66. How to Build Your Literary Village

Writing can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. In today’s episode, I’m diving into what it really means to build your literary village: the people who support, challenge, and celebrate you from idea to launch. I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes of my fourth novel's journey—from my editor to beta readers, agent, publicist, and indie booksellers—and offering practical tips on how you can find the right support team for your season of writing. 

Because while the writing may be solitary, the publishing journey is anything but. 

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Transcript

THE WHOLE WRITER EP 66 - How to Build Your Literary Village

[00:00:00] Nicole Meier: Here's the real truth about getting a book into the world. It's pretty simple actually, and that is, it takes a village. Writing may feel like a solo act sometimes, but it's actually so much richer when we let others in because having the right support can be the difference between giving up on a manuscript and typing the end between a rough day and a rough draft.

[00:00:25] Nicole Meier: And a story that truly sings.

[00:00:35] Nicole Meier: Welcome to the Whole Writer, A place where we talk about what it means to show up as a writer, not just a better writer or a more productive writer, or a published writer, but a whole one. Someone who's grounded in their voice, in their community, in their creative path, even when the world tells them to hustle, compare, or conform.

[00:00:56] Nicole Meier: I'm Nicole Meier, a multi published author and book coach who believes that nurturing the person behind the page is just as important as refining the words on it. Each week we'll explore the terrain of riding life with honesty, warmth, and practical wisdom, creating space for you to write from a place of wholeness rather than depletion.

[00:01:16] Nicole Meier: Whether you're drafting your first manuscript or publishing your fifth book, you'll find conversation and companionship for the journey here. So settle in, bring your questions and your curiosity, and let's discover what it means to write and live with authenticity and purpose. Hi  writers. If there's a whisper inside of you that's been growing louder, a yearning for support that honors not just your words on the page.

[00:01:44] Nicole Meier: The whole vibrant creator behind them. Then perhaps it's time for some support because I see you pouring yourself into your manuscript sometimes to the point of creative depletion. What if instead, your writing could flow from a place of creative wholeness? What if the process could nourish rather than drain you?

[00:02:04] Nicole Meier: If something in you resonates with this possibility, I'd love to invite you to a complimentary call with me. Yes, we'll absolutely strengthen your manuscript with all of the craft essentials, structure, character development, and pacing and so forth. But we'll also tend to the creative spirit bringing these stories to life.

[00:02:23] Nicole Meier: My approach weaves together technical expertise with intuitive guidance, creating a holistic path forward that honors both your work and your wellbeing as a writer. This is about crafting not just better stories, but a more sustainable, fulfilling, creative practice. If you're ready to explore what that might look like for you, the link to schedule your call is in the show notes because your words and the person creating them matter deeply.

[00:02:52] Nicole Meier: Now, on to today's topic. Today we're talking about something that's important to me, and that is building your literary village. You know how writing often feels like such a solitary journey, that blank page staring back at you, just you and your thoughts in those early morning or late night hours. Well, I'm here to share something that completely changed my own writing life, and that is you don't have to do this alone.

[00:03:19] Nicole Meier: Whether you're just starting to jot down some ideas, stuck somewhere in the messy middle, or thinking about how you might someday share your work. You need people around you, and not just any people, but the right people, those who get you, those who nurture your creativity and help bring your vision to life every step of the way.

[00:03:40] Nicole Meier: And here's the real truth about getting a book into the world. It's pretty simple actually. And that is, it takes a village. Writing may feel like a solo act sometimes, but it's actually so much richer when we let others in. Even when it's just you and your keyboard on most days, because having the right support can be the difference between giving up on a manuscript and typing the end between a rough day and a rough draft, and a story that truly sings.

[00:04:12] Nicole Meier: I thought today I'd share some insights from my own recent publishing journey with my latest novel. I'm gonna walk you through my own literary village and how each person contributed to bringing my fourth book to life. After that, we'll turn it back and talk about you and how you might build out your own village.

[00:04:31] Nicole Meier: Okay. First, there's the author in this case, that's me. My job was getting the story out of my head and onto the page, those early morning writing sessions, the late night wrestling with plot problems, the moments of inspiration and despair. That was all part of the foundation, but here's where my village started to form.

[00:04:53] Nicole Meier: I hired a developmental editor, and yes, side note, even book coaches and editors need book coaches and editors, because even though I understand story structure and editing principles, I was far too close to my own work. I needed someone who could see the forest when I was lost in the trees. My editor provided crucial insight that reshaped parts of my manuscript in ways I could have never seen on my own.

[00:05:20] Nicole Meier: She told me the hard truths about what needed work and why it was so important to address certain story elements. After those revisions, I enlisted a trusted group of beta readers. They provided feedback that shaped my final product. These early readers caught issues. I missed and highlighted strengths I didn't even know the book had.

[00:05:43] Nicole Meier: In addition to all of this, I met regularly with an intimate group of writing friends, carefully curated as a group of supportive people who had zero interest in competing with one another, people who got the highs and the lows of the book business, who showed up to celebrate one another. Then came my literary agent, who didn't just negotiate contracts, but worked on selling audio and foreign rights for me.

[00:06:10] Nicole Meier: Having someone in your corner who believes in your work and who knows, the business is invaluable. And then my publishing team oversaw the entire production process, so the editing, cover, design, printing, and distribution. Finding a publisher who shared my vision for the work was crucial. We had an alignment on values and approach, which made all the difference.

[00:06:34] Nicole Meier: Another thing I wanna note here as kind of a separate topic is I've published four books. Two with a hybrid and two with a traditional publisher. For me, the choices behind each publishing path was deeply personal and different depending on the title and the season of my writing career. This was a lesson I learned along the way.

[00:06:55] Nicole Meier: Know your goals and follow what's right for you, not what you think you should do, but what you want to do. Okay, now on to launching the book. My literary village also included my publicist who created campaigns and worked to generate buzz. Then there was the sales and distribution network, and let me tell you, not all sales teams are created equal.

[00:07:19] Nicole Meier: Not all distribution is created equal. This is something I wish I understood earlier in my career. I would say do your homework to align with what your goals are here. That's essential. I could do a whole hour on this, but I won't sidetrack us today. I. And then in addition to all of this, the booksellers, both independent and major retailers, played a crucial role in connecting books with readers.

[00:07:43] Nicole Meier: Building relationships with booksellers has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. It really has. I will continue to support indie bookstores because they have been at the heart of helping my four novels reach readers. Last, but certainly not least, the readers. Readers are the final and most crucial part of the village.

[00:08:04] Nicole Meier: They buy, read, and recommend books driving the success of the publishing process for them. I am eternally grateful. All right, so now that I've highlighted all of the people in my literary village, let's talk about you. Finding your literary village doesn't happen overnight. It's a process that evolves as you grow as a writer.

[00:08:27] Nicole Meier: Let me share some thoughts on how to build your own supportive community. First, understand that alignment is everything. I'm going to repeat that. Understand that alignment is everything you want people in your village who understand and share your values and vision. Early in my career, I worked with people who clearly saw me as just another project, another number.

[00:08:52] Nicole Meier: The difference when you find professionals who genuinely connect with your work is night and day. Second, trust your instincts about who belongs in your village. That initial conversation with my book Coach, I felt immediately understood. Same with my agent, there was a resonance, a sense that they quote, got what I was trying to do.

[00:09:14] Nicole Meier: If someone doesn't feel right, even if they have impressive credentials, it's okay to keep looking. Third, remember that your village will evolve. Some people might be with you for an entire career, while others might be there just for one project. That's okay. That's natural. The riding life has seasons and different seasons require different kinds of support.

[00:09:37] Nicole Meier: Fourth, be intentional about building relationships. Reach out to writers you admire. Join writing groups. Attend workshops and conferences. Volunteer at literary events. Go to the library. Your village won't assemble itself. You need to actually seek out your people. And finally, don't rush this process.

[00:10:00] Nicole Meier: Finding your literary village takes time. I dipped in and out of critique groups before I landed on writing friends that felt like my people. I spent years connecting with the right developmental editor. I had conversations with agents before finding the right fit. These relationships are too important to force.

[00:10:18] Nicole Meier: I remember feeling so alone when I first started writing. Seriously. I thought success or failure rested entirely on my shoulders. What a relief to discover that wasn't true. Yes, the writing itself is solitary, but everything else from shaping the manuscript to bringing it to readers, it's collaborative.

[00:10:37] Nicole Meier: I. Your village sustains you. When you're discouraged, they celebrate you when things go well, they provide expertise you don't have. They connect you with opportunities you'd never find on your own. So if you're feeling isolated in your writing journey right now, I want you to know that your village is out there.

[00:10:57] Nicole Meier: The people who will champion your work challenge you to grow and help you navigate the publishing landscape are waiting to be found. As you go forward this week, I invite you to take one small step toward building your literary village. Reach out to a writer you admire. Join an online community, research potential editors or book coaches.

[00:11:20] Nicole Meier: Just one small step. Remember writers, the right literary village doesn't just help your book succeed. It makes the entire journey more meaningful, more joyful, and ultimately more sustainable. All write writers. Until next time, keep writing, keep connecting, and know that you don't have to do this alone.

[00:11:40] Nicole Meier: I'll see you next time on the whole writer.

[00:11:47] Nicole Meier: If you want to check out my coaching programs for fiction writers, visit nicole meier.com. That's M-E-I-E-R. And if you like this episode, I'd love you to take a minute to leave a rating and review for this podcast. This will help more writers like you to discover the show and to get going on their writing journey.

[00:12:08] Nicole Meier: Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy writing everyone.