I've been involved in online writers' groups and sites for the last two years, and have found many wonderful comrades that way. Some of their websites are listed here. They're all well worth a visit.
In the fall of 2007, on a whim, I entered OF TWO MINDS for the first Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. The contest was a fabulous experience. I learned all sorts of new things about the publishing industry, and met dozens of fascinating fellow writers. ABNA Books is one of the direct outgrowths of the ABNA contest - though in this case ABNA stands for Association of Breakthrough Novel Authors. I highly recommend the site as a place to investigate in your search for up and coming fiction of all descriptions.
