THE Group for Authors! discussion

Julia, the best tip I can share is that there is no one right way to do everything a new author must accomplish! It's a journey involving many different steps, some more important than others depending on your goals as an author meaning are you in this to make money or to be recognized for writing your first book? Of course you can do both, but different goals, especially for first time authors, require different steps. It's challenging, confusing, frustrating and exhilarating to publish the first time, but all authors follow different paths to what they define as success. Remember, "a book is only half finished when an author completes the writing. It's complete when a reader has read it."

Maybe three things?

Don't worry too much about reviews. Some people will adore your book, some people will hate it. Getting reviewed is the important thing. But don't pay for those! They are not worth it.

Make yourself visible on Social Media, but not necessarily to promote your own work. Support others and others will support you.

Keep writing!

Unfortunately, most authors except those at the very top who can command the PR services of their publisher, have to promote their work. Find that balance between promoting your book and actively participating on social media forums that connect with the subject or genre of your book. Write guest blogs if that option is available to you. Contact local media (newspapers, radio, bloggers) with a good press release about your book. Contact your local library to see if they would host a talk/discussion/book signing.

Really good advice!!!

One of the best ways to build your author platform is by participating in contests. Writer Advice is running a Flash Memoir Contest through March 2. Details, fees, and cash prize info at https://writeradvice.com/latest-conte.... Reedsy likes us and we think you will too.

I recently started a Discord group chat called ''Authors supporting Authors''. It's a place where we come together to give advice, get advice, help promote each other's books and find beta readers.

If you are interested, here's the link: https://discord.gg/5FTjA7qu