OLD POST ALERT! This is an older post and although you might find some useful tips, any technical or publishing information is likely to be out of date. Please click on Start Here on the menu bar above to find links to my most useful articles, videos and podcast. Thanks and happy writing! – Joanna Penn
One of the inherent parts of being human is a general dissatisfaction with where we are. However much we achieve, we often want more.
This has an evolutionary benefit as it means we are always striving, always creating, always building. But it’s important to recognize your achievements, so whatever you decide you want, you also need to establish how you will measure this success.
I’ve also been thinking about it in the wake of the discussions around the Author Earnings site, which has had the industry blogs all aflutter and brought out the agent and publisher big guns to discuss the impact of self-publishing. Some have said that the report is turning the focus to money, that writing should be about creativity and the rewards are in the work themselves.
But it’s important to remember that we are not a homogenous bunch, and we all strive for different things, for different reasons.
For me, it comes down to three questions:
- What is your definition of success – for this particular book and for your writing career?
- How will you track and measure that success?
- What do you want to do with that success? What is the point in your work?
It will also tend to change over time as your definition of success will be dependent on the progression of your writing career. In this article, I outline some of the more common responses to the question, as well as potential options for measurement.
(1) I want to create something I am proud of and hold my book in my hand
This is perhaps where we all start – with the desire to finish a project and create something tangible. This is also why most first time authors want a printed book.
I helped my 9 year old niece publish her first book, which led her to win national prizes speaking publicly about the experience. I also helped my Dad with his historical thriller, Nada. Neither of these are really commercial prospects, so the focus of success is more on creativity, which is a totally brilliant reason to write a book!
If this is your goal, check out this article on how to self-publish and look at print-on-demand options. If you don’t want to DIY, I would also recommend you read ‘Choosing a self-publishing service,’ by the Alliance of Independent Authors so you can avoid the (ever-increasing) scams in this growing industry.
(2) I want to see my book on the shelves of a bookstore
We have shopped in bookstores all our lives and for many of us, the bookstore is a place of solace as well as adventure. When I was most miserable in my job, I would go to the bookstore at lunchtime and indulge in retail therapy to escape my life for a time. To see a book with our own name on it on those shelves must surely be every authors dream.
This is easy to measure but the truth is that it is extremely difficult to get into bookstores as an independent author. It’s also costly even if you can manage it because of discounting and returns.
You can definitely do it – as Dean Wesley Smith explains in this article. It’s also possible to build relationships with your local bookstore as Karen Inglis, children’s author, has done. But it’s about where you want to spend your energy, and for me, print distribution is not a major concern.
I’ll admit that this is still a dream of mine and I’m definitely open to print only deals with traditional publishing, but it is no longer a definition of my success.
(3) I want to reach readers with my words
This is fantastic but I always challenge this definition of success, because it is so intangible. If you want to reach readers, then just put your book out for free and on every platform in the world, as Seth Godin did with ‘The IdeaVirus’ a few years ago. But most people don’t mean this kind of ‘reach.’
So be more specific – does it mean 10 x 5 star reviews on Amazon? Does it mean a fan email from a reader you have never met and who isn’t your friend or family member? Or should you measure this reach in book sales?
(4) I want to sell 10,000 copies of my book/s
This is a better definition than (3) because it is measurable and you know when you get there. The number is obviously dependent on many things: the genre you write in, as a children’s picture book will sell far fewer copies than a commercial romance novel; a literary novel will generally sell less than a commercial thriller. It is also dependent on how many books you have, as you will more easily reach higher figures with more books.
This volume type of definition will also change over time. I started off with 1000 books as a goal when I only had one book. Then I moved to 10,000, and I am just about to crack 100,000 so now my goals have changed again.
(5) I want to win a literary prize and receive literary/critical acclaim
You can achieve this as an independent author. The Alliance of Independent Authors has an Open Up To Indies campaign, which will hopefully mean that more prizes and festivals are open to self-published books over time. There’s also been the recent success of A Naked Singularity by Sergio de la Pava, which started out as self-published and won the PEN/Robert W. Bingham prize and has been shortlisted for the Folio prize.
But you’re still far more likely to win a literary prize if you go through the traditional publishing route. It’s the goal of most MFA programs to produce books capable of winning prizes. As for critical acclaim, again, you’re more likely to get that through traditional publishing and reviews in literary journals.
If this is your goal, you should also be aware of recent research that shows literary prizes can make the book less popular. So this definition of success may be incompatible with making a full-time living as an author.
(6) I want to make a full-time living with my writing
Again, I challenge this because the definition of ‘full-time living‘ is different by country, even by region, as well as the huge difference between income needs from a family with kids to a professional couple or single writer. Try and be specific about the actual figure you are aiming for, and think about how that may grow over time, based on how much you are writing over the next few years, as well as your own financial requirements.
Then have a look at the Author Earnings website to see if your genre is likely to earn that kind of money. Follow authors like HM Ward, Hugh Howey, Joe Konrath, Barry Eisler, CJ Lyons, Bob Mayer, Dean Wesley Smith and Kristine Kathryn Rusch who all make a great living writing books. Study how they write, how they run their creative businesses and their recommendations.
Making a full-time living became my goal in 2009, and in September 2011, I left my job as an IT consultant to become a full-time author-entrepreneur. I make about one third of the income I used to make back then, but downsizing, paying off debt and changing my own definition of what a ‘full-time income‘ was meant that I could leave the job I hated and start this new creative life.
An income goal is not necessary for everyone, and for many, creativity alone is the reward.
But I have been challenged on my own focus so I have been thinking about it a lot recently. My desire to earn (very) good money stems from my upbringing by a single Mum who worked long hours to provide for me and my brother. I am married, but my financial independence as a woman is incredibly important to me, and I’ve had paying work since I was 14.
My lifestyle is also important, with travel being a part of what I define as a good life rather than ownership of physical
things. Last year I had several weeks cycling through South India, and this year I will be in Canada, Spain or Israel, as well as back in New Zealand. So the ‘why’ behind my definition of success is around my self-esteem as a financially independent woman, as well as wanting to live life on my own terms.
(7) I want to create a body of work I am proud of over my lifetime
This is the definition that will keep you honest about your creative output. You won’t rush a book to publication. You won’t put a book out without a professional edit, or a professional cover. You will strive for the best this particular project can be.
I am trying to balance this with (6) above and it can be difficult. Part of me wants to learn to write faster and produce more words, but my books are characterized by deep research and a sense of place, both of which require a longer writing process. I also want to live a life of research and travel so I want to honor that part of my process.
In the end, I want to write for the rest of my life, hopefully another 50 years, so I’m in this for the long haul. How about you?
I want to hear from you on this important topic. What is your definition of success? How has it changed as your writing has progressed? Who are your role models for success? Please leave a comment below and join the discussion.
Top image: Flickr Creative Commons Clouds by Jonathan Kos-Read
K. D. McAdams says
Great article! I think that many people hear the word measurement and assume it means sales, you’ve shown that it can mean more than that. Some of the non-sales goals can be tricky to measure but if it’s important, you can find a way. I also love your own example showing that goals aren’t achieved overnight (goal set in 2009 achieved in 2011 yeah!) and they can be accomplished with balancing multiple areas.
Joanna Penn says
Hi KD, absolutely 🙂 My goals are moving every year now. I’m not sure when I will consider myself a success – I think perhaps when I match my previous income with writing 🙂 so it might be a while as I was in IT for 13 years
Amanda Chcuhoque says
Thank you, this was helpful to a brand new author trying to decide where I want to go with my writing. Ultimately I really want to make a career out of writing, however I already have a demanding career that I cannot leave due to financial constraints. Because I am already working a lot of hours I do not have the time to dedicate to my writing that I should. I need to look at setting some short-term goal and some long term goals before I decide what I will do with my first book.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Amanda, when I was working fulltime, my goal was to finish the book I was writing and sell 1000 copies of it. That was non-fiction … then it was to write a novel … then another one … I was working all that time as well. So go slow and don’t be too hard on yourself. You have time!
Carol Balawyder says
May all your wishes come true:)
Debbie A. McClure says
I’ve always believed its important to set measurable goals, and your suggestion to also determine our own meaning of success falls into line with that thinking. Understanding and accepting that our meaning of success can/will change over time is a good one. Reading this post I realized I too have many definitions of success. Thanks for the reflective thoughts.
Gene Markland says
Thanks for the encouragement Joanna. Great food for thought!
Dan Holloway says
I just wrote a book about exactly this 🙂 Question 3 is one I spend a lot of time trying to get people to reword – who are those readers? What effect do you want to have on them? You can make those answers very specific, and that makes them much more measurable.
Personally, my goal is very clear – I want to enable those whose voices have been marginalised to speak and be heard in their own voices
Joanna Penn says
I’d challenge you on that Dan 🙂 It’s still not measurable enough! e.g. how will you enable them to speak? will 10 books from that target group have you in the Acknowledgements of their books? will you empower 10 to speak publicly? or 100?
Dan Holloway says
Ha, yes, you’re right. Specifically for me it’s about enabling those who find their voices marginalised through mental health issues to feel that they are able to speak and not be spoken for . And it’s measurable mainly by personal contact – emails, tweets and messages. Just one person would be a success.
AD Starrling says
What a wonderful post Joanna! When I started writing again in 2006, my short-term definition of success was landing an agent and a traditional book deal; my long-term definition was to be able to write full time. When I started self-publishing in 2012, my short-term definition of success was getting people I didn’t know to buy my books; my long-term definition remained unchanged. Two years on, people I don’t know are buying my books 🙂 Currently, my short-term definition of success is to sell more than 1000 books this year and negotiate contracts for some of my foreign rights over the next 18 months. My long-term definition remains unchanged.
Joanna Penn says
Congrats on the success so far!
Carla says
I want to connect with people having an affinity with my way of feeling, and my books are the best way I know to make such a connection. Success for me is being able to make more connections like this. So the number of this kind of feedback is more important to me than the total number of copies sold (or other numbers, like money).
Of course I also have other bigger ambitions but whether they become reality or not is not really important.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Carla, but how do you measure “connection”? Number of Facebook fans? or email list sign ups? or what else?
Carla says
Direct feedback like reviews, people interacting with me publicly (like social networks, blog post concerning my books, people asking the “right” questions while interviewing me, etc.) or privately (I receive a lot of emails) who, speaking about my books, seem like they have read my mind. So I don’t just mean general positive feedback, but a kind of feedback (which can also include some critics) that shows how the reader see my “message” the same way I’ve intended them to see it. It means to me that I’ve been good in transmitting that “message” but also that there are people out there with a kind of sensitiveness having some points in common with mine.
I hope I’m explaining correctly what I mean ( I’m Italian). 🙂
Actually I’m getting this from time to time, and every time I’m amazed.
Last time it happened two days ago when I was mentioned for the first time in an “authoritative” web magazine (the Italian version of Wired) together with other nine indie authors. There was a brief review of my sci-fi series and the reviewer in the last line of it highlighted what really the series was about, I mean, what I wanted it to be about, which wasn’t actually so evident for the reader. It was like he read my mind.
You should have seen my face! 😀
Richard Mabry says
Joanna, you’ve raised some interesting questions. So many of us have vague goals instead of establishing concrete indicators of success. I blogged about this a few weeks ago, as well. As for me, it comes down to this quotation from St. Francis of Assisi: “Preach the gospel every day. When necessary, use words.” In my case, words are what I’ve been given to use, and that’s what I need to do. The rest is in God’s hands.
Sherry Marshall says
A fantastic analysis of what success may mean to different people. I always feel that my love of writing is what calls me to write and that my books may, in some way benefit the reader. That is why I write and what feels right to me. If I’m honest though, yes, its nice intially to at least ‘break even’ financially and then make some money as well! Its also great when people really appreciate and love my books. I am perhaps in a different situation, in that my career is being a therapist for over 30 years so I am not a full time writer or dependant on those earnings. Process Psychology is my passion but so is writing. I like to encourage a paradigm shift of success and failure to ‘what am I learning?’ and am following my path with heart?
Cyd says
This is a terrific article, Joanna, and one that brings to light questions many of us are asking ourselves as this movement continues. I’ve been struggling with it since September and taking time to sort it all out. I’m not very good with goals. I’m so rebellious, I’ll look at my own written goals and say, “Phooey on you. You can’t tell me what to do.” That makes me lean more towards Jung’s driving life forces — identifying them, cultivating them, and letting them propel me towards their fulfillment. They are: Taking care of my family and leaving a legacy; becoming a financially independent woman within my marriage, and; never, ever, wasting my reader’s time. The last means I have to spend more time on each project to protect my readers, which in turn means less chance of economic independence. The resolution to this conundrum has been forming a family business based on a non-book, tangible product (hard at work on that right now) and assigning writing to the luxury segment of my life with no financial expectations. The writing becomes a personal connection with the reader, which is something I crave. For the first time since returning to writing, I feel a deep sense of success coming within reach, and it feels right and good and enjoyable. I thought “following my bliss” meant chasing a good life through writing, but it turns out writing is part of a packaged deal that goes with other passions in order to touch that bliss. I’m looking forward to what others have to say on this matter. You certainly have a way of sparking community, and this question should certainly help it grow.
Joanna Penn says
Hi Cyd,
I’m so glad you spoke about the business side of having to do something else – “business based on a non-book, tangible product” as a way to solve the financial conundrum. This is absolutely the right way to look at it – we all need to do something to pay the bills – and if writing fast is not the way for you (or others) then there needs to be something else – which is all just as valid.
Campbell also never meant that bliss would be full time, every day bliss – for surely that would drive us crazy too! Bliss will be the moments that we remember, the pride at a book finished, however long that takes. I REALLY hate the first draft – I love the research, the editing, the production side, even the marketing .. but writing that first draft is no bliss. Like Dorothy L Sayers, I find my bliss in ‘having written,’ in the pride of finishing a creative project.
I am also finding some bliss in teaching others – and professional speaking – which is another kind of personal connection. So we all have more facets and I think the ‘portfolio career’ is increasingly the way to go.
Nadine says
I have common ideas with you regarding the meaning of being successful person, mostly to make full- time living from my writing, but I have a major problem which I suffer a lot because of it, procrastinating all the time! I have many ideas in my mind and I intend to write them down on my blog, but nothing happens! I lost many posts and ideas because of procrastinating…
Mariam Kobras says
Yes, all of those, and a book prize or two.
Valentina says
I agree that goals often change over time, and are not always measurable. If I had to think of goals for most writers, I’d say first “write-that-damn-book”. We know how it is difficult to struggle with everyday life, find time to write and use that time the best possible way. My two current goal are to complete my first novel by May/June and create an author’s platform right after, then use a few more months on keeping the platform alive and editing the book. I am sure this would make me very proud of myself and give me new energy to set at least the three further goals that I know will be coming (publish first novel, write second novel, work constantly on author’s platform). I will probably need some more time to make up my mind about my publishing choices (traditional print? self? both?) and so the goal will change again.
So far, so good. But I know for sure it will be extremely hard to set a goal in terms of sold copies, because that’s where you really have to confront yourself with the readers and the market, which could also mean some huge failure or disappointment. It’s scary and I know that will be my main problem. If I may ask: weren’t you a bit scared when you started your writing career? I mean, I know you weren’t happy with your previous job, but wasn’t it… terrifying, to risk failure with the new one? Put out a fiction book that people might *not* like?
As always, thanks for the inspiring articles on this blog. 🙂
Joanna Penn says
Hi Valentina,
In terms of ‘is it scary’ – yes of course it is 🙂 Here’s a video after the release of my first novel – I am petrified!
http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2011/02/15/how-it-feels-to-have-your-book-out-there-in-the-world/
The fear never goes away – the fear that you can never write another word – that it’s all a load of crap – that no one will buy it. But the best things in life are scary – pushing the comfort zone is what it’s all about. Regret is far worse than failure.
Valentina says
Lovely video!!!
Yes, I agree that regrets are worse than failure, it’s one of the “home-made proverbs” I’ve always kept with me in life. I am sure that sooner or later my novel WILL be out and, whatever may happen, I won’t let fear stop me. It’s just good and a bit relaxing, to know I am not alone in that department. 🙂
Michael Cairns says
Hi Jo
I enjoyed this post, thanks, a nice expansion on what we talked about on the course.
I also love that all of your definitions are based around ‘towards’ motivations, that is, what we want, rather than what we want to avoid or escape from. As with musicians, I think it can be easy to focus on not wanting the day job, but of course it is a day job (and evening and night sometimes 🙂
But focusing on the outcome is a far more positive way to achieve.
Cheers
Mike
Joanna Penn says
All those self help books have geared my thinking towards positive outcomes 🙂
Rhonda Eason says
Thank you for posting this article, Joanna. My goals are always shifting. When I sit down to write I just want to finish a chapter, a first draft, edits. Ultimately, I’d like to write characters that stick with readers and be able to support myself full-time doing what I enjoy. Holding a book in my hand is not as significant to me as reading a positive review of my work and knowing that all the hours I poured into the manuscript made at least one person smile.
Joanna Penn says
Finishing the 1000 words a day is a great small win – I log daily word count on a physical calendar on my wall these days. It helps to have little wins along the way!
Michael M Dickson says
I suppose it comes down to income, but I cringe when I write that.
Income is the result of what I consider a success – working as a fulltime writer.
Its never been about money though. Writing is in my blood. Its what gets me up at 5 a.m. every morning except Sundays, and what keeps me up way past exhaustion at night.
I would have it no other way.
Joanna Penn says
Don’t cringe Michael, it is definitely one of my main definitions of success, and to be a paid writer is nothing to be coy about!
You wouldn’t do it unless you loved it, but being paid makes it doubly worthwhile!
William Ash says
+1
I am unsure why you are shy about being able to support yourself with your craft. Is there any other definition for a professional? It is funny that people think it is quite acceptable to support themselves working for others, but then don’t think they are worthy when working for themselves? Do you work less hard for yourself? Is work work of less value than, say, writing technical manuals for some consumer product that is only going to be thrown away in a year or two?
I know, we beat the idea into people not the have the big head. We look down on people that “do it for the money.” If I got a dollar for every time someone exploited a creative person by using guilt to underpay them, I would be richer than J K Rowlings, who, by the way, does not seem to feel guilty with all that publisher and Hollywood money. And think about it, if you could make something that generates the income of the Harry Potter author, like the Harry Potter author, you could actually support some really worthy causes. (Why don’t we ever refer to her as the Hermionie Granger author?)
Imagine if the world paid creative people what they are worth and those creative folks then pooled their talent and money to change the world?
Don’t cringe because you want the dignity of being able to provide for yourself. Embrace your talent and be proud of it. Because, if you do get that best seller, you will have earned it.
Robyn LaRue says
Hi, Joanna. 🙂 I was talking about measurable goals not that long ago with my mentor, who told me my goals were too low. After I picked up the lower half of my jaw, I realized he was right. Attainable goals are important, but don’t be afraid to dream big. 🙂 I’m including a link here on my post coming up Wednesday. Thank you!
Joanna Penn says
Do come back with the link Robin!
I certainly dream big – I want to be in the Stephen King league of income, as well as number of readers who adore him, and body of work over the long term. That gives me 30 years to get there 🙂
Meredith Allard says
I love all your articles, Joanna, but I particularly love this one. Virtually every post I’ve read about finding success as a writer is centered around book sales. Now book sales are cool, for sure. I’m thankful beyond measure for every sale I’ve had, and yet I was writing for 16 years before I ever sold a single copy of a book. Was I a successful writer even in those lean years? In retrospect, I think I was because I was–as you say–creating a body of work I’m proud of. I’ve also found that some projects are more creative expressions for me than money makers, and you know what? That’s cool too. It took me some time to learn that lesson.
I’ve always appreciated your honesty as you go through this journey, Joanna. Keep up the great work!
Joanna Penn says
Thanks Meredith, and perhaps we can have different definitions of success as
a) a writer – which as you say, is more about experimentation and creative expression
b) a professional author – which is more about sales and income and reach
Just a thought 🙂
We’re all working this out together, right!
Carolyn V. Hamilton says
To me, the success comes from completion. Just finishing the writing of a full-length book is an extraordinary accomplishment. Kudos to everyone, published or unpublished, who has done so.
I’ve also read that your third novel is usually your “break-out” novel, which then drives sales of the first two. So it’s important to think beyond your first book.
I’ve always told new writers, “Keep writing and don’t quit your day job.”
Thanks, Joanna, for all your insight and encouragement.