on Live Write Thrive:

These days, it seems harder and harder to not only carve out time to write but to get a book published.

Landing an agent and a publishing contract can take years and require tremendous persistence and patience (I’ve been trying to sell my latest thriller, find the perfect agent, interest film companies, and I’m going on year two …).

Self-publishing requires a massive amount of research and time. You have to do everything—cover design, marketing plan and execution, networking and strategizing. It can be overwhelmingly exhausting and make you wonder if it’s even worth all the trouble.

Clearly, becoming a successful author is no easy feat, and there’s no one-size-fits-all guide to guarantee your ascent to publishing success. However, there are practical steps you can take to position yourself for success in the competitive world of writing. I’m going to share eight essential keys that can set you on the path to becoming the author you aspire to be.