How to Become a Published Author

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Whether it’s a lifelong dream of yours, or you just decided this lunchtime that becoming a published author is the path for you, it takes a lot of time and work to make it a reality. This piece will take a look at how you can become a published author, and the steps you need to take to help you get there.

Determine The Niche or Genre of Your Work

First things first when wanting to become a published author, and this is having an in-depth understanding about what your work is going to be about. While it can be useful to rely on the knowledge you already have to lead what your book should be about, don’t let that stop you if you have an interest or passion in something else. Writing requires a lot of research, fact checking (depending on the genre), and it’s likely that you’ll be starting from scratch in some respects, regardless of what you already know. 

There are many niches to choose, from factual representations, science fiction, fantasy, romance, mystery, horror, academic, or even an amalgamation of them all. Think about what you’ll enjoy writing the most, what suits your writing style, and what you think your target audience will love.

Get Feedback

When undertaking a project which others will benefit from, it’s crucial that you get as much feedback as possible from all areas. You’ll want feedback from your target demographic, writers, editors, family, friends, and anyone else you can get your hands on. 

While it will be up to you to determine what you listen to, constructive criticism or suggestions can help you turn your book from a good book into a great book. It is, however, important to remember that not everyone is going to get it, like your style of writing, or feel engaged with it, and that’s perfectly normal.

Agent Or Self-Publishing?

If you’re looking to go through the traditional route with an agent, you need to start looking and pitching to the right people. This can be a lengthy process, and it’s important to be prepared for rejections, followed by dusting yourself off, getting back out there, and trying again.

Self-publishing is also a viable option and can be useful for production on a small scale. Did you know you can even choose single book printing so you can just get one copy? This can be useful for a prototype, giving you the chance to make any changes you want before full-scale printing and publishing. You might also just want one printed for yourself so you can say that you’ve become a published author in print! It can take much less time if you choose to self-publish, but it’s important to weigh up the pros and cons of each route.

Be Patient 

Like with many things worth doing, becoming an author (and published at that!) can really take time. Be patient, refine your writing, take on meaningful constructive points, and keep putting yourself out there.