Can you help me with something? (1 click poll inside!)


Hey Reader,

I’m working on something new for authors, and I want your input before I build it.

There are a LOT of people in publishing telling authors what you should be doing.

Write faster. Publish more. Be on social media. Build a newsletter. Run ads. Do audio. Make special editions. Try Kickstarter. And on and on. And on lol.

I know there's a lot that goes into being an author, and building an author career, and I'm always thinking about the best ways to help with that.

So I’m curious: which of these feels most like where you are in your author career right now?

A. There’s too much noise.
There are so many things I could or should be doing that I have trouble figuring out what actually deserves my attention.

B. I second-guess my choices.
I usually have some idea what I want to focus on, but I worry I’m making the wrong choice or missing the thing I’m “supposed” to be doing.

C. I’m stretched too thin.
I’m trying to fit writing, publishing, marketing, and everything else into an actual life, and I need a way of building my career that doesn’t leave me exhausted.

D. Honestly, I’m feeling pretty good about my author career right now.
I know what I’m focusing on, and my pace feels manageable.

E. None of these really fit me right now.
If it’s something else getting in your way, you can hit reply and tell me.

Select the answer that sounds most like you.

That’s it. I really do want to know what you’re dealing with before I decide what to build.

And, as always, you're welcome to reply with your thoughts about this. I always love to hear from you!

~Angela

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Angela James

Join my newsletter for publishing, writing and marketing tips and advice! Angela James (she/her) is a #1 New York Times bestselling fiction freelance editor and author career coach, and has enjoyed two decades in genre fiction publishing. She's edited bestselling books and authors, including the #1 New York Times bestselling Paper Princess by Erin Watt, as well as hundreds of other authors such as Mariah Stewart, Shelly Laurenston/G.A. Aiken, A.C. Arthur, Jaci Burton, Ilona Andrews, Alexa Riley, Lilith Saintcrow, Josh Lanyon, K.A. Mitchell, Shannon Stacey, and more. She is also the creator of Before You Hit Send: a popular online self-editing and writing workshop as well as Book Boss: From Written to Recommended, a supportive and growing author community. For more information about Angela’s freelance editorial and consulting services visit angelajames.co.

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