Are you committed to becoming and remaining a successful commercial author? Rate yourself! Circle your answers and tally the totals
# | Scale | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
1 | How often do you write? | When the inspiration strikes me | 2-3 times a month | Once a week | 2-3 times a week | Every day , even if it is only for 10 minutes |
2 | How often do you read and comment on blogs or articles related to your writing? | Whenever I think of it | 2-3 times a month | Once a week | 2-3 times a week | Every day |
3 | How often do you read Writers magazines (print or online) | Almost never | Rarely | whenever I’m in the bookstore or if someone tells me about an interesting article | I review each new issue and read what interests me | I read each new issue as it is released |
4 | How often do you post on social media sites? (Facebook, Twitter, etc) | I don’t use social media | 2-3 times a month | Once a week | 2-3 times a week | Every day, even it is only to comment on someone else’s posts |
5 | Do you have a writers website, blog, etc –related to you as an author and your written works | I don’t have an online presence | I don’t have a website and my blog is not active | I do not have a website, but I do have an active blog | I have a website and pages for my books/articles but no blog | I have a website, and pages for my books/articles; and one or more active blogs |
6 | How often do you submit your work or proposals for work? | I haven’t submitted any of my work yet | Whenever a specific contest or publication interests me | At least once a month | At least twice a month | At least once a week |
7 | How often do you read works by other authors in your field/genre? | I don’t read other authors in my field /genre | Whenever a specific work interest me | I rarely read other authors in my field/genre | I occasionally read other authors in my field/genre | I constantly search for and read other authors in my field/genre |
8 | How often do you write and post (or send) book reviews for other authors? | Never | Rarely | Occasionally | Frequently | I make it a practice to always provide a rating or review for books I read |
9 | Do you have a platform and is it well defined and stated/ | I don’t have a platform | I have a platform but it isn’t written down | I have a platform and it’s written down but not consistent | I have a platform and it’s consistent and well explained but not often mentioned | I have a platform, its well stated, consistent and often used / discussed |
10 | Are you an active member of a writers group? | I do not belong to a writers group | I belong to a writers group and stay on the email list, but attend infrequently | I belong to a writers group and attend occasionally, but do not participate in activities and events | I belong to a writers group, sometimes attend meetings and share and occasionally participate in activities and events | I belong to a writers group, attend meetings regularly, share written works and critiques regularly, and actively participate in activities and events |
# | Scale | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
11 | Do you participate in writer’s conference and organizations? (SIC, SPAN, TWA, Killer Nashville, Southern Festival of books, etc) | I am not a member of any writers organization and I do not attend conferences or special events of this type | I am not a member of any writers organization and I have not attended conferences or special events for more than a year | I am not a member of any writers organizations, but have attended conferences or special events related to my field/genre within the past year | I am an active member of one or more writers/authors organizations but have not attended conferences or other events within the past year | I am a active member of one or more writers/authors organizations and attend one or more conferences or special events per year |
12 | Why do you want to write? | I don’t know why I want to write | I want to write for my own satisfaction and for my family | I want to write to share my knowledge and insights, to support causes I care about and to earn money | I want to write for my own satisfaction and to share my knowledge and insights, | I want to write for my own satisfaction, to share my knowledge and insights, to support causes I care about and to earn money |
13 | How often do you participate in speaking engagements, book readings, or other events related to your field/genre? | I do not participate in these types of events | I may participate in these events as part of a group but I do not speak | I rarely participate in events related to my field/genre | I occasionally participate in events related to my field/genre and use these opportunities to share my ideas and sell my books | I participate frequently in events related to my field/genre and seek opportunities to share my ideas and sell my books |
14 | What types of marketing material do you have and use? | I don’t have business cards, etc or promotional materials | I have some materials like business cards, but I never use them | I have and occasionally use business cards, etc | I have and regularly use business cards, etc but do not use promotional material like t-shirts, hats, etc | I have and regulatory use business cards, bookmarks, postcards, brochures, flyers, posters and promotional material like t-shirts, hats, etc |
15 | Are your marketing and promotional materials consistent in the way they brand you and your work? | I don’t have business cards, etc or promotional materials | I have some marketing materials, but the messages, logo’s etc are not at all consistent | Some of my marketing and promotional material is current, some is not, but I use it anyway | My marketing and promotional materials are usually consistent in their message, logo’s, colors, taglines, etc | My marketing and promotional materials are always consistent in their message, logo’s, colors, taglines, etc |
Now tally the total points and check your score!
Score: Tally up the points and check your score
Point Range | Results | |
61-75 | Highly Committed to success | You are well on the way to becoming and remaining a successful commercial author. Keep doing what you’re doing! It will happen! |
46-60 | Committed but cautious | You are committed to becoming and remaining a successful author, but still struggling with some areas. Find a mentor, take a class, take a chance, and keep moving! |
31-45 | Maybe Not | You have not decided if this is really for you. Sometimes you are willing to do whatever it takes, sometimes not. Perhaps you feel unworthy or incompetent. The answer to your future in this area is inside you-no one else can provide the answer. |
15-30 | Hobby only | You may call yourself a writer, but it is really only a hobby. You are not willing or ready to spend the amount of time, energy and money to become and remain a successful commercial author. However, you may have a happy life simply by sharing your writing with you writers group and family. |
Source of the questions:
It has been stated in multiple articles in writer’s magazines, books and in online articles that authors who are committed to becoming and remaining a successful commercial author, need to be active members of the writing community, including:
- Writing daily
- Having a clear, concise and consistent platform
- Having an online presence
- Participating frequently in social media
- Reading other authors and reviewing their work
- Participating in writers groups, conferences, and organizations
- Seeking ands using speaking and outreach opportunities to sell your platform and books
- Marketing, promotional materials, and consistency in branding
