Join our Reader & Writer Discord Server!
Many readers may be well aware of the awesome that is Discord, being that it is centered around gaming chat, but so many people have yet to discover the potential the app/website have.
I stumbled upon Discord through an author and love the organized community vibe. Not only do you get to stay up to date on all book news, but you also get to chat on a more personal level with authors and readers! Discord will revolutionize group communication for authors and readers.
Most authors connect with their fans through newsletters, groups on Facebook, or on other social media platforms. But there are many cringe worthy features in these place. Discord simplifies communication, making it more streamline and easily accessible.
If you haven’t tried it, and want to take it on a test run feel free to join our server. You can play around with the features without having to dive into creating your own server yet. I know it’s going to be the go to place for author groups. Here is a quick break down of why I love it:
Features:
Servers, Categories, & Channels
One of the first noticeable features is the upgraded forum feel. If you are old enough to remember forum chat, you will feel right at home on Discord. Once a server is created, it has the ability to host various categories and within each there can be different channels to keep the conversation organized. Most of the authors that have a Facebook group, have felt the pain of search for a post, or making sure nothing was missed in the scroll. These channels fix that headache. Important content can be pinned to the top of each channel, and there is the bonus feature of secret channels! Need a channel for just your ARC Team, or maybe for your Patrons? So many possibilities, all in one app/website.
Along with the bonus of secret channels, each server has the ability to give privileges/roles. These privileges have full range, from Admin to viewing specific channels. The server creator names the Role, and gets to say what they are allowed to see and do throughout the server. It is one of the most customizable platforms I’ve come across.
One of the best features has to be the ability to turn on and off notifications for each channel. No need to be bombarded with chimes, or missing the action. You can be apart of many different servers but only receive notifications where and when you want them.
Ideas for Channels on a Reader/Fan Server
- Rules / Resources
- The go to first channel created should welcome your readers to your server and let them know how your Discord works. An overview of what each channel is for, and some basic how tos. If you want to officially state conduct rules this is a great place for that as well. Ending it with asking them to introduce themselves is a great conversation starter!
- A channel for each series you write
- Spoiler talk, news, and fan theories can be kept in one place and not get confused or missed by the streams of conversation.
- General Conversation
- We all know people tend to get off topic, it works wonders to have a channel where people can hang out in and get to know each other.
- Promotions/Visiting Authors
- A great way to promote other authors in a similar genre, and let your reader base promote their own books. Host Q & As, post cross promo swaps, etc.
- Book Club
- Engage with your readers through reading! Your books, or a random book. You guys already know everyone loves to read, why not read and discuss a book?
- Giveaway
- To post giveaways your apart of or that you know your readers will love.
- ARC/Reviews
- Discord is amazing at keeping a secret. Post bookfunnel links to your team, and they can post links to reviews. All without the rest of the server knowing.
- Street Team
- The perfect way to plan your launch, post links to media kits and more without having to have a separate group.
- Patreon only
- Patreon integrates seamlessly with Discord, you can allow anyone that supports you access to a Patreon only channel.
- Beta Readers
- Same great advantages as moving your ARC team to discord, plus less emails!
- Announcements/News
- Keep all your updates in one channel!
Ideas for Channels on a Writer Server
- Rules / Resources
- The go to first channel created should welcome fellow writers to your server and let them know how your Discord works. An overview of what each channel is for, and some basic how tos. If you want to officially state conduct rules this is a great place for that as well. Ending it with asking them to introduce themselves is a great conversation starter!
- Channels for each topic you want to discuss.
- This could be from critiques, to marketing, to accountability or just on the craft of writing. Find channel ideas as your general conversation develops.
- Cross Promotion Requests
- Writers helping writers makes the community bond stronger, it’s a great way to give your readers something else to check out while they wait for your next book!
- General Conversation
- We all know people tend to get off topic, it works wonders to have a channel where people can hang out in and get to know each other.
Ideas for Channels on a Book Lover Server
- Rules / Resources
- The go to first channel created should welcome everyone to your server and let them know how your Discord works. An overview of what each channel is for, and some basic how tos. If you want to officially state conduct rules this is a great place for that as well. Ending it with asking them to introduce themselves is a great conversation starter!
- General Conversation
- We all know people tend to get off topic, it works wonders to have a channel where people can hang out in and get to know each other.
- For Multi Genre or More Specific Servers
- Create a channel for each topic or genre. I love this potential because so often I want to find a recommendation and end up scrolling through multi genre groups just to find a post!
- Book Club
- Attend your weekly book club right on your phone/comp.
- Giveaways
- Members can link to book giveaways they discover.
- Quotes from books
- Find a great line in your favorite read? Have a place to share it with other people that will appreciate it!
- Bookish Merch
- From mugs to rugs, keep the links in one channel instead of in between other conversations.
Writer Servers
- Your Fan Server
- ARC Team Server
- Writing Community
- Critique Group
- Cross Promo Team
- Local Writers Group
Reader Servers
- Book Club
- Specific Genre
- Multi Genre
- Local Readers
- Series Fans
- Author Fans
- FanFic
Did I miss your favorite feature? Comment what it is, and I’ll add it to the list!
https://youtu.be/ohS7x-L1kLI
Why Authors Love it:
While I have facebook, trying to be active in a group on the platform is taxing. I rarely log in so it’s hard to connect with other writers, or readers. Discord is more my style, as it reminds me of the forums of the early 2000’s. I can talk to peers on one server, and readers on another. No need to deal with the hassle of Facebook. Chat with NAK Baldron on Discord
NAK Baldron
Epic Fantasy Author
If you want to submit a author or reader testimonial contact us and we’ll add it!
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