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Creating a Writing Life: Encouragement and Advice for Authors
Encouragement and advice for authors and writers
Bestseller lists, fame, and financial rewards don’t comprise your writing life—they’re products of it. This book will help you figure out the day-to-day decisions to make to achieve your writing dreams. Where and when do you write best? What equipment do you need? How will you handle envy? Rejection? Long droughts between contracts?
Creating a Writing Life gives you the tools to manage every aspect of your career, including income expectations and how to handle success. Author Jill Kemerer has experienced all this and more in her writing career, and this book will launch you into yours. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started creating your writing life!
Publishers Weekly bestselling author of nearly one million books worldwide, Jill Kemerer shares writing tips, business advice, and encouragement for authors in this inspirational book for writers.
Bestseller lists, fame, and financial rewards don’t comprise your writing life—they’re products of it. This book will help you figure out the day-to-day decisions to make to achieve your writing dreams. Where and when do you write best? What equipment do you need? How will you handle envy? Rejection? Long droughts between contracts?
Creating a Writing Life gives you the tools to manage every aspect of your career, including income expectations and how to handle success. Author Jill Kemerer has experienced all this and more in her writing career, and this book will launch you into yours. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started creating your writing life!
Publishers Weekly bestselling author of nearly one million books worldwide, Jill Kemerer shares writing tips, business advice, and encouragement for authors in this inspirational book for writers.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2025
13 people are currently reading
925 people want to read
About the author
Jill Kemerer
110 books618 followersJill Kemerer is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author of heartwarming, emotional, small-town romance novels often featuring cowboys. She is a multi-published author of Christian romance novels with Harlequin Love Inspired. Over three-quarter of a million of her books have sold worldwide.
A former electrical engineer, Jill now writes full-time. Her essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books, her mini-doxie, and long walks outdoors. She rarely passes up a bookstore and spends too much time at the library. She resides in Ohio with her husband. They have two adult children. For more information, visit her website, jillkemerer.com.
A former electrical engineer, Jill now writes full-time. Her essentials include coffee, caramels, a stack of books, her mini-doxie, and long walks outdoors. She rarely passes up a bookstore and spends too much time at the library. She resides in Ohio with her husband. They have two adult children. For more information, visit her website, jillkemerer.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 5, 2025
Creating a Writing Life is well worth the read. Jill Kemerer did an excellent job at detailing different parts of a writer’s life. Whether you’re an aspiring author or multi-published, this book is motivational reflection of how to fashion a writing journey targeted toward longevity and resiliency. This book also has practical advice and tips, including several that were new to me and that I will incorporate into my writing life. I highly recommend this book as Kemerer’s experience and anecdotes will encourage writers at any stage of their career. It’s quick and easy to read yet practical and insightful.
September 2, 2025
I enjoyed reading Jill Kemerer’s Creating a Writing Life and read it quickly, within an afternoon and evening, while on vacation in Cairns, Australia. I’d planned to read it while I was away from home, relaxing in a hotel resort, and appreciating the opportunity to stop, think, and pray about the next season in my writing life.
I was amused by Jill’s remarks in the opening chapters where she mentioned how, when she first started writing, she’d daydream about being on vacation and writing on her laptop by the pool. I wholeheartedly agree with Jill on not doing this, lol. I didn’t haul my laptop to a tropical resort. I read her ebook on my phone while enjoying the aircon indoors.
I love Jill’s honesty and authenticity in how she shares her writing journey while comprehensively exploring important topics and aspects of the writing life. I highlighted many sections in my Kindle App in Part 1 that included a review of my current writing life. I’m coming out of a season where I’d taken a long break from writing and publishing because I can’t write when I’m grieving. I’m now in a place where I’m ready to dive back into writing an unfinished story. Part 1 has helped me to formulate a realistic plan for creating a flexible writing schedule that will work for me.
In Part 2, Jill explores the writing process and why it’s important to discover our unique process for creating stories. I appreciated Jill’s advice on not fixing what isn’t broken. We can feel bombarded with information on new tips, tricks and methods for writing that may not suit us.
Part 3 is full of encouragement and wisdom on how to survive and thrive during difficult seasons in our writing life. I loved how Jill emphasised the importance of persistence and what that can look like in our writing and publishing journey.
In Part 4, Jill covers important financial topics including writing expenses, taxes (for USA writers), and author earnings. She discusses the process for traditional publishing in detail and explains how authors get paid in the traditional publishing model. She shares insights on how to manage publishing expectations and the practicalities of working with an agent.
In Part 5, Jill explores the benefits that writers can receive from participating in writing communities. She shares her experiences with various groups and how writers can help each other. She discusses the envy factor in the writing journey and how to manage disappointment when other writers are getting opportunities that aren’t available to you.
In Part 6, Jill unpacks how the joy of writing can be lost and what writers can do to reclaim their joy in writing. She discusses common problems writers can encounter and how to overcome them.
Part 7 explores the important topic of finding readers. Jill shares her experiences and considers how published and pre-published authors can work on marketing and book promotion in a sustainable way that doesn’t lead to burnout.
In Part 8, Jill provides a vision for how writers can create their own unique and successful writing life. She challenges writers to define their definition of success and put in place strategies to achieve realistic goals that are within their control.
I recommend Creating a Writing Life to writers who are looking for a comprehensive writing resource on the writing life, and especially writers who are looking to explore traditional publishing opportunities. Published authors can benefit from Jill’s encouragement and wisdom on how to manage and overcome a range of challenges that traditionally published and independently published authors can encounter during their writing life.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy.
I was amused by Jill’s remarks in the opening chapters where she mentioned how, when she first started writing, she’d daydream about being on vacation and writing on her laptop by the pool. I wholeheartedly agree with Jill on not doing this, lol. I didn’t haul my laptop to a tropical resort. I read her ebook on my phone while enjoying the aircon indoors.
I love Jill’s honesty and authenticity in how she shares her writing journey while comprehensively exploring important topics and aspects of the writing life. I highlighted many sections in my Kindle App in Part 1 that included a review of my current writing life. I’m coming out of a season where I’d taken a long break from writing and publishing because I can’t write when I’m grieving. I’m now in a place where I’m ready to dive back into writing an unfinished story. Part 1 has helped me to formulate a realistic plan for creating a flexible writing schedule that will work for me.
In Part 2, Jill explores the writing process and why it’s important to discover our unique process for creating stories. I appreciated Jill’s advice on not fixing what isn’t broken. We can feel bombarded with information on new tips, tricks and methods for writing that may not suit us.
Part 3 is full of encouragement and wisdom on how to survive and thrive during difficult seasons in our writing life. I loved how Jill emphasised the importance of persistence and what that can look like in our writing and publishing journey.
In Part 4, Jill covers important financial topics including writing expenses, taxes (for USA writers), and author earnings. She discusses the process for traditional publishing in detail and explains how authors get paid in the traditional publishing model. She shares insights on how to manage publishing expectations and the practicalities of working with an agent.
In Part 5, Jill explores the benefits that writers can receive from participating in writing communities. She shares her experiences with various groups and how writers can help each other. She discusses the envy factor in the writing journey and how to manage disappointment when other writers are getting opportunities that aren’t available to you.
In Part 6, Jill unpacks how the joy of writing can be lost and what writers can do to reclaim their joy in writing. She discusses common problems writers can encounter and how to overcome them.
Part 7 explores the important topic of finding readers. Jill shares her experiences and considers how published and pre-published authors can work on marketing and book promotion in a sustainable way that doesn’t lead to burnout.
In Part 8, Jill provides a vision for how writers can create their own unique and successful writing life. She challenges writers to define their definition of success and put in place strategies to achieve realistic goals that are within their control.
I recommend Creating a Writing Life to writers who are looking for a comprehensive writing resource on the writing life, and especially writers who are looking to explore traditional publishing opportunities. Published authors can benefit from Jill’s encouragement and wisdom on how to manage and overcome a range of challenges that traditionally published and independently published authors can encounter during their writing life.
Many thanks to the author for the advanced reader copy.
August 25, 2025
Jill Kemerer’s Creating a Writing Life is more than a guide. It’s a lifeline. With grace and honesty, she delivers on her promise of encouragement, even as she gently challenges writers to take a sobering look at their creative journey. Her words prompted me to examine everything from my attitude during tough seasons to the intentionality behind my goals and my understanding of the publishing world.
What sets this book apart is Jill’s ability to speak directly to the heart of a writer. She doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of the writing life, yet she never leaves the reader feeling defeated. Instead, she offers hope. The biggest gift I received from these pages was the undeniable realization: I am not alone. Jill has walked through the same heartaches, disappointments, and grind that so many of us face. Her vulnerability and insight made me feel seen.
Whether you're a seasoned author or just beginning your journey, this book offers a powerful blend of reality check and inspiration. It’s the kind of encouragement that stays with you long after the final chapter. I’ll be forever grateful for the clarity, comfort, and courage I found within these pages.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this review is my honest opinion. Y'all need to read it.
What sets this book apart is Jill’s ability to speak directly to the heart of a writer. She doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of the writing life, yet she never leaves the reader feeling defeated. Instead, she offers hope. The biggest gift I received from these pages was the undeniable realization: I am not alone. Jill has walked through the same heartaches, disappointments, and grind that so many of us face. Her vulnerability and insight made me feel seen.
Whether you're a seasoned author or just beginning your journey, this book offers a powerful blend of reality check and inspiration. It’s the kind of encouragement that stays with you long after the final chapter. I’ll be forever grateful for the clarity, comfort, and courage I found within these pages.
I received an advanced copy of this book and this review is my honest opinion. Y'all need to read it.
August 26, 2025
Excellent advice with concrete ideas for living as a writer! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In this book, Jill Kemerer offers strategies for writers covering many important topics, including analyzing your current process, determining writing financials, and cultivating the joy of being an author. She writes from experience and defines realistic expectations for aspiring authors. Valuable insights from her successful career give perspective to what is truly involved in savoring a writing life.
Having published one book myself, I found truth in her advice. Since I often need to write during snippets of time, I especially loved her idea of creating a portable office using a backpack containing essential items. Then you’ll be ready to grab your laptop and this bag as you head out the door, prepared to use any spare moments to keep putting words on the “page.”
If you desire a satisfying writing life, this informative book will encourage you along the right path to enjoy your author journey.
Favorite quote: “Give yourself credit for every step that brings you closer to your dreams.”
*I received an e-copy of this book with no requirement to write a positive review. I’m offering my honest opinion.
In this book, Jill Kemerer offers strategies for writers covering many important topics, including analyzing your current process, determining writing financials, and cultivating the joy of being an author. She writes from experience and defines realistic expectations for aspiring authors. Valuable insights from her successful career give perspective to what is truly involved in savoring a writing life.
Having published one book myself, I found truth in her advice. Since I often need to write during snippets of time, I especially loved her idea of creating a portable office using a backpack containing essential items. Then you’ll be ready to grab your laptop and this bag as you head out the door, prepared to use any spare moments to keep putting words on the “page.”
If you desire a satisfying writing life, this informative book will encourage you along the right path to enjoy your author journey.
Favorite quote: “Give yourself credit for every step that brings you closer to your dreams.”
*I received an e-copy of this book with no requirement to write a positive review. I’m offering my honest opinion.
August 28, 2025
Just like the subtitle says, this book offers encouragement for writers.
I am an aspiring author, so when the opportunity came up to read an early copy, I jumped at it. And I'm glad I did. This book was like sitting down to coffee with a friend, only that friend is living the life I dream of.
It is a nice balance of encouragement and reality, however. There is a lot of good advice within these pages, too, and one or two moments where she challenges common dreams that many aspiring writers have. But I absolutely loved that she keeps things positive without creating unreasonable expectations.
This is a fantastic book that I recommend for those interested in the life of a published author. It's a good mix of traditional and self-publishing routes, so it has something for those who are on either track, or who haven't yet decided. I'm taking away some good advice, and a heaping dose of encouragement on an often frustrating journey.
I received a review copy of this book but was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
I am an aspiring author, so when the opportunity came up to read an early copy, I jumped at it. And I'm glad I did. This book was like sitting down to coffee with a friend, only that friend is living the life I dream of.
It is a nice balance of encouragement and reality, however. There is a lot of good advice within these pages, too, and one or two moments where she challenges common dreams that many aspiring writers have. But I absolutely loved that she keeps things positive without creating unreasonable expectations.
This is a fantastic book that I recommend for those interested in the life of a published author. It's a good mix of traditional and self-publishing routes, so it has something for those who are on either track, or who haven't yet decided. I'm taking away some good advice, and a heaping dose of encouragement on an often frustrating journey.
I received a review copy of this book but was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.
September 3, 2025
If I had to use one word to describe this book, I would say ‘encouraging.’ Jill Kemerer doesn’t gloss over the truth of the hard work and disappointments we encounter in writing and publishing, but since she’s ‘been there’ she knows how to encourage others through the hard parts. It’s nice to read someone with whom I can identify, one who has dealt with many things I have. She’s got great tips and ideas for sticky areas and parts of the job we don’t love. (That is different for everyone by the way) She shows you how to evaluate what you do in order to make time to write. (So give up the excuses writers!) But most of all, she stresses multiple times, in differing ways, that we are unique and our path may not look like the authors we know. This is so important to remember, especially when you are just beginning and are learning all of the rules. While Creating a Writing Life isn’t going to tell you what to put in your book, how to formulate your sentences, or even how to determine GMC, it will give ideas that you could use to create a writing life that you’ll love.
August 20, 2025
Creating a Writing Life by Jill Kemerer realistically covers all aspects of a writer's life from time management to setting goals, dealing with the pursuit of publication's ups and downs, capturing ideas, handling rejection, marketing and promotion, and everything else you want to know. The author's personal journey had me chuckling several times because everything she says is so true and relatable. No matter where you are in your writing career, you will find something inspirational, motivating, and helpful in this book. I also love her lists of insightful questions to help writers think about their own journey and what steps they might take. Creating a Writing Life is a information packed handbook that should be on every aspiring writer's desk.
I received an ARC copy to review and all opinions are entirely my own.
I received an ARC copy to review and all opinions are entirely my own.
August 23, 2025
Creating a Writing Life by Jill Kemerer
Do you want to write a book? Maybe you already have one written. The author of this book has published around thirty books. She didn’t sell them immediately, but she became wealthy and well-known. It’s easy to dream about writing that book that will be picked up by a publishing house and hit the top of the charts.
In this book, the author shares what she’s learned and experienced. Like the letters saying, “No thanks,” they didn’t want to buy that book. Ideas for finding an agent, promoting your books, and staying on the writing path, rather than letting life lead you astray and away from writing.
I found this to be a very informative book.
Do you want to write a book? Maybe you already have one written. The author of this book has published around thirty books. She didn’t sell them immediately, but she became wealthy and well-known. It’s easy to dream about writing that book that will be picked up by a publishing house and hit the top of the charts.
In this book, the author shares what she’s learned and experienced. Like the letters saying, “No thanks,” they didn’t want to buy that book. Ideas for finding an agent, promoting your books, and staying on the writing path, rather than letting life lead you astray and away from writing.
I found this to be a very informative book.
August 16, 2025
Creating a Writing Life was both insightful and motivational. Jill Kemerer dives into her journey as a writer, the years of hard work, early disappointments and later success. She covers all aspects of writing, what has worked for her, her writing process, perspective on agents, marketing, things we don't talk about like the financial side of being a writer, and persistence to name a few. I would recommend this book to both new and seasoned writers, for plenty of encouragement and ideas/ tips to try in your own writing life.
September 9, 2025
What a great resource for writers in all stages of their writing lives! Whether you are pre-published or published, the author does a great job in covering most of the topics that any writer needs to know.
You will come away encouraged and informed.
The only extra two cents I would offer is DO NOT WAIT to get started if you really want to be a writer and author! The writing life is a long game so expect to be in it for years to come. It's definitely a journey and not just a destination.
Special thanks to the author for an ARC copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
You will come away encouraged and informed.
The only extra two cents I would offer is DO NOT WAIT to get started if you really want to be a writer and author! The writing life is a long game so expect to be in it for years to come. It's definitely a journey and not just a destination.
Special thanks to the author for an ARC copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
August 26, 2025
Author Jill Kemerer shares practical tips that she learned on her own writing journey. This book covers everything from balancing writing time with family responsibilities to handling rejections and persevering. Everyone's writing journey is different, but wise people always seek and learn from those who have traveled the path before them. No matter where you are on your journey, this book will provide sound advice and encouragement.
September 2, 2025
THANK YOU!
Such a great book on many levels. As a beginning author and long time writer I was able to connect to so many different aspects of the book.
Jill sets realistic expectations while providing a positive and encouraging outlook.
There are moments of this book that made me stop and really dive into my thoughts and reasons for wanting to write, providing me with a new and better vision of what I want as an author.
I found this book to be enlightening, encoring, and entertaining.
Such a great book on many levels. As a beginning author and long time writer I was able to connect to so many different aspects of the book.
Jill sets realistic expectations while providing a positive and encouraging outlook.
There are moments of this book that made me stop and really dive into my thoughts and reasons for wanting to write, providing me with a new and better vision of what I want as an author.
I found this book to be enlightening, encoring, and entertaining.
September 3, 2025
This book is filled will helpful tips to help newbie and seasoned writers alike. It's written in easy to understood verbiage to assist writers to set you up for writing success!
I highly recommend this book, especially new writers.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no expectation in return. I voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions about this book.
I highly recommend this book, especially new writers.
Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no expectation in return. I voluntarily shared my thoughts and opinions about this book.
September 21, 2025
Creating a Writing Life by Jill Kemerer is like a pep-talk and a hug of encouragement from an old friend. She delivers a ton of helpful information about all aspects of the business of writing, but in a conversational tone, so it isn't dry and boring. There are so many helpful tips and tricks crammed into this book that I will definitely be trying out soon, and I am feeling quite motivated to get writing!
September 3, 2025
I have read lots of books about writing, but this by far one of the best! Kemerer clearly gives you the basic facts about the writing life and covers everything you need to know. I read this book straight through and will keep it handy on my desk for reference. Every writer or aspiring writer should read this book!
September 6, 2025
Excellent book, wonderful, practical advice for crafting a better organization and writing intentionally! Lots of good ways to alter the way you think about things-from planning to pitching, to published. Highly recommend for newbie writers and authors.
I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I received an ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 25, 2025
Excellent book for writers. Author Jill Kemerer brings wisdom, knowledge, and great encouragement in this book. Sharing ideas from her personal writing journey, she helps the reader/writer stay focused and inspired. I recommend this book to all writers.
September 3, 2025
Honest, funny, and encouraging—Kemerer’s truth bombs about writing hit home and make this a must-read for every writer at any stage.
I received a digital copy of this book with no strings attached. These thoughts are my honest take—and I’m glad to share them.
I received a digital copy of this book with no strings attached. These thoughts are my honest take—and I’m glad to share them.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews