5 Successful Author MUSTS 

Becoming a successful author can feel like quite the challenge when you don’t know what to do. While there are lots of strategies to write quality stories and boost your name, I want to share my top 5 successful author MUSTS to keep in mind as you write your children’s book.

You can also check out my interview with Authority Magazine HERE.

5 MUSTS for Every Successful Author In the Making

MUST #1: Narrow down the age group you’re writing for.

Depending on who your audience is, your book will look very different. If you’re writing for pre-teens, odds are you don’t want a book that focuses on teaching ABCs. If you’re writing for toddlers, you don’t want a complex plot with multiple main characters and morally grey villains.

And if you say, “I’m writing for ALL children”, I have some bad news for you.

If you’re writing for ALL children, you’re actually writing for NO children.

Children at different ages and stages of development have different needs. As a successful author, it’s your responsibility to cater to one target audience at a time so your story will best fit their interests.

MUST #2: Read, read, read!

If you want to know how to write, you need to read from that genre.

It’s like plumbing. If you want to know how to fix a leaky faucet, you need to know how your faucet works, which tools you’ll need to fix it, and what to do once you’re ready.

In the same way, you need to read to understand the tools in your genre. If you want to write a picture book, read picture books. If you want to write an early reader, read early readers. 

Then, you’ll know how to go about writing your own great book and become a successful author.

Not sure which age group your book lines up with? Check out THIS blog post on Children’s Book Age Categories.

MUST #3: Focus on Entertaining

Most children spend 6 hours every weekday in school and then spend even more time at home listening to their parents tell them why they need to XYZ. In other words, children are always learning lessons.

By the time your reader gets a moment to unwind, the last thing they’ll want is to sit through another preachy lesson.

That’s why it’s so important to make your children’s book entertaining. You need to bury the message in the story, focusing on plot and character instead of morals and teaching.

Children can smell a lesson a mile away, and if they catch the scent of a lesson in your book, odds are they’ll ditch it to do something more fun. A successful author needs their book to grab and keep readers’ attention.

MUST #4: Write, write, write!

Just like doing a cartwheel, scoring baskets, and drawing the perfect portrait, you need to practise to develop your writing skills.

If you want to be a successful author, you need to write, write, and then write some more.

Practise makes perfect.

MUST #5: Surround yourself with people who are writing & publishing too

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Similarly, it takes an entire community to create a successful author.

As you write, publish and market your children’s book, you’re going to have good days and bad days. It’s important to have a support system in place that can encourage you through the highs and lows.

Even better is if you can find a community of writers and authors with similar goals in mind. 

Not sure where to find your community? Check out my FREE Children’s Book Writers Community 👇

Who can help you get started, navigate your biggest questions, and celebrate your success?

With these 5 MUSTS under your belt, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a successful author.

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