Main Street Writers Movement ~~~ for: “Everyone who wishes more people were reading and talking about literature.“

This Movement is for, “Everyone who wishes more people were reading and talking about literature.”

Yesterday, I posted a re-blog by Roz Morris about the Main Street Writers Movement.

She touched on all the top reasons to be interested, whether you’re a writer, publisher, or reader.

But, I thought I’d add my voice to Roz’s, since most of my visitors come from Google searches, meaning they could hit this post and never see Roz’s…

I’m going to share the kinds of folks you’d encounter in the Movement and their Pledge; but, I’ll clear up a small confusion first.

In Roz’s post she said, “There’s a pledge (which, alas, you can only sign if you have 5-digit zip code), but you can register separately for the blog and the newsletter.”

Laura Stanfill ~ Author & Publisher

The woman behind the Movement, Laura Stanfill, of Forest Avenue Press,  has told me (in an email response):

“You ‘signed the pledge’ by filling out the form [Join The Main Street Writers Movement], which subscribed you to the monthly Main Street Writers Movement newsletter and made you a Main Street writer who has pledged to build community.”

So, there is a Pledge page; and, there is still a place to put a zip code (for those in the USA); but, Join The Main Street Writers Movement has the proper form to join the movement and pledge your efforts if you’re not in the United States.

So, here comes the Pledge:

I pledge…

1. To encourage my neighbor writers in the creation of art.

2. To attend local literary events, because gathering to discuss ideas and encourage creativity is an essential and radical act in these times.

3. To support my independent bookstore or, if I don’t have one, order direct from the publisher.

4. To foster a healthy small press and literary magazine climate by reading new work and submitting my own.

5. To introduce new friends to my core community, allowing us to grow louder and stronger together.

6. To credit writers and presses publicly for their ideas, photos, and efforts, and to be genuine with praise.

7. To celebrate every success in my community as a shared success. This is Main Street. Parades welcome.

Are those things you can pledge?

Are those things you can let others know about?

Once again, you can “sign the Pledge“, if you’re in the U.S.A.; or, do essentially the same thing if you’re outside the U.S.A., by filling out the form <— right there; which gets you the newsletter as well as, “…earning you access to literary community building tools, industry insights, and connections with #mainstreetwriters who are creating new opportunities in their cities.”

Is the Pledge talking about things we need?

I certainly think so; and, Laura’s reasons are powerful:

“The Main Street Writers Movement urges experienced writers to strengthen the national literary ecosystem through passionate engagement at the local level. Let’s honor and amplify our communities’ underrepresented voices. Let’s buy from local bookstores and small presses. Let’s leave our houses and dance in the streets to the sound of each other’s words.”

So…

Do check out all the links I’ve shared; and, even if you’re not a writer, you can still join; and, even if you’re not in the U.S.A., you can still join ( Roz Morris said, “Laura’s vision is for a number of hubs around the US with live events and networking, but if you’re not one of her geographical neighbours, don’t be put off. Wherever your desk is (I’m waving to you from London), we can blog, tweet, share, meet IRL (heavens!). And support each other to do what we must do.”)

So…

Here’s who should consider aligning with this new Movement:

“Writers, readers, booksellers, publishers, editors, publicists, agents, and anyone who wants to participate in the literary conversation.”

And, toward the bottom of this page on the site, there are more detailed descriptions of the Who (which I will now truncate; but, urge you to go read in their glorious fullness…):

“Writers whose voices are underrepresented”…

“Introverted writers”…

“Writers who have spent five or more years working on the craft and are frustrated”…

“Established writers”…

“go-to writers”…

“Debut authors”…

“Angry writers”…

“Feeling-ignored writers”…

“Writers who are tired of writing fluffy reviews about books they don’t particularly like due to a sense of obligation”…

“Those who are tired of staring at screens”…

“The writers who start podcasts and reading series, create publishing houses and literary magazines, volunteer for literary organizations, and those who stay up-to-date on the industry”…

“Publishers, agents, editors, and publicists”…

“Indie booksellers”…

“Readers”…

“Everyone who wishes more people were reading and talking about literature.“

Check out All the Main Street Writers Movement Posts :-)

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