I attempted to message you privately, but could not get through so I'll put this here.
When it comes to getting hooked in to communities of writers, you need to consider who is writing books that you want to write. I write genre fiction, not non-fiction, literary works or essays. (well my essays are done here and on my crosslinked blog.) There are three methods I can recommend in broad strokes in which to find a community for this is what I've done.
1. Physically go to conventions/conferences that will allow you to take classes and network with people to build your craft. I've had my biggest leaps in both craft and networking by attending shows like Realmmakers (for beginning authors aimed toward Christian Speculative Fiction), Fantasci (for Sci Fi/Fantasy trade writers, publishers and editors), and now I'm going to Libertycon this weekend and adding more to my circuit in the future. There are dozens of these shows a year all over the US. Find the ones that match your interests, genres and goals then go be among the people who very well may become your tribe. You need to throw yourself into these places physically and socialize (the core of networking) make friends and make yourself known and what you are doing. You can't be the shrinking violet and just lurk. People will not seek you out. You must advance and become known by those you want to learn from. Set your sights low, but miraculous things happen between sessions if you make yourself available and put yourself out there. If you're an introvert, you can recover after it's all over, but do not let yourself cower from the opportunity you're sinking your hard earned cash into. You paid for the abuse, make it work for you. You can also look for these conferences online with your favorite search engine. Comicons and literary festivals are just the tip of the icecube.
2. Network virtually using social media. First find authors, promoters and others who share your passion online. Youtubers are a great place to start to find a community. Often channels have discords, FB/Instagram groups and/or Twit-X. Once you find someone you like, join up and start doing the same thing you would at a con: participate. Make jokes, have fun, ask questions, if you have knowledge to share, do so. If you hate social media, congrats. I do too. But I'm on Minds, FB, Wordpress and of course Substack. I don't like most of it, but it's now a requirement. Through this you will find alpha and beta readers, ARC readers, and possibly someone to hire as an artist or editor if you're going indie. You never know.
3. Seek out publishers websites. More often, small presses are building forums and other communities under their own control, as well as using Discord, MeWe, and other platforms. Find the ones publishing works you want to write yourself and start following them. Comment and let them know what you think of their work. It will at least get you known by them, and that's the name of the game. When the opportunity comes up and they put out a submissions call that you have something for, or get inspired by, they will recognize your name and you are no longer random submission #12345 in their slushpile.
Ultimately, you are the one that controls your discovery of the right group for you. Everyone's path is unique and what worked for me (outside of these broad strokes) may not work for you, but something that would be terrible for me might be perfect for you. Do what works. Also, don't think that any networking connection you make is forever. If it's costing you time and energy you can't afford to spend, go somewhere else. Don't forget, this is not an instant process, and it requires you to put out effort you might not want to give, but to quote Leonard Hoffstadter "It's a non-optional social convention."
I attempted to message you privately, but could not get through so I'll put this here.
When it comes to getting hooked in to communities of writers, you need to consider who is writing books that you want to write. I write genre fiction, not non-fiction, literary works or essays. (well my essays are done here and on my crosslinked blog.) There are three methods I can recommend in broad strokes in which to find a community for this is what I've done.
1. Physically go to conventions/conferences that will allow you to take classes and network with people to build your craft. I've had my biggest leaps in both craft and networking by attending shows like Realmmakers (for beginning authors aimed toward Christian Speculative Fiction), Fantasci (for Sci Fi/Fantasy trade writers, publishers and editors), and now I'm going to Libertycon this weekend and adding more to my circuit in the future. There are dozens of these shows a year all over the US. Find the ones that match your interests, genres and goals then go be among the people who very well may become your tribe. You need to throw yourself into these places physically and socialize (the core of networking) make friends and make yourself known and what you are doing. You can't be the shrinking violet and just lurk. People will not seek you out. You must advance and become known by those you want to learn from. Set your sights low, but miraculous things happen between sessions if you make yourself available and put yourself out there. If you're an introvert, you can recover after it's all over, but do not let yourself cower from the opportunity you're sinking your hard earned cash into. You paid for the abuse, make it work for you. You can also look for these conferences online with your favorite search engine. Comicons and literary festivals are just the tip of the icecube.
2. Network virtually using social media. First find authors, promoters and others who share your passion online. Youtubers are a great place to start to find a community. Often channels have discords, FB/Instagram groups and/or Twit-X. Once you find someone you like, join up and start doing the same thing you would at a con: participate. Make jokes, have fun, ask questions, if you have knowledge to share, do so. If you hate social media, congrats. I do too. But I'm on Minds, FB, Wordpress and of course Substack. I don't like most of it, but it's now a requirement. Through this you will find alpha and beta readers, ARC readers, and possibly someone to hire as an artist or editor if you're going indie. You never know.
3. Seek out publishers websites. More often, small presses are building forums and other communities under their own control, as well as using Discord, MeWe, and other platforms. Find the ones publishing works you want to write yourself and start following them. Comment and let them know what you think of their work. It will at least get you known by them, and that's the name of the game. When the opportunity comes up and they put out a submissions call that you have something for, or get inspired by, they will recognize your name and you are no longer random submission #12345 in their slushpile.
Ultimately, you are the one that controls your discovery of the right group for you. Everyone's path is unique and what worked for me (outside of these broad strokes) may not work for you, but something that would be terrible for me might be perfect for you. Do what works. Also, don't think that any networking connection you make is forever. If it's costing you time and energy you can't afford to spend, go somewhere else. Don't forget, this is not an instant process, and it requires you to put out effort you might not want to give, but to quote Leonard Hoffstadter "It's a non-optional social convention."
I hope this helps.