I Guess It’s Official…
Back when I started marketing myself as a freelance commercial writer, I had this thing I did… When people asked me what I was up to in casual conversation, I’d say I was starting my own business. They would politely ask what I was starting, and I would tell them, and that would be that.
A couple of months of this, and I was sick of it. I sounded apologetic, you know? “I’m trying to start a business. I’m starting to market myself as a freelance writer. I’m working on getting this business off the ground.” I made a conscious decision to start calling myself a freelance writer. I joined the local Chamber of Commerce and introduced myself as a freelance writer. I made cold calls to businesses and introduced myself as a freelance writer. But most importantly, when random people or old friends asked what I did, I’d say, “I’m a freelance writer.”
Man, I tell you what–the first few times I did that, my stomach twisted something fierce. It was like they’d find out what a big phony I was–like somehow, I was wearing a sign over my head that said “SHE’S LYING!! SHE’S FAKING IT!! SHE’S NOT A REAL WRITER!!” I was sure someone would find out my big “secret.”
But it got easier. I put the title “Freelance Writer” in my e-mail signature, on my website, on my business cards, in my logo–everywhere. And eventually, I even thought of myself as a freelance writer. A REAL writer.
Now, I find myself stuck with a very similar challenge.
One of the things I’ve had a really hard time doing since I started this indie publishing journey is calling myself an author. I have no problem saying I’m a writer. But I’ve been really hesitant to say I’m an “author” or that I write fiction. And don’t even dare suggest I call myself a “novelist”–that would just be wrong! Part of that is because I’m not making a living at it yet, I guess. I mean, this isn’t me bemoaning my lack of sales or anything–I’m just saying, I made a lot more money when I was writing commercial copy. And yes, it got a lot easier to call myself a freelance writer when I was making a decent amount of money at it.
But an author? That’s, like, someone PUBLISHED.
Um… Am I not published?
This is one of those areas where I still fall prey to the traditional vs. indie mindset. I don’t feel like a “real” author. When people ask me what I do, and I tell them I write fiction, they seem all impressed and ask if I’m published. This is where my stomach twists and I picture that big neon sign as I duck my eyes and say apologetically, “uh, yeah, well, I publish myself… Uh, I’m independent…”
Wow. Confident much, Amy?
I think there’s something powerful to calling yourself what you want to become. The problem with writing (and really, any art) is that there’s no test. You become a CPA, a lawyer, a doctor by passing tests and evaluations and milestones in your training. You can’t do that with writing, so you have to figure out where those milestones are by bumping into them and figuring out if they apply yet. As a freelance commercial writer, I had a little portfolio gathered from work at various jobs along the way that qualified me to say “I’m a freelance writer.” But I hadn’t called myself that. I had to call myself what I wanted to become known as.
Here’s the thing, though… I’ve basically stopped marketing myself as a commercial copywriter. I’ve done a bit of work for an old client this year, and if other former clients happen to contact me, I’ll happily take on those projects. But really, I’m focused on writing fiction, beta reading, editing, and building my author platform. Those are my priorities.
This week marked a big milestone for me. I’ve been a subscriber to the Portland Business Journal since sometime in 2005 when I really started pushing my freelance business. I used the Top 25 lists for marketing, and I got a lot of clients from cold calls to those businesses. It was a great resource to me for years.
But this week, I dropped my subscription.
This was the last real vestige of my former efforts. I quit the Chamber of Commerce a few years ago because I couldn’t get to their morning meetings with the kids’ school schedule. I haven’t made a cold call, check-in call, or e-mail marketing effort in… Well, probably since early 2009. I took down my business website several months ago after I launched Ravenmarked. But dropping this subscription? That’s like admitting that I’m done marketing myself that way.
So now, I guess it’s official. I’m an author. An AUTHOR.
If I practice saying it enough, eventually it will become comfortable.
Hmmm… allow me to suggest that there is, indeed, a test for authors; it’s called book sales. The problem with calling one’s self an author these days is that it’s on a par with calling one’s self a shopper — requires the same training and resources, which is to say none, and a small amount of money.
I think that until an author reaches a certain professional level, which can only be measured by sales, said individual remains an aspiring author. In the past month, I’ve sampled about 100 self-published eBooks. If I had to to wager, I’d bet that 2 or 3 of those self-publishers will be authors, in the end. Sadly, 97 of those pieces were unreadable — I couldn’t get past the first 3 pages.
However, now that I’ve said all that, I would add that the distinction is best reserved for one’s self, who must be honest about the circumstances at all times. When out for public consumption, I think we must call ourselves authors, even if we’ve only sold 13 copies, because perception often drives reality. Confidence (author) begets confidence (reader).
I suppose there must be a limit. If 5 years later, an “author” has sold 113 copies of her book(s), is she still an author? Or is she something else… and a writing hobbyist?
Lane, I see your point, and I thought of it while I was writing this post. The sad truth is that even among traditionally published books, there are huge bestsellers that are almost as unreadable as some self-published books, and there are little gems of brilliance that sell maybe 200 copies and fade into obscurity. So books sales can be one measure or test, but they don’t really indicate one’s authorial status, you know? Because that person who wrote the little gem has as much right to call him/herself an author as the person who wrote the bestseller.
It’s really more about the idea of calling myself what I want to be. It’s that psychology of success. When I started calling myself a freelance writer and introducing myself that way and putting it on everything, I started to act more like a freelance writer. I worked harder to earn that title, you know? And yes, confidence on the author’s side begets confidence on the reader’s side. I totally agree with that.
And for the record, I think that author who has sold 113 copies of a book is both an author AND a hobbyist. I don’t think those things are mutually exclusive.
I call myself a writer, and I have done so, since the moment I began writing my novel. Of course people expect you to be published in order to call yourself a writer, or an author but to me it’s all about the psychology of calling yourself these names. They change the way you see yourself. You know how you feel when you wear a great pair of shoes that changes how you walk, and how you carry yourself? Well, to me, calling myself a writer is the same thing…I feel better just by saying I am a writer
You my dear, are DEFINITELY an author!
Yes, exactly, Alannah! Love the great pair of shoes analogy. It’s so true! It’s funny how a fantastic pair of pumps can make you stand even taller and straighter. You put on a name or a title and wear it with pride. If you slouch around in it, it will always be ill-fitting and uncomfortable!
That’s it exactly. The shoe analogy occurred to me, only because I wore a pair of sexy red sandals yesterday when I went to the pub, and I felt so different, so yeah, it’s true. We MUST wear our “writer” or “author” title with pride
I’m going to repeat this analogy to writers I meet from now on. And I’m going to credit you with it. Thanks!
I say if a writer writes a good book, one that they actually work at to perfect, then they’re an author.
Yes, there are a lot of people out there putting out stories that are beyond questionable in a clear hope to strike it rich, but you’re not one of those writers. You work at the craft, you work at the story, and your effort shows.
You’re more than worthy of introducing yourself as an author at any get-togethers. Hell, I say, from time to time, while you’re walking down the street, feel free to randomly shout, “I’m an author!” And then bask in the stares of amazement.
I will also admit that I get squeamish when my mother says to someone, “She wrote a book!” I try not to mention that it’s a book I’ve put out myself because what does that matter? I’ve written a book, I made the entire thing myself, and I even now have a print book to show for it. I’m sure if I hand it to someone, they won’t ask who I published with because they won’t care. They’re just going to look it over, maybe read the first few lines and then decide for themselves whether they want to read it or not.
So it’s still something I’m working on myself.
Nina, my mom is also my biggest fan.
Well, The Man and my BFF are also big fans, but to my mom, if I publish it, it’s awesome. The other two will be a little more brutal with me. 
But it’s nice to have a mom who thinks I’m the next Hemingway…
The thing about reader perception is exactly what I’ve been saying, too. Most readers don’t care how stuff is published. Most readers don’t know about Smashwords, the Dorchester debacle, Barry Eisler walking away from St. Martin’s, or what even a literary agent is. They just read books. But I forget that. When people ask if I’m published, all they want is a yes or a no, and if it’s a yes, they want to know where they can find my books. They don’t need or want to see me duck my eyes and be all apologetic because I published my own work. I have to learn how to say, “yes, I’m published. You can find my e-books in all the major e-book stores.” No one cares that I’m independent.
I struggle with this myself in many aspects of my life, however after reading a lot of blogs by self-published authors like Zoe Winters, I’ve come to the conclusion that readers really don’t care if you’re self-published or you’ve sold a ton of books. I’ve forced myself not to worry about admitting that I’m indie. I just tell people I’ve published a book and don’t give the “how” of it unless they specifically ask. I don’t think I’ve had anyone in the general public care that I’m indie. A few traditionally published authors do, but who gives a rat’s butt what they think?
As for sales marking you as professional, I’m not sure I agree with that. I’ve read several indie books that were selling really well, and in my opinion they were published too soon. I’m not saying the authors didn’t have skill, just that the books could have benefited with a bit more editing. Why should those people, who are selling a lot of books but haven’t completely polished them, be considered “authors” over you, when you’ve produced a higher quality book? If you buy into the sales = success belief you’re on the road to the whole “we alone know the market and we don’t think you’re cool enough to play on our team” myth of traditional publishing. Sales are just a combination of luck and marketing. Except in extreme situations, they don’t reflect the quality of the book.
Lisa, I’m trying really hard to do that–to just tell people to look me up on Amazon–but it’s hard to do. There’s still this fear of the neon sign, you know?
That’s an interesting point about sales=success being part of the “you’re not cool enough” myth. I hadn’t thought of that as being part of the slippery slope there, but you’re right–if you go far enough down that road, that’s where you end up. I do think sales are one gauge of success, but not the only one. There are indies who sold a ton of copies of their first releases, but for whatever reason, second or subsequent releases aren’t doing as well. There’s a whole host of issues there, but the results would seem to indicate that sales don’t necessarily equal success.
I would argue that the word author is more of an identifier of the person, not the work. Even people who write crappy books have done the work–they’ve written, edited, and either published or had published something that constitutes a novel, novella, short story, etc. There has to be some level of respect for the work, you know? Even writing a short story and having it published is a feat most people don’t manage.
This is such a hot topic among today’s writers. It is ludicrous to assume that the method of publication determines the quality of the product. Your work, as well as that of many other indie authors, is amazing. And, sad to say, I’ve read (or attempted to read) a few traditionally published books that would have profited from serious editing and revision.There’s no doubt in my mind that you can proudly say, “I am an author.”
Alice, I remember vividly one of the samples I downloaded when I was research the market and considering going indie. The book was unreadable. It was so bad that I checked to see if it was self-published. It wasn’t. Now, in theory, the publishing company could have been a thinly disguised self-publishing company, but the impression I had was that it was bigger than that. But the book was so bad it was one of the reasons I decided to go indie. I remember thinking, “dear heavens–my first drafts are better than this!”
A friend of mine always states ‘published is published.’ How many people can say that they’re published, whichever route they take? Still not the majority.
But I know what you mean. Even with my book coming out next May (and I don’t consider that it’s any more published by being with a small press than if it was an indie production) I still stumble over calling myself an ‘author’ as opposed to just telling people I write. I have a short story I self-pubbed so I have work out there where the public can see it. Will I feel more qualified when my book is actually out? Dunno. Maybe practice makes perfect? If I keep saying it it will become natural?
I think you should claim yourself as an author! Don’t let people discourage you. Stay true to who you are and hold your head high. I think you are great! =)
Thanks, Sophie! I’m sure it’ll get easier as time goes by.
Like I said in my email, I totally identify with this feeling. I’ve managed to call myself a writer, but that hasn’t found it’s way onto my email signature yet. But Author – no way. At least not till I’ve published one story. But yeah, one does feel a total fraud, hey! I even struggle to call myself an editor, and copy-editing I do do. Hmmm. Especially when I come up against people who do it professionally – I feel I just dabble, and yet I’ve got quite a few masters and doctoral theses under my belt ….!
It is really, really hard for me to call myself an author. I don’t know if I can ever really do it with a straight face. I mean, honestly–even if I were a Big Deal, I still think it would be hard for me to do. But the more I practice, the easier it will get, I think. At least call yourself an editor–you’ve edited, therefore, you are an editor!