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You’re nestled in a bustling cafe, surrounded by the delicious aroma of freshly brewed coffee, the melody of clattering keyboard keys, and the rush of your imagination flowing like waves crashing in an ocean. Whether you’re in an East London cafe by the canal, in the Tuscan hills, or a garden center cafe in Maui, Hawaii, you can work from anywhere in the world, your adventure of writing while supporting what you want out of life. If that sounds appealing, keep reading.
How do you do this dream a reality? The answer may lie in the captivating realm of author-takers.
Writing a novel and turning it into a thriving business can be both exciting and daunting. But anything can be possible with a passion for writing all over the world and the drive to bring your publishing vision to life. So, let’s embark on this journey together and explore some strategies for success as a novelist and entrepreneur. The exciting moment comes when these two facets – writing and building a business – merge and blend, allowing you to become a successful author-preneur.
Related: Author-takers: you must do this before writing your book
Become the storyteller, the novelist
First, we have to write a book. Easier said than done, right? But it is possible, simply because we all have interesting stories to share and our creative imaginations that can be explored. Therefore, seeing the trace of ink on the paper or hearing the melodic sound of the keyboard is much better than thinking. Start writing these words. Here are three key areas that could help you get started as a novelist.
1. Discover your unique voice:
It means letting go of your fears and allowing your creativity rage. Write about what matters to you, what lights the fire in your soul. We all have a unique voice; discover yours – the one that sets you apart from everyone else.
2. Embrace learning and growth:
There is no “best formula” for writing a book, but there is a form or structure that might help you get started. So much literature has been written on storytelling and the craft of writing, including courses and seminars you can attend. Being a voracious reader is a must, and it’s so much fun to learn, research, expand your knowledge, and enjoy creating characters and scenes. I attended a four-day story-making seminar a few months ago and will be attending a week-long writing retreat in Italy this year. THE learning never stops.
3. Make copywriting a process of continuous improvement:
Writing a novel should be considered a marathon, not a sprint, requiring perseverance and determination to grow stronger and better with each step. Tenacity is no less important than talent – perhaps more important to success. Talent alone will not write this book, but perseverance will push you to broaden your horizons and allow you to gain valuable experience.
Related: 7 Common Obstacles Budding Authors Face – And How To Overcome Them
Become an author-taker
So you’ve written a captivating novel, but now it needs to connect with its readers. Self-publishing is indeed a business; consider initial costs such as editing, cover design, website developmentmarketing and more.
Here are three key areas that will help you as writer-takers.
1. Master the craft of self-publishing:
Writing is just one facet of being a successful author-preneur. You also need to have a good understanding of the publishing industry and determine how to publish your book. I learn from successful self-published authors, my husband being one. I also combine years of business acumen with improving my book editorial journey.
There are workshops and an extensive network of self-published authors and industry professionals to help you gain the knowledge and skills to succeed. I am attending a self-publishing seminar in London and another in Las Vegas this year. The learning never ends, and it’s definitely exhilarating.
2. Visualize a roadmap:
As with any other endeavor, having a plan and clarity of what to expect helps me gauge my capacity and manage my time. Have a roadmap help because I have my annual goals and a high level plan for the next three years. It’s my big picture. I might go off the rails here and there, but that’s also part of the journey. Life happens; coffee helps.
3. Have a marketing plan:
While publishing your first book is undoubtedly a great achievement, subsequent books can pave the way for you to become a successful author-entrepreneur. However, even if your book is exceptional, effective marketing is still necessary for your story to reach its readers.
Make social media work for you and learn from unconventional success stories. Publishing a book will be great, but your second or third book will light your way to becoming a successful author-entrepreneur.
From dreams to books on the shelves and beyond
The journey of being a first-time novelist and entrepreneur is an exciting and fulfilling one. With dedication and will to embrace a new path, this can lead to great possibilities. So grab your pen, laptop, and coffee mug, and start writing your success story.
Picture this: you’re seated at a table behind massive stacks of books and your fans are lining up to get their autographed copies. Imagine the possibilities open to you when you write your next book somewhere in the world you’ve always dreamed of going.
Drum roll please; you have now entered the fascinating world of being a nomadic author-preneur.