If you’re an unpublished writer and you’re not on Twitter, open an account immediately! Twitter is an incredible resource for connecting writers with other writers, agents, editors, and potential fans — and for learning about writing contests, industry tips, professional etiquette, and giveaways.
Once you’re on Twitter, make yourself familiar with the plethora of author friendly hashtags. Follow the feed of a particular hashtag to connect with others doing the same.
Here’s a small sample of hashtags for writers:
#amwriting
#amreading
#amrevising
#writertip
#askagent (agents often announce a date/time they’ll be checking for this hashtag and answering questions)
#mswl (manuscript wish list — this hashtag lets you know what specific agents/editors are looking for in their inbox — check the MS Wish List website for more info here)
#writechat
#WIP
#writingprompt
#yalitchat
#pitmad (see below for more info on this great hashtag!)
It’s also a great idea to follow other writers, literary agencies, agents, and editors. By doing so, you’ll be able to interact and stay up-to-date with current trends and information — and even learn about new releases, giveaways, blog tours, book signings and more. Here’s a very small sample of accounts to follow…if you don’t know who/what they are, get on Twitter and find out!
Brenda Drake (@brendadrake)
Cupid for Writers (@CupidsLC)
EmusDebuts (@EmusDebuts)
Griffin Teen (@GriffinTeen)
Nathan Bransford (@NathanBransford)
Poets & Writers (@poetswritersinc)
Rachelle Gardner (@RachelleGardner)
Teen Eyes Editorial (@TeenEyesEdits)
Young Adult RWA (@YA_RWA)
Young Adult Books Central (@YABookCentral)
Earlier in this post, I promised you more about #PitMad, here you go:
If you’re not yet familiar with #PitMad (coordinated by Brenda Drake), it’s the perfect hashtag to zero in on because it was created to help you — the unpublished writer — get noticed by experts in the industry. By using the hashtag #PitMad in your tweets (on specified dates) you can pitch your finished, polished, unpublished manuscript to agents/editors that are perusing the Twitter feed and following the hashtag to find new talent. If they like your tweet, they’ll invite you to query them, send a writing sample, or both. Entries (tweets) are also sorted by categories and genre (see below). Many new authors have been signed this way!
#PitMad 2016 Schedule:
March 17, 2016
June 9, 2016
September 8, 2016
December 1, 2016
Visit the awesome Brenda Drake’s website for more info here.
Here are some of the accepted hashtags for category and genre:
Categories:
#A = Adult
#CB = Chapter Book
#MG = Middle Grade
#NA = New Adult
#NF = Non-Fiction
#PB = Picture Book
#YA = Young Adult
Genres:
#ChickLit
#HF = Historical Fiction
# Horror
#LF = Literary Fiction
#LGBT
#M = Mystery
#Mem = Memoir
#PR = Paranormal Romance
#R = Romance
#RomCom = Romantic Comedy
#SFF = Science Fiction and Fantasy
Happy Tweeting Everyone!
And don’t forget…follow me @JenniferMaryG for more tips, blog updates, and more!
Jennifer Mary G 