Dear Author

A long, long time ago, I posted this lil’ blog called Dear Book Blogger. At the time, it garnered some good attention and I still love that post dearly (if you haven’t read it, go check it out).

But with all of the negative self-talk I’m seeing online from my industry peers lately, I think we’re long overdue for the next iteration. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the game or well-established, I think these are some good reminders for all of us.

Dear Author,
I know it’s driving you insane … but finish that book. Your words matter. They matter to you, and one day when your novel is out in the world, they will absolutely matter to someone else, too. I promise.

Dear Author,
Whatever is plaguing you … plotting, Facebook ads, or how you’re going to price your next novel … you don’t have to figure it all out today, or hell, even tomorrow. Do what you can with what you’ve got in the moment that you’ve got it.

Dear Author,
Find your tribe and love them hard. They will be your support system when things turn awry and keep you motivated when you’re ready to throw in the towel. (And to my tribe … thank you.)

Dear Author,
You are more powerful than you’ll ever know. Your words hold the power to change, the power to make someone feel, the power to hurt and heal. You create something amazing out of nothing at all. And you’re doing what others only dare to dream.

Dear Author,
It’s okay not to know everything. The only way we can get better is to become a student of the industry. So be patient. Don’t get frustrated. Learn how to write to market. Study ads that receive great engagement. Learn from the successful book launches of your peers. We’re all in this together.

Dear Author,
Invest in yourself. Invest in your craft and your books. Invest in learning. Invest in great cover art. Invest in an editor that is even greater than your cover art because while everyone will judge a book by its cover, they’ll judge you by the content inside.

Dear Author,
I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Stick with it … one day at a time, one book at a time, one word at a time. It’s okay if you aren’t the kind of author who can push out three, four, or even five books a year. Forward motion is a pace.

Dear Author,
Set goals. Make a plan. Don’t sell yourself short. You’ve got this.

Dear Author,
Comparison is the thief of joy. And there will never be another you, unless there is a pirate pretending to be you. But pirates suck (unless, of course, we’re talking about Jack Sparrow). So yeah … always be you.

Dear Author,
In case you’ve forgotten, readers will buy more than one books. They will read more than one book. It’s not like they buy one title and will never pick up another book ever again. So lose the “we’re all in competition with each other” mentality.

Dear Author,
When you find yourself sitting atop the mountain of success, turn around, reach down, and help pull someone else up there with you. Celebrate the success of your fellow authors. A victory for one is a victory for all. Kindness goes a long way in this industry.

Dear Author,
I know some days it doesn’t feel like it, but you’re doing great. Keep it up.

xoxo
B