Is it hard to become an author?
Is it hard to become an author? 
That is the most often question I got after publishing my first novel. When I am asked this I don't like to discourage those who wish to become an author, especially kids. So I go with a short, but sweet answer. "If you can see it...you can do it."
That is as sweet as I can say it because...yeah...it is freaking hard! I am speaking from a self-publishing point of view, but I don't believe either would be considered easy.
It takes a lot of time, dedication, and patience to be an author so buckle up if you are dreaming of becoming an author in today's incredibly merciless industry that is publishing.
Don't let me scare you though...because there are ways to make the self-publishing route easier.
Here are a few things I wish someone would have told me before I started writing my first novel.
1. Marketing and Editing Budget: Have a marketing budget in mind before your book is complete, traditional or self-publish. Save while you are writing the novel so that when it is finished you can edit and market right away. This will save you valuable time and trust me that marketing and editing is not cheap. http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/03/your-book-needs-editing-design-and-marketing-author-services/
2. Time Management: This is crucial! Manage your time or you will find yourself overwhelmed more than anything else. If you are like most self-publishing authors out there you have a day job. After all, you have to pay the bills. Don't fret, this doesn't mean your dream is doomed, but it might take longer to get it done. You can easily manage your time to get the job done. Just figure out how much time you are willing to devote for your writing and go from there. This one is a tuffy for a lot of authors with families and full-time jobs, but it can be done. Here are a few time management tips.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/07/write-your-book-using-the-time-blocking-method/
https://selfpublishingformula.com/episode-100/
3. Blockers: Do not listen to anyone who constantly tries to block your way. This one gets me a lot. Do what is best for you to make this dream of yours come true. Nobody else is doing the work and nobody else is putting in the time.
If you think this may be an issue at any time I suggest you follow Mel Robbins for support on this issue.
https://melrobbins.com/blog/
4. Social Media: Grow your followers now, before the book is finished. Talk it up, join writing groups, get ideas, and follow fellow authors. Treat it like a business...because it is.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2017/01/six-social-media-marketing-tips-first-time-authors/
5. Branding: This one, I have to admit, I didn't think anything about until here recently and now I am totally regretting it. You have to think of yourself as a trusted brand people will want to use again and again. So start thinking about how you want to be branded. Don't know what the heck I am talking about? Here are a few sites to help with that.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2017/11/10/authentic-author-brand/
https://justpublishingadvice.com/brand-yourself-not-your-book/
https://www.jessicalemmon.com/blog/2018/1/28/author-branding-who-are-you-really
I hope this article has been helpful to a few who are just getting out there for the first time. These were just a few things that I wish someone had told me before I started my first novel.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact me. I would love to help or guide you to someone who can.
XOXO,
MJ
That is the most often question I got after publishing my first novel. When I am asked this I don't like to discourage those who wish to become an author, especially kids. So I go with a short, but sweet answer. "If you can see it...you can do it."
That is as sweet as I can say it because...yeah...it is freaking hard! I am speaking from a self-publishing point of view, but I don't believe either would be considered easy.
It takes a lot of time, dedication, and patience to be an author so buckle up if you are dreaming of becoming an author in today's incredibly merciless industry that is publishing.
Don't let me scare you though...because there are ways to make the self-publishing route easier.
Here are a few things I wish someone would have told me before I started writing my first novel.
1. Marketing and Editing Budget: Have a marketing budget in mind before your book is complete, traditional or self-publish. Save while you are writing the novel so that when it is finished you can edit and market right away. This will save you valuable time and trust me that marketing and editing is not cheap. http://blog.bookbaby.com/2018/03/your-book-needs-editing-design-and-marketing-author-services/
2. Time Management: This is crucial! Manage your time or you will find yourself overwhelmed more than anything else. If you are like most self-publishing authors out there you have a day job. After all, you have to pay the bills. Don't fret, this doesn't mean your dream is doomed, but it might take longer to get it done. You can easily manage your time to get the job done. Just figure out how much time you are willing to devote for your writing and go from there. This one is a tuffy for a lot of authors with families and full-time jobs, but it can be done. Here are a few time management tips.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2016/07/write-your-book-using-the-time-blocking-method/
https://selfpublishingformula.com/episode-100/
3. Blockers: Do not listen to anyone who constantly tries to block your way. This one gets me a lot. Do what is best for you to make this dream of yours come true. Nobody else is doing the work and nobody else is putting in the time.
If you think this may be an issue at any time I suggest you follow Mel Robbins for support on this issue.
https://melrobbins.com/blog/
4. Social Media: Grow your followers now, before the book is finished. Talk it up, join writing groups, get ideas, and follow fellow authors. Treat it like a business...because it is.
http://blog.bookbaby.com/2017/01/six-social-media-marketing-tips-first-time-authors/
5. Branding: This one, I have to admit, I didn't think anything about until here recently and now I am totally regretting it. You have to think of yourself as a trusted brand people will want to use again and again. So start thinking about how you want to be branded. Don't know what the heck I am talking about? Here are a few sites to help with that.
https://www.thecreativepenn.com/2017/11/10/authentic-author-brand/
https://justpublishingadvice.com/brand-yourself-not-your-book/
https://www.jessicalemmon.com/blog/2018/1/28/author-branding-who-are-you-really
I hope this article has been helpful to a few who are just getting out there for the first time. These were just a few things that I wish someone had told me before I started my first novel.
If you have any questions please don't hesitate to leave a comment or contact me. I would love to help or guide you to someone who can.
XOXO,
MJ
No comments have been added yet.
