The writing and publishing world is more connected than ever, thanks to the rise of social media and online communities. But if you’ve ever found yourself scrolling through posts about six-figure page reads, 20-book backlists, or exclusive author “cliques,” you’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed, out of place, or like you’re somehow behind.

Whether you're a debut author or a seasoned writer navigating new spaces, building your community can feel like stepping onto the playground as the new kid—except now, you're an adult, juggling a thousand responsibilities, and friendships don’t form overnight. So how do you find your place in a community that sometimes feels more competitive than collaborative?

Let’s talk about how to truly navigate the author world, find your people, and create your own space rooted in connection, not comparison.

The Comparison Trap: What No One Tells You

In every industry, there’s a tendency to showcase the wins and gloss over the journey—and publishing is no exception. Online, it can seem like everyone is:

Publishing a book every three months
Hitting bestseller lists
Booking podcast interviews and signing foreign rights deals

But the reality? Many authors struggle with imposter syndrome and self-doubt—even the ones who seem to be “killing it” online. Metrics like page reads and ranking screenshots might grab attention, but they don't show the full picture of someone’s journey.

If you find yourself constantly comparing your milestones to someone else’s, take a step back. You’re building a career at your own pace, and there is no one-size-fits-all roadmap.

Finding Your People: Start With What Feels Right

The best way to build an author community isn’t to chase the people with the biggest followings—it’s to connect with people who:

Share similar values or genres
Are in a similar stage of the journey
Cheer for others and show up consistently

Start with the spaces where you already spend time. That might be:

Instagram (engage with fellow authors and readers who like similar books)
Facebook Groups (look for author communities by genre or debut status)
Writing Discords or Slack channels (often available through memberships or Patreon)
In-person writing meetups or local library events

Instead of showing up with the goal of networking or "growing your reach," show up with the goal of making a friend. That mindset shift makes all the difference.

Creating Your Own Community

If the spaces you’ve tried don’t feel like a fit—create your own. This doesn’t mean starting a huge group or hosting a podcast right away. It can start with something simple:

Invite 2-3 writing friends to a monthly Zoom hangout
Start a group chat with authors who write in your genre
Share more of your own journey in your newsletter and invite replies

You don’t have to wait for someone to give you a seat at the table. You can build the table yourself—slowly, intentionally, and with the right people.

In the Story Flow Collective, we talk a lot about building community not through volume or virality, but through consistency. Community comes from showing up over time with care. The best relationships you form in this industry will often be the quiet, steady ones that build month by month—not the ones formed in a viral comment thread.

Remember, This Takes Time

As kids, friendships formed fast—comment on someone’s lunchbox and boom, you’re besties. As adults, it’s more complicated. Everyone is busy. Everyone has a different threshold for online interaction. It takes repeated connection over time to build trust.

That’s why building a readership and community as an author goes hand-in-hand with:

Growing your newsletter list
Showing up on one platform consistently
Being willing to talk about your writing without apology

It’s okay if this feels vulnerable or slow. What matters is that you keep showing up.

Nurture Over Numbers: A Community-First Mindset

I say this all the time inside the Collective: book marketing is more about relationships than sales. If your focus is always on how many followers, likes, or buyers you have, you’ll burn out fast. Instead, try this:

Engage in conversations, not just content. Comment back. Reply to emails. Cheer other authors on.
Celebrate milestones with others. Even when they’re not yours yet.
Take breaks when needed. You don’t have to be “on” all the time to build meaningful connections.

The authors who succeed long-term are the ones who know how to sustain their presence—not just spike their visibility.

Your Community Is Waiting

If you’ve been feeling like the author community is a never-ending loop of comparison and curated wins, take a breath. You’re not alone—and there is space for you.

Build slowly. Show up intentionally. Be open to connection, and stay grounded in your own journey.

And if you’re looking for a welcoming place to grow, ask questions, and be part of a true author community—that’s exactly what we’ve created inside the Story Flow Collective. You’ll find industry updates, marketing guidance, and fellow authors who are walking the same path.

You don’t have to do this alone. And you don’t have to change who you are to belong.

P.S. Letters From Story Flow is your bi-weekly resource for authors who are ready to grow their careers with clarity and ease—without relying on hustle-heavy strategies that don’t feel like you.

If you're ready to build a sustainable author business, connect with readers, and get expert guidance that actually meets you where you are, click here to join me!

How to Find Your Readers and Build Community as an Author

The Comparison Trap: What No One Tells You