Have you ever imagined what life would become if you pursue your life-long dream of becoming an author? Does the thought of writing a great story that can move thousands of lives excite you? Then, you might want to turn that dream into reality. Who knows, you might become the next best-selling author in your chosen genre?
However, you should know that there are many things that you must put in mind if you really want to start your author journey. You need to take big risks, do some investments, and dedicate your time to writing. If you are ready to do the big leap for your career, then here are some tips that you should take note of.
Develop a positive mindset
An optimistic outlook is always the best weapon to possess, especially in dealing with the tight competition in the field of publishing and literature. Expect that there will be many negativities and downfalls. In order to survive the harsh world, you must develop a positive view and the growth mindset so you can deal with the lowest of the lows in your career. This is also important so that you can receive constructive criticisms positively. Hence, no matter how things can get bad in your writing process, just look at the brighter side so you can finish what you’ve started.
Research more about the publishing industry
Educating yourself about the industry that you are about to be a part of is necessary. Being an author is like becoming a business owner, you need to deal with the tight competition in the industry so you can climb to the top. Perhaps you can start researching about the publishing world and both the small and large publishing companies near you. You may also explore the world of self-publishing, discover a bunch of literary agents, read some essential tips, and make new connections.
Start writing your book
Your book is really the cream of the crop. Without it, you will not be able to achieve book success. You cannot be called a published author if you don’t have a published work, either physically or electronically. So, start writing your first work. Start brainstorming for ideas and researching for new concepts. Afterward, develop a writing routine that really works for you, which can make you, work and alleviate the frustrations that come with writing. You will surely need a bunch of motivation and creativity in this process.
Get the help of a professional editor
After writing, your work will be required to go through an editing process. You have the choice to either edit it yourself or hire a professional. The cons of the former are that you might miss some errors due to familiarity while the pros of the latter are that he can really evaluate your work without being biased. The editor will definitely refine your work, remove errors, increase readability, and more. There are many great editors that offer promising services out there, such as Greg Van Arsdale’s copy editing package. What are you waiting for? Get an expert on the field that will surely better your manuscript now.
Decide whether to self-publish or not
Self-publishing is starting to become a hit today. There are already many authors whose debut novels are published by them. That said, you are free to decide whether you would go for self-publishing or for traditional publishing. Although the former will require more effort, a big part of the profit of your work will be given to you which is really in contrast to the latter where you have to really prove yourself and get lesser royalties. So, start deliberating. Think about what’s best for you and what will work in the long run.
Promote your work
This is where it gets tougher. You have already published your work, then what’s next? Advertise and market it. You should not sit around the corner and let your competitors rule the best-selling lists. At the end of the day, you must strive to be the best and give your book the success that it deserves. Utilize your online platforms to raise brand awareness and increase your reader-base. Digital marketing is already a trend today, which you also have to take advantage of to get along with the competition. You are also allowed to go for the traditional forms of marketing, such as using brochures, banners, bookmarks, and more.