Authors: We Need to Cheer Each Other On and Support Each Other's Work
I've never been more encouraged to see authors at work than I am right now!
Three years ago, I saw other authors as competition.
I’m not sure why. Maybe it was the culture I was brought up in, jealousy of how others were doing compared to me, or simply vanity.
Whatever it was, it was a bad attitude and trait.
Looking back, it was why some of my creative endeavors failed. I wasn’t connecting when influential writers and authors wanted to connect with me.
Because of this bad attitude, my growth stagnated, and I started to see a drop in book sales, views, reads, and engagement.
Fast Forward to the End of 2023
At the end of last year, I started to connect with writers again. People with the same dreams as me were super encouraging and just wanted to write books and make something of their efforts.
This was also when I finally started getting back into my rhythm after a hard time with my day job. And as I connected with these other writers and authors, something happened.
I started selling more books, growing my following and email again, and found a renewed focus and niche that I have become increasingly excited about.
The Minimalist Author was Born
After connecting with
on X, I realized that my efforts with self-publishing books ran alongside Jamie’s with minimalist side hustles. And whether he realizes it or not, he has influenced so much of this great change.After a time, I realized that the content where I share my lessons and experiences with writing boiled down to being a minimalist author.
And so, the Minimalist Author was born. It has become so helpful to me to create more books and content to have this specific niche and brand for my content. It is what I have been missing for a long time.
And it was all thanks to connecting with other writers and authors.
A Challenge Began that has Changed Everything
This year didn’t start like I planned. My family and I were sick for most of January. I didn’t create much content during that time, and I read and rested a lot.
However, the urge to focus on writing and publishing more books walloped me at that time. I read several books by Michelle Kulp that reminded me of my dream to write a book monthly for a year.
And so, I decided I would start doing it in February.
I started into my challenge and then began to write about it. I wasn’t thinking about turning it into a challenge, but this article started launching people into doing the same thing.
And when
shared that she would join the challenge, and Jamie Northrup did the same. I realized that maybe we were all onto something.Supporting Each Other to Success
From February to now, we have published many books. Other authors have shared that they wanted to join the challenge (if you are one of them, please leave a note in the comments so I can keep track of your books!).
To date, many books have been published, and it’s been fun supporting each other's success.
As this continues, I will create a page to share all the books written and published during this challenge. And like I said, if you’ve joined in, let me know so I can get you added to it, too.
Here are some of the books I know about so far:
How to Make Money Online With an Email Newsletter: 12 Ways to Turn Your Newsletter Into a Money-Making Machine by Jamie Northrup
Power Publishing Secrets: How to write your book FAST! by Sharlrita Deloatch
Power Publishing Secrets: The Email Marketing Blueprint for Nonfiction Authors by Sharlrita Deloatch
The Gospel of Mark: A Bible Study Devotional on Experiencing Jesus by J.R. Heimbigner
Writing Books on Amazon: Sell More Books and Earn More Money on Amazon with the KDP Author’s Shortcut by J.R. Heimbigner
Breakthrough Prayer: 30-Day Prayer Experience Guide by J.R. Heimbigner
The Minimalist Author: Self-Publishing on Your Terms by J.R. Heimbigner
If I am missing you, leave a link to your books in the comments below so I can add you to the page I create for all the books!
Final Thoughts on the Power of Supporting Each Other’s Work
I have learned a lot from these writers and so many more. I have even noticed some other authors with big followings and email lists are starting to pump out a book a month recently, too.
Supporting each other’s work will help us all connect with the right people who will read our books and maybe even join us as writers.
Understanding that we are in this together and not against each other is a significant power that will help all of us and help the people who read our books and content.
How do you support and connect with other writers and authors?
J.R. Heimbigner is a #1 Bestselling Author on Amazon who writes about faith and writing books. He has self-published 13 books and has some great resources. Check his book on using Substack to write books:
Also, this post may contain sales or affiliate links, so I might get a little kickback if you purchase anything. Thank you in advance!
The challenge that changed everything is what I'm calling it! Hoping more people will join.
You've influence me too Jack, with everything The Minimalist Author is about and this challenge as well!
This is so inspirational J R. Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable.
I actually joined the challenge but I already have a hard time keeping up. I published my first book in April, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to publish my second book this month.
Here’s a link to my first book as you asked:
It’s called How I Make $1,000 a Month On Medium (I really need to work on that headline 😅)
https://bardotlea.gumroad.com/l/envma?_gl=1*cynpru*_ga*MjgzNTQyMTQ0LjE3MTM3MTM4ODE.*_ga_6LJN6D94N6*MTcxNTkxODMyNi4xNTQuMS4xNzE1OTE4MzMzLjAuMC4w