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#WritingCommunity What do you think of #Clubhouse?

Clubhouse

The Clubhouse app has been a new presence in my life–I’ve been on the platform a mere 3 months, and already feel it has given me the sort of friends and connections I hadn’t imagined before. It is voice-only, which ensures more attention from the audience, and also does not require sprucing up your appearance. Unlike Zoom, you don’t have to bother with yourself before jumping into a conversation. This phone app lets you interact with people–with nothing but a profile picture, profile details and your voice. You can connect your Clubhouse profile to Instagram and Twitter, so they can contact you via direct messaging if they wish.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get on the Clubhouse app. It began as a trial for iPhone users but has now grown to include android phones.

Only some of the reasons I used clubhouse were professional. Networking wasn’t on top of the list. With all the lockdowns and darkness of the pandemic, it was great to find pockets of peace where we could discuss books and movies, listen to songs and ghost stories, sort of like a virtual campfire. Since I joined, some of the rooms I visit have become my regular water coolers where I go to shoot the breeze and just be, with no pressure to perform or persuade. There are other rooms which have been an asset to me as a writer.

Clubhouse is great for writers, I think, because it creates a wonderful sense of community. We have ‘Sprint Rooms’ under various writers’ Clubs, where we write for a while and then take a break to chat. The chat can be on non-writing topics, but is often based on the craft. As well, there are formal rooms on specific writing craft topics, Q & A sessions with authors and publishers, and jalso chat rooms with freewheeling writing conversations, often with agents, publishers, and bestselling authors present on both the stage and in the audience. Writing Clubs  that I follow: YA All the Way. Writers on the Storm. Epigraphs. Writers: Craft + Career. The Query Circle. The Author Conference.

While the writer in me is happy on Clubhouse, it is also a great place for readers. You could walk into book room to discuss books, reading peeves, book recommendations, reviews and on. You could also host a book launch, speak to authors, and argue about your favorite books, or advocate for diversity in publishing. I’ve had some wonderful chats with fellow readers, and got hold of new reads that I’ve enjoyed, all from book recommendations on Clubhouse. I regularly visit: What Are you Reading? Bookish for Friday.  Book Talk for Introverts. Litbuzz. Diverse Reading.

A few pointers to enjoying your Clubhouse experience: (These are fairly basic, and the app very intuitive)

  • Get a feel for the room and how things are handled by the moderators before you decide to jump into the conversation.
  • Go ahead and  ‘raise hand’ to request to speak. The community is very kind to those new to it (and Clubhouse helpfully provides a party hat for a week to identify new entrants).
  • Keep yourself on mute unless you’re speaking. Let others finish before speaking–interrupting is bad form.
  • There are a ton of rooms which teach you clubhouse basics–I visited those before I went to other rooms.
  • Follow those whose content you feel would enjoy. Who you follow helps curate what rooms you’re shown.
  • Follow those whose content you like on Instagram or Twitter– most of the helpful interactions I’ve had has led to speaking off platform via Instagram or Twitter as well.
  • Spend time on choosing the Interests you pick in the Settings–and tweak them if the rooms you see do not interest you.
  • Share your expertise if you feel it adds to the conversation. People will follow you if they like what you share.
  • Be mindful of everyone’s space and common courtesies, just as you would in real life.
  • Be careful about what information you share–Clubhouse needs the same caution you follow on other platforms. Voice interaction might lead to a stronger feeling of trust, but do as much due diligence as possible before risking your safety in any way.
  • Start off rooms and clubs once you’re comfortable on Clubhouse.
  • Spend your time on the app judiciously. It is easy to get carried away in the novelty of talking to so many fascinating strangers. Making connections is great, as long as it enriches your life instead of making it difficult.

Do you have a profile on Clubhouse? What has your experience been like? What clubs would you recommend? How much of your time do you spend on social media? If you’re on Clubhouse, I’m easy to find. We can chat in some of the writerly rooms!

 


Are you part of nay online or offline book groups? Founded any? What is the experience like? Do you think online book groups are similar to those offline?My debut literary crime novel,”You Beneath Your Skin,” published by the fab team at Simon and Schuster IN is optioned to be a TV series by Endemol Shine.

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Damyanti Biswas

Damyanti Biswas is the author of You Beneath Your Skin and numerous short stories that have been published in magazines and anthologies in the US, the UK, and Asia. She has been shortlisted for Best Small Fictions and Bath Novel Awards and is co-editor of the Forge Literary Magazine. Her literary crime thriller series, the Blue Mumbai, is represented by Lucienne Diver from The Knight Agency. Both The Blue Bar and The Blue Monsoon were published in 2023.

I appreciate comments, and I always visit back. If you're having trouble commenting, let me know via the contact form, or tweet me up @damyantig !

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13 Comments

  • jlennidorner says:

    You had me hooked for a minute there. But I’m mute, so I guess it wouldn’t be useful to me. Oh well. Glad you’re enjoying the app.

    I had a productive month reading for a read-a-thon, writing a few book reviews, checking in with hospitalized family members, and writing a WEP flash fiction.
    Have you seen the notebook on the current (Aug 25) giveaway at Operation Awesome? That is some amazing custom art. Debut authors are always surprising me.
    I’m ready for the summer heat to be over. 🥵

  • Swati Khatri says:

    I am yet to use it.
    Will try now 🙂

  • I’ve heard about the app but had no idea how it worked. Thank you for the information, Damyanti. Sounds like an interesting platform.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      It is quite fascinating. I ‘m careful not to spend too much time on it!

  • DutchIl says:

    Thank you for sharing!!.. I had not heard of the app until now… not sure if I will join or not but will definitely do some research… thank you for sharing some of your knowledge and experience!!… 🙂

    Until we meet again..
    May your day be touched
    by a bit of Irish luck,
    Brightened by a song
    in your heart,
    And warmed by the smiles
    of people you love.
    (Irish Saying)

  • soniadogra says:

    Wow. Great to know you are enjoying this experience. Thank you for putting this together for us.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      It is nice enough though I don’t spend as much time on it as I did for a while. The post covers the very basics, but if you join, look me up and I’d be happy to take you through the steps!

  • This is new to me. I don’t think I’ll try it! Your post is very informative, though, Damyanti.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      Hahhaaha no, not everyone needs to try it Sue. Thanks for the kind words on the post, though 🙂

  • New Media Works says:

    IMO all apps (and indeed, most smartphones) are spyware (or laden with spyware) — I don’t use any of them. My phone uses open source software, so I feel much more in control of my data, browsing, etc.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      I agree with you–just that I have now gone too deep to step back. I try not to give away too much personal info, but I live in a country where privacy is only a very relative concept.

  • How interesting, Damyanti. I’ve never heard of this app. I like the idea that it is oral rather than typed.

    • Damyanti Biswas says:

      It is a cool app–I’ve had fun on it, like I say in the post.

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