Why Starting Your Author Career for Fun Sets You Up for Long-Term Success
TL;DR: Here’s Your Permission Slip
Write for fun first.
Save money before you launch.
Study the self-publishing environment.
Take time to understand your voice, brand, and audience.
Build a backlist before expecting full-time income.
Treat your career like the long game it is.
You don’t need to be an overnight success. You just need to stay in the game long enough to build the career you’re dreaming of.
And when you’re ready to get serious—build your systems, grow your audience, and start selling books.
How to Build a Successful Author Career by Starting for Fun
If you’ve ever searched “how to make money from self-publishing,” “how to become a full-time author,” or “how to sell more books,” you’re in the right place—but this blog may give you an answer you weren’t expecting.
Because the truth is? The most successful self-published authors I’ve worked with didn’t start with dollar signs in their eyes.
They started with a passion for storytelling.
Why Starting for Fun Builds a Stronger Foundation
When you approach your author career from a place of joy, creativity, and curiosity instead of urgency to make money, you create space to actually learn what works.
You explore your voice. You get familiar with your genre. You get feedback and develop confidence in your writing.
When you publish with the primary goal of becoming a bestseller or quitting your day job, you add pressure before you’ve even learned the ropes.
Think of it like this: if you were starting any other small business, you wouldn’t expect profit on day one. Writing and publishing are no different.
You’re Not Stephenie Meyer (And That’s Okay)
We love a Cinderella story—but debut authors who become overnight sensations are incredibly rare. Most of your favorite authors had years of practice, multiple books, and plenty of trial and error before success found them.
That’s not to say it can’t happen. But if you expect it to happen right away, you’re setting yourself up for frustration. Most authors find real traction with:
Multiple books in a series or catalog
A consistent and engaged audience
A marketing process they’ve had time to test and tweak
Play With Marketing Before You Pressure Yourself With It
Social media. Email lists. Reader magnets. Amazon blurbs. Ads. All these marketing tools can feel overwhelming if you expect yourself to master them instantly.
But if you treat them as experiments—part of the journey—you give yourself permission to:
Test what kind of content your readers respond to
Build visibility over time without burning out
Learn to talk about your books in a way that feels good to you
Your goal in the beginning should be simple: learn the game. Watch what works for other authors. Try different approaches. Get comfortable talking about your work. And most of all—connect with your readers.
Fund Your Dream Like the Business It Is
Publishing and launching a book—especially self-publishing—takes investment.
Even with budget-friendly tools, you still need money for:
Editing
Cover design
Formatting
ISBNs and distribution
Marketing and promotions
It’s a smart move to set aside savings before you jump in. If you don’t have funds right now, use the time to build your audience and develop your writing while you save.
Use the Time to Build a Backlist
Having multiple titles (or even short stories) gives readers more to binge—and gives you more opportunity to market.
A reader who loves your first book is much more likely to buy the second. But if they finish your debut and there’s nothing else to read, you lose momentum.
Build your catalog slowly and strategically:
Write a novella or short story first to test your process
Start building your email list as you write
Use each new release to grow your visibility and community
Find a Mentor (or Pay for One)
You don’t have to do this alone. Most successful author-entrepreneurs either:
Had a mentor guiding them
Joined a supportive community
Or invested in a coach or course to speed up their learning curve
This is especially helpful when you hit inevitable mindset blocks—like imposter syndrome or fear of failure. Someone who’s been there can help you work through it and keep going.
Understand Who You Are, Who You Write For, and How to Reach Them
This is the golden trio that changes everything.
You don’t need a six-figure ad budget. You need clarity. If you can:
Understand your unique voice and brand
Identify your ideal readers
Learn how to speak to those readers online and in your marketing
You’ll grow much faster and with more ease.
This takes time. And that’s okay. Give yourself the space to figure it out without the weight of financial pressure hanging over every decision.
If you want to make money as an author, start by falling in love with the process—not chasing the paycheck.
What Readers Want (And How That Builds Your Career)
At the end of the day, your author business grows when you:
Show up consistently
Engage with your audience
Keep writing and improving
Readers want to connect with you. And the more you understand your brand, voice, and stories, the better you’ll connect with them.
Building a profitable author career is possible. But it’s rooted in doing the work, learning the industry, and falling in love with the process—not chasing overnight success.
P.S. Letters From Story Flow is your bi-weekly resource for authors who are ready to grow their careers with clarity and ease—without relying on hustle-heavy strategies that don’t feel like you.
If you're ready to build a sustainable author business, connect with readers, and get expert guidance that actually meets you where you are, click here to join me!