How to Be a Happy Author  

 by Diane Eble

Why do people want to write books?

Why do you want to write a book? (Which I assume you do or did, if you’re reading this.)

You have a dream in the back of your mind about what being an author will mean to you. (Or, if you’ve already written one, you had a dream at one time.)

I want you to move that dream to the front of your mind and take a good look at it.

What do you hope being an author will do for you?

There are all sorts of reasons why a person wants to write and publish a book:

• gain fame
• make a fortune
• create an impact
• leave a legacy
• give witness to an amazing story
• teach others what you know
• document family history
• establish yourself as an expert
• secure higher speaking or coaching fees
• express yourself
• gain recognition for your knowledge …

… and any number of other reasons.

Every other decision you make as an author should flow from your reasons for becoming an author.

Now here’s THE SECRET to being a happy author: Make sure your willingness to take action matches up with your dream.  

In other words, manage your expectations.

For instance, if fame is your expectation, are you willing to learn what it takes to gain publicity, and then do it? (For an example of what that looks like, listen to the replay of the teleseminar I did with Noah St. John at www.greatauthorpromotions.com.) Are you willing to take years to build your platform, if necessary?

If you want to make a fortune, are you willing to do much, much more than write one book? Are you willing to see yourself not as an author of one book, but as a person with a message who is willing to take that message to as many people as possible, in as many forms as possible? Are you willing to learn about video and audio and Internet marketing and publicity and repurposing your material? Are you willing to make being an author a career?

If you want a book to build your business and credibility, are you willing to spend the money to get it professionally edited and published? Are you willing to see it as an expensive but highly effective “calling card” for your business?

I’m trying to give you the voice of reality here. If you find yourself shrinking back and thinking, I’m really not willing to do all that, I just want to publish my book idea—that’s okay!

It really is.

You can still be a happy author …IF you’re willing to tell yourself the truth.

If you can be content to say to yourself, Here’s what I’m willing to do, and I’ll be happy with whatever results those actions bring … 

THEN you can be a happy author, no matter what the size of your dream.

As a publishing coach, I KNOW all that I could be doing to, say, promote my book, Abundant Gifts.

But I have this publishing coach business. I have many other meaningful things I’m involved in. I’m still passionate about the book and the message, but I only have so much time to give it.

And I’m okay with that. I get emails and letters from people who are blessed by the book, and it thrills my heart. I have things I do to keep the audience engaged, and I trust that it is reaching some people.

So I’m a happy author.

I don’t aspire to be on national television. I know what that would take, and it’s just not something I’m choosing to do now.

So I’m a content author.

You can be, too.

It all starts with matching your expectations and your willingness to take action.

So what do you want? What are you willing to do to get it? How can you bring the two into alignment?

Here’s to you … happy author! 

Next Steps …

1. Get the Author Success Plan, the 5-part minicourse that will show you “The ABCs of Becoming a Successful Author.” (Successful = happy here.)

2.Save yourself time, money, and energy (not to mention potential heartache) by planning your book the right way with Write Your Book Right: 12 Questions Successful Authors Always Answer. It will take you more in depth on not only this issue, but the other areas you need to understand and think through so that you can become publishable and profitable. You will also have the option to get follow-up coaching at a substantially reduced fee. 

   Publishing Coach Weekly Teleseminar Replay 

On this teleseminar I talk about "The 3 Essentials to Becoming a Successful and Happy Author" (Part 1)

I unveil the "Author Success Plan" mini-course--which is absolutely free! You won't want to miss this. (Part 2)

And I answer questions (Part 3)

If you still have a question, remember--you can always ask at www.askyourbookpublishingcoach.com.

Get the Resource Guide

Part 1: The 3 Essentials

   right click to download

Part 2: Your "Author Success Plan: The A-B-C's of Becoming a Successful Author"

    right click to download

 Other Publishing Coach Weekly Teleseminar Replays