2 answers
Sara
Student
Meridian, Idaho
2
Questions
Updated
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What is it like to be an author (just plain writing books)?
I have already written a book and want to know what publishers would accept a kid author, if there is job stability, or if it should just be a hobby and not my main job at first. #author #professional #jobs #people
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2 answers
Kailey Bright
1
Answer
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina
Updated
Kailey’s Answer
Hey Sara!
I'm a 20 year old publishing this winter. I've been writing for a couple of years (a series just like yours!), so congrats that you've finished the first draft!
1. Writing your book should be a side hustle until you're at a point where your book is profitable. While I'm a full-time student, I keep a rigid writing schedule so I can keep up with both demands. Once you're at a point where your book has taken off, then you can be a full-time author.
2. A lot of the traditional publishing houses will not accept young or undiscovered authors. And I wouldn't recommend wasting your time sending query letters to every literary agent or publishing house because you'll be disappointed. Most don't respond or send mass emails rejecting your proposal. That is NOT because you're a bad author. That is simply how the traditional publishing house is.
3. I would highly recommend going through a hybrid publishing company. A hybrid publishing company means that you get the technical and editorial support you'll need to make your book the best version it can be AND you get to keep most (if not all) of your rights to your work. I'm currently going through New Degree Press. Contact Eric Koester on LinkedIn for more details about the Book Creators program.
4. To make your book profitable, you have to market yourself. I know this is scary. When I first started out, I didn't want anyone to know my book because our work is personal. But you cannot be a successful writer without an interested audience. Make an Instagram or other social medias all about your book and encourage your friends and family to follow your progress. If you'd like, you can follow me @ambitiousinpink on Insta and Tiktok to see how I try and promote my material. Feel free to DM me too about any follow up questions.
I hope this helped! :)
I'm a 20 year old publishing this winter. I've been writing for a couple of years (a series just like yours!), so congrats that you've finished the first draft!
1. Writing your book should be a side hustle until you're at a point where your book is profitable. While I'm a full-time student, I keep a rigid writing schedule so I can keep up with both demands. Once you're at a point where your book has taken off, then you can be a full-time author.
2. A lot of the traditional publishing houses will not accept young or undiscovered authors. And I wouldn't recommend wasting your time sending query letters to every literary agent or publishing house because you'll be disappointed. Most don't respond or send mass emails rejecting your proposal. That is NOT because you're a bad author. That is simply how the traditional publishing house is.
3. I would highly recommend going through a hybrid publishing company. A hybrid publishing company means that you get the technical and editorial support you'll need to make your book the best version it can be AND you get to keep most (if not all) of your rights to your work. I'm currently going through New Degree Press. Contact Eric Koester on LinkedIn for more details about the Book Creators program.
4. To make your book profitable, you have to market yourself. I know this is scary. When I first started out, I didn't want anyone to know my book because our work is personal. But you cannot be a successful writer without an interested audience. Make an Instagram or other social medias all about your book and encourage your friends and family to follow your progress. If you'd like, you can follow me @ambitiousinpink on Insta and Tiktok to see how I try and promote my material. Feel free to DM me too about any follow up questions.
I hope this helped! :)
Mark Morgan
Telecom Engineer/Truck Driver
148
Answers
Newburgh, Kentucky
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hi Sara!
I am so excited for you! You are at a perfect place in your new career as a writer! It seems to me that you've discovered your calling. So... you're a writer. This is so awesome!
You're already on step five on the steps I'm listing below!!
Here are the steps on how to become an author:
1 Educate yourself to become an author
2 Build the skills needed to become a bestselling author
3 Master the fundamentals of book writing
4 Create a positive author mindset
5 Write your first book to become an author
6 Publish your book to become a published author
7 Market your book to become a bestselling author
8 Write another book!
My point to you being at the perfect place in your career as a writer is that you don't have to support yourself right now. Many writers have to work at a job 8 to 10 hours a day and then write in their spare time.
As far as your question. Authors are just ordinary people. Some have to support their craft by working and some are supported by their craft.
You've figured out your passion so I'd pursue a four year degree and become a writer of some kind. These days you can self publish, but you'd be better served to find a publisher as you are still in the learning phase. There is so much you can learn by going though the process.
Good luck
Mark
Research Publishers
Pursue at least four year degree
Enjoy your passion
I am so excited for you! You are at a perfect place in your new career as a writer! It seems to me that you've discovered your calling. So... you're a writer. This is so awesome!
You're already on step five on the steps I'm listing below!!
Here are the steps on how to become an author:
1 Educate yourself to become an author
2 Build the skills needed to become a bestselling author
3 Master the fundamentals of book writing
4 Create a positive author mindset
5 Write your first book to become an author
6 Publish your book to become a published author
7 Market your book to become a bestselling author
8 Write another book!
My point to you being at the perfect place in your career as a writer is that you don't have to support yourself right now. Many writers have to work at a job 8 to 10 hours a day and then write in their spare time.
As far as your question. Authors are just ordinary people. Some have to support their craft by working and some are supported by their craft.
You've figured out your passion so I'd pursue a four year degree and become a writer of some kind. These days you can self publish, but you'd be better served to find a publisher as you are still in the learning phase. There is so much you can learn by going though the process.
Good luck
Mark
Mark recommends the following next steps: