Episode 320 - The Writer's Guide to Finding Community with Jessie Kwak
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Jessie Kwak discusses THE WRITER’S GUIDE TO FINDING COMMUNITY, including practical strategies for building a strong writing community, how to connect with other writers at author events, approaches for overcoming isolation and joining the right groups for your goals, tips for confident author networking and collaboration, and ways a supportive creative community can fuel your writing career and keep you motivated.
Jessie Kwak is an author, storyteller, and business book ghostwriter living in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not writing, she can be found sewing, mountain biking, and exploring the Pacific Northwest (and beyond). She is the author of thriller novels, two series of space scoundrel sci-fi crime novels, and a handful of productivity books including From Chaos to Creativity and From Solo to Supported.
Episode Links
Author Instagram: @kwakjessie
Business Instagram: @story_rebel
Summary
In this episode of The Indy Author Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with Jessie Kwak about the importance of writing community, including how authors can find support, connect with peers, and build relationships that strengthen both creativity and career. Jessie shares insights from her book FROM SOLO TO SUPPORTED and her experiences as a conference organizer and longtime participant in writing groups, offering actionable advice for writers at all stages.
WHY WRITERS NEED COMMUNITY
Jessie begins by describing her early years as an introverted writer who spent most of her creative time alone with her “imaginary friends.” Over time, she discovered how vital other writers could be—not only as beta readers and brainstorming partners, but as people who understood the emotional ups and downs of the writing life. “I rely on that connection of writers so much,” she says. Her goal with FROM SOLO TO SUPPORTED was to show authors that they do not have to navigate their writing life alone.
INSIGHTS FROM ORGANIZING A WRITERS’ CONFERENCE
Jessie draws on her experience launching the Author Alchemy Summit, a small conference designed to be more intimate and welcoming than some of the large literary conferences she attended early in her career. As an organizer, she found herself more conscious of how people were interacting. She would notice “that person is still over in the corner” and step in to introduce them to someone new. She also worked to prevent friends from spending the entire event talking only to each other, encouraging them to branch out. This perspective helped her understand how structure and environment can support community-building.
TIPS FOR ENGAGING AT WRITING EVENTS
Jessie and Matty discuss the discomfort many writers feel when approaching groups at conferences. Jessie points out that while in everyday life it would be strange to interrupt two strangers chatting in a coffee shop, at a writing event the expectation is entirely different. “You are expected to talk to people, so go ahead and do it,” she says. Hovering on the edge of a conversation and waiting to be welcomed in is normal, and many attendees try to notice and include newcomers.
Matty adds that preparing in advance can make these interactions easier. Contacting people ahead of time if she sees their name on an attendee list allows her to approach them with confidence at the event. She also finds it easier to start conversations in more structured situations, such as sitting at a table during a meal.
Jessie designed her conference with these dynamics in mind, offering meals on-site so that writers didn't have to navigate finding food in an unfamiliar city and could naturally gather around tables. Sharing food, she notes, creates an organic opportunity for conversation.
CONVERSATION, NOT PITCHING
Both Matty and Jessie emphasize that at general writing conferences, authors should aim for conversation rather than pitching their books. While some events include formal pitching opportunities, most interactions among attendees should be focused on shared interests, not sales. Jessie notes that writers often launch into detailed explanations of plot, worldbuilding, and magic systems, which can overwhelm the listener. She encourages authors to talk about their work in a way that is engaging but concise, and to remember that they are talking to fellow writers, not potential buyers.
FINDING THE RIGHT GROUPS
Jessie stresses that not every writing community will be a good fit for every writer. Early in her career, she felt out of place attending a literary-leaning conference as an indie sci-fi writer. She encourages authors to try multiple groups and treat the process like auditioning communities rather than auditioning themselves. Matty notes that this shift in perspective changes the power dynamic and reduces anxiety.
Writers should also consider what they want from a group. Some are looking for emotional support; others want serious critique. Jessie recommends asking fellow writers where they find their support networks. Many groups are discovered through simple conversation.
FINDING LOCAL WRITING COMMUNITIES
Jessie shares several practical suggestions for finding local writing groups. While she initially wanted to offer a comprehensive list, she realized such a list would be impossible to keep current. Instead, she encourages authors to use tools such as meetup.org to search for write-ins, critique groups, and casual gatherings. Open mic nights, bookstore readings, and small local conferences can also serve as entry points into community. Even attending without participating can help writers become familiar faces and form connections.
EVOLVING COMMUNITY NEEDS
Jessie and Matty discuss how an author’s needs change over time. Early-career writers may seek foundational craft support or encouragement, while more experienced writers may look for mastermind-style groups focused on marketing, business, or collaboration. Jessie advises writers to be “in the room with people who are at your level or a step or two ahead,” which allows for inspiration and growth. She also warns that joining groups too advanced for one’s current stage—for example, a Facebook ads session when still drafting a first book—can lead to overwhelm rather than progress.
PAID VS. UNPAID, TRADITIONAL VS. INDIE
Jessie notes that distinctions between traditional and indie authors have softened in recent years. Many traditionally published writers have become curious about indie publishing, and she and Matty observed at ThrillerFest that indies were welcomed into conversations about publishing and marketing. Jessie's advice is to avoid going in defensively. Most people are not scrutinizing others as closely as we imagine; writers should assume positive intent and engage confidently.
OPPORTUNITIES FROM COMMUNITY
One of Jessie’s strongest messages is that community creates opportunity. Many of her collaborations developed from people she met casually, including co-authoring projects, invitations to speak, and contributions to anthologies. “I like to think of meeting new people as just planting new seeds and seeing what might sprout in the future,” she says. These opportunities arise not from transactional networking but from authentic connection.
Matty agrees, sharing examples of community members who regularly support her online content without expecting anything in return. Such generosity builds goodwill and strengthens networks. Jessie recommends entering spaces with a mindset of helpfulness, whether by offering a kind word or sharing encouragement.
THE VALUE OF SHARED EXPERIENCE
Both Jessie and Matty circle back to the emotional value of community. Having people who understand why a small writing win feels huge—or why a bad writing day can be discouraging—makes the creative journey easier. Jessie sums it up: “It is so nice to just be able to share your struggles and your joys with people who understand exactly what it means to find the exact right word.”
WHERE TO FIND JESSIE
Jessie closes by sharing that readers can find her work at jessiekwak.com, including links to her fiction and nonfiction books. Her nonfiction, including FROM SOLO TO SUPPORTED, is published by Microcosm Publishing.
This episode highlights how writing community—whether online, in person, local, or global—can sustain creativity, spark opportunity, and remind writers that they do not have to make the journey alone.