5 Resolutions Authors Should Make This Year


5 Resolutions Authors Should Make This Year

This is your year. You’re poised to make it your best. You’ve crafted impressive goals to get you there. And if you’re an author, you probably sprinkled in a few publishing aspirations, too.

Regardless of where you are on your journey, bestselling authors suggest five resolutions you should consider making this year.

Write Your Book. This may seem obvious, but plenty of “rationalized obstacles” worm their way into your brain, resulting in setbacks or, in some cases, abandonment of this dream. If you fall into this cycle, you’ll never get it done. Instead, resolve to write your book.

“Many aspiring authors abandon their goals because they underestimate the process or get overwhelmed by self-doubt,” says Sheena Yap Chan, Keynote Speaker and Wallstreet Journal bestselling author on confidence and leadership. “Fear of judgment or rejection often stops people before they even begin. Additionally, distractions and lack of a clear plan can derail progress.” Sheena believes any progress is better than perfection. “Publishing your book is not just about the final product but about embracing the journey of bringing your unique story into the world.”

Finish Your Draft. “A strong first-year goal might be to complete a polished manuscript—no matter how messy the initial drafts feel,” says Greg Clement, Founder of Freedomology and author of The Fat Switch. “By focusing on finishing your book, you develop discipline, clarity, and confidence in your ability to produce meaningful work. The following year, a great goal is to shift gears and concentrate on effectively marketing and promoting that finished manuscript. This involves learning to reach your target audience, build relationships with readers, and elevate your book’s visibility. Setting these annual goals—first creating, then promoting—recognizes the two distinct roles of an author: the writer and the marketer. Both require focus, but tackling them one at a time provides structure, maintains momentum, and ultimately maximizes your book’s impact.”

Plan Your Strategy. “For anyone wanting to publish their book this year, treat it like a mission,” advises Eric Brown,  CEO of Imperio Consulting and Author of The Green Beret Approach. “You need to break it down into clear steps such as outlining, drafting, editing, seeking feedback, and finalizing.” He recommends committing to a schedule. “Writing five hundred words daily is manageable and keeps you moving forward. These small daily wins build into significant progress over time. Setting a deadline to finish a full draft creates urgency and keeps you focused. Reading one book a month can sharpen your skills and inspire your writing.”

Share Your Work. “You should surround yourself with a support system, whether that’s a writing group, a coach, or even an accountability partner, which can greatly impact your finishing your book,” says Eric.  “Most importantly, avoid getting stuck in perfectionism. Just focus on finishing your book. Even if it’s not perfect (and it never will be), a completed book is far more valuable than one unfinished. Also, submitting your work to five agents or publishers forces you to put your book out there and learn from the feedback.”

Engage Your Audience. “For my most recent book, I want it to connect with as many people as possible, so I incorporated a soundtrack and personal stories to make it relatable and engaging,” says Gail Taylor, Author of Curveballs – Unleashing your Potential through Personal Growth and Inspirational Music. “Remember, publishing a book is not just about writing. It’s about ensuring your message reaches the people it’s meant to impact. Stay organized, stick to your timelines, and celebrate every milestone.”

Imagine if you were to adopt these resolutions as part of your author’s journey this year.

How much further ahead would you be by year’s end? Probably a lot. Each of these authors—and all who have published a book—started right where you are. Even if this is your second manuscript (which is sometimes more challenging than the first), resolve to include this list with your goals.

Remember, the author’s journey is paved with curves, bumps, potholes, and detours. But knowing you are part of an elite group of people committed to sharing their voices with the world, despite the challenges ahead, is exhilarating!

Get to it!

Image: Pexels, Suzy Hazelwood

, , , , , , , , , ,

No comments yet.

Leave a Reply

Website by John Wierenga