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YOUR WORDS MATTER
Sharing your writing isn’t as simple as it sounds. First, it’s exciting — but then things might get weird.
No one responds.
Someone unsubscribes.
Every time you post, you wonder what your critics think of you and then feel dumb for caring so much.
Or the part no one talks about: Maybe lots of people respond positively, and you immediately want to hide under your coffee table.
Who are these people, and why is this so uncomfortable?
Congratulations, my friend. This is where you realize writing and publishing are two different things.
We get it. It's awkward to go from hobby writer to working writer. It's not your fault, and you're not alone.
Writing is a weird job where the very thing that makes you great at the trade is also the thing that can hold you back from getting better. You're good at having time alone for deep thinking and observation — time to connect the dots and put them into English. But then, when it comes to sharing your work, you feel like you have to become a cartoon version of yourself with all the people in every way, and it just gets twisty.
It's official. You've outgrown Google.
Those online searches aren't helping you anymore.
The results might give you 10 tips on how to write a book proposal, but they won't tell you how weird it feels on the inside as a human person sharing your work with the world. Robots can't empathize. You need humans for that.
Before you back out of your calling, hang with us.
You've basically got two choices.
You can keep writing alone, without the risk of exposure, rejection, or discomfort; without a plan, without support, without an income, and with only a best guess for your next right step.
Or you can do the opposite. It's time to ditch the robots and find your writing people.
What if we told you it doesn't have to be so hard?
What if we told you it's possible to find people who will love your work? We can help.
YOU CAN DO IT.
THERE IS A PATH AND YOU'RE ALREADY ON IT.
When you become a hope*writers member, we'll help you identify where you are on the writing path and give you the tools and direction you need to move to the next stage in your writing and publishing journey.
Hope*writers membership leads you from hobby writer to working writer in three simple steps:
IDENTIFY
Start small and celebrate progress by identifying and accepting where you are on the writing journey.
LEARN
Move at your own pace through your particular stage with provided checklists and benchmarks.
CONNECT
Participate in our project-centric writer small groups we call hope*circles for support, ideas, and accountability.
Hope*writers is a community of working writers dedicated to the success and creativity of each member.
We take seriously the creative, social, and spiritual call to the deep work of sharing our stories and ideas with the people who need them the most.
We believe this because words have changed our worlds, shaped our narratives, and brought us back to life.
You need a go-to place and a solid plan with people who are doing the work and can respond directly to your questions about writing, publishing, and launching your work without going crazy.
Working alone is for hobbyists. If you're ready to stop dabbling and become a writer who writes words people want to read, join us.
A FEW WORDS FROM WORKING WRITERS:
HOBBY TO PRO
“For the very first time, a piece I submitted is going to be published in a magazine! Thank you, hope*writers, for teaching me what submissions even are and for truly being the friendliest, most helpful place on the internet.”
— Amanda Wettersten
SELF-PUBLISHED AUTHOR
“I've been fortunate to have the support of hope*writers from the very beginning — from crafting the book concept all the way to the Time to Thrive book launch. What a wonderful, generous, and gifted community.”
— Marva Titley-Smith
FIRST BOOK CONTRACT
“I’ve been holding this HUGE bit of news close to my heart for over two months — I just signed a contract to have my first book published with Moody Publishers!”
— Becky Beresford
A membership site is the way to have the writing community you need:
ANGELA POWELL
“Each time [my guided hope*circle meets], I feel so supported and recharged and excited, not only about my own work but also each of theirs! Thank you, hope*writers, for providing a place to connect in this way!”
CARLA PRATT
“Thanks to hope*writers, I am calling myself a writer again, after many years!”
EMILY BOULTER
“Because of hope*writers, I am now taking myself seriously as a writer, have started a blog, and am investing in my future as a professional writer.”
Hope*writers understand publishing is a business. Instead of shaking our fists at the publishing machine, we believe writers and publishers are all on the same team. We learn, we ask questions, and we figure out how we can all win.
When you become a hope*writer, we'll bring you with us behind the curtain as we ask editors, agents, and other publishing professionals the questions you really want answered.
Current teachings include conversations with:
ANDREA DOERING
Acquisitions Editor at Revell Books
CAROLYN McCREADY
Executive Editor at Zondervan
AL HSU
IVP Editor, and Author
STEPHANIE DUNCHAN SMITH
Senior Editor at Baker Books
JEVON BOLDEN
Literary Agent, Editor, and CEO of Embolden Media Group
ALEX FIELD
Literary Agent and Publishing Expert
At hope*writers, we help you craft quality writing that encourages, informs, and inspires without being preachy.
As a member, you'll have access to teaching from thoughtful writers and teachers on how to create a writing routine, build your writing team, develop your craft, and (finally!) call yourself a writer.
Current teachings include conversations with:
ROBIN JONES GUNN
Author
MARION ROACH SMITH
Author
IAN MORGAN CRON
Author
RICHARD LUI
Journalist and Author
SHANNAN MARTIN
Author
FRANCINE RIVERS
New York Times Bestselling Author
Hope*writers identify and serve our ideal reader (and don't worry about the rest).
We help you figure out who you’re writing for and discover who you are called to serve. This makes everything easier and more successful — from writing to marketing to introducing yourself at parties (trust us!).
Current teachings include conversations with:
JENNIFER ALLWOOD
Blogger and Podcast Host
LARA CASEY
Founder of Cultivate What Matters
RUTH CHOU SIMONS
Author, Speaker, and Podcaster
OSHETA MOORE
Author, Speaker, and Podcaster
CRYSTAL PAINE
New York Times Bestselling Author
TARA-NICHOLLE KIRKE
Author, Coach, and Entrepreneur
Hope*writers apply marketing strategy like humans, not robots.
We learn the foreign language of marketing, not for personal gain or self-interest, but because the only way our words can impact people is if people know that those words exist.
When you become a hope*writer, you’ll have access to our weekly teachings from marketing experts and working writers who are doing it right:
JON ACUFF
New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author
JESSICA TURNER
Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author and Marketing Professional
ALICIA KASEN
Marketing Director at Zondervan
TIM GRAHL
Author and Book Launcher
CARLOS WHITTAKER
Author and Podcaster
CALEB PEAVY
Creative and Marketing Expert
Hope*writers write meaningful words without sacrificing our meaningful lives.
As a hope*writer, you'll be welcomed into an active and supportive community of smart, creative writers, and you'll have access to exclusive interviews with industry professionals. With as little as one hour per week, you can start making progress on your writing goals.
Current teachings include candid conversations with:
BETH MOORE
Author and Bible Teacher
MORGAN HARPER NICHOLS
Artist and Poet
DEIDRA RIGGS
Author and Unifier
KENDRA ADACHI
Author and Podcaster
JOHN ELDREDGE
Author and Ministry Founder
TERENCE LESTER
Author, Activist, and Nonprofit Founder
WRITE BETTER TOGETHER
We reject the myth that writing is a solitary act and believe our best work is done when we know we are safe, we are seen, and we are supported.
We are wholeheartedly committed to being writers who choose connection over comparison.
We work hard to cultivate a no-self-promotion zone among members so the valuable conversation and curious questions don't get lost in countless threads of outside links and sales pitches. Keeping our group uncluttered and focused is a high priority.
You've put it off too long. Now is the time to take your writing seriously.
Because if not now . . . when?
LAUREEN VIZZA
“Since joining, I have been working on something every day. I am either going through the library, doing writing challenges, or applying what I am learning in my guided hope*circle to my own writing. The last two weeks life interrupted, and we had out-of-town guests and some necessary appointments. Normally with that long a break, it becomes an even longer break because I had no real plan of what to do next. With hope*writers, there is always an easy way to slide back into routine.”
BETTE LYNN DICKINSON
“I just signed a contract with InterVarsity Press to publish Making Room in Advent: 25 Devotions for a Season of Wonder incorporating my painting and writings to be released fall 2022! There is no way I could have done this without hope*writers. From dreaming to experimenting to setting up a lead magnet and getting 2,000+ subscribers for the test run this past December, all was led and inspired by the training and encouragement from hope*writers. Thank you so much!”
TINA REALE
“My second leap of faith was to join this group. I am so grateful that I did! It was through the wisdom and encouragement here that I took the next step — putting up a website and getting back in the social media game. Not as a platform, but as a bench . . . probably one of my favorite teachings of hope*writers.”
A FEW MORE WORDS FROM MEMBERS OF HOPE*WRITERS:
