I am many things: author, editor, publisher, slush reader, book reviewer, RPG world builder, tech writer and plain Jane reader. The many parts of me frequently conflict with each other. The reader in me may love a story but the slush reader in me may be disgusted by it (mostly because it isn’t on theme or genre). The author in me may love a story while the editor in me grouses about the work that she will have to do to make a good story great and technically excellent. Often, before I do anything for the writing industry, I have to set my mental hat firmly on my head for whatever lens I am working through now. That way the other voices in my head (for there are many) can STFU and let me do what I need to do.

helpingout

The one thing that all parts of me agree on is the very simple adage: Share the Love. What I mean by this is if I can help out a fellow or burgeoning author in some way, I do so. I do not have to step on you to succeed as a professional in the writing industry. I get much more out of what I do by helping those people around me succeed. I have done this from almost the first day I decided to be a professional author.

Sharing the love can be as simple as pointing out a call for submissions for an anthology to someone you know who writes in that genre. It can be as complex as sitting down for a couple of hours to read, critique and deliver that critique to someone who has asked for it. Sharing the love means that you are always on the lookout for ways to help people in the industry in some way. I have recommended freelancers to the same place of business I freelance with. I have pointed audio talent at the Wily Writers group. I have even pointed authors at Apex as bloggers. For me, there are no boundaries.

What do I get out of this? I don’t know. Good will, a good reputation and good karma perhaps. Or, perhaps it is the knowledge that I helped link two people that created something wonderful and thus am part of the creative process in some small way. I do know the more that share the love around, the more people are willing to share with me. The writing and publishing industry can be very small, incestuous even. There’s a warning that always makes me smile: “The toes you step on today may belong to the ass you need to kiss tomorrow.” Diss me today and I’m going to remember you for the rest of my career. (Oh, yes. I have a list.)

However true that may be, I believe that good perpetuates good and by sharing the love in the writing industry, not only am I helping out my fellow authors, editors and publishers, I am opening doors for myself and for others. Sharing the love is not hard. All it takes is a little observation, a good memory and the ability to see where two people (or projects) would be good for each other. My recommendation is to try it out and help those in your field and see what you get back. My bet is that you will be greater for it.

Jennifer Brozek is a freelance author for many RPG companies including Margaret Weis Productions, Rogue Games and Catalyst Game Labs. Her contributions to RPG sourcebooks include Dragonlance, Colonial Gothic, Shadowrun, Serenity and White Wolf SAS. Author of In a Gilded Light (Dark Quest Books, 6/2010), she is published in several anthologies, is the creator and editor of the semi-prozine, The Edge of Propinquity, and is a submissions editor for the Apex Book Company. When she is not writing her heart out, she is gallivanting around the Pacific Northwest in its wonderfully mercurial weather. Jennifer is a member of Broad Universe, an affiliate member of SFWA and an associate member of HWA.