Do You Really Want to be a Published Author?
People often say things like:
‘I’ve always wanted to write a book.’
‘I’ve got a great idea for a novel.’
‘One day, I’m going to write my family history.’
If you’ve ever said something similar, perhaps you should make a start. But before you do, there’s a question that doesn’t get nearly enough attention:
Do you really want to be a published author?
Notice that I didn’t ask whether you want to write a book. Writing a book and becoming a published author are two very different experiences.
The Myth vs. the Reality
The mythical image of an author is appealing: you sit at a desk with a coffee (or a glass of wine), type The End, send your manuscript to a publisher, and wait for your book to appear in bookshops. It’s a lovely image. But it’s a myth.
In reality, a manuscript needs editing, often substantial, painstaking editing. It needs proofreading. It needs a cover that works, formatting for print and digital versions, a title, a description, metadata, ISBNs, and distribution arrangements. And then comes the part many new authors haven’t truly considered:
Marketing.
Getting a book published is relatively easy. You can do it yourself. But getting people to notice it is difficult. Getting them to buy it is harder still.
None of this is meant to discourage you. It’s meant to ensure that if you embark on the journey, you understand what you’re signing up for.
Start With the Most Important Question: Why?
Before you write a single chapter, ask yourself why you want to write a book.
Maybe you have a story that insists on being told. Maybe you’ve accumulated knowledge over a long career and want to share it. Maybe you want to leave something behind for your children and grandchildren. Maybe you’ve always dreamed of seeing your name on a cover.
All are perfectly legitimate reasons.
But be honest with yourself. If your primary motivation is fame and fortune, you may want to reconsider. There are far easier ways to become rich and famous.
For most authors, especially independent authors, the rewards are more personal. Finishing a book is an achievement. Holding the finished product in your hands is deeply satisfying. Seeing someone you don’t know reading your book is priceless.
And occasionally, a reader will tell you that something you wrote made a difference to them. That’s gold.
So, Do You Actually Like Writing?
Writing a book isn’t simply about having good ideas. It’s about putting those ideas into words and then changing those words. And changing them again and again.
The first draft is rarely the finished product. Good writing is usually the result of rewriting, editing, cutting, and (occasionally) adding. You may fall in love with a paragraph your editor thinks should disappear. Your favourite character may turn out to be unnecessary. Your carefully constructed opening chapter may need to start three chapters later. That’s all part of the process. If you’re unwilling to change what you’ve written when change is necessary, you’re not yet a mature writer.
Can You Cope with Criticism?
At some point, somebody will dislike your book. No matter how good it is. Someone won’t like your writing style. Someone will think the ending is terrible. Someone will fixate on that minor typo on page 156. Someone will give you a one‑star review.
You need to have a skin thick enough skin to distinguish between useful criticism and noise. Useful criticism can make your next book better. Noise is simply part of being published.
You can’t please everyone, and you shouldn’t try to.
Are You Prepared to Become a Marketer?
This is perhaps the biggest surprise for new authors. Publication doesn’t mean people will magically discover your book. You may have written something wonderful. It may have a brilliant cover and flawless editing. It may be available everywhere. And still, nobody buys it.
There are millions of books competing for readers’ attention. You need to tell people your book exists. That might mean:
social media
a website
book talks
podcasts
festivals
newsletters
reviews
libraries
book clubs
or simply talking to people
For many authors, this feels uncomfortable. Writing is private. Marketing is public. But if you want readers, you have to find them.
What Does Success Mean to You?
Before publishing, decide what success looks like. Is it:
Selling 10,000 copies?
Making enough money to quit your day job?
Getting onto a bestseller list?
Simply finishing the book?
Having 100 people read something you spent two years creating?
Seeing your book in your local library?
Having your grandchildren pick it up and say, ‘Grandma wrote this’?
Each definition of success is valid. Knowing yours at the start can save you a great deal of disappointment.
So, Should You Become an Author?
Absolutely. But for the right reasons. Don’t wait until you’re an expert. Don’t assume you need a publishing contract. Don’t imagine successful authors possess some mysterious talent that you don’t. And don’t think typing The End means the job is finished.
Becoming a published author is a journey. It begins with an idea. Then comes writing, rewriting, editing, designing, publishing and finally (and hopefully) readers.
There are plenty of opportunities to get things wrong. I know I’ve made plenty of mistakes myself. But that’s also why writing and publishing a book is worth doing. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.
There is something wonderfully empowering about taking an idea that exists only in your head and turning it into something that can have an impact on someone you’ve never met.
So ask yourself the question: Do you really want to be a published author?
If the answer is yes, don’t let the size of the task put you off. Break it into manageable steps. Learn as you go, ask for help when you need it and keep moving forward.
Every published book begins in exactly the same place: someone deciding that an Idea was worth turning into a book - a book with Impact.
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