Kate – Great information from Elizabeth Weins. It would appear as if other authors do use the cartel system – even if they are not aware they are doing so.
I have thought for a while about signing up for the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, but was a bit hesitant because I am just starting out. I think I may reconsider.
I mean already here in the first couple of weeks of Story Cartel I have been pointed in new directions by other writers and I think it has helped immensely (LoriMarie – directed me to read stories by Alice Munro, which I am doing).
I believe that in any area where you share a common interest with a group of people – you are obligated to participate to the best of your ability – for the good of the group and your own personal benefit. Writing is an especially an area where I think pushing each other to strive for higher and higher levels of mastery will help serve everyone.
Speaking for myself, I think it would be totally awesome if someone who was in a writing group with me broke through. The way I look at it is, they might be able to open the door for some of the rest of us in ways we could never do on our own. It’s like, “Hey if you like my stories, there’s a person in my writing group who you might also want to take a look at.”
Elizabeth Wein confirms this.
(BTW Read Scorpio Races last year by Maggie Stiefvater – loved it)
