I’m still in the “side hustle” stage of my career, and I sometimes struggle with deciding whether larger costs—platform subscriptions, conference tickets, a specific editor or cover designer, ads—are a good investment or something that should wait until I’m earning more from my books. Any tips?
Trying to Be a Smart Spender
Dear Trying to Be a Smart Spender,
Oh, darling Spender, managing your author finances is trickier than solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded! But fear not, we’ll untangle this colorful conundrum together.
Think of building your writing career as tending to a beloved garden. When nurturing any verdant plot, it is important to give most attention to the literal roots of your enterprise. You cannot do everything at once, so clear away the debris and concentrate on what will create the best environment for your plants to grow. For example, some investments are seeds that need planting now for future harvests, while others are akin to fancy garden gnomes that can wait until your plot is more established.
Now, personally, and this may shock my gentle readers, I am partial to a cheeky gnome or two scattered here and there, but they will not provide me with a bountiful harvest. And back-breaking though it may be, I know that to create a garden that will bring me pleasure and sustenance in the years to come, I have to spend time on the basics first.
Quality editing is one essential seed, for example, and eye-catching covers are your foundation plants—the roses and evergreens that give structure to your authorial landscape. Skimp here, and you might as well be planting plastic flowers! A meager yield indeed.
Platform subscriptions and ads are your fertilizer and plant food. Used judiciously, they nourish rapid growth. But overdoing it can burn your delicate seedlings. So start with small doses, testing which blend helps your particular species of stories thrive.
Conferences and networking events? They’re the gardening club meetings of the author world, valuable for knowledge and connections. And, my darling Spender, it’s fantastic to visit other gardens for inspiration and seed swapping, but not strictly necessary for your garden to thrive. Begin with local garden club meetings before jetting off to the Chelsea Flower Show of writing conferences.
Remember the tale of Jack and his magic beans? Sometimes a seemingly frivolous expense can lead to unexpected golden eggs. But unlike Jack, do your research before trading the family cow!
Look to savvy indie gardeners who’ve cultivated lush literary landscapes from humble beginnings. Andy Weir self-published The Martian with minimal upfront costs before it blossomed into a bestseller and Hollywood blockbuster. E.L. James started with fanfiction before the Fifty Shades series grew into an empire.
Remember, even the mightiest oaks start as tiny acorns. Look at Margaret Atwood, who began by self-publishing a poetry pamphlet before her garden grew into the lush forest of The Handmaid’s Tale and beyond. Or consider Hugh Howey, who planted Wool as a short story before it grew into a self-published sensation.
My budding literary landscaper, invest wisely in your plot’s foundation. Nurture those vital seeds with quality soil (editing) and attractive pots (covers). Use fertilizer (marketing) judiciously, and save the ornate topiary and koi ponds for when your garden’s overflowing with literary fruits.
Remember, every flourishing author’s garden started with a single well-tended seed. With patience, smart investments, and a green thumb for storytelling, your literary oasis will soon be the envy of the neighborhood!
Happy writing,
Indie Annie
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