THE NEXT STEP - Arabella Sheen

 

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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