Wanted: a community for 2020-2022
Over the next two years, I’ll be plotting and writing my second mystery novel, working to get my first novel published, and writing more creative non-fiction / personal essay pieces for Medium.
I need and want a community to join me on this adventure.
I already have people I rely on in my writing adventures: Juanita (Mystery Factory) is helping me plot out my second book; A.J., Elinor, Erica, Juanita and my mom read and provided feedback on my first mystery. I have specialist friends (Genevieve, Isabel) who help me get the details right, and creative friends (Patti) who help me brainstorm. Angie and Cindy are my virtual writers’ group. I have you fabulous folks, my website subscribers, my enewsletter subscribers, and my Medium.com readers, who provide feedback on my posts and share your own experiences.
But in my someday-autobiography, these next two years (2020-2022) will be the critical chapter. I’m on the edge of fulfilling my writerly destiny, and I need & want a community of allies with me on the journey.
Why exactly do I want this community?
Yes, writing can be lonely. But, more importantly, it’s super fun and I want to share the experience:
- I want to expand those plot-brainstorming conversations that happen around my family dinner table: “How would you kill someone on a hunting trip?” “What’s a great name for a pet treat company?” “If you wanted to run someone out of town, how would you make their life miserable?” “How do you smoke a cigar?” “What does a Vancouver Island forest smell like in hot July?”
- I want to share those funny/proud/frustrating/exhilarating moments that come when writing, like when I reach a weekly word target, or someone shares their own story of grief after reading one of my Medium.com posts, or I have to kill off a favourite character because her death is logical.
- I don’t want to be the only one drinking sparkly wine when I finally get my book(s) published, or when a Medium.com post goes viral.
Patreon.com is the best option I’ve found so far to help me create the community I’m seeking. So here’s the pitch:
Why join our Patreon community?
If you join our community of patrons:
- You’ll be invited to be part of our secret, online conversations. Brainstorming, logistical questions, polls, updates on my plotting/writing/publishing journey, etc. that I don’t share elsewhere.
- I’ll celebrate you on social media (Facebook, Instragram) and my website (unless you prefer to aid & abet anonymously).
- You’ll be able to access my new Medium.com stories at least 24 hours before I publish them publicly.
- I’ll invite you to my (someday) book launch events, and thank you in front of a room full of real-life people.
I’m new to the world of digital books, but if I can get my Patreon community folks access to my eBooks (once they’re published) at a discounted or free cost, that’ll be offered too.
When my first book is published and I have copies, I’ll send the 25 patrons who have been part of our Patreon community the longest a signed first edition.
And those of you who REALLY want to get some skin in the game, my Accomplices, will be named in the Acknowledgements of my someday-published book, One for the Raven. You’ll have dibs on receiving an advance author copy of the printed book, signed & sent with love.
To be part of this grand adventure, please check out & consider joining our Patreon community online: https://www.patreon.com/heathermcleod
Thank you so very much for reading these website posts. I have four new life stories / essays in my head right now, and I’ll be sharing them soon.