How to become an author

Is becoming an author right for me?

The first step to choosing a career is to make sure you are actually willing to commit to pursuing the career. You don’t want to waste your time doing something you don’t want to do. If you’re new here, you should read about:

Overview
What do authors do?

Still unsure if becoming an author is the right career path? to find out if this career is right for you. Perhaps you are well-suited to become an author or another similar career!

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How to become an Author

Becoming an author involves developing your writing skills, finding your unique voice, and sharing your stories or ideas with others. Here are some general steps to help you get started:

  • Practice Writing Regularly: Writing consistently is the best way to improve your skills and gain confidence. Experiment with different styles and genres to discover what resonates with you and refine your personal voice.
  • Read Widely: Reading books, articles, and other materials exposes you to different writing techniques, storytelling methods, and perspectives. This practice helps expand your vocabulary, understanding of structure, and awareness of what engages readers.
  • Learn the Craft: Take the time to understand the mechanics of good writing, including plot development, character creation, and effective prose. Joining writing workshops, critique groups, or online communities can provide valuable feedback and improve your overall skill.
  • Formal Education: Pursuing a degree or courses in fields like English, creative writing, journalism, or communications can strengthen your writing foundation. These programs often cover storytelling, grammar, research, and editing, providing structured guidance and professional insight.
  • Create a Portfolio: Collect your best work into a portfolio to showcase your writing abilities. This can include published pieces, personal projects, or sample chapters that demonstrate your range and style to agents, publishers, or online platforms.
  • Submit Your Work: Start sharing your writing by submitting to magazines, websites, contests, or literary journals. You can also explore self-publishing or traditional publishing routes, depending on your goals and the type of content you create.
  • Build Your Network: Connect with other writers, editors, and readers through social media, writing groups, workshops, and events. Networking helps you gain support, feedback, and potential opportunities in the publishing world.
  • Stay Persistent: Writing and publishing can be challenging, and rejection is a normal part of the process. Keep refining your work, learning, and sharing your voice to grow as an author and reach your audience.

Helpful Resources
Authors have access to a variety of trusted resources and organizations that can help with publishing, legal matters, marketing, and connecting with readers.

  • Authors Guild: A well-known professional organization offering legal support, contract advice, and advocacy for authors.
  • Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi): Supports self-published authors with resources, marketing guidance, and industry news.
  • Writer’s Market: A widely used reference guide for finding publishers, literary agents, and submission info.
  • BookBub Partners: Provides tools and advertising services to help authors promote books to large audiences.
  • Goodreads Author Program: Allows authors to manage profiles, connect with readers, and run giveaways.
  • Reedsy: Offers editorial services, marketing guidance, and connects authors with freelancers.
  • Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP): Global platform for publishing and selling ebooks and paperbacks.
  • Draft2Digital: Ebook distribution service that sends titles to multiple retailers efficiently.
  • IngramSpark: Print-on-demand and distribution platform for print books and ebooks.
  • National Writers Union: Provides contract support, legal advice, and networking for authors.
  • Society of Authors: Offers contract guidance, advocacy, and support for authors (especially international).
  • Book Law: Provides legal services and contract review specifically for authors.
  • IRS Tax Resources for Authors: Government-provided guidance on taxes and self-employment issues relevant to authors.