How to be a successful author.
Write something a publisher thinks everyone wants to read. Get that publisher to take over and do the rest. Sit back and enjoy the royalties.
How to be a successful writer.
Write what’s in your head. Write what makes you happy. Write what your imagination comes up with. Get half a dozen people to review and correct it. Return the favor by reviewing and critiquing their work.
Hire a professional editor to tear it apart so it looks professional and doesn’t look like your friends and family did the editing for you. Hire a good cover designer. Don’t think because you know Photoshop and have a good imagination that you can design your own cover.
Publish your book on all of the self publishing ebook and POD sites. Find every reviewer who reads your genre to review your book. Get half a dozen writers to review your book in exchange for you reviewing their books.
Go on book tours, book signings, book parties, book giveaways and anywhere else you can get a large crowd to see you and your book together.
Don’t stop to count your minuscule royalties. Write your next book very quickly and repeat all of these steps. Decent royalties may start coming by the second or third book, but only if you spend at least two hours a day writing and eight hours a day marketing and promoting yourself and your books.
How to be a happy writer.
Write what’s in your head. Write what makes you happy. Write what your imagination comes up with. Get half a dozen people to review and correct it. Return the favor by reviewing and critiquing their work.
Hire a professional editor to tear it apart so it looks professional and doesn’t look like your friends and family did the editing for you. Hire a good cover designer. Don’t think because you know Photoshop and have a good imagination that you can design your own cover.
Publish your book on all of the self publishing ebook and POD sites. Offer your book free from time to time to get it into reader’s hands.
Write again when the mood strikes you.
Sit back and relax. If readers like it, word of mouth will make things happen. If not, maybe the next book will do better. You may not sell much the first few books, but you’ll be doing what you enjoy, without any stress. If you’re any good, by the third or fourth book, you’ll find you have a growing loyal following.
Read more posts by O.M. Kiam.
