“Support other writers.” And then I elaborated. In the writing community, authors are great advocates for one another. Most best selling author’s newsletters often include that authors recommended picks for new releases, or reviews of other authors’ books. I love seeing authors genuinely supporting one another. I often think if I ever publish one day, I’d love to pass it forward, too.

Consider the reach of one writer helping another, then multiple that by five, ten, fifteen more authors, who can help promote one another. For ‘something’ to go viral, experts often advise people to base the post/video/information on what your immediate audience is interested in. Well, another author’s fanbase is literally just that – an audience that is interesting in reading!

However, I caution you to give before you take. Passing it forward implies you do and others do and it becomes contagious.

During the pandemic, for example, I recall how people paid for the ‘car’ behind them in drive thru restaurants and fast food franchises. Then, the receiving person paid for the next, etc. It happened to me a few times and it was a lovely surprise, and I continued the trend, too. (Note: Pay it forward didn’t start in 2020. Some historians have traced it back to ancient Athens during B.C. times).

So, querying authors or those pre-querying or those on submission or those working on book 2 or 3, find ways to build your author community, find new and experienced writers, and give the pay it forward approach a try. You never know how you might exponentially build a community, because one good deed often deserves another.