Are you an Author, Publisher, or a Writer?
For 15 years I wanted to be a writer. Better yet, I wanted to write a book. I didn't want to do it just for the title. I wanted to truly write a book and tell my story. For many years I shy'd away from writing anything because I didn't think I would be good enough. In my mind a writer had to be someone who could captivate you with the mere use of words. I didn't think I possessed that skill. When I finally sat down to attempt to write my first novel, I quit. I then turned that novel into a screenplay. After completing my 2 screenplays and feeling really proud, they did nothing but sit on my computer. Regardless of what happened with my screenplays once I completed them, I was a Writer! The moment you sit down and write anything, you are a Writer.
Last year I started a new business venture to become a publisher of a magazine. When I received the title of Publisher, I felt so accomplished. I had no idea what a publisher actually was though. I paid thousands of dollars to start this business, worked countless hours to secure advertisers, but it just didn't workout. Mainly because the company attempted to control you more like an employee versus a business owner. Once I was unable to secure their quota via sales in monthly revenue, my contract was cancelled. The company told me I was no longer allowed to use the title of a Publisher. I was distraught. I really loved having this title. I didn't know how I would ever get this title back.
Once I wrote my first 3 books and self published them, I was now once again able to use the title Publisher. The best part this time around was that no one could ever take that title away from me again. You see the moment I self published my books, I not only became a Publisher, but I also became an Author.
So there you have it. It doesn't matter how many books you have sold. It doesn't matter how many books you have written. The moment you write a book, you are a Writer. The moment you publish a book, you are a Publisher. The moment your book is published, you are an Author.
