My husband recently participated in a home brewing contest. While there, I did something I’d never done before – poured beer for hundreds of people. Observing the brewers, their families, and their interactions, I realized they had a lot in common with the writing community. Namely creativity, camaraderie, affability, and their support and encouragement of one another.

Throughout the day, I observed many parallels that translate easily from beer to books.

Lesson 1: Presentation may or may not be indicative of content quality.

Many homebrewers arrived with matching t-shirts, impressive logo displays, and an assortment of other custom bling. My husband arrived with a cut-off dollar store tri-board and a piece of printed paper glued to it. He took third place for his beer in blind judging while most brewers took their merch home but not an award.

You can have the most beautiful book cover and formatting in the world, but it can’t make up for amateurish writing or careless editing inside.

What a Brewing Competition Reminded Me about Writing: 5 Lessons for Authors Click To Tweet

Lesson 2: Effective marketing elevates your product.

The popular vote went to a brewer with 82 votes. We didn’t count my husband’s popular votes, but I’d guess there were fewer than 20. The winner of that vote had some of the merch and the bling. They’d also done an effective job of marketing to friends and family ahead of the event so that they had a solid base of support at the tasting. My husband’s support amounted to three people, excluding us.

No one may ever discover your book if it isn’t professionally presented and aesthetically pleasing. If you can garner support from influencers, they’ll help sell your book for you.

Lesson 3: There’s no accounting for taste.

The contest judges applied style-specific criteria to their judging while drinkers determined their favorites in a variety of ways.

Some people present had a knowledge of the brewing process. Others had sampled a wide variety of beer styles. Yet others developed their taste for beer by consuming a glut of inferior, mass-marketed product. A few may have been completely ambivalent about beer, just tagging along with a friend.

Readers who are also writers will dissect your book, recognizing a deftly handled theme, a gaping plot hole, or weak sentence construction. Others may be ignorant of the writing and editing process but have a keen eye for beauty and skill developed over years of reading fine literature. Some may be steeped in years of tearing through shoddily written stories that appeal only to the lowest common denominator and employ cheap tactics and hackneyed plots. Some don’t care to read but only occasionally pick up a book out of boredom or a persistent recommendation from a friend.

Awards and reviews are largely relative to the judges or reviewers. Objective standards for quality exist, but they may be applied loosely or not at all. Take award wins and losses and good and bad reviews with a grain of salt, knowing that the process is subjective.

Lesson 4: Variety is the spice of life.

Whether beer tasters were experienced judges or designated drivers, purveyors of quality or simply out for a high ABV (i.e., seeking a buzz), their preferences varied. Some may enjoy a stout, others a farmhouse ale. Many enjoy an IPA, and sour beers have become immensely popular. There’s something for everyone.

Tastes vary by person. By season. By day. By time of day. The guy that likes an Irish stout with his steak and potatoes may also enjoy a hazy IPA while playing corn hole on a summer Sunday. The Belgian beer may be a Christmas party favorite, but something lighter may appeal after the holidays when counting calories is in order.

Books are more companions than competitors. After all, people aren’t one and done when it comes to books. Hopefully they read many over a lifetime. There’s a place for mysteries, romances, classics, rom-coms, self-help, fantasy, historical, biography, sci-fi, catechetical books, and so much more. While we all have our favorites, most of us will read a variety of styles to suit our needs and moods.

Lesson 5: Kindness matters. Always.

Home brewers were eager to taste one another’s product and quick to compliment. They shared recipes, processes, and equipment recommendations. And when it was over, they congratulated one another.

Be the kind of author other authors love. The kind who makes time to encourage, support, and mentor other writers. The one who offers an encouraging word or lends an ear for commiseration. Share knowledge, tips, and experience. Be generous in your compliments and stingy with your unsolicited criticism. (There’s always a place for constructive feedback, gently delivered.)

If you’re a novice, be respectful of other authors’ time. Support them with your purchases, recommendations, and reviews. Offer encouragement and praise. If another author has helped you, thank them.

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