We all know the value of connecting with those agents and editors and “big time” authors at writers conferences. But sometimes overlooked, yet equally important are the connections we can make with fellow emerging authors. Case in point: The Southern Sampler Artists Colony.

The SSAC was founded in 2006 by two childhood friends—one who never left the South (Martha Greenway), and one who headed west but always knew her soul was southern (Mary Brent Cantarutti). This bi-coastal community of authors makes an annual week long trek to Charleston, SC for a full blown retreat, complete with beach walks, special events, creating journals, sharing ideas and of course, writing.

It’s an engaging and spirited group of inspiring minds that I might never have run into –in my own backyard in Charleston!– if it weren’t for a writer’s conference. Mary and Martha happened to be at the Words & Music conference in New Orleans where I was on the faculty, along with author and writing coach Linda Watanabe McFerrin, who, as it turns out, also teaches at the SSAC event each year in Charleston.

I’ve since discovered many kindred spirits among this crazy stew of California and South Carolina writers, but more important, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand how they nurture each other as artists, and how each benefits from their shared time together.

The group seems to grow each year as other writers are drawn in from chance meetings at other writers conferences, writing groups and book events. That’s no surprise; there’s something magical about a group of writers gathered together, each with diverse passions for the individual subjects they write about, yet sharing this common passion for words.

The Southern Samplers blew into town this weekend to begin their week’s adventure and with it a launch party (happening April 20th) for their own book, an anthology of their work! In addition, the group has launched a website –www.southernsamplerartistscolony.com– which will be featuring posts from each of the group members and I expect will become a great launch pad from which each of the artist members can not just connect with each other, but with their readers as well.

Do you have a writers group using the strength of a “crowd” to promote each of you as authors? If you do, tell us about it. If you don’t, think about forming one!