5 Things All Successful Career Authors Have In Common

Ah, the career author. Imagine walking along the beach after a morning of writing while your books fly off shelves. That’s the life! More like a fantasy. Few authors make enough money from their books to not have other jobs or income sources. I will not say you can’t, because some people do. Just like astronauts go to the moon, a writing career is not impossible. Look at Stephen King, Danielle Steel, Lisa Genova, or James Redfield. By the way, Lisa Genova and James Redfield started out self-published. If you want to be a career author, ask yourself, “How hard am I willing to work at my craft and at the business of being an author?” Let’s look at five things all successful career authors have in common.

1. Career Authors are Prolific Writers

Career authors write every single day- not just when they feel like it. They write like it’s their job because it is. Ask yourself, “How many words can I write a day? ”Let’s take 1000 words a day as an example. That’s 365,000 words a year. Which has the potential to be is several 50,000-word books or one epic novel. But, writing doesn’t consider all the other things you have to do as an author. Like editing, publishing, promoting and planning, to name a few. Most people do not write 1000 words a day, but if you do, good on ya… and if you don’t… it is a skill that you can gain. Go practice. Check out my video on building a writing practice YouTube Video : https://youtu.be/t8hYIN5-nI8

2. Career Authors Get Support

Career authors don’t do it all themselves. For the planning, editing, promotion, and cover design -they get help. Career authors let a professional format their book. They pay someone to design an evocative cover that will catch the eye of potential readers. Even self-published authors, smart ones, hire an editor or two or more.

Career authors do a lot of work but not all of it. They know what they are good at, and they hire others to do the rest. Join Author Nation to build your author career in community.

3. Career Authors Understand Their Market

They have a clear vision of their readers, and they write for them. Career authors understand their genre. They also understand writing tropes, their importance, and use them.

Selling a lot of books starts by understanding who will buy them. Being a career author means knowing who your readers are and what they are looking for. It’s a must if you want to sell lots of books.

4. Career Authors Have A Platform To Speak From

Career authors aren’t hiding in attics typing away like some movie author recluse. They get social on places like Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter. Because they know their fans want to know them and connect with them.

Career authors know connecting with their audience creates other opportunities such as media attention, which brings more fans- a virtuous circle.

If you want to be a career author, start getting social about your work. Learn more about author platforms.

5. Career Authors Have a Clear Promotion Plan

Either they are top-notch marketers, or they have the backing of top-notch book promoters. They also understand that Amazon is a huge search engine and understand how it works. Amazon is a complex monster, and that is one promotional avenue of many.

Books are products, and products need promoting if you are going to sell them. Career authors understand that.

I am not trying to dissuade you from trying; the opposite. I believe that the people who do the work and are persistent are likely to succeed. Giving up is the most likely cause of failure.

Don’t give up. Be realistic and be willing to do the work and then reap the rewards. Be willing to become an amazing writer and an astute business person.

If you are ready to put in the time, money and effort- go do it!

Check out Author Nation’s resources and get started on your author career.

– Keep writing

Melody Ann

Author Nation is your go-to resource for becoming a successful nonfiction author, from planning to promotion and everything in between. Download the resource for the stage you are in.

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