Being an author is one of the most fulfilling yet challenging careers one can embark on. It’s a creative outlet that also helps with one’s own self-discovery. It also requires perseverance. The journey is fraught with challenges and can be a roller coaster of emotions. Whether you write fiction, non-fiction, poetry, or essays, crafting words into something meaningful for readers is both exhilarating and very demanding.

So, why is picking a date important? Simple. You owe it to yourself as an author to set yourself up for success. It’s not like prospective readers won’t buy your book if you release it at a certain time. You may just not reach as many of them.

Plot is the skeleton of storytelling. You can be an amazing writer with a captivating style of prose and relatable characters, but without a compelling plot, your story will fall flat. Most stories use one of two conventions to propel the narrative forward: a plot-driven approach reliant on external events or a character-driven that relies on the internal development of characters.

Your publishing journey is going to have a number of forks in the road. One of the most important decisions you’ll make is whether to seek an agent and look to become traditionally published or take a more independent route. There are potential benefits and drawbacks to both that need to be understood to make an informed decision.

Writing is a labor of love. If you are thinking about writing a book, have written one, or are looking to make more from the novels you have written, here are a few things to keep in mind to increase your sales and, ultimately, your revenue.

Authors who find the notion of publishing independently daunting will check for alternatives. There are plenty out there, and finding the right one is crucial for a successful experience.