Now is the Perfect Time to Plan Out Your Author Year

author goals for the new year paper-3042645__340 (002)It’s the new year, so we always hear a lot about resolutions around this time. While I’m not going to talk about resolutions, I do think the new year is a great time for authors to think about the year ahead.

“The whole year?” you ask. Yep. The entire year.

“But I don’t think like that,” you say. You’re a pantser and you like to see what happens.

Well, even if you like to be a pantser with your writing, it’s a good idea to look back at what worked last year, and plan ahead for the coming year. When I say plan ahead, I don’t mean you have to plan out every detail of your year. I do mean, you should jot down a sort of authorial blueprint that will help you accomplish what you want to get done this year.

What might your blueprint include? Continue reading “Now is the Perfect Time to Plan Out Your Author Year”

The Fear, The Dream, and The Reality – Releasing A New Book

White Rock Christmas An authors dreamIn the dream, my new release hits number one on the bestseller charts. Readers burn through my back catalogue and buy everything I’ve ever written. And someone super-important (after they beg profusely) pays me a large amount of money to get me to complete my next project. I have the same dream prior to the release of every book. The day I don’t have that dream is the day I’ll stop publishing and only write for pleasure.

Before the dream though, cometh the fears. Continue reading “The Fear, The Dream, and The Reality – Releasing A New Book”

Everyday Writing Resolutions for Self-Publishers

writers cave cathedral-cove-1592274_960_720Over the holidays I’ve been sequestered in the writing cave. It’s been productive; in fact I finished the final installment of a trilogy I’ve been trying to put to bed for the past few years. When I finally came out of the cave, it was January 1st and you know what that means. It’s time to turn random thoughts into resolutions and call it a blog.

Be more selfish

We devote a fair amount of time to helping others. We coach, encourage, and share our findings with our colleagues but we need to put ourselves first. We need to build our own mailing lists. We need to hone our own writing skills. We have to build our own support groups. These efforts have to come first before we help anyone else. Keep paying it forward but consider being a bit more selfish in the coming year. Continue reading “Everyday Writing Resolutions for Self-Publishers”

Authors: Do You Have A Business Plan?

business plan for authors business-idea-831053_960_720One of the hardest things about being an indie author is learning the business side of writing. You can be the best writer in the world, but if you can’t figure out a way to sell books and maintain those sales, then it’s going to be really hard to turn your talent into a career.

I’ve been published for just over four years now. I have over twenty books under my belt and I still have so much to learn. Over the past few months, I’ve set aside some time to really get my head around the business side of writing. I’ve somehow managed to wing it this far, but 2015 was a rough year for sales and I need to up my game.

So, this month, I decided to take the time to write up a proper business plan. I have found the task challenging, but also insightful. I hope it will keep me on track as I attempt to make 2016 my best year yet. Continue reading “Authors: Do You Have A Business Plan?”