Three Important Qualities Self Publishing Authors Need

By Author: Victor Rodriguez
Total Articles: 35
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Becoming a self-published author can be a difficult journey. Just having finished a manuscript is not enough you'll need three important qualities to turn your book into a great success.
Becoming an author is a courageous act. You need to be confident that people are going to want to listen to what you've got to say. You have to be persistent like you've never been persistent before and you have to be creative when it comes to marketing your work. To become a successful self-published author you'll need these three important qualities: courage, confidence and persistence.
So you want to write a book or you've already done so. You would have already been aware of the need to edit and proof read your manuscript. If you are going down the self-publishing road you are going to have to be diligent about editing and all the other bits and pieces. However, experience has taught many new authors that it is important that you develop the important qualities of courage, confidence and persistence so that you are a success.
The first thing you will need is courage. This is definitely true when it comes time to publish ...
... your work. Writing is a double edge sword at times. When you are furiously tapping away at the keyboard for hours at a time you're on your own. It is essentially a very private activity where you develop an intimacy between you and your characters. You share their pain and joy as you put them into situations and then get them out again. Even if you are sharing your work on social media platforms for the most part, writing is a one person activity.
However, publishing your manuscript into a book or eBook means that the whole world is going to see what you've written. It's like putting your personal thoughts and feelings on display and you have no control over what people may say or think about your work. This is where you are going to need courage. You need nerve, pluck and daring to showcase your writing talent. You should be proud that you've taken the plunge and decided to become a writer. Once you are published you are an author and that's a big thing! Be courageous and be proud!
Secondly, your confidence will come and go. It's a bit like sunshine in spring. At times it will feel like it is bursting out of you and at others you will need everything bit of resolve to muster it up so you can complete the smallest task. However, you will to have a certain amount of conviction in your work because as a self-published author you are going to need to market your book yourself. This will mean contacting radio stations, blogs and other avenues to promote your book. You will need to pick up the phone and stand in the doorway of bookstores, for example. However, if you feel your confidence waning go back and read what you've written. It's good isn't it? It's worth sharing with the world isn't it? Well then, off you go and promote it.
Don't' be down hearted if the first attempts at promoting your book don't lead anywhere. Thirdly, persistence is the key. You will need to suffer setbacks and rejections. Understand that there are thousands of books published each week and finding yours is like searching for the good old needle in the haystack. However, if you are tenacious and diligent you will get noticed and you will sell your book. Most of all it is important to enjoy the journey. If you can't enjoy it then you might need to find something else to do. If you learn to enjoy talking about your book, writing about your book and sharing your book with anyone who will listen and you can combine courage, confidence and persistence then you're on the right track to becoming a successful self-published author.

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