What’s the Hardest Thing a Debut Author Faces?

I’ve toyed with writing today’s blog post for months. To be honest, it’s a little unnerving laying bare those hurdles and milestones a début author faces.

I strive to encourage and motivate while also sharing a little wit, wisdom, and reality. In other words—I refuse to be a Persimmon Polly in this world where ugly rhetoric is too often the order of the day. Still, if you’ve visited my little online home for a while, you know my motto.

Tactfully. Truthfully. Lovingly. 

My go-to words.

The mindset I use to weigh what I say and how I act. It’s a life philosophy that’s served me well.

In other words, I won’t promote doom and gloom, and I won’t sugarcoat either. Where’s the value in that?

I believe we can reach a happy medium.

I think we best help others when we share our own experiences—the easy and the hard—as we move forward in our journey. (Click-to-Tweet)

So with that in mind, let’s chat about being a début author. Specifically, what’s the hardest thing a début author faces?

Now that I’ve stood on both sides of the fence—the pre-published side and the grass-is-always-greener (said tongue-in-cheek) début author side, I’ve gained new insights.

I’d heard some of these things before so they didn’t come as a surprise. Though, once you become a (traditionally) published author, the landscape changes.

I say “traditionally” because it’s my frame of reference just now. Being traditionally published was always a life goal. I have zero experience as an indie author, but I have many fabulous author friends who’ve navigated that path and they’re quite successful at it.

This isn’t a post about traditional versus indie or hybrid authors.

This is my own perspective, my personal journey to becoming a (traditionally) published author.

If you’ve trudged the same path, maybe we share similar viewpoints. Or…maybe our experiences and insights vary. That’s the beauty of humanity—we’re diverse and different. (Click-to-Tweet)

What one person finds a challenge, another may view it a cakewalk.

If you’re still on the pre-published path, don’t let this discourage you. Consider this a reality-check. Success-prep is in the knowing.

Here’s my personal list of hard things a début author faces. (I’ve saved the hardest for last.)

Endorsements: Asking authors who write in a similar vein and genre to read and possibly endorse my book. As weird as it sounds, I worried about this the least. Since I’d navigated the publishing road for a long while, over the years, I’d developed many friendships and online relationships with authors I admired. I’d finaled in and won several major writing contests (see my “writing” page), so I had faith in my work. My agent had faith in my work. Her Hope Discovered finaled in the 2016 ACFW Genesis Contest, and by way of judges’ comments, I believed in this story/series of my heart. Still, seeking endorsements was a little scary. I’m blessed to have everyone I asked (except for two who had writing deadlines and commitments) to offer their wholehearted support. Thank you, stellar authors!

Launch Team: Inviting like-minded team members—authors and supporters—to come alongside and spread the word about Her Hope Discovered. Creating a launch team’s somewhat daunting. Ideally, to increase the chances of a book’s success, an author needs members who (a) are crazy about the book, (b) have an active social media presence, (c) have influential connections, and (d) have the tenacity to pick up the slack when an author’s stamina wanes. To create my launch team, I went first to my Fabulous Readers and Influencers’ Facebook group. (This is a closed group, meaning only members see posts, but anyone can join. In fact, we’d love to welcome you there!) I asked for those who were interested in joining my launch team to contact me and we’d go from there. Again, I’ve had awesome support! This super-secret behind-the-scenes team has done everything and more I’ve asked them to do (which, BTW, you cannot be shy about letting your team know the specifics about what you need them to do and when). This group of fantastic people have also picked up the reigns when I’m exhausted and helped in wonderful ways too numerous to mention.

Word of mouth: Spreading the word about a début author and her book takes effort. A book’s success—an author’s success—doesn’t magically happen (though, I firmly believe it can through divine appointment and supernatural guidance). Almost always, a book’s success depends on several factors, one of which is traction, and in the case of a début, it does take a village to ensure a positive outcome. As more people share, momentum builds. When a book starts garnering great reviews, word circulates. More people buy the book. More people read the book. More people fall in love with the book!

Readership: Speaking of reading, to gain a following—a tribe of faithful readers—an author must encourage people to READ HER BOOK. If I don’t believe in my story, who else will? An author must talk about her book! *gasp* To whom? Potential readers! Again, somewhat of a nail-biter, but still, not the hardest thing I’ve faced.

Competition: Yes. That dreaded word no one wants to mention because it isn’t polite. But here’s the truth. It doesn’t matter what we write or in what genre, there will always be competition. There will always be that little niggling thought am I good enough? Healthy competition is good. It isn’t so good if we allow that mindset to debilitate us. While I’m aware of who’s doing what and who’s writing what, I’ve learned to filter. Yes, I must watch numbers. Yes, I must watch ratings. Yes, I must write well. BUT I refuse to measure my success by another’s definition. (Healthy) competition keeps us alert and on our toes in this ever-changing industry. The publishing dynamic has many interesting nuances. Do I cheer for my fellow author friends? Yes! Do I want Her Hope Discovered to succeed? You betcha!

Five additional hard things a début author faces. (Keep reading. I’ve saved the hardest for last.)

Peers’ thoughts: In any industry, be it writing, teaching, nursing, whatever, we wonder what our coworkers think. Sometimes, there’s the tendency to overthink. Since writing is more of a solitary career, an author may not interact with her “coworkers” (other writing professionals) except online or at yearly conferences and monthly meetings. It’s not always easy to read facial cues and body language through a computer or phone screen. As a début author, I appreciate praise and positive feedback. I also realize there’s room to grow. Graciousness versus humility. Yes. There’s a fine balance there.

Respect: Okay, this is a distant cousin to peers’ thoughts. While I realize Her Hope Discovered isn’t the very, very best thing I’ll ever write (because, after all—what author doesn’t want to improve?), I do value what my peers think regarding the worthiness of my story. I love this little world I’ve created. I hope my readers and peers do, too! I pray my Welcome to Ruby series is well received, and I really, really hope if people love it, they will let me know—and write a review! For a début author, a cheering section can mean the difference between a mediocre day and a knock-it-out-of-the-park afternoon. Positive vibes bolster me.

Reviews: For authors, especially début authors, reviews are huge. HUGE. As I’ve said before, these little gems increase visibility and credibility. They bump up our book in rankings. They encourage sales. They show the world that our book is worthy. Now, granted, Her Hope Discovered is a very new release. Still—I would love (pretty please with sugar on top) to see those reviews roll in, friends! (And note—we’re getting warmer. I know this is a lengthy post, but please keep reading for the hardest thing a début author faces.)

Success/Reception: While our first book isn’t likely to be our best, a début author certainly doesn’t want it to be our last. In my case, I’m contracted for two more books in my Welcome to Ruby series. Do I dream that it will be as well-received as similar bodies of work? Do mashed potatoes need gravy???? Of course! Dreams motivate us. They make us believe the impossible! I couldn’t have survived the muck and mire without mine. So yes—in all honesty, I want my book to succeed. And yes—I do think about it almost 24/7.

NOW… *drumroll* …

Sustainability: THIS is the hardest thing I’ve faced…am facing. As a début author I realize exhaustion is a normal rite of passage. I planned for it. Expected it. Shed tears over it. I fervently pray that all the heart and soul I’ve poured into this little story of new beginnings and second chances will catch fire and burn hope in those without.

Would you please help me?

Would you please share Her Hope Discovered and the message within?

I’d be ever so grateful. ♥

 

***

 

SHARING IS CARING

 

Word of mouth is huge for a début author. Nine more things I’ve learned.

(Click-to-Tweet)

 

A candid look at the hurdles and milestones a début author faces and why nerves of steel are a must in today’s publishing industry.

(Click-to-Tweet)

NOT TO MISS

 

Waiting, Writing, and Why You Must Not Quit

Inspiration to keep moving forward in your publishing journey.

 

Original Image Credit: Kaitlyn Baker / Unsplash

 

 

Let’s chat! What’s the hardest thing you’ve faced in your writing journey?

What steps are you taking to move forward?

As a reader, are you willing to take a chance on a début author? 

 

***

Thank you, dear friend, for listening. 

Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly e-newsletters where we dish more about life, love, and second chances.

Happy reading! xoxoxo

Much Love and Many Blessings,