WEEK SEVEN – THE NEXT STEP
The words have been written and the story told. Congratulations on completing your novel! That’s a huge achievement. Now that the manuscript is done, here are some key steps an author should consider doing next:
1. Revision
and Editing
2. Decide on
a Publishing Path
3. Build
Your Author Platform
4.
Marketing and Promotion
5. Legal
and Business Considerations
6. Plan
Your Next Steps
Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll be posting several blogs that cover these steps in more detail, and I hope they'll be useful to you.
Happy writing…
Arabella Xx
You’ve completed the publishing cycle for a book. Now comes the strategic thinking about how to build a lasting author career. Here’s what to consider for your next step:
1. Plan the Next Book (or Series)
Momentum is key in building a readership.
Start your next manuscript: Consistency builds trust with readers and
algorithms alike.
Consider:
A sequel
or series (if readers want more).
A spin-off
or companion novella.
A completely
new genre or theme if you're pivoting.
Create a
production timeline: writing, editing, release, marketing.
If you write in series, planning a 3–5 book
arc can help long-term visibility and sales.
2. Build a Sustainable Publishing Pipeline
Don't treat your author career as a one-off.
Ask:
Will you
publish 1–2 books a year? More?
Do you want
a hybrid career (mix of traditional and indie)?
Can you
start batching tasks (e.g., writing one book while editing another)?
Are you
building assets (backlist, lead magnets, evergreen content)?
The more books you have, the more discoverable
you become—and the more income streams you open.
3. Update and Leverage Your Backlist
Even older books can keep working for you.
Add back
matter to link to newer books.
Launch box
sets or omnibus editions.
Run new promotions,
ads, or discounts.
Create audiobooks
or new formats (hardcover, large print).
Translate
into new languages (if budget allows).
4. Grow and Nurture Your Reader Community
Your audience is your foundation. Strengthen
those relationships:
Keep
engaging via your email list.
Offer bonus
content, Q&As, or reader polls.
Host live
events, workshops, or virtual book clubs.
Use Patreon,
Ko-fi, or similar platforms if you want to offer exclusive content or
monetization tiers.
Loyal readers are your best marketers—give
them reasons to stay connected.
5. Invest in Skills and Learning
Sharpen your creative and business edge:
Take
courses in writing, editing, marketing, or advertising.
Attend conferences,
both virtual and in-person.
Learn about
story structure, genre trends, or branding.
Subscribe
to industry blogs or podcasts to stay up-to-date.
You don’t have to master everything—but
continuous learning pays off.
6. Think Like a Publisher
As your catalog grows, you’re not just an
author—you’re also a publisher.
Consider outsourcing
repetitive tasks (editing, formatting, admin).
Develop a branding
strategy across your covers, tone, and messaging.
Track income
streams and look at where to scale.
Build a team
or system that helps your business run smoothly.
The more you treat your writing like a
business, the more scalable and profitable it becomes.
7. Define Your Long-Term Author Vision
Zoom out. Ask yourself:
What do I
want my writing career to look like in 3–5 years?
How many
books do I want in my backlist?
What kind of
reputation do I want in my genre?
What
balance do I want between writing, publishing, and life?
Having a clear vision can guide your daily
decisions and keep you focused on what truly matters to you.
Final Thought:
Once you’ve “finished everything,” you’re not
actually finished—you’re just at the start of the next cycle in a long and
fulfilling creative career.
Wishing you all the best when planning your NEXT STEP...
Arabella Xx
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