Are you an aspiring author? Are you wondering what it looks like to have a successful writing career? If you’re curious about what a week in the life of a self-published author looks like, we’ll take a transparent look in this article.
For our mini-series “A Week in the Life of,” we invited author, editor, and book coach Ramy Vance to answer some questions about his life as a successful urban fantasy thriller author. (Ramy’s answers are in italics.)
Table of Contents
What does a typical week look like for you as a self-published author?
I wake up early and write first thing to get my word count done. For me, it’s 3400 words a day. Then I take a break and shift gears to work on my book business, which includes:
- Self-editing
- Prepping for a launch
- Prepping for a promo
- Ads
- Misc
A week in the life of a self-published author looks different for everyone. It depends on how many books you’ve published, if you’re full-time or part-time, and how active you are in the process.
Some authors have full-time jobs and write on the side. They may only be able to carve out small chunks of time in the evening or on the weekends to work on their books. Career authors, on the other hand, view book work as their job and plan their days accordingly. The benefit of self-publishing is the ability to design a plan that works with your timeline.
How do you balance writing, marketing, and other responsibilities?
I block out time for each task. My mornings are ALWAYS for writing and deep work.
Authors who are serious about writing and improving their skillset understand that writing daily is critical. Being a successful writer is not always about natural talent. The best writers are those who consistently strive to improve their writing because they understand that true growth is in the practice. Writing consistently is like exercising a muscle. You become stronger and more efficient. You’ll often see your word count increase over time, and “getting in the zone” becomes less of a struggle.
What is your process for writing and editing your books?
I like to outline these days. I wasn’t always like that. So, I’ll research, outline, finish the draft, and then self-edit. I never self-edit until it’s done.
Whether you’re an outliner (plotter) or a pantser (discovery writer), consistency is key, and waiting until your first draft is complete before editing will save you from the rabbit hole of perfectionism.
Many writers struggle with the process. How do you get the work done? How much should you practice? How should you practice? How do you push past writer’s block? When should you table a manuscript and come back when you can see it from a fresh perspective?
Questions like these often only find answers through trial and error. Your process, like your book, will be unique to you. The more you write, the better you’ll understand what works for you.
What strategies have you found most effective for marketing your work?
Ads – that’s what’s working the best for me.
Ads are a great way to get your book in front of a targeted audience, but they can be cost-prohibitive, so it’s best to only invest in ads when you’re on solid footing with a solid strategy, know what you’re doing, or can hire a professional to assist. Book promotion sites like BookBub, TheFussyLibrarian, and others are also a great way to get your book in front of potential readers.
For organic growth, social media and author websites are the way to go. Unlike ads, posting on social media offers a unique opportunity to talk to readers directly and develop quality relationships. Author websites allow you to bypass the unpredictable algorithms of third-party sites, helping you to engage with readers on your terms. Both are excellent ways to communicate directly with your readers.
How do you engage with your readers and build your audience?
I have a Facebook group and newsletter.
Beyond social media, having an author website or landing page with an email list signup is an important part of a self-published author’s marketing strategy.
While ads and social media are great places to start, ultimately, you want to have control of the conversation. This only happens when you have direct access to your audience, which is something that you don’t get with third-party sites. Building your email list and sending out regular newsletters or emails allows you to have a deeper dialogue and connection with your audience. When the guardrails of third-party sites are no longer an issue, authors can engage with the readers directly and authentically.
Successful authors understand that providing their readers with value is critical to growing their brand. When they can keep the readers reading and opening emails, they know they have an opportunity to market to them later.
Successful authors also focus on networking with other authors. One of the benefits, especially as a self-published author, is the ability to cross-promote each other’s work. This takes the pressure off of doing everything on your own and also allows you to learn from others’ experiences, including their mistakes.
What challenges have you encountered in self-publishing, and how have you addressed them?
The constant changes Amazon and Facebook ads algorithms go through. It’s infuriating.
Algorithm changes are a common complaint of self-published authors. For many, nurturing their audience on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram or eCommerce sites like Amazon is critical to their book’s success. The more potential readers you can share content with, the better the chances are for future sales.
When platform sites change algorithms, the time and effort spent building an audience and connecting with followers can be wiped away in a single update. Organic reach can decline significantly, requiring authors to invest in paid media, which can strain their budget. Having to constantly adapt to these changes can be frustrating.
What was one especially rewarding experience in your self-publishing journey?
Fans reaching out. That’s always amazing!
When authors not only write great books but also take the time to create a community where readers feel welcomed, the rewards are endless. Although every author doesn’t have the time to respond to every email or comment (some don’t want to), they’ll find that what they are willing to give out, they’ll get in return. Being a successful author isn’t a solo act. It’s always about reciprocity.
How do you handle negative reviews or criticism of your work?
After 30+ books, I don’t even notice them anymore. I hunt down 3-star reviews in hopes of seeing what I can improve.
When it comes to reviews, three-star reviews are the sweet spot of constructive criticism. If your book is well-written, three-star reviews are often from people who wanted to like your book, but something stood in the way, like character development, story structure, or other foundational elements that might be something to consider for future books.
What’s something you wish you knew before you started self-publishing?
Nothing because if I knew how hard it would be, I wouldn’t have tried …lol.
While self-publishing a book can be rewarding and many authors would tell you it is one of the best choices they could have made for their book(s), there is still a big learning curve. Technology-wise, it’s easier to publish now than a decade ago because of the tools available to automate the process, but it can still be challenging because of algorithms, artificial intelligence, and a flooded market. If you’re okay with not having instant gratification, then self-publishing is the path for you. Just make sure you’re wearing your seat belt.
What advice would you give to writers considering self-publishing?
Like Nike, just do it!
Whether you’re a full-time author or launching your first book and writing between the margins of your day-to-day, a week in the life of a self-published author will be unique to you. Self-publishing offers the freedom and flexibility to share your book with the world on your terms. And while the market has shifted considerably over the last decade with more self-published books than ever, it’s still a great time to write that book you’ve been dreaming about. The barrier to entry is low, and the budget for getting your foot in the door is palatable. If you have a story to tell, there’s someone out there waiting to hear it.
