Writing is a proper job and requires the same dedication as any paid job; although it is not easy to make a living writing as a novelist. If you do not know where to begin, start by being versatile: do content writing, copy-writing for agencies, ghost-writing or blogging.

Refine your art and get exposure.

Invest in yourself. Every step takes time, energy, and probably some cash. Embrace every move.

Take the time to make sure that you are putting out the best version of yourself, then be prepared for the opportunities that will come your way.

Begin by:

  • Keeping your energy levels up
  • Avoid distractions – social media can draw you in and consume you
  • Remain committed- set a schedule if needed
  • Take advantage of every promotional opportunity
  • Study the craft of writing
  • Understand sentence structures and know your grammar. Writing involves many technical aspects.
  • Blogging matters – It’s an opportunity to put your authentic voice out there. Leverage your posts and turn those into opportunities.
  • Build a fan base – Double check your mailing list. Fans are built one by one . Pay attention to everyone who likes, comments, and shares your posts. They are your fan base and the closer you can get to your readers, the better.

DEVELOP AN ACTION PLAN:

1. Put your project into action

Your book manuscript is complete. Which means that the first step is behind you. Now, get to know the book industry and its conventions. Think about your ideal reader and the regulations surrounding book publishing. Then create a detailed to-do plan for your book and its future.

2. Making a living with writing

Know that, only very few writers can live from writing alone.  So, take another look at your book, from the perspective of a reader, a critical reader. Be realistic and judge your own book from every perspective. Your book has to be of a very high quality to have a chance on the market, and good enough to convince others of your writing talent.If, after careful analysis, you are convinced that your book is good enough, you have to put all your energy into your publishing and marketing plan.

3. Write with your own literary voice

Work on your own writing voice. You cannot stand out from the crowd if you copy another author’s style and voice. And don’t stop with just one book. Successful authors publish books regularly to keep their fans happy.

4. Ready to search for a publisher?

Know your book: genre, stylistic features, theme, target audience, etc. Now start looking for a suitable publisher. Every publisher has certain specialties and genre.

Or, hire a literary agent to target the right publishers for you. Literary agents filter the good manuscripts from the avalanche of new manuscripts they receive every day, making them popular with publishers. Literary agents are like matchmakers for authors and publishers, and much can be gained from their expertise and knowledge.

5. Traditional publishing vs self-publish

You can either be a traditionally published author or an indie author who self-publishes. Technology has opened the door to self-publishing which puts your books on the market within a relatively short time frame. With publishing houses, you might wait weeks if not months for a reply. Self-publishing means rights will remain with you. You will also have more control with your book and full control over your book’s marketing and sales – but of course this also means that you will have to take over all the responsibility for the success of your book.

6. Learn to live with rejections

You have to be persistent if you want to be successful as an author. Every best-seller has been rejected at least once. Making it unlikely that your book will be accepted by the first publisher you send it to. Begin by being self-critical. It will help you when dealing with other people’s opinions. People are not always nice. Take the advice of critics to improve your manuscript, even your appearance.

7. Register your business

Once your book is published you will start making money, so, you need to think about making it official and organize things like your taxes. There are options: register as self-employed, or as a corporation in the financial year in which you first started to earn money with your book. Get the paper work out of the way as soon as possible so you are able to focus on what really matters: marketing and writing that next book. It is a good idea to speak with an accountant.

“Linda has published fifteen books. She blogs about the publishing world, posts useful tips on the challenges a writer faces, including marketing and promoting your work, how to build your online platform, how to get reviews and how to self-publish.”