Are you wondering how to become a published author? Publishing may be a pipe dream for a lot of writers, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
In fact, publishing a book is entirely doable as long as you have motivation, guidance, support, and of course, a compelling story to share with the world.
Here at The Unapologetic Voice House, we’re dedicated to helping unspoken voices be seen, heard, and witnessed, which we achieve through four different publishing options.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to become a published author, and even provide five essential tips for being successful with publishing.
How to Become a Published Author: Five Essential Tips You Need to Know
Use Your Time Wisely
When it comes to writing, it can be challenging to pick up from where you left off. Before you sit down, it can be helpful to think of ideas or make a mental note of what you want to accomplish that day.
Additionally, it may be a good idea to set daily goals for yourself. Whether it be writing 2,000 words per day or finishing a chapter, these goals can help you stay focused.
Never Stop Writing
Before you even think about how to become a published author, you need actually to write your book. After all, the words aren’t going to write themselves.
While writing is a huge time commitment, it’s essential if you want to become a published author. By writing every day, you’ll practice your craft and become one step closer to publishing your book.
The easiest way to get started is to put your words on paper. It may be challenging at first, but many authors find that their stories begin to write themselves as they keep going. To crank out a few pages at a time, you should aim to schedule a specific time for writing and ignore any distractions.
Embrace the Editing Process
Writing is the most essential part of publishing a book, right? Well, not necessarily. Writing is important, but the editing stage is where your book goes from good to great.
Once you finish writing your book, you’ll want to go back to the beginning and revise until you’re happy with every single word. And the work doesn’t stop there either. Every great book should undergo two or three editing sessions, if not more than that.
If you’re concerned about editing, this may be an excellent time to engage with a publishing company. A publisher will be able to help you by providing layers of developmental editing, copy editing, and proofreading to bring your story to life.
Find a Publisher
After you finish writing and editing your book, the next step is finding a publisher who can teach you how to become a published author. With the support of a publisher, a great book is more likely to fall into the hands of readers.
Working with a publisher offers several benefits. Apart from copy editing and distribution, a publisher can also help you with the layout and design options that help your book stand out from others in your genre.
Most importantly of all, a publisher acts as your continuous support system, even after your book is published.
Dive Into Platform Building
Publishing a book is about more than writing and finding a publisher. It’s also about promoting your book by building a platform.
Your platform refers to your reach on social media and beyond. It’s your brand, voice, and public persona. It’s how you connect with an established audience and potential readers that are likely to buy your book.
From email newsletters to social media posts, there are several different ways to generate buzz about your book. Regardless of what you do, it’s essential to build a platform before it’s released.
Publish Your Book
Eventually, the time will come for you to publish your book. When the time comes, you should take a deep breath and pat yourself on the back.
Publishing a book is no small feat, so it’s important to celebrate before the real work begins. You’ll have to send copies of your book to reviewers, schedule speaking engagements, and so much more.
If this sounds like a lot, don’t worry. Publishers can help you, every step of the way!
Share Your Story With Us
Want to learn more about how to become a published author? The Unapologetic Voice House can help. As an independent book publishing house, we offer a blend of both traditional and self-publishing services to provide you with flexibility.
To learn how we can help bring your story to life, submit a query letter today!