The #1 Resource Every Aspiring Author Should Use: Other Authors
When Javier and I set out to write Mindset Wizardry, we were navigating uncharted waters. Neither of us had written or published a book before, and while we were confident in our ideas, the process of turning those ideas into a book was a bit overwhelming. One of the best decisions we made early on was reaching out to other authors—both traditionally published and self-published—to learn from their experiences.
Why Learning from Others Was Crucial
We quickly realized that while there are many resources available about writing and publishing, there’s nothing quite like hearing first-hand accounts from people who have already been through the process. Every author we spoke to had a unique experience, but each one offered valuable insights that helped us avoid common pitfalls and make informed decisions.
Here are a few ways these conversations shaped our journey:
Choosing the Publishing Path: One of the biggest decisions we faced was whether to pursue traditional publishing or go the self-publishing route. By speaking with authors from both sides, we learned the pros and cons of each. Traditional publishing offers credibility and distribution networks but can be a lengthy and competitive process. It can also be more expensive because unknown authors often need to pay an agent to get attention from publishers. In many traditional publishing agreements, the author gets limited or no revenue from international publication. This can be problematic if you have an audience in multiple countries. Self-publishing gives you more control and a quicker turnaround, but it requires a lot more legwork on the marketing and distribution side. It also gives the author more control over international publishing rights.
Understanding the Process: The writing process itself is often romanticized, but talking to other authors helped us understand the reality: it’s hard work. They shared tips on how to stay disciplined, how to handle writer’s block, and how to push through the inevitable doubts that come with putting your ideas on paper. These conversations also highlighted the importance of patience—writing a book is a marathon, not a sprint, and rushing through any part of the process can affect the final product.
The Power of Community: We also learned that the writing community is incredibly supportive. Authors were generous with their time and advice, sharing lessons they had learned from their own successes and mistakes. This sense of camaraderie was encouraging, especially for first-time authors like us. It’s easy to feel isolated when you’re buried in your manuscript but knowing that others had faced similar challenges helped us stay motivated.
What We Gained from These Conversations
Talking to other authors not only gave us practical advice but also helped us understand where we needed extra help. For example, we realized that while we could handle the writing, we would need professional support when it came to editing, formatting, and marketing. These conversations allowed us to better plan our budget, timeline, and the tasks we would need to outsource (more on that in our next post).
In short, learning from other authors helped us make smarter decisions, stay grounded in the process, and avoid costly mistakes. If you’re thinking about writing a book—or tackling any large project, for that matter—don’t hesitate to reach out to people who’ve already been there. Their insights could save you time, money, and frustration.
Key Takeaways
⭐Learn from both sides: Whether you’re considering traditional or self-publishing, get insights from authors who’ve experienced both.
⭐Ask about the reality: Writing a book is challenging. Authors can give you the unfiltered truth about what to expect.
⭐Build a support network: The writing community is generous—take advantage of their support and advice.
⭐Know when to seek help: Some tasks are best left to the professionals. Learning from others can help you decide where you’ll need extra hands.
Coming Soon
In our next post, we’ll dive into Lesson #6: When to Say ‘No’ to DIY: How We Got Professional Help —how we identified the tasks we could handle on our own and when we decided to call in the experts.