Isn't that the magic word in the creative world? Or the whole professional world? At the core of every "start your own business," "how to REALLY make money writing," how-to book is one basic piece of advice, that alone does you absolutely no good. Successful editors, book mavens and networking groups I've come into contact with all say the same. "It's who you know, make good contacts, network, put yourself out there."
If I'm inside reading a book to figure out how to go out and write instead of actually writing and putting myself out there, telling me to "make contacts" is meaningless. What the book should be training us on is how to overcome those anxieties or insecurities that are keeping us from making the contacts in the first place. Plain old people skills. Spend less time reading about doing and more time doing.
We all know the value of contacts, and if you don't you'll soon find out. Yet, trying to force yourself to engage in industry banter with someone you feel you "should" know is intimidating and uncomfortable for both parties. Find a local group, person, or organization that is doing something you really are passionate about or invested in and make contact with them, see how you can help out or if they have any upcoming events - if your interest is honest, it will show. And once you start getting published, do us all a favor and don't write another how-to book.
