How to Approach Fellow Writers at Events

Introvert-friendly networking tip: Start your event connections before the event begins. If walking into a room full of strangers makes your stomach flip, here’s a quiet strategy that can make in-person events feel less intimidating, and more intentional: 💡 Connect on LinkedIn before the event. Look up the event page, RSVP list, or hashtag. Identify a few people, maybe a speaker, a fellow guest, or someone you admire. Then send a short, friendly note like: 👉 “Hi [Name], I saw you’re also attending [Event Name] this week. I’d love to connect here and hopefully say hello in person!” I’ve used this approach myself, attending events alone and still managing to create real conversations, on my terms. Why it works: - You walk in with familiar faces instead of total strangers. - You have a built-in conversation starter (no forced small talk). - You control the pace of connection—before, during, and after the event. 💜 And here’s a bonus: If you don’t get to meet them in person, you still have the connection to follow up later with a kind note or reflection on the event. You don’t have to “work the room” to network well. You just have to be intentional. And that’s where introverts shine. Have we met? 👋 Hi, I’m Ana, a career coach and strategist for introverts. If you are a professional who wants to improve your LinkedIn presence and become visible to recruiters without spending hours job searching, then follow along! #NetworkingTips #introverts

The secret to finding your writing peers isn't waiting to be discovered—it's becoming an active discoverer. Too many writers wait for the perfect writing group to materialize while their scripts sit unread. Here's how to change that. 🧵⤵️ Building friendships with a handful of your peers is a critical step for emerging writers. Writing friends are a key sounding board, a support system, the best source of feedback on your work. It’s something worth investing time and effort into building. But these writing relationships aren't something that "just happens" when you get to film school or land that first assistant job. The writers who build strong support systems are proactive, regardless of where they are in their journey. Every working writer I know relies on a small circle of trusted peers who read their work, offer honest feedback, and understand the unique torture of this career path. None of these circles formed by accident. Luckily, most writers are DESPERATE for thoughtful readers who actually care about their work. When you approach someone with genuine interest, you're offering something valuable, not asking for a favor. Here's where many folks get it backward: they lead with requests rather than offers. "Will you read my script?" feels transactional. "I'd love to read your work sometime if you're open to sharing" can be the first step in a real friendship. When you reach out, keep it light and pressure-free: "I really enjoyed your comments about [specific thing]. I'd love to hear more about your project sometime." Follow their lead on how quickly to deepen the conversation. If the conversation flows, a natural next step might be: "I'd be happy to read something of yours if you're ever looking for feedback. No pressure at all, just putting it out there." This gives them a graceful way to accept or decline. This isn't about keeping score—it's about establishing a pattern of mutual respect and genuine interest. The best writing relationships naturally balance out over time, without anyone counting reads or tracking favors. And here's a crucial point: when someone does share their work, treat it like the gift it is. Respond promptly. Give specific, thoughtful feedback. Show them you're the kind of reader every writer dreams of finding. If you agree to read someone’s script, and then life gets in the way, communicate. “Hey, sorry it's taken me longer than I expected to read your script. Just super busy right now. I can’t wait to dive in when I have the time!” As you build these relationships, pay attention to whose feedback actually makes your work better. Not all readers are created equal. Some will get your voice and elevate your work; others might be well-meaning but not especially helpful, and that’s okay. Remember: becoming an active discoverer isn't about implementing some calculated networking strategy. It's about genuinely connecting with other people who share your obsession with storytelling.

As a literary manager to screenwriters, I go to a ton of different networking events. And as you imagine, screenwriters are always trying to network with me! Here is a story of two such writers I met at one event: Writer #1 was a bit stuffy. He gave off a withdrawn "film nerd" energy. In our conversation, I asked him about his hobbies and interests, what he likes to do. He talked about the movies and filmmakers who interest him and the types of films he enjoys watching. Then he pitched me a screenplay he's currently taking out as well as the screenplay he hopes to write in the future. The conversation was boring and felt forced. I was gratefully to eventually be pulled away, and after that I did my best to avoid him for the rest of the event. After the event he sent me a query email. I did not respond. Writer #2 had strong opinions. We had a conversation that went all over the place, talking about niche topics, interests, and passions we both had. We shared stories about internet rabbitholes, past careers, pet peeves, and pop culture theories. There was laughter, and there were stories about our personal lives. We spoke generally about the kinds of projects he enjoys writing but didn't talk about any scripts in particular. When I saw him later at the event, I was happy to reengage in conversation because it always ended up being an entertaining time. I remember his name, and though our paths have not crossed since, when they do, I'm going to be excited to read his work. When the time is right, he's exactly the kind of writer I want to sign. Which writer do you want to be? What kind of energy and conversation topics will you bring to your next networking event?