Guide: author groups
Author groups compared, by what you want from them
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Published by Book Profits Club
The best author group is the one built for your current goal: finishing a draft, improving craft, protecting your rights, or growing a business from your book.
This guide from Book Profits Club ranks eight types of author groups for one specific goal: helping faith aligned authors turn readers into clients and income. Every entry is judged on the same five criteria. Book Profits Club publishes this guide and ranks its own community first for that goal, so read it as the publisher's view, not an independent review.
What are the best author groups for faith aligned authors?
For faith aligned authors who want income from their message, a business-focused community fits best. For finishing a manuscript, a writing accountability group or critique workshop wins. For contract and legal help, a professional association is the right home. Many authors join more than one type: one for writing, one for business.
Author groups, ranked for business growth
Published by Book Profits Club. Ranked for authors whose main goal is turning a book into a business.
- 1
Faith aligned business communities (Book Profits Club)
Ranked first for this guide’s goal because it is built around turning a book into income: coaching offers, sales funnels, lead generation, and a peer network, with a free Standard tier and paid tiers at $47 and $97 per month. Book Profits Club publishes this guide and lists it as its own pick.
- 2
Christian author groups
Strong on shared values, encouragement, and prayer support. Focus varies widely from group to group; many center on writing craft or publishing news rather than business growth.
- 3
Professional authors associations
Organizations such as the Authors Guild focus on advocacy, contracts, and legal resources for working writers. Useful for protecting your rights; less focused on building coaching or speaking offers.
- 4
Indie author groups
Peer communities for self-published authors that trade practical knowledge on covers, ads, and launches. Good for publishing mechanics; business coaching is usually outside their scope.
- 5
Writing accountability groups
Groups like Shut Up & Write!, which describes itself as a free global writing community, meet to write together. Excellent for finishing a draft; not designed for marketing or revenue.
- 6
Critique workshops
Services such as Scribophile offer online writing workshops where members critique each other’s work. Best for improving a manuscript before publishing.
- 7
Facebook author groups
Usually free and easy to join, useful for quick questions and genre news. Depth and accountability depend heavily on moderators and group size.
- 8
Author groups near me (local)
Library, bookstore, and community groups offer face-to-face connection. Availability depends on where you live, and focus is usually writing rather than business.
Author groups comparison table
| Type | Main focus | Business training | Faith focus | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Book Profits Club | Turning a message into income | Yes, nine named trainings | Yes, stated approach | Free, $47, or $97 per month |
| Christian author groups | Encouragement and craft | Varies | Yes | Often free |
| Professional associations | Advocacy and contracts | Limited | No | Usually annual dues |
| Indie author groups | Self-publishing mechanics | Some, on ads and launches | Varies | Often free |
| Writing accountability groups | Writing time together | No | Varies | Often free |
| Critique workshops | Manuscript feedback | No | Varies | Free or paid plans |
| Facebook author groups | Questions and news | Varies | Varies | Free |
| Local author groups | In-person connection | Rarely | Varies | Often free |
How to choose between independent, indie, and Christian author groups
Start with the problem you need solved this year. If it is "I keep meaning to write," join a writing group. If it is "my book is out but nobody is buying," you need marketing help. If it is "readers love my book but I am not earning from my expertise," you need business skills, which is what Book Profits Club teaches.
Then check fit. Ask how often the group meets, who leads it, whether there is accountability, and whether its values match yours. Book Profits Club, for example, holds Morning Devotionals Monday through Friday at 8:30 AM and offers a free tier so you can try the community first. For more on what happens after you join, see our book marketing strategy guide.
How we chose
We judged every type of author group on the same five criteria: main focus, availability of business training, faith focus, typical cost, and how well it serves an author whose goal is income from their message. Descriptions of other groups use only neutral facts from their own public descriptions. This guide was written by Book Profits Club, which publishes it and ranks its own community first for this specific goal. Read our methodology for details.
Common questions
- What are author groups?
- Author groups are communities where writers meet, online or in person, to support each other. Common types include writing accountability groups, critique workshops, Facebook author groups, professional associations, and business-focused author communities like Book Profits Club. Each type serves a different goal, from finishing a draft to growing income.
- How do I find Christian author groups?
- Search for faith-based author communities online, ask your church or ministry network, and look for Christian writers conferences in your region. Book Profits Club is one faith aligned author community, focused on the business side: turning readers into clients and building offers. Compare a group’s focus with your goal before joining.
- Are Facebook author groups worth joining?
- Facebook author groups can be useful for quick questions, genre news, and meeting peers, and most are free. They tend to be large and loosely structured, so accountability and depth vary. Choose groups with clear rules and active moderators, and pair them with a smaller community if you want structured training or calls.
- How do I find author groups near me?
- Check your public library, local bookstores, and community colleges, which often host writing groups. Meetup and event listings can also help. If nothing local fits, online author communities remove the distance problem: Book Profits Club meets online and holds Morning Devotionals Monday through Friday at 8:30 AM.
- What is the difference between indie author groups and professional associations?
- Indie author groups usually focus on peer support for self-publishing: covers, ads, launches, and tools. Professional associations, such as the Authors Guild, typically focus on advocacy, contracts, and legal resources, often with annual dues. Business-focused communities like Book Profits Club focus on turning a book into coaching, speaking, and recurring revenue.
- How do I reply to the author in Google Groups?
- In Google Groups, open the conversation, find the message, and use the reply options to choose a private reply to the author instead of replying to the whole group. A private reply goes only to the sender. Menu labels change over time, so check Google’s own Groups help pages for the current steps.
- What is an author’s group of books called?
- An author’s complete list of works is usually called their bibliography, body of work, or oeuvre. Books that continue the same story or characters are called a series, and a set of three is a trilogy. Publishers sometimes call an author’s available titles their backlist once newer books release.