Before you go further in your efforts to become a published author, do a quick assessment of your knowledge, resources and support network so that you have a sound foundation for ideas and information as you move forward. To do this, take a few minutes to answer the following questions. Add additional ones you might think of and answer them as well.
Use your responses as a planning sheet for preparing to create your work and ultimately generate revenue from your books.
- Where can I go for information on the writing and publishing profession?
- What lessons have I already learned that might help me become a better author who generates a steady stream of income?
- Whom do I know who might share other pertinent lessons as an author?
- What local groups might I network with that can help me become better known and help position me as a subject matter expert/author?
- Do I have an author platform? If not, how do I go about building one?
- What challenges do I face in becoming a known and successful author?
- What resources do I have available (e.g. people, money, or otherwise) that might help me overcome the challenges that I’ve identified?
- What equipment and supplies do I need as a writer? If I do not have them, where can they be obtained?
- What financial resources do I have to support me as I write and how will I get additional ones as I move forward?
- What do I need to know about book marketing that I do not already know?