1. FIVE EASY STEPS
to Become Published
IN 2014
By Keith Ogorek
Get in shape, travel more, save money, have less stress—we hear the
same New Year’s Resolutions every year, but this year why not try
something new and exciting – like finally write your book! eReaders are
more popular than ever this holiday season; imagine if it was your
published book people were reading? This New Year’s, consider these five
easy steps, recommended by Author Solutions, to go from aspiring writer
to published author.

2. Picture when
you would like
to hold a copy
of your book
You could simply choose one year
from now, or a date that’s
important to you, like your child’s
graduation or your birthday.
Pick a date you’ll remember and
use that motivation to achieve
your goal. Think how great it will
be to hand that first copy to your
best friend or spouse.

3. Pick a time
to write
and make it
your routine
Determine the best time for you to
write and schedule it in your daily
calendar.
Early in his career, famed fiction
novelist Elmore Leonard would
write in the early morning each
day before work. Choose a time of
day you know you can stick to –
before long it will become routine.

4. Create a
support system
to help you
stay on track
Accountability is key.
Find someone to provide
encouragement as you write – it’s
easier to keep on pace if you know
someone else is depending on you.
This could be a friend, a relative or
maybe a member of a local or
online writers’ group.

5. Select the best
publishing option
for you
The search for the perfect
publisher doesn’t have to wait until
your manuscript is complete.
“The Four Paths to Publishing,”
helps authors identify the four
distinct options available in the
market; traditional publishing, DIY
publishing, a general-contractor
approach, or the utilization of a
publishing package; and determine
which option makes the most
sense for them.

6. Celebrate your
achievement!
Plan your
book party
Your book’s complete! Now it’s time to
show the world. Throw a book-launch
party and schedule signings at book stores;
anything to get your book out there.
Thanks to the internet, there’s never been
a better time to be an author.
Creating a marketing platform is essential
and can be as simple as starting a Blog and
positioning yourself as an expert in your
chosen field or interest area. Fiction or
non-fiction, this approach will lend
credibility to your work. For more
information on book marketing concepts
including directions for creating an online
platform, check out:
The Author Learning Center.

7. The “Five Steps to Becoming a Published Author
in 2014” was developed by Keith Ogorek, senior
vice president of marketing at Author Solutions,
LLC. Keith is a regular contributor to the internet’s
premier author education resource, The Author
Learning Center, and writes and maintains “The
Indie Book Writers Blog.” He is also the author of
“7 Secrets of Successful Self Published Authors,”
“Eli the Stable Boy” and “A Clear View.”