Becoming a Professional Writer

To most of us, the phrase ‘professional writer’ means someone who earns their income through writing, perhaps even all of their income. Research from the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre tells us that’s increasingly rare: declining from 40% in 2006 to 19% in 2022. But being, or becoming, professional is not just about how much you make – it’s about your approach to writing. And while this is true of any writing, it’s particularly important when it comes to writing for publication. Which is why I recommend to my clients the following steps:

• Write, rewrite and polish your work: make sure your words are examined, pared down and represent what you mean, in the best, most succinct, way
• Edit your work – some of us love editing, others don’t, but a book may need several edits – I edited my third novel three times
• Have it professionally edited and proofread. Why you might ask? Because with time, you’ll get too close to your words and might not even notice if you’ve missed out a word or two out. An objective eye can also see the bigger picture with regard to the plot – is there sufficient tension and pace, and does the story progress naturally? An editor will also be able to tell you if your characters are rounded and appealing, even if they’re not meant to be great people. Proofreading gives a book its final polish – checking for consistency in style, grammar and spelling, and ensuring your book looks professional
• And speaking of looks – remember to get a great cover – one that would draw your eye in a shop. Apart from the content, your cover is your book’s greatest advertisement, yet it’s sometimes what people neglect. The cover should also fit with the genre. Do your research by visiting your local Waterstones, WH Smith or indie bookstore
• So what now? Assuming you’re going to publish your work, your book needs to be formatted for e-book and print, then published, and there are options here – Amazon is one of them, but it’s not the only one. And different platforms have different requirements. As you’re writing your book, think about who it’s for, how you want it to look and where you’d like to make it available. Then, armed with awareness, you can find out what you need to know, and you’ve got a plan

That’s what being professional means – doing what’s best for your book – and you. And while none of this is necessarily easy, at the end you’ll be proud of what you’ve achieved.

Ellie Stevenson, Book Coach, Motivation to Publication (and beyond)
  Website www.motivationtopublication.com

Email  stevensonauthorcoach@gmail.com
 

For further help with the above, check out the Alliance of Independent Authors Self-Publishing Services Directory: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/services-directory/

© Ellie Stevenson, October 2024