These days, if you are an author, your have quickly realized that you are also a small business owner. It’s takes a lot more than creating a string of appealing words to be successful in the writing industry, right?!? In this collection of blog posts I share what I have learned about organizing the authorpreneur work load, marketing your work, managing your finances and more. It is my hope that you find helpful advice here. I don’t pretend to be an all knowing expert, but if you have a question you do not see addressed here, email me! I might be able to offer up some of my experiences or at least point you in the right direction of help. If you like what you see, click here to subscribe to my blog and receive a weekly dose of knowledge, inspiration and word nerd resources delivered to your inbox.

~ Amanda Zieba

Authorpreneur Advice

How does an Authorpreneur Make an Income?

I recently took a big picture look at my writing income. As I look into the year ahead, it was super helpful to look at which activities and income streams were the most profitable. I can use this information to help me structure my time, choose which future jobs to accept (and which I should likely decline), and which branches of my business tree I should cut off entirely. I can also use this information to figure out which tasks make me the most amount of money for the least amount of effort/time and do more of those.

Everything I Know About Entrepreneurship I Learned from Gymnastics

A lot of what I need to know about entrepreneurship I learned from gymnastics. I realize that might sound strange, so let me explain. 

Before I was a word nerd I was a Gymnast, with a capital G. From the time I was four, I used cartwheels as my main mode of transportation. Every curb, fence or slightly raised surface was transformed into a balance beam on which I tip-toe dip-walked, full turned and sashayed. And handstands. So many handstands. My parents actually made a rule outlawing handstands in the kitchen… because my sister and I had a habit of running into the refrigerator and clearing off all the photos, coupons and magnets in one fell swoop of our careening limbs. By the time I turned ten, I spent portions of four days in the gym. In fact, Friday nights on my middle school social calendar mainly consisted of open gym at the university, which held a larger facility than my usual practice spot at the YMCA. It beat out hanging with school friends because this gym had a foam pit, spring floor and trampolines. (Side note: All of this was by choice. My parents never pushed, only supported. Thanks Mom and Dad!) I was obsessed. Gymnastics was more than something I did, up until I was 18, it was who I was. Much like I am the word nerd today, back then being a gymnast was my identity. So what does this have to do with entrepreneurship? I promise I have a point. I’m getting to it. I just need to set the scene. 

Self-Publishing 101: Author Royalties

A question I get asked frequently, especially when I launch a new book like I did last week, is: what is the best way for me to order your book? What these kind and supportive people are attempting to politely ask is, which way do you make the most money. I know pre-published writers are curious about this too. They want to know, and rightly so, before they put in the blood sweat and tears, how much will they really make in author royalties when all is said and done? And the answer is, it’s complicated.

In the spirit of both learning and total transparency I’d like to share with you the different royalty amounts a few of my books earn via their various sales paths in hopes of educating future self-publishers and also for those of you who want to support me in the best possible way.

7 Passive Revenue Streams for an Authorpreneur

One thing no one tells you when your first author dreams begin to form, is that you really don’t make all that much money from book sales.

After attending a conference on digital marketing (I was there on assignment for one of my side-gigs and gratefully sucking up knowledge for my own benefit as well) I learned that unless you are spending $200-400 A DAY on online advertising, you aren’t going to see a whole lot of results from your efforts. (This post is going to be about making money, not about spending money, but real quick let me tell you to quit boosting that Facebook post for $10… it ain’t doin’ you any good.)

I’m not sure about you, but it was (and still is) my goal to write books full time. But in the meantime, I’m trying to figure out how to make enough money to be afforded that luxury. My plan? Passive revenue.

A Day in the Life of an Authorpreneur

As an authorpreneur and word nerd, I wear a lot of hats. I fulfill a lot of roles. I complete a lot of tasks. People often ask me, what do you actually do? I don’t think they are trying to be rude, they just aren’t quite sure what I actually do for work or how I fill my days now that I “stay home”.

What I Learned From Going Viral

A few weeks ago my family and I went to a brand new park in our city. It was huge and incredible and something special. A local company had poured a ton of money (as in 6+ million dollars) into making the park accessible for children of all abilities. Kids in wheelchairs, kids with sensory anomilies, kids who struggles with mobility or sight… anyone and everyone can play at this park.

I’d heard about the park on the radio, but wanted to show people how cool it was and all it had to offer. So, I took a few picturs and posted them on my Facebook page. And then the notifications started coming in. Links, comments and shares. So many shares… and tags! People I knew and people I’d never met were interacting with my post. People from my hometown and people from a few hours away wondering what else there was to do in La Crosse so they could fill a full day or weekend if they made the drive. Everyone was interested in this park and shouting it out to the world via my social media post.

I posted the pictures on June 19th, 2021 and as this blog post goes live on July 7th, 2021, it has 161 likes/reactions, 184 comments and 1.1K shares.

Stepping Up Your Author Table Game

Over the past ten-ish years I’ve spent a lot of time at craft and vendor fairs selling my books. Some events are more successful than others, but I still find it the BEST way to meet readers and build a meaningful relationship with them.

I noticed that as soon as people realized I WROTE the books I was selling, they were MUCH more interested. Often times, though, it would take until two minutes into a chatting up a prospective customer before the light bulb would go on and they’d say, “Oh… so, YOU wrote these books?” (Duh! Yes! That’s why I’m standing here!) But suddenly, they were invested. They now had a story about MEETING the author, getting their book autographed, owning a slice of the benevolence we all feel when supporting local small businesses. These factors are so much stronger than me say, “Buy my book pretty please!”

This discovery and realization was good, but I needed to figure out how to make it happen faster.

Commandeer a Committed Crowd (AKA: Pick Your Readers Before You Write)

Every author wants hoards of raving fans, people who will buy their books like air they need to breathe. In addition to being good for the ego, it’s good for the bank account. But how exactly do you do that? How do you go about creating an audience of devoted supporters, especially when you are Mr./Ms. No-name from Small-town-somewhere? 

The answer is to tap into an already engaged niche audience. Take a minute and think about the diehard hobbyists in the world. Maybe you know a quilter who would drive half across the country to visit a renown fabric shop. Or a hunter who would nearly sell his soul to get a particular license just to have the opportunity to *maybe* shoot the beast of their dreams. Or perhaps a gardener who would rather dig in the dirt than do most anything else. The people have already proven that they will make a commitment (with their time, energy and money) to their hobby… that they will go to extreme lengths (and expenses) to enjoy anything within their micro-niche’s realm. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE YOU WANT TO WRITE FOR.

My Dream 100

I was listening to my favorite entrepreneur podcast (Goal Digger) the other day when Jenna Kutcher mentioned an Instagram strategy that perked my ears right up. She gives credit to her buddy Russel Brunson for coming up with it, but she shared it with me (and her hundreds of thousands of listeners) and now I’m sharing it with you. The goodness goes around and around!

The strategy, called Your Dream 100, can actually be used far beyond Instagram, and that’s just one thing I like about it. Before I go into all of that, let me first tell you what it is.

Your Dream 100 is a list of people and organizations you’d love to work with. They are people you admire, with careers and statuses you are striving to achieve. They are solid humans who exemplify in their words and deeds the kind of person you want to become and the career you want to have. Your Dream 100 is like your dream-birthday party invitation list, if everyone on the list could teach you something amazing, help you level up your career or inspire you in a big way.

Budget: It’s a Verb: A Word Nerd's Thoughts on Entrepreneur Finances

My husband and I used to religiously budget each month. I know budget is usually a noun, but we worked so hard at it that I’m using it here, today, as a verb. Shortly after getting married and having our first son, my parents introduced us to Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University. It couldn’t have come at a better time 

We had a mortgage, a car payment, student loans, and now, a child – which we were quickly discovering was a very, very expensive endeavor. Add to this line up of debt that we were both public school educators. In Wisconsin. It was 2010, the year our Governor stripped our ability to have a union which effectively froze our pay scale and simultaneously raised our cost of insurance. Suddenly the “promise” of a yearly raise (to meet the cost of living) and supreme benefits vanished.  We were pretty much doomed unless we learned how to budget.  

But recently my husband and I decided that we were tired of being FINE. We want to be GOOD, no better than that, we want to be GREAT. The turning of the calendar often prompts people to pursue a new goal. This common desire coupled with a recent boost to the stability of my authorpreneur income has inspired us to budget again.

You Are Invited the the Destiny by Design Launch Party!!

If you read the acknowledgements at the end of a book (a true sign for me, that I loved a book and don’t want the experience to end) you’ll often see authors expound on the sentiment that writing is a lonely and solitary endeavor. As writers we spend hours alone, creating a world and characters, hoping with every sentence we write, that someone will love them as much as we do.

We’ve reached the part in the milestone of my newest book’s life, when I finally get to share it with you and celebrate. So let me not continue to wax on poetic about the sentiments of writers and get to the point of this blog post… that being… an invitation. To a launch party. To the Champion Chocolatier: Destiny by Design Launch Party.

Social Media Marketing For Authors: 5 Post Ideas from the Word Nerd

Writers are expected to market their own books. Even the traditionally published authors… but most definitely the self-published authors. That’s why I call myself an authorpreneur. As a writer, I’m really running a small business. I’m not just writing, I’m doing alllll the things. I’m ordering inventory, I’m designing book covers, I’m talking directly with bookstores and yes, I’m marketing on social media. A lot. All the time. Every day. 

According to The Guardian, the average self-published author earns $1000 a year and a third earns less than $500. If you’d like to be in that first earning group, or earn more than (like I do) then you are going to have to get comfortable telling people that you are a writer and that you have books for sale.

Personally, I’m an in-person kind of girl. I thrive on conversation and letting readers get to know me. (It’s not very midwestern of me, but I don’t mind talking about myself and my work!) I find it so much easier to connect with a person when we are in the same room. But let’s be honest, it hasn’t been easy (if even possible) for that to happen lately.

4 Reliable Sources for Industry Writing Knowledge

Last week I shared a behind the curtain peek at author royalties. And it got waaaaaay more views that my usual blog pieces. Like double. I like to think that what I share each week is helpful. At least, it’s a goal. I want to share strategies, tips and resources that will help other writers move forward and make progress on their writing journey. But maybe what I forgot is that sometimes the questions pile up because we have no one to ask, and this fact makes these questions seem even more important.

Today, I want to share a few other places where you can find the answers to THOSE QUESTIONS.

Self-Publishing Content Round Up

Once people find out I am an author, it doesn’t take them long to tell me they have a book idea. Shortly after they share their story with me, they ask about the publishing process.

“How do I turn my story into a book?”

What they actually mean is, “How do I self publish a book on Amazon?” Or “What is the best way to self publish a book?” Or maybe even, “Is it better to self publish a book?” These were questions I had when I first began as well. The answers can be long and complicated, but if you choose self-publishing and follow my advice, it doesn’t have to be. In today’s post I’ve gathered up my best how-to content for Self-Publishing. No matter where you are in the process, I promise you will find valuable and worth-your-time tips here!

8 Ways to Use Canva to Improve Your Online Author Appearance

We all know the advice, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” fell out of use a LONG time ago. Good book covers sell books. Good book covers even sell bad books. I’m not advocating for trickery, but instead trying to prove a point. People pay attention to appearances and having a good appearance online, is increasingly important. I am convinced that the professional appearance of my website and social media content have convinced others to take me seriously, even though I am (pretty much) a no-name girl from the Midwest.  

I know that unless you have a graphic design degree, curating high quality images can feel overwhelming, but I’m here to tell you it’s easier than you think. And, with Canva, it can also be free!  

10 Social Media Post Ideas to Market Your Writing

In January I did a business deep dive. I wanted to learn all the things when it came to running a small business. Because as a writer in today’s world I am in business for myself. I’m an authorpreneur. I truly spend just as much time, if not more, marketing and selling my books as I do writing them.

I learned so much that I created an entire eCourse so that I could share all that goodness with others who were interested in achieving their own authorpreneur goals. But then, I couldn’t stop. I kept learning. I kept finding great ways to spread the word about my work. I kept a list in my phone notes app so I wouldn’t forget. Last week when I checked that list it was pretty substantial. Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out what to say about your work, but now I have a list from which I can build social media posts, blogs and more. I figured my list could be helpful for others as well, so today, I’m publishing it on my blog. I know it’s super anti-Midwest of me to include examples of all of my work next to these ideas… but it is my hope that if you see it in action, you can replicate it for yourself!

Grab a notebook and a pencil, because you’re gonna want to write these down.

What is Holding You Back?

People often point out that I complete a lot of tasks. Usually it is because while others are waiting or debating or ... I take action. Crossing items of a big to-do list makes me happy. I love making progress, accomplishing goals, and moving forward. I am a doer and today, I want to help you get things done.

I think that people don’t take action for a lot of reasons… fear, overwhelm, intimidation, fear of imperfection, and lack of knowledge just to name a few.

Which is it for you? The first step in moving forward is identifying your reason for inaction. Once you’ve done that you can bust through it and move forward.

Amazon vs. Bookshop: A Two-Sided Discussion on Book Buying and Affiliate Links

There are plenty of reasons to love Amazon. They have nearly everything, from my favorite bamboo toothbrushes to these great shorts that have become my new summertime go-to (no matter the occasion). Amazon is affordable and ships quickly. However, recently, some people have wanted to steer away from this online powerhouse. They’d rather spend their money with small businesses and support local companies. And quite honestly, I see both sides.

As an author who uses KDP (Kindle Direct Press) to self-publish my books, I do not have qualms about using Amazon Affiliate links on my website and social media. It is through their platform that I am able to be an author and run my small business despite my small budget. And so, I don’t feel bad returning business to them. However, I also love buying books in person. Ever since I could drive, I have chosen to meet friends at bookstores to hang out. Whether we buy anything or not (okay, let’s be honest, I usually do) I enjoy the atmosphere, proximity to caffeine and access to thousands of adventures at my fingertips. There are two sides to this book-buying coin.

Instagram Tips for Authors

I want to share a recent revelation. Facebook is for finding friends. Instagram is for connecting with strangers.

I like to think that I am good at connecting with people in person. If I can get on a panel at a conference or in front of a small crowd at a reading or workshop, I am able to convince people to know, like and trust me by the end of the presentation. I work hard to be honest and encouraging, knowledgeable and grounded, while also being transparent about my process and business budget. And through all of it, I believe, my passion for words and storytelling shines through.

The people I meet in these situations, at conferences, workshops, networking events and retreats, become my literary friends. It works because I am genuine in everything I share. I mean what I say, and time spent with me back it all up.

These people often friend me on Facebook and then, ocassionally, their friends do too. Sometimes these new friends sign up for my email list, subscribe to my blog or invite me to their book club as a visiting author. Sometimes they download one of the guides I’ve created and made available on my website or ask me to coach them on starting a blog or self-publishing a book.

But when COVID cancelled every in-person event on my spring and summer calendar, it also cancelled my opportunity to meet new literary friends and consequently the chance to connect with their friends as well. The well from which I’d drawn my new friends, customers, readers and clients was suddenly (and hopefully only temporarily) dry. I needed something new. And for me that something was Instagram.

My Biggest Book Marketing Mistake

In the book selling world, it is often touted… “If you wait to market the book until it is published… you are too late.”

And that is true, especially in the traditionally published world. Often times professional reviewers like Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal request an advanced reader copy of the book as many as FOUR MONTHS before it hits the shelves. Publishers drum up enthusiasm for new releases at book festivals and in trade magazines. Writers run giveaways, do interviews and beg for forgiveness as they dump post after post about their new book in their social media feeds.

So, when I was getting ready to publish The Birthday Cache, my fifth book, I wanted to step up to the plate like a pro and market before the book was published. What came out of this desire and good advice was the BIGGEST MISTAKE I have ever made in my writing career.

It started how many things start… I saw an ad online.

Don't Judge a Book By Its Cover... But We All Do

Despite the popular phrase, “don’t judge a book by its cover,” we all do.

A cover can make or break a book’s success, no matter the quality of the story inside. If your own book buying habits aren’t enough to convince you, Ana and Thea, over at Book Smugglers*, proved this point through a 2010 survey, in which 79% of the 600+ participants reported that book covers play a decisive role in their decision to purchase a book. (For more interesting results from their book cover survey, read the full blog post here.) Plainly put, a book’s cover is important. Super important.

I’ve been making my own book covers for several years now. ** I know what I consider appealing and also the basic cover design standards for books in the cozy reading genre. I used these pieces of information along with my mad-Canva skills to create 3 different options. Why 3? Because sometimes what your brain creates the first time isn’t the best idea… its just the first idea. I find if I you push myself to move past the most obvious choice, I often come up with something even more magical and magnificent. (Hint, this is true for more than just book covers!) I showed these 3 options to my writing friends, to my sister and also my cousins. I was shocked when their least favorite was the cover I’d been leaning towards selecting. I decided I needed to try again.

Writing World Vocabulary Road Map

When I first wandered into the writing world, I felt continuously lost. The lay of the land, the shifting landscape, the unwritten rules and industry norms… everything felt foreign. Vocabulary and language were NO EXCEPTION. Half the time I didn’t even know what people were even talking about! It can all feel pretty overwhelming, especially when all you want to do is share your stories with the world. Can you relate?

Alright. Take a deep breath. Let’s get our feet on solid ground with a quick vocab lesson. I was a reading and English teacher for twelve years, so trust me when I say you are in capable hands. Below you will find an alphabetical list of writing world terms, phases, and insider vocabulary words defined and dissected. Hopefully once you’ve read them through, you’ll be able to look at your writing road map and feel a little less lost. Maybe you’ll even feel confident enough to travel further than you have ever gone before.

6 Rookie Mistakes to Quit Making

If your middle school years were anything like mine, the cafeteria was a dangerous place – uncomfortable at best, heartbreaking at worst. Where to sit? What to say? Heck it was difficult to figure out who was making the rules. And just when you thought you figured it all out, everything changed.

When I first entered the writing world, it felt a bit like walking back into the middle school lunchroom. Even if I knew the names of the people sitting at the tables, they definitely didn’t know mine. Worse than that, we didn’t even seem to be speaking the same language. I’m not sure how I had the guts, but I usually dove in head first anyway. Today I want to offer you six rookie mistakes to quit making. Are you ready to move up and sit with the big kids? Good. Grab a pencil and get ready to take some notes because here we go.

Business Deep Dive

Even though I don’t have any formal business training, I have always loved putting my creative brain to work for my authorpreneur career goals. (Technically I don’t have any official degree in writing either, but that hasn’t stopped me so far!) Recently, I’ve felt stuck… like I’ve gotten as far as I know how to go on my own. I needed more information. I needed to be inspired. I needed to light a fire under my own you-know-what.

So, for the entire month of February I decided to do a deep dive into the business side of writing. I listened to podcasts, read books, watched YouTube videos, and let me tell you, I learned A TON!

Why I Love Canva Pro

One of the best tools I have EVER purchased for my business is a subscription to Canva Pro. This online digital design tool helps me make my website look professional and my social media feed engaging. If you are looking to spruce up your appearance online, I highly recommend checking it out. There is a free version of Canva that you can try, or if you are really looking to up your game, you can upgrade to the Pro version, also free for 30 days.

I did the free version for a couple of years, but recently upgraded to the pro version and let me tell you, IT IS AMAZING! And to prove it to you, I’m going to tell you 4 reasons why I love Canva in general and an additional 6 reasons I am glad I upgraded to Canva Pro.

Creating a Home Office To Increase Your Productivity and Improve Your Mindset

Not only have I been working from my office, but my kids are taking turns rotating through on an every other day basis to complete their home school to-do lists. It is safe to say that my office was a MESS, a far cry from the gorgeous space I had created two years ago when I first started working from home. I was trudging through my daily tasks in this mess, almost blind to the way the clutter was pulling me (and my motivation) down.

Grow with the Flow

A few years ago, I decided to stop being the sort of person who hoarded pretty notebooks and start being the kind of person who used them.

I started small, with paperback journals, each 60 pages or so, and later upgraded to hardcover, dated journals that sometimes take me over a year to fill. I carry the current notebook with me everywhere. Between the covers I take notes at meetings, journal, draft blog posts, and dream big. When the pages are filled, I place them on a shelf in my office for safe keeping.

Occasionally I like to browse the ink filled pages, reminiscing on moments past, reflecting on how far I have come and sometimes commiserating on how the past parts of my journey are so similar to the path I am now. Shouldn’t I have made it by now?

The Power of Asking, Part 2 Plus a Village of Scoundrels Review

It’s funny how you sometimes have to relearn lessons in life… or at the very least remind yourself of the lessons you have learned. I find this is especially true for me in writing and business. A few years ago I posted on the power of asking, but the impact for me is the same today as it was then. I guess I just needed a refresher course. If you find yourself shy when it comes to asking, today’s post is for you.

Stop Drinking Through the Fire Hose

Have you ever found yourself so overwhelmed by all the things you don’t know, that instead of diving in, you freeze and do nothing? Or maybe, you’ve sat with several options or tasks in front of you, and you didn’t know which to attempt first so, you did nothing? Or quite possibly you found yourself in a situation in which your to-do list was so long that you vacillated over prioritizing the items and you ended up (let’s all say it together)… DOING NOTHING?!?!

It’s time to stop drinking from the fire hose and pour yourself a glass of sweet, sip-able success. Here are three go-to things you can do when you are feeling overwhelmed and lost.

2020 Word of the Year: Hope

In the past, my words have been very action oriented. Connections. Evolve. Elevate. These words embody my inner hustle. While I’m not ready to throw in the towel, I’ve begun to have a different feeling deep down in my core. A light, airy feeling that centers in my chest. It is different than the mechanical whir of a motor that had previously occupied that space and when pressed to name it, I think I’d call it HOPE.

Author Adventures Outside the Office

On this Writing Wednesday I will be coming home for the first time in nine days. For the past week and a half, I have divided my attention, time and driving miles across three states and three different tasks, all that fall within the new realm that is authorprenuership. I went to Michigan to instruct young writers at camp. I went to Wisconsin for a bookstore reading. I went to Minnesota for educational content writing.

Unless you are a big deal, household name, (and even sometimes if you are) this is what being an author looks like these days. I thought you might find it interesting to take a peek inside the working writer’s life. Who knows? You might be surprised. So let’s take a trip. Are your proverbial bags packed? Are you ready for a literary adventure? Off we go.

Lessons From the Leap

Exactly one year ago today I made the leap from full time teacher to full-ish* time writer. I’m proud to say that I have not only survived this first year, but thrived. I was able to financially contribute to my family’s budget, increase my connections and events, and manage to balance a schedule of many diverse writing tasks… all while having a great time. I often tell people that I am now living my best life.

As I reflect on this past year, there are a few things that stick out as I transitioned from “hobbyist” to “pro”. If you are thinking of taking a leap into a new career, especially a creative career, read on to vicariously pick up a few lessons I’ve learned on my own journey down this path.

10 Ways to Blog About Your Book to Increase Sales

A lot of people think that once a book is written, the work is done. Often times, especially if you are a self-published author, the work is just beginning. After the brainstorming and drafting, writing and revising, editing and publishing comes… the selling.

There are only so many times you can say, buy my book! Even if you say it while batting your eyelashes, “pretty please buy my book!?” gets old. But the fact of the matter is, you need to continue to get your book in front of your audience if you have any prayer of selling copies. Don’t stress. I’m here to help.

2019 Word of the Year: Elevate

Many years ago, I would mentally plan my office space, trying out different furniture and color schemes in my mind. I would imagine myself writing in grand and cozy spaces and day dream about the time when I could write as my primary professional purpose. That space is now completed and when I resigned from full time teaching last spring, I made my five year plan my reality.  So, this week I was left wondering, what thoughts should occupy my night time day dreams now? What should my new five-year plan look like?

Switch It Up: A Graphic Essay

Today’s blog post is in the form of a graphic essay. What the heck is that? Not to brag, but my third grader could tell you. He recently stayed in from recess (his choice!) to work on his personal graphic narrative. In this case, graphic doesn’t mean gruesome or explicit. (Although I’m certain there was farting in my son’s story.) Graphic means pictures are involved. For Kam, this meant telling a story as a comic. It’s a real thing. I’m telling it true! See? Thank you, UW Madison (and Kam’s teacher!) for realizing and giving value to this style of work. So here we go. Today’s blog post all about the locations in which I get my work done, is in the form of a graphic essay.

Scheduling Your Best Life

For the first time in my life, my professional hours are not dictated by a strict bell schedule. I no longer have to allow an automated time system tell me when it is time to teach, prep, eat, go to the bathroom and go home. Now, I get to decide. But for someone who has worked within strict confines for over a decade, that’s kind of a lot of pressure. How am I supposed to make things happen when the only one telling me to get things done… is me?

Tips to Go Pro: Planning to Make Your Dream a Reality

Even though my last day of full time teaching was June 6th, the beauty of electing a twelve month pay schedule has kept my pay checks coming all summer long. For someone going into business for themselves, three months of guaranteed payment is a glorious thing. This summer I have been able to test out my “working hours”, add to my freelance work load, advance a few fiction manuscript projects, and still take all of our family vacations. (Which, when you have a two-teacher family and no work in sight for several weeks, is admittedly, a lot.)

A few days ago, on September 1st, I needed to officially start earning my own way. I have done a lot of things to make this opportunity a success. If you are thinking of quitting your day job to “go pro” in your creative pursuit, here are some steps that I took, that you may want to consider.

6... or 7 Years

Even though the article I’m going to tell you about was published 4 years ago, it impacted me so greatly that here I am, writing about it today on my blog. When I looked it up online to quote it correctly, the words were familiar. I believe this is mostly because of a conversation between Kate and another Minnesota author, Louise Erdrich, about the ever elusive ideas of an author’s career timeline that was recorded in it.

A Taboo Topic: Let’s Talk About Money in the Writing World

Money is one of those taboo subjects we are taught (through experience) not to discuss. Like religion and politics, money, is seemingly too private and polarizing to discuss in public, and sometimes even with those closest to us. And while society might have put those rules in place for good reasons, I’m not sure that it really helps us as humans or citizens, and especially not as entrepreneurs. Believe me when I say that these days, being a writer, is being an entrepreneur, or as I like to call it author-preneur.

2017 Word of the Year: Connections

Last year my writing club suggested trying something new. Instead of making a few New Year’s resolutions (that we will likely abandon by March) our leader encouraged us to select a word to represent the upcoming year. This word, once selected, would guide our thoughts and actions, goals and plans, interactions and reactions throughout the year.

I am usually pretty gung-ho about goals. In fact, I love them. A goal is like a to-do list on steroids. A goal is a big ol’ dream with a strategic plan that will take me from where I’m at to where I want to be. Thanks to a healthy dose of instilled discipline I learned from my uber-diligent parents… I’ve got some pretty good stick-to-it-tive-ness. Goals work for me. But hey, I’m up for trying something new every once and awhile… and you know I love words. So why not? 

Christmas Collaboration

In the education world, the word collaboration is used a lot. Like, probably over used. It has been so procedural-ized and monitored that often the amazing opportunity to communicate and plan with teammates feels like a chore. After a dozen years in the education profession, I am starting to cringe whenever I hear the word collaboration. But recently, in my writing world, a new partnership has restored my faith in the act of collaboration. In fact, it’s made me downright excited about it. In this post I detail my experience in connecting with another small business and the ways in which it benefited us both.

Crazy

Often people tell me I am crazy. It seems I have heard this phrase more times this fall than at any other time in my life. And I get it. I do. I am crazy busy. Crazy productive. Crazy ambitious. But I am also crazy supported. Crazy blessed. And to be honest, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Instead of cringing at the term or being offended, I embrace it. Read on to see why.

Head Down. Blinders On.

July 1st marked my first day out of my Mastermind group. For the months of April, May and June I checked in daily with my group to watch a video posted by our fearless leader, Dan Blank. Once I inputted my daily dose of wisdom, I shared and collaborated in our private online group, as did the other ten participants. Our goal? To learn how to make connections in a way that would further our creative careers.

In these three months I stretched my thinking, applied some best practices, met new friends, made big plans and learned A LOT. And now… that it’s all done… now what? Now I put my head down and my blinders on. 

The Working Mother Balance Dance

As a mother there is always a balance to maintain… a precarious line we must toe in order to meet our family’s needs while also maintaining our own sanity. Being a working mom creates additional challenges and obstacles. And working from home… well you might as well sign up for ballroom lessons because the steps and twirls required to make it all work out are complex indeed.

I won’t pretend to be your instructor in this life lesson, but today I’ll give you a peek into my life, and how I attempt to GET IT ALL DONE. 

Miles on the Road Less Traveled

My former co-workers and I also used to pick a song that signified our school year… something to help us make sense of the crazy days we lived in public middle school education. One year Billy Currington was our man, and his song “God is Great, Beer is Good and People Are Crazy” seemed to sum up our year perfectly.

So I shouldn’t have been surprised when this song singled itself out. I didn’t think, “Hey, I need a song, a motivating force, to remind me what I’m doing in this big crazy journey of authorprenuership.” I didn’t think, “I need something that will pick me up, fire me up and push me onward”. But the song found me and it stuck. Take a listen.

Confession Time

I have not written since June.

Ugh. That statement makes me borderline nauseous. I should probably call it a confession, rather than a statement. Sure, I have dabbled with a scene here and there. Yeah, I’ve posted a blog entry or two. But since I finished the final draft and revisions of Champion Chocolatier in June, I haven’t really written ANY ONE THING from start to completion. Ever been there? Yeah, me too.

The Power of Asking

I am a confident individual. I grew up surrounded by supportive parents, teachers, coaches and members of my church. I am blessed with an extended family that rallies around a cause like no one else can. I found personal success in athletics and group achievements in the music world. I had close friends. I earned multiple degrees that resulted in earning a good job. I have a husband who loves me unconditionally and children who rush to hug me when I enter a room. (Trust me, I know the drop everything and hug mom routine won't last forever, but it sure is nice for the time being.) 

Life has been sooooooo good to me. And so, when I find myself in a situation that I cannot tackle on my own, I ASK for help. I ASK, certain the help with come. Life has taught me that it will. When I ASK for help, that answer isn’t always yes. But you know what? No doesn’t hurt. “No” doesn’t put you any worse off that you were before you ASKED.

10 Pieces of Advice from the Madison’s Writers Institute

Earlier this month I had the incredible opportunity to attend the UW Writer’s Institute in Madison, WI. Thanks to the invitation from my writing/critique partner Marci, I was able to spend three full days immersed in words and wisdom. (An invitation is not required to attend, but going with a friend is always more fun!) There is nothing quite like being surrounded by people who love the same thing you do. If you ever get the change to attend such a conference, trust me when I say, GO!

 Below is a list of ten pieces of advice given by rockstar instructors and presenters at the Writer’s Institute. It is by no means and exhaustive list of all I learned, but it will give you a flavor of the quality and scope of the event. Happy reading and writing!

Author Visit Dos and Don’ts

I am lucky enough to have 3 school visits this spring, with another 2 in the works, a lineup of summer school classes and a teaching teachers gig this summer! Whew, it’s gonna be busy!! After my first two visits, I jotted down some notes… activities to repeat, a few changes to make, some extra items to pack and … I’m sharing them here, in case you are preparing for your own school visits and presentations. Or if you are planning an event within your school, here read on for a few tips to make the most of your event.

How Does Your Writing Business Grow?

We live in a world of immediacy. Netflix. Microwavable dinners. Downloadable apps. Drive through coffee. On demand. Instant breakfast. Our writing world is anything but immediate. Forget the painstaking hours, days, months, years it takes to get the words on the paper! It’s once you finish the darn thing that the real waiting begins. We should be called WAITERS, not WRITERS!