Rising Talent - How these authors are building their own new networks

Both Jeff Clark and Jeff Circle are working hard to complete their first fiction novels, and when they do they will have established lists of bestselling authors in their wings ready to support them.

When Jeff Clark began his Course of Action podcast and Jeff Circle started building his website, The Writer’s Dossier, they spent countless hours away from their own writing. Instead, they devoted that time to giving other authors platforms to talk about their work, and as a result a new network has become an organic byproduct of these side hustles. Now, thanks to the connections they’ve cultivated over time, the authors that they graciously featured will hopefully be willing to blurb and post about Jeff Circle and Jeff Clark’s work when they release their own novels. And almost more importantly, they will be able to showcase their platforms’ growing subscribers and engagement metrics to agents and publishers (if that’s the publishing route they wish to pursue) as proof they are capable of building their own network.

My debut novel, The Rising Order, was lucky enough to be featured on Course of Action and The Dossier. Since then, I’ve grown close with both Jeff(s) and am grateful every day I have them in my corner. After reaching out to me about The Dossier, Jeff Circle and I kept in touch and we met in person at a writer’s conference in Chicago, where he enthusiastically introduced me to writers and connections he’d made from other events. Separately, Jeff Clark was so easy to talk to on his podcast that since then we’ve done a number of really fun Instagram Live chats. Even though I’ve only known them a few months, I feel as if I’ve known Jeff(s) for years.

Publicity for my Instagram Live with Jeff Clark.

Me meeting Jeff Circle for the first time in person at the Midwest Mystery Conference in Chicago.

I’m not saying that you have to go out and create a podcast or a website centered around thriller authors to build a new network. But finding and building ways to help advance another author’s career motivates them to reciprocate that action when the time comes. Begin by thinking about your own network and what’s unique or different about it. Are you a member of an art club or workout group or book club that gives you an opportunity to help spread the word about someone else’s book? One of the benefits of social media is it gives everyone a voice and platform, thus empowering you to create your own narrative. Whether it’s posting about an author at an event you attended, or when you received their book in the mail, or found it on a local bookstore’s shelves — you are sharing it with your own network. It can be writing your favorite author an email, or bringing a few of your own friends to one of their signings. It can be attending a conference and recapping the experience on your social media. Even my physical therapist offered to print and hang a flier about my book in her office, which in turn made me feel even more grateful and loyal to her business and likely to recommend it to others. That’s exactly how reciprocation works.

I decided to ask Jeff(s) two simple questions about growing their networks so they could share their personal experiences with you. Here’s what they had to say:

Jeff Circle (The Writer’s Dossier)

1) What inspired you to begin The Dossier and how has it helped create an entirely new network for yourself?

After meeting and getting to know some writers at ThrillerFest 2023, I didn't want things to just end at the conference, so I began following people on social media to keep our contact alive. When I began making comments about their work or posting about how much I liked a particular book, I thought the posts needed something extra to get more attention, so I created the Dossier template to give it a cool, "classified document" look. Then, I came up with the name, which made sense, and that's when it really started to click. It instantly gave me a soft network of writers who I could brag about (because I loved their work), and the Dossier platform opened me up to being able to contact other writers who I didn't even know. Once I explained what I was trying to do by "exposing" their work in the irreverent and often humorous Dossier five-question interview format, everyone jumped on board. (Only one writer has declined to do the Dossier, and yes, I'm still haunted over that rejection!) All of my writers have been fantastic with their time, and they've been incredibly gracious with the fun approach I've taken that I describe as "designed to not be boring." In the end, I've become actual friends with some of them. We text about dogs or weekend plans, and it's been fun. I've also been able to make connections to agents, publicists, editors, and podcasters like Jeff Clark, David Temple, Shane Whaley, Terrence McCauley and so many more. We're all part of a weird club, but like any social group, you have to engage at a real level if you want to have anything meaningful.

2) Knowing what you know now, what would be your number one recommendation for new authors to build a network outside of their existing one?

You must have a hook. Once I came up with The Dossier's concept and theme, it became my vehicle to begin making contacts. It was up to me to keep them. I didn't want to be that guy who wrote to an author without having anything to give back in return. That's the two-way-street relationships are built on—whether it's an author, an editor, or an agent—have something to offer that's genuine. Be happy celebrating and promoting others. I've always loved books, but reading a lot of them takes up a lot of time. Looking into my Audible library, I've listened to 66 titles within the past seven months, and my generous wife is clearing out more shelf space in The Boot Room (a whole other story) for the physical books that pour in. The Dossier takes hours to produce, and I love it. If you're a new author out there who wants to build a network, reach out to others on an individual basis, get to know who the players are, and have something to offer. And don't start with the Stephen King's or the James Patterson's out there—those guys are not your network builders. Your network people often go to writer's conferences. That's a great place to really connect. That's how I met Claire Isenthal, and I'm a better person because of it. (I tricked her into giving me her phone number, and we've been in contact ever since!)

Jeff Clark (Course of Action)

1) What inspired you to begin Course of Action and how has it helped create an entirely new network for yourself?

I was inspired to start the podcast because I really wanted to be able to build a community of people looking to tell their stories who might not otherwise have the popularity to land guest spots on other shows. Plus, I also wanted to pick the brains of authors who have found success already and help myself, as well as others understand not just publishing, but being an entrepreneur as well. Bottom line, I wanted to custom build a community around me!

2) Knowing what you know now, what would be your number one recommendation for new authors to build a network outside of their existing one?

My number one recommendation would be to ask for help and be social. Even if all you do is ask for a phone call to discuss the publishing industry, all they can say is “no”, which I’ve found that so many people won’t do. In fact, most are very generous with their time despite deadlines and other requirements. So never be afraid to ask for help and assistance, because while you do that you are also building connections that could be useful later on.

I hope this gives you the little nudge you’ve been waiting for to start building bridges with others, and in turn build a new network. What has been the most effective way for you to meet others in the writing community and what has surprised you about that process?

Next week: How to crack TikTok’s algorithm — News flash, you can’t, but here’s what you can do…

Learn More about Jeff Circle and Jeff Clark:

Jeff Circle is a former U.S. Army intelligence analyst who served in Kuwait and Iraq during Desert Storm, a police officer and federal background investigator, and he’s supported special operation missions for counterintelligence activities in various downrange locations. Today, he writes thriller novels and runs The Writers Dossier, a fun, five-question interview platform covering thriller, mystery, crime, and suspense writers. www.thewritersdossier.com.

Jeff Clark is an author, US Air Force Veteran, and a former Operations Officer as well as a former Search and Recovery Officer. In 2019, Jeff was recognized as the Air Force's Civilian Supervisor of the Year.

A decorated leader having spent over 12 years on active duty in the Air Force, Jeff continued his service with the military as a government civilian ever since. His nearly 20-year career has seen him lead teams in logistics, operations, readiness & plans, business, and special programs for the US Air Force and US Space Force.

As a former Search and Recovery officer, Jeff has led search teams to recover downed aircraft and navigate crash sites to document and recover possessions and US government assets.

He's worked with the US Army, US Navy, and US Space Force for joint ventures, including the standup of the first joint medical training program at the Medical Education and Training Campus, the US Space Force's FIRST field command in Space Operations Command, and multiple engagements for Operations Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and US Army NORTHCOM and SOUTHCOM.