This is an evolving labor of love and ongoing work.
Once upon a time (see what I did there?) I was a kid with a dream. Star Wars had awakened something in me, and I wanted to make more stories in that crazy universe! But more than that, my imagination turned to creating my own stories. This would lead to my first full book, 50 pages of handwritten and illustrated sci-fi. I wrote Wildfire when I was 9 years old.
I wrote on and off for years. My first 36-page typed book, The Secret Computer World, was finished when I was 13 years old. It might have been inspired by Tron (or been my take on the same idea and ever-so-slightly derivative). At age 17, I wrote a short story technothriller called Secrets Withheld that won me an award in my school.
More stories were started and went unfinished along the way. I tried my hand in college at professional theatre and professional radio while still doing bouts of writing. But I had bought into the idea that writers only make money if they get super lucky (because people in theatre and radio somehow do better. Yeah, no.)
After college, during downtime at my first real job, I started writing again. This would evolve into my fantasy series The Source Chronicles. Book one, Seeker, would be my first foray into hiring a professional editor. She didn’t just edit this book, she taught me a ton of invaluable lessons about the craft and business of writing.
After a lot of rejections from agents and traditional publishers, seeing the technology change, I self-published. As I went further down this rabbit hole I decided it was time to turn pro.
From hobbyist/amateur to professional
For a truly definitive and excellent take on this idea, I cannot recommend enough Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art. There’s a whole section on this topic there, plus a ton of other amazing nuggets of wisdom for creatives.
Suffice it to say, the decision to turn pro takes writing beyond just sitting at the keyboard and tapping out words. Now you take on new considerations. For example, as a professional, writing in fits and spurts isn’t going to generate a ton of product. You need to be consistent, determined, and dedicated.
This requires an attitude shift. Writing for fun and not caring if anyone will see it is very different from writing to earn a living. Now you must consider quality and quantity, combined with addressing the market and finding your audience.
The choice to become an indie-author is not for everyone. There are lots of pitfalls and challenges to consider. What’s more, you’re not in competition with other writers in your genre, but the challenge of getting eyes on your work – and buyers – will feel competitive. However, recognizing that it’s not a competition helps all of us learn together, work together, and earn together.
The art business is still business. Self-publishing presented new challenges, but I saw the potential to do more. When the opportunity presented itself, I upped my workflow, increased my productivity, and shifted to a professional mindset.
That was about 5 years ago. Now, as I learn new things, I’m shifting and expanding my art business to a new level.
Authorpreneurship is art business
I love the phrase authorpreneur. As an indie-author, it covers the business aspect of the craft that can be incredibly daunting.
Not counting a few experiments in self-publishing nonfiction, in 2014 I published Seeker. In 2015 I published book 2 of the series, Finder. Then, in 2016, I put out the first full-length novel of my Vapor Rogues Steampunk series, Clouds of Authority.
When the pandemic hit, I found myself writing a lot more. An idea took shape. In 2020, I published 3 novels, which included the standalone fantasy/Steampunk Infamy Ascending and the first two books of my Void Incursion sci-fi series. In 2021, I boldly published a total of 6 books, including my (at the time) whole Forgotten Fodder series and 2 more of the Void Incursion novels.
The last Void Incursion novel was published in 2023. Then, in 2024, I published all three novels of my new Savagespace series. Now, I have 16 works of fiction in the world. In progress, I have a new standalone back from the editor and 4 more books at various stages from finished and edited by me to underway. Plans for what comes next are being plotted.
My art business is taking shape. So how do I succeed in the art business? That’s the challenge, of course.
Focus on the art business
As I continue to write, edit, and record my work, I’m exploring new angles for the art business. For example, I am registering my business as a separate entity, learning new ways to advertise, creating a budget, and taking the authorpreneurship elements to the next level.
I’ve set a goal for this year to measure what I consider success. It’s very realistic, an achievable dollar amount based on work, research, learning, and such. I’m not counting on becoming an overnight success, a bestseller, or some other lightning-hype thing. This is treating all the elements of the art business as a job and putting in the requisite work. All while remaining a creative and writing more.
While I’ve considered myself an indie-author/authorpreneur for the past 5 years or so, I’ve not given the art business the attention it deserves and, frankly, needs. Shifting this focus is with the intent to spur me to new heights and to truly turn pro.
However, I will address the elephant in the room. The world appears to be going mad. I know. Is my focus on this the equivalent of Nero fiddling while the world burns? No, because even in the midst of a world going mad, I still need to live. Giving up and giving in, allowing that madness to dictate my life would go against who I am and what I believe. Art is one of the keys to resistance, growth, and change, so art business goes on (the show must go on!) That’s how I am approaching this and the work therein.
Thanks for reading. As I share my creative journey with you every week, please consider this: How are you inspired and empowered to be your own creator, whatever form that takes?
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