Taking a long-term view as an author

“Honestly, in the grand scheme of things the launch is quite small. You’ll find your book gathers momentum over time.”

I got some timely advice this week from a writer friend who has published several books.

I was explaining to her that I was waiting for my e-book to finally be ready to be uploaded and then released on my newsletter and digital platforms (youtube, podcast, etc) to try and give myself the best possible launch.

Her words to me were gold. I’m paraphrasing here, but she said something along the lines of:

“Honestly, in the grand scheme of things the launch is quite small. You’ll find your book gathers momentum over time.”

This was exactly what I needed to hear.

Being my first book, and never having been here before, I feel like this last month has been pretty intense. From getting the book perfected, to getting my launch content prepared, to (fast forward to earlier today), deciding which platforms to distribute my book on.

What are this platform’s fees vs that platform’s fees, how much platforms should I make my book available on? Which platforms do I choose? How many should I pick? 1? 2? 10?! Which Amazon categories and keywords should I use?

And so on and so forth.

Each time I’ve noticed myself feeling a little overwhelmed this week, I’ve tried to remind myself that, in the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t really matter.

Or, at least, the launch isn’t as important as I am perceiving it to be right now.

Yes, my book is really important to me and I’d like to make the best possible choices I can but, actually, the book will make a journey of its own over the coming weeks and months. It’ll find its own way. And if, along the way, I want to try something else or make a particular change (e.g. with where I’m distributing it), guess what… I’ll be able to make a change.

With my writing business, I am seeing myself as someone running experiments and seeing how they turn out. I am being curious. Yes, I am doing some research to help me make informed choices, but I am also just following my gut and embracing the possibilities that unfold, whatever the outcomes.

If you’re a writer heading towards publishing your first book, or your next book, I invite you to do the same.

Why every writer should have a blog

When I started writing things and sharing them on Medium back in 2015, I had no idea where this might lead. Who knew that I’d still be writing, that I’d have made some money as a writer (in the four figures so far), and that I’d be where I am today, building my writing business.

I feel that with blogging, just like with writing books, taking a long-term view helps.

I also feel that every writer, whether you’re writing just for fun or to make money too, should have a blog.

I explain exactly why in 🎥 this week’s short video.

by,

Jas

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