I'm utterly off topic at this point, but: for those of you for whom this did happen, how did it happen? How did you meet other authors? How did you establish ongoing contact? How many are you in consistent touch with? How many do you feel you could hit up for a favor like a beta read?
I've always figured I struggled a little because of my age, and the fact that I don't drink (my agent at the time was big on Scotch get-togethers in her hotel room; I attended, but I was very much a fish out of water). I met many writers I liked, but none that were in the slightest bit interested in maintaining contact.
It was frustrating, because on the whole in my life I've found it easy to meet and get along with new people, and I was utterly flummoxed in this setting. At this point it's likely way too late, but I am curious what's worked for people.
So this is a really interesting thread! The short answer is that yes, it's a problem. I left my RL novelist group because the further I got along the publication path, the more awkward it became, and the more I realised I was looking fordifferent things in my critique.
But I've been saved by online connections
OP - you're not too far away to think about this. Start now. Surrounding yourself with folks who have similar goals and nurture those relationships. OVer time, some of you will become agented and you start finding in those kinds of groups (for real, I have seen this multiple times) that folks suddenly all get agented within a year or two of each other. There is something about that cohesive group levelling up which is really powerful.
I met other authors through AW and facebook, usually when we were just querying or starting out! My critique partner (who is on these boards, or on Twitter as Essa Hansen) was in both places and I kept seeing her name crop up. Seeking betas, seeking feedback, doing research, having sensible answers to sensible questions. I reached out for a swap and now... some four years later... we both have the same agent and debut books within a couple years of each other (she released first.)
You really do get a sense for folk. This sounds harsh but when I skim through writer groups and see folks talk about querying, I think you can tell in many cases whether a person is going to burn out quickly or not on trying trad. The ones who aren't trying to improve, who aren't obsessively revising, who aren't researching and making connections, usually fall by the wayside. Not always but often.
Keep an eye out for those obsessive, super keen baby writers and see if you click with them, if you get to know them. Hang on to them. Send them Christmas cards if they don't find that weird (I have a Christmas card list!) and talk to them if you enjoy their company. I chat to my CP all day long, on and off, about writing and games and everything; it's not just business it's a genuine friendship.
I still do betas for other authors and keep in touch sproadically. I'm also in a couple discord groups (highly recommend!)
Liz - I'll read if you ever want! I do drink but I won't hold that against you haha. Feel free to say hello in DMs or on Twitter, and/or to join some of the discords I'm in.