A writer’s journey can often be isolating, especially without a writer’s group for support. It’s great to have people to share ideas with, get feedback, or discuss story elements and character development.
Self-publishing authors often need more guidance than those taking the traditional path. You must figure out how to do many things on your own: book design, editing, formatting, publishing options, promotion, etc.
Online writing forums have evolved over the last decade. Many standalone platforms are becoming inactive or closed to new members. Social networks—especially those allowing longer texts like Facebook and Reddit—have become key places for these discussions.
In this article, we’ll have a look at 10 essential writing forums and groups for self-published authors:
Self-Publishing Focused Spaces
These writing forums are dedicated to self-publishing and everything related to this.
Self Published Writers
This subreddit is a useful community for self-publishing writers. Here, you can share your journey, ask for advice, and connect with others doing the same. You’ll find discussions on successes and challenges and a weekly thread for self-promotion and chatting about writing. This is a great place to share your work, get feedback, and discuss your writing life.
Self Publishing Support Group
This public Facebook group supports self-publishing writers by offering resources and encouragement. Writers can celebrate their book releases and learn from others. The focus is on the whole self-publishing process, including promotion and networking. It’s open to writers at any stage, from writing drafts to selling their books.
Kindle Forum
Kindle Forum, often referred to as KBoards, is a popular independent forum for Kindle fans and self-publishers. It’s a place where authors share Kindle publishing tips, solve problems, and discuss how to succeed in self-publishing. It’s especially helpful for learning about eBook publishing on Amazon’s Kindle. Although not affiliated with Amazon, it’s a key resource for authors.
General Writing Groups for Every Writer
These forums welcome all writers covering writing, editing, designing, and publishing topics. They’re great for self-published authors seeking advice on the broader aspects of writing and publishing.
Writing
The r/writing subreddit is a big community for writers with nearly 3 million members. It offers daily threads on overcoming writer’s block, staying motivated, and discussing writing. This is a welcoming place for writers to get advice, share ideas, and get feedback on their work. The subreddit also features AMAs (Ask Me Anything) with writing and publishing experts, allowing members to learn directly from the pros. This subreddit is especially valuable for writers looking to improve and find support in a large community of fellow writers.
Writers Helping Writers
Writers Helping Writers is a private Facebook group for writers worldwide, not just those who write in English. The privacy setting means you must join to see the content, post, and comment. The group offers a supportive environment to exchange advice, particularly on self-publishing topics. Here, writers can share experiences, ask for guidance, and find strategies for crafting and marketing their works. Note that the group doesn’t allow ads or self-promotion.
The Writers Forum
The Writers Forum is another private Facebook group where writers can talk about their writing and how to share it with others. It’s different because it allows self-promotion and publishing options. This group is great if you’re looking for help to improve your writing or finding ways to get your books to readers. It’s all about sharing advice, publicizing your work, and understanding how to become a successful writer.
Writers Helping Writers
The subreddit r/writers is a supportive community for writers of all levels, from fiction to blogging. It’s a space for receiving critique, sharing resources, asking questions, and offering guidance to peers. The group maintains a respectful environment, prohibiting self-promotional spam and encouraging constructive discussion. NSFW content is permitted but must be tagged. The subreddit discourages offering payment for services or searching for paid services.
Specialized Writing Forums and Resources
This category includes forums and platforms that focus on specific aspects of the writing process.
Scribophile
Scribophile is an online community where writers can join workshops, discuss writing, and find beta readers. It’s perfect for those who want detailed feedback and support from fellow writers. Besides workshops and forums, it offers a place to learn and grow among peers. For self-publishing writers, this can be a crucial resource for getting feedback and advice that would otherwise require a professional editorial team.
BetaReaders: Connecting Authors with Betas
r/BetaReaders brings authors and beta readers together for constructive feedback and critique. It’s a community focused on improving manuscripts at any stage of the writing process. This is a great place to find beta readers and get your target audience’s insights and ideas for improvement.
Real Info for Authors
r/Writeresearch is a dedicated space for writers to find accurate information and expert advice for their stories. If your plot takes you outside your area of expertise, this subreddit can be invaluable for adding realism and depth to your work. It’s a collaborative space for writers who want to enhance their stories with authentic details.
Final Thoughts
In the world of self-publishing, writers wear many hats. In traditional publishing, you work alongside a team of editors, publishers, and marketers to bring a book to life. As a self-published writer, you must do all these jobs or find professionals to collaborate with. In this situation, writing forums and groups become a crucial resource, filling in the role of a professional team. They serve as a hub for information and advice about everything, from editing to marketing.
By joining these communities, you can tap into collective knowledge, find motivation, and feel a sense of belonging in the writing world. Online writing forums inspire writers to continue crafting their stories and may even provide the final push to publish. Every self-published author should engage with these groups for invaluable support and resources.
