Is Now a Good Time to be an Author?

Last week I shared some of my favorite ACFW 2012 memories with you. For those who were unable to attend, Michael Hyatt was the keynote speaker at this year’s conference and so the atmosphere was super-charged with excitement.

All year I’d looked forward to hearing Mike Hyatt speak. Like many, I’d read his bestselling book, Platform: How to Get Noticed in a Noisy World, and I couldn’t wait to hear this gentleman share his heart with a roomful of 650+ writers and industry professionals.

Since I follow Mike Hyatt’s blog and listen to his pod casts, I knew we were in for a treat.

Mr. Hyatt has done it all. From marketing to editorial to vice president of marketing and CEO of Thomas Nelson Publishers, his industry knowledge is vast and undisputed. (Throw editorial director, owner of his own publishing company, and literary agent in the mix and it makes for a well-rounded resumé.) He has been in some form of publishing for 34 years.

I was impressed by Mike Hyatt’s obvious love for family. His pride was apparent as images of his beautiful wife, daughters, sons-in-law, and grandchildren played across the massive PowerPoint screen. His emphasis on family was heartwarming, and I think the audience was able to make an immediate connection because of this.

As he began to deliver the “meat” of his message, he opened with “Now is the best time to be an author” and referenced Ecclesiastes 7:10.

He said it’s the best time because of five reasons:

1. It’s easier than ever to do the writing. Not easy. Easier. We have vast forms of technology at our disposal.

• Multiple conference opportunities exist. Learning, sharing, and networking are positive byproducts of such opportunities.
• Multiple books to help us with the writing craft.
• There are people to encourage. Yes, writing can be a solitary existence, but we have friends, mentors, and online connections to offer support and guidance.
• Software abounds. Everything for today’s writer exists. The writing craft is less hindered than it was even ten years ago.
• The world of research is easier. With the flick of a keystroke, we can find answers within minutes.

2. Market research is easier, too, because of the ease of the internet.

3. It’s easier than ever to get into print because of the multiple options. Traditional publishing is far from dead. The best days are still ahead. We have choices. A good rule of thumb: Don’t resist. Think forward and embrace it.

4. It’s easier than ever to “build a tribe.” Through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and a variety of other social media we can connect with like-minded people.

5. It’s easier than ever to build a “business.” We can do this through websites, speaking, coaching, and many more creative methods.

When asked what he recommended authors do when building a tribe or following, he spoke of blogging (on a regular basis), and maintaining an active presence on an author Facebook page and Twitter. Our posts and statuses shouldn’t be totally me-me-me related, but rather, tools to genuinely connect with those who share similar visions, interests, and goals.

Times are tough and day-to-day stress can be challenging. Michael Hyatt encouraged: “We can offer stories to help people make sense of the world they’re living in.”

*****

Why do you feel it’s a good time to be an author?

What would you like to see happen in the world of publishing?

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Photo Credit: Luigi Diamanti/Free Digital Photos.net

Blessings Always,