From The Productive Indie Fiction Writer:

Welcome back! If you’ve been following along, you already know that Literary Citizenship is a way to boost the entire writing community—indie authors included—while connecting with fellow writers and readers. But it’s more than just signing up for newsletters and hitting the like button on Instagram (though, keep doing that too!).

In this post, we’ll take Literary Citizenship to the next level. This is where we go beyond simple gestures and dive into more active, meaningful ways you can contribute to—and benefit from—the literary ecosystem. Spoiler: it’s going to help you improve your own writing, too.

Let’s dig in.

The Power of Mentorship: Helping and Being Helped

One of the most impactful ways to practice Literary Citizenship is through mentorship. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned author or still figuring out how to write a query letter—you’ve got something to offer.

Why Mentorship Matters

Mentorship is a two-way street. When you mentor someone, you’re not only offering guidance but also reinforcing your own knowledge and broadening your perspective. It pushes you to stay sharp and think critically about your own practices. Even if you’re on the receiving end, mentoring relationships create bonds that can last years, or even careers.

You don’t need to be the literary equivalent of Yoda to offer useful advice. Did you recently figure out how to navigate KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)? Help a fellow author through the process. Have you been steadily increasing your writing speed? Pass along those techniques to a struggling writer. Writing advice can come from all stages of experience.

How to Find Mentorship Opportunities

• Writing groups and forums: These spaces are ripe for mentorship opportunities. You might find yourself naturally falling into the mentor role just by offering feedback or encouragement.
• Online platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, and Discord: Many indie writing communities have mentorship programs or informal setups where newer authors are looking for guidance.
• Organized programs: Some organizations offer structured mentorship opportunities. Participating in these can give you credibility and experience.

And don’t forget: being mentored is just as important. No matter how far you’ve come in your writing career, there’s always something new to learn. You could benefit from the perspective of someone further along in the indie publishing game, or even from a fresh pair of eyes just entering the scene.

Volunteerism: Give Your Time, Grow Your Community

If mentorship isn’t quite your style, consider offering your time in other ways. Volunteering can be a fantastic way to build up your Literary Citizenship while learning new skills and meeting new people. And no, I’m not just talking about spending hours handing out flyers at your local library (though, if that’s your jam, more power to you).

Volunteer Where It Matters

• Beta reading: Indie authors need beta readers. Offering to beta read a manuscript in your genre not only helps another writer, but you also gain insight into what works—and what doesn’t—in a draft. This is free education for you.
• Workshops and Conferences: Writing conferences often need volunteers, and it’s a win-win situation. You help an event run smoothly and get the chance to meet authors, agents, and other industry professionals. Even virtual conferences could use help with organizing breakout rooms, moderating chats, etc.
• Write for Magazines and Blogs: Many literary magazines or writing-focused blogs are run by volunteers. Offering to contribute to these platforms, even if you’re not paid, can help get your name out there while supporting the literary community.

Volunteering, especially for organizations or events aligned with indie publishing, is a prime opportunity to network in a meaningful way. You’re not just showing up to promote yourself—you’re contributing to the infrastructure that supports the entire writing world.

Investing in Craft: The Writer’s Lifelong Duty

Let’s not forget why you’re here in the first place: the writing itself. Engaging in Literary Citizenship helps you stay in touch with the industry, but investing in your craft is what will sustain your career. Even if you’re pumping out stories at lightning speed, there’s always room to improve, experiment, and grow.

Take Craft Classes

Signing up for craft workshops, whether online or in person, is an essential part of being a good literary citizen. Not only does it keep you sharp, but it also supports the professionals who run these programs. Many successful indie authors offer workshops on everything from plotting to self-publishing to marketing. Taking their classes is a double win: you improve your skills and support fellow authors.

Be a Lifelong Learner

You’ve heard it before: a writer’s education never really ends. Even bestselling authors will tell you they’re always learning. Staying curious, reading widely, and taking classes when you can is the heart of a writer’s growth. And yes, it’s part of Literary Citizenship too. The more you grow, the more you can give back to others.

Be the Encourager You Wish You Had

I’m willing to bet there was a point in your writing journey when a kind word or a small bit of encouragement kept you going. Maybe it was a tweet from a fellow writer cheering you on, or a beta reader who said, “This part really works!” We all know that writing is hard and lonely, and even the most seasoned writers sometimes wonder if they’re just screaming into the void.

So why not be the encourager you wish you had?

How to Encourage in Big and Small Ways

• Shoutouts on social media: If you read a fantastic indie book, let the world know! Tag the author, post a glowing review, and spread the word.
• Writing notes to authors: Remember the “charming notes” I mentioned in the first post? A sincere note telling an author how much their book resonated with you can make their day, their week, or even their year.
• Leave reviews: If you’ve read an indie author’s book, leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or wherever you can. Even a brief review helps boost visibility in algorithms.
• Support campaigns: Indie authors often run Kickstarter or crowdfunding campaigns to publish their books. If you can’t financially contribute, share the campaign with your followers to help it reach more eyes.

Even small acts of encouragement ripple outward, inspiring others to keep going. You’d be amazed how far a little kindness can go.

Conclusion: Make Literary Citizenship Work for You

So, how do you make Literary Citizenship work for you as an indie author? It’s all about balance. Yes, give your time, support your fellow writers, and be a good literary neighbor—but don’t overextend yourself. Start with what feels manageable and enjoyable. As you grow as a writer, you’ll find that these acts of citizenship—mentorship, encouragement, and craft development—feed back into your own journey, enriching both your writing and your relationships.

The indie writing world is a community, not a competition. The more you engage with it in an authentic and positive way, the more you’ll find yourself supported in return.

And that, my friends, is the ultimate win-win.

That wraps up our series on Literary Citizenship. Stay tuned for more posts on craft, productivity hacks, and surviving the indie author life! And in the meantime—go out there and be the literary citizen the world needs.