The life of a bestselling self-published author is a mix of creativity, discipline, and entrepreneurship. Unlike traditionally published authors who may rely on publishing houses for much of the behind-the-scenes work, self-published authors must juggle writing with a myriad of other responsibilities, from marketing and sales to customer engagement and financial management. It’s a demanding but rewarding career that requires a unique blend of passion, perseverance, and business savvy. In this blog post, we’ll take you behind the scenes for a day in the life of a bestselling self-published author, revealing how they balance the art of writing with the demands of self-publishing.
1. Early Morning: Setting the Tone for a Productive Day
For many self-published authors, the day begins early. The quiet hours of the morning are often the most productive, offering a chance to focus on writing before the distractions of the day set in.
Morning Routine:
- Mindful Start: Many authors start their day with a mindful routine to set a positive tone. This could include meditation, journaling, or a morning walk. This time allows them to clear their mind, focus on their goals, and prepare for the creative work ahead.
- Coffee and Planning: A cup of coffee (or tea) is a staple for many writers. As they sip their morning brew, they often review their goals for the day, checking their to-do list and prioritizing tasks. This planning session helps them stay organized and ensures they tackle the most important tasks first.
Writing Time:
- Dedicated Writing Hours: The core of a self-published author’s day is, of course, writing. Many authors dedicate the early morning hours to their writing, often starting as early as 5 or 6 AM. This uninterrupted time allows them to immerse themselves in their work without the distractions of emails, social media, or daily chores.
- Word Count Goals: Successful self-published authors often set daily word count goals to keep their projects on track. These goals vary depending on the author, but many aim for anywhere from 1,000 to 3,000 words per day. Hitting these targets consistently is crucial for maintaining momentum and meeting publishing deadlines.
Example: Rachel Aaron, a successful self-published author, is known for her productivity. She starts her writing day early, setting clear goals and working in focused sprints to achieve high word counts. This disciplined approach has allowed her to publish multiple books each year.
2. Mid-Morning: Balancing Creativity with Business Responsibilities
After a productive writing session, many self-published authors shift gears to focus on the business side of their career. Self-publishing requires them to wear many hats, from marketer to accountant, and this time is often dedicated to managing those responsibilities.
Marketing and Promotion:
- Social Media Engagement: Social media is a powerful tool for self-published authors to connect with their readers. Mid-morning is often spent engaging with followers on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Authors might share updates about their writing, promote upcoming releases, or simply interact with their community.
- Email Newsletters: Building and maintaining an email list is essential for staying connected with readers. Many authors use this time to craft and send newsletters, offering subscribers exclusive content, updates on new releases, and special promotions.
- Ad Campaigns: Running targeted ad campaigns on platforms like Amazon, Facebook, or BookBub is a key strategy for driving book sales. Authors might spend part of their morning analyzing the performance of their ads, tweaking their strategies, and setting up new campaigns.
Example: Mark Dawson, a bestselling self-published author known for his John Milton series, spends a significant portion of his day managing his digital marketing efforts. His mastery of Facebook ads has been a major factor in his success, allowing him to reach a global audience and drive significant book sales.
Financial Management:
- Tracking Sales and Royalties: Self-published authors are responsible for managing their income streams, which often include book sales, audiobook royalties, and affiliate earnings. Mid-morning might be spent reviewing sales reports, tracking royalty payments, and ensuring that all income is properly accounted for.
- Budgeting and Expenses: Authors also need to manage their expenses, which can include everything from cover design and editing fees to marketing costs. Staying on top of their budget is crucial for maintaining profitability.
Example: Joanna Penn, a bestselling self-published author and entrepreneur, emphasizes the importance of treating writing as a business. She regularly reviews her financials, sets income goals, and invests in her career by budgeting for professional services like editing and cover design.
3. Lunchtime: Recharging and Reconnecting
Lunchtime is a chance for authors to step away from their work, recharge, and reconnect with their personal lives. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day to maintain energy and creativity.
Healthy Meals:
- Nourishing the Body: Many authors prioritize healthy eating as part of their routine. A balanced meal, whether it’s a hearty salad, a protein-packed sandwich, or a homemade smoothie, provides the energy needed to power through the afternoon.
- Mindful Eating: Some authors use lunchtime as an opportunity to practice mindful eating, focusing on their meal without distractions. This helps them relax and recharge before diving back into work.
Personal Time:
- Family and Friends: Lunchtime is also a chance to spend time with family or catch up with friends. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is important, especially for self-published authors who manage their own schedules.
- Recreation: Some authors use this time for light exercise, reading, or other recreational activities. Whether it’s a quick walk, a yoga session, or a few chapters of a good book, these activities help clear the mind and boost creativity.
Example: Bella Andre, a bestselling romance author, emphasizes the importance of taking breaks to spend time with family. She believes that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term success and happiness in the self-publishing industry.
4. Afternoon: Creative Projects and Professional Development
The afternoon is often dedicated to a mix of creative projects and professional development. This is the time when authors might work on editing, planning future books, or learning new skills to enhance their careers.
Editing and Revisions:
- Polishing the Manuscript: For many authors, the afternoon is spent revising and editing their work. This might involve working through feedback from beta readers or an editor, tightening up the prose, or refining the story’s structure.
- Collaborating with Editors: Self-published authors often hire freelance editors to help polish their manuscripts. The afternoon might include reviewing editorial suggestions, making revisions, and preparing the manuscript for publication.
Example: Hugh Howey, the bestselling author of Wool, is known for his meticulous editing process. He spends significant time revising his manuscripts, ensuring that every detail is perfect before releasing his work to the public.
Planning and Research:
- Plotting Future Books: Authors often use the afternoon to brainstorm and outline future projects. This could involve creating detailed outlines, researching historical or technical details, or developing characters and settings.
- Learning and Growth: Professional development is essential for staying competitive in the self-publishing industry. Authors might spend time taking online courses, reading industry blogs, or attending webinars to learn about the latest trends in writing, marketing, and publishing.
Example: Joanna Penn is a strong advocate for continuous learning. She regularly invests time in learning new skills, whether it’s mastering new marketing strategies or exploring emerging technologies like AI and blockchain in publishing.
5. Late Afternoon: Administrative Tasks and Reader Engagement
As the day winds down, authors often turn their attention to administrative tasks and reader engagement. These activities are crucial for maintaining the business side of their careers and building a loyal readership.
Administrative Work:
- Managing Correspondence: Authors receive a lot of emails, ranging from fan mail to business inquiries. Late afternoon might be spent responding to these emails, coordinating with editors and designers, or managing collaborations with other authors.
- Scheduling and Planning: Authors often need to juggle multiple projects at once. Scheduling and planning are essential for staying organized and ensuring that deadlines are met. This might involve updating a content calendar, setting reminders for upcoming tasks, or planning out the next day’s work.
Reader Engagement:
- Interacting with Fans: Building a strong relationship with readers is key to an author’s success. Authors might spend time replying to comments on social media, participating in online discussions, or hosting live Q&A sessions with their readers.
- Book Clubs and Communities: Many self-published authors participate in or host online book clubs and communities. Engaging with readers in these spaces helps authors build a loyal fanbase and receive valuable feedback on their work.
Example: E.L. James, author of the Fifty Shades series, has built a massive following through active engagement with her readers. She regularly interacts with fans on social media, participates in fan events, and values the connection she has with her audience.
6. Evening: Unwinding and Reflecting
Evenings are a time for authors to unwind, reflect on their day, and recharge for tomorrow. It’s important to strike a balance between work and relaxation to maintain creativity and avoid burnout.
Unplugging from Work:
- Digital Detox: Many authors make a conscious effort to unplug from work-related tasks in the evening. This might involve stepping away from the computer, putting the phone on airplane mode, and focusing on offline activities.
- Relaxation Rituals: Whether it’s watching a favorite TV show, reading a book, or taking a long bath, evening rituals help authors relax and prepare for a restful night’s sleep.
Reflecting on the Day:
- Journaling and Gratitude: Some authors end their day by journaling or practicing gratitude. Reflecting on the day’s accomplishments, challenges, and things to be thankful for can foster a positive mindset and provide motivation for the next day.
- Setting Intentions for Tomorrow: Before heading to bed, many authors take a moment to set intentions for the next day. This could involve outlining tomorrow’s writing goals, planning tasks, or simply visualizing a productive day ahead.
Example: J.K. Rowling, while not a self-published author, has spoken about the importance of reflection and gratitude in her daily routine. This practice helps maintain a sense of purpose and balance in the often chaotic life of a writer.
Conclusion
The life of a bestselling self-published author is a blend of creativity, discipline, and business acumen. Each day is carefully structured to balance the demands of writing with the responsibilities of marketing, financial management, and reader engagement. While the path to success in self-publishing is challenging, it is also deeply rewarding, offering authors the freedom to create, connect, and build a sustainable career on their own terms. Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a seasoned author, the lessons learned from the daily routines of successful self-published authors can inspire and guide you on your journey to literary success.