Part of the How They Do It Series
JH: Becoming part of a writing community can be a rewarding and beneficial experience for the often-lonely business of writing. Jess Perko takes to the lecture hall today to share her publishing journey and how she found her "writing home."
Take it away Tess...
Writing can be a lonely process, but not if you have a writing community. I wake up each morning enthusiastic about connecting with other writers and readers. That’s because I’ve made a promise to myself to enjoy the process of publishing my book and social interaction with other people I meet along the way.
When I retired from my professor job, I wrote a novel, something I’ve been wanting to accomplish for years. I’m thrilled to announce that Learning to Whistle has been published by She Writes Press and came out on April 7, 2026.
I’ve heard other writers express how overwhelmed and anxious they are as they navigate the publishing world. They are burdened with the feeling that they must work around the clock to promote their book to the world.
I realize that I don’t need to make a living from my book, yet I do want people to read and benefit from it. And furthermore, at this stage in life, I want my publishing journey to be joyful. With this in mind, I’ve developed seven tips to help me achieve this.
Tip 1: Hire a Publicist
When I began this publishing journey with She Writes Press, I was clueless about how to publicize a novel, so I decided to invest in a publicist to help me learn the business. My publisher, She Writes Press, recommended several publicists. I also got recommendations from fellow authors. I wanted someone who would treat me with kindness and respect even though this was my first novel-publishing experience. After speaking with a few people, I found Caitlin Hamilton Summie.
Caitlin has given me enthusiastic feedback about my book. Right away, she recommended another author to approach for a blurb for my book. She has guided me in writing letters for blurbs. Also, she has inspired me to write articles that she has pitched to publications for the purpose of promoting my book. In addition, Caitlin referred me to her associate Libby Jordan who taught me how to set up an author Facebook page and use social media platforms for more promotion. But above all, Caitlin’s passion and positive feedback boosted my fragile author self-esteem.
Tip 2: Join Helpful Writing Groups
There are plenty of writing groups available that provide support to writers.
My publisher invited me to participate in a group comprised of the other authors of my Spring 2026 cohort. Our online monthly meetings cover topics related to our publishing journey, such as cover design, proof-reading, and marketing. It’s comforting to hear about the questions and successes of other people on the same path as myself.
The Author’s Guild is a national organization that works to protect author rights and monitors trends in the publishing business, such as artificial intelligence. I applied to the organization’s Human Authored Portal to receive a certification mark for my novel that verifies it is written by a human and not by artificial intelligence.
I searched the internet to find other relevant organizations for my geographic location and genre of writing. I joined the California Writers Club which provides connections to critique groups in my local area. And finally, I joined the Women’s Fiction Writers Association to network with other authors who write for women.
Tip 3: Read Writer-related Newsletters and Blogs
I spend the first hour of every morning reading my favorite writer-related newsletters and blogs. The first circular I discovered was Writerly Things, written by Brooke Warner, the publisher at She Writes Press. Brooke shares insightful advice about all aspects of publishing from launch party concerns to memoir-writing techniques.
When I became a Substack writer, I found another author on Substack named Dan Blank who writes The Creative Shift. I found myself fascinated by his captivating posts. Some of my favorite posts written by him are “Your audience wants connection,” “Inspiration is all around you,” and “What if you gave up social media?”
I also read Jane Friedman’s blog and website, a woman from New York with years of publishing experience. Friedman offers free online publishing classes, articles about publishing, and more. One of my favorite posts on her site is “Jane’s Guide to Getting the Most Out of a Writers Conference.” This post includes helpful advice about networking and what to do before a conference to develop better relationships with other attendees.
Tip 4: Teach Writing Workshops
When I retired, I joined The Alamo Women’s Club (AWC)—a club that provides support to emancipated foster youth, young adults from the ages of 18 to 26 who have aged out of the state foster program. AWC raises money for scholarships for financially-needy students to attend college. To help these youth successfully prepare their scholarship applications, I teach an online class about application essay writing. I also teach another online workshop for them entitled “Journaling for a Better Life,” how to use journaling to work through difficulties and to create dreams for the future.
You don’t have to be an expert to teach writing techniques. Local libraries look for volunteers to help students learn English. Writing clubs want writers to volunteer to write writer-related articles and to participate in writer workshops. Charities, such as AWC, need people who are committed to help disadvantaged individuals improve their lives with stronger skills such as writing.
Tip 5: Join a Book Club
I once shied away from joining book clubs since I didn’t want to read books I’d never choose. I’ve changed my mind. I’ve decided that I should read books chosen by other people because, by doing so, I can learn about the desires and views of the book-reading community. This knowledge helps me improve my writing.
Now, I’m a member of two book clubs. One is hosted by my former college, comprised of retired and working professors. The book club’s emails reveal and discuss the books they’re reading and community events relating to their choices. For example, through this club, I read James by Percival Everett and, in November 2025, my local library hosted a reading and discussion of this same book.
I also became a member of one of the book clubs of the AWC. I’m the only writer in the group, but the other female members come from diverse backgrounds and have strong and confident opinions. One month, we read Mademoiselle Chanel by C. W. Gortner, the fictional biography of Coco Chanel. In my writing, I focus on stories about empowering women, and Coco Chanel is certainly a great example of a strong female. I loved hearing what the other women thought about her independence and fortitude.
Tip 6: Enter Writing Contests
There are a plethora of writing contests available to all levels of writers—from amateur to experienced. Many towns and cities offer writing contests as part of their art programs. Universities advertise contests to promote their own writing curricula. Writers can also find contests for poetry, short fiction, or novels listed on writing websites such as Reedsy. The International Best Indie Book Award awards prizes for novels that have been independently published around the globe. The IPPY Awards recognizes outstanding indie books written in English for the North American market. The Next Generation Indie Book Awards honors self-published books and books published by independent publishing houses.
Writers have the most success in the contests offered within their local communities. I have submitted short stories and poetry to local contests during the last two years and have won first place for all my submissions. Currently, I am submitting my novel, Learning to Whistle, to contests that specialize in fiction novels.
Tip 7: Visit Bookstores & Libraries
I love spending time in bookstores and libraries, and now that I’m a published novelist, I plan to do so more often. Through people and internet searches, I’ve discovered several independent book stores and libraries in my geographical area.
One local library has asked me to participate in a fund-raising gala in April. At that event, I’ll have the opportunity to promote and sell my book and help them raise money for the city libraries.
I’ve contacted a number of local bookstores to allow me to hold author visits to promote my book. To ensure they benefit from hosting my event, I’m actively involved in recruiting attendees to come to the event and to buy books.
I’m working with another She Writes Press author on a panel about care-giving at a local library. My book is not about care-giving, but I have experience in this area, and I’ll be able to promote my book at the same time.
As I follow these tips, my literary community will grow. I’ll meet other writers and readers who love books as much as I do. I’ll be able to engage in conversations about stories, characters, settings, plot, and wordsmithing. Also, I’ll be exposed to new topics for writing and new books to read.
If I ever become overwhelmed, I promise myself that I’ll take a step back to erase the burden of worry, to clear the anxiety from my mind, and to remember my goal—to build a literary community that brings me nothing but joy.
About Tess Perko
Learning to Whistle
When she is supposed to be having the time of her life in college in California, Leonie loses her mother to breast cancer. After taking her last college course in Buenos Aires, she cashes in her return flight ticket and refuses to go home, erroneously believing that her grief will subside if she avoids her family. Narrating in her own grief-stricken voice, Leonie travels across Argentina, makes friends, and falls in love. She discovers her vulnerability and strength while working at a winery in Mendoza, riding over the treacherous Andes Mountains, and hiking the ancient pilgrimage to Machu Picchu—and, in doing so, slowly begins to heal.
Vividly rendered and full of heart, Learning to Whistle will resonate with every person who has ever been forced to venture into the world when they didn’t feel ready for it—with or without the guidance of a parent.
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