As an independent author, National Author's Day feels like a specially made holiday just for me, and others like me. Many people dream of becoming published authors, and it is easier than ever with self-publishing! There are tons of platforms available where you can upload your manuscript and publish quickly, without the gatekeeping of traditional publishing.
According to Awareness Days,
National Authors Day was established by Nellie McPherson in 1928 to celebrate American authors and their literary works. The day was later recognized by the U.S. Department of Commerce in 1949. Its purpose is to promote writing, encourage people to become authors, and foster a love for reading.
Today is a great day to curl up with a good book, or to spend some time reading with your kids. You could also think about joining a book club to celebrate the love of reading all year long. Or, you can get involved in the reading community online!
Some of the hashtags that authors use on places like Twitter and Instagram are:
Whether you post a book review of a book that you love, or a selfie of you with a favorite book, this is a great way to connect with other readers and writers online. Finding people all around the world who share your interest in reading is a great way to enrich your life, and to discover new authors.
Do you want to write a book?
There is no time like today to get started! Did you know that November is National Novel Writing Month? Also called NaNoWriMo, this is a great time to jumpstart your writing, and get that novel written! Since this is a month when many people are writing, you can find a lot of support, too.
You can follow #NaNoWriMo to connect with other writers who are starting the journey of writing a new novel this month! There is even a NaNoWriMo website where you can find many helpful tips on the blog, as well as connecting with others and joining in fun contests.
The goal of NaNoWriMo is to write a 50,000 word novel by the end of the month, so that you will have a finished product by the end of November.
Although I have only written non fiction books myself, I know that it can be a daunting feat to hold yourself to a daily word count, and it may be easier just to get the words out on the page. You may want to set a daily word goal, or an amount of time that you will write each day. Either way will get you started!
As you get into a daily writing habit, it may seem difficult at first. However, once you have written daily for a week or two, the habit will become second nature for you, and become a part of your day that you really look forward to. I know it is that way for me!
Self Publishing
If you have written a book yourself or are considering it, this is a great time to publish online too! When you are looking for a self-publishing platform, there are many options available these days. Personally, I have published with Amazon and IngramSpark, and had a positive experience with both.
According to Self Publishing, the best online self publishing platforms are:
There are pros and cons to each platform, and it depends on what type of book you have written, as well as how much marketing support you want when you publish your book. One of the benefits of publishing with Amazon KDP is that you can enroll your book in Kindle Unlimited, so that you will be able to get more reads from members of the program.
If you are looking for more information on self publishing, I have written an ebook that chronicles my journey of publishing my 4th ebook, so that you can get some useful information on publishing your own!
You can check out How to Self Publish Your Ebook for lots of useful tips, as well as how-to screenshots that will walk you through the process step by step. I have also included an in depth comparison between publishing on Amazon and IngramSpark as well.
Whether you are a reader or a writer, National Author's Day is a great time to connect with others in the reading and writing community and share your appreciation for your favorite authors! And, if you are looking for some fun ways to celebrate with your kids too, check out these great activities.
For more insights on how an author's mind works, check out these author interviews:
