Now that I have your attention, I’m sorry to burst your bubble. I am not here to share fine secrets about blowing your book or your bank account out of the water. Rather to tease into this idea. It often happens as I peruse various author groups on social media, I see someone newer to the world of writing seeking tips to get their (not yet finished) book to be that next bestseller. Or, they wonder how to make a living writing. When I read posts like that, I’m grateful to know I never began my publishing journey to do either.

In publishing my six books, I have thought a lot about promotion. Too, I have worked to get my books out there. Authors eventually realize – whether they’re prepared for it or not – that each one of us does have to promote our books if we want them to sell. Whether we enjoy it or not. I’ve shared with a few friends how I finally got over being embarrassed about sharing over and over my books, reviews, and events on social media. Yes, I finally understood how social media algorithms don’t do much to elevate a lot of what I post, reminding me that much of the time few folks see much of what I put out there anyway! Too, I suspect most of my followers appreciate what I’m trying to do, even if it’s not always effective. Most importantly, I circle back to my repeated mantra about why I write and what I find most meaningful in my writing.

Last year I cracked up after noticing I had been added to a list of authors and books titled: Highly Rated Lesser Known Authors. I don’t know, but it was a bit like being nominated for an Emmy or something. (And if that makes you feel sad for me, no worries. It’s all good.) My point being, while getting outside raves feel good – and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit seeking them – I write for more significant reasons than that.

Similar to promoting books for purchase, while authors hope for more reviews, we too know few readers post reviews for one reason or another. Too, we are reminded how many books are out there to read – honestly, isn’t that awesome? I know that the genres I write may not be quite as popular among some (e.g., unlike fantasy, sci-fi, dystopics, romantacy). It happens that each time I begin to put more pressure on myself, I receive a lovely message from someone about how something I wrote was meaningful to them. For example, this private message brought me to tears last week. It was from my mom’s first, best friend. A friend that joined Mom at my first book reading for My Music Man and attended Mom’s memorial service.

“Why is it only now that I am reading your superb writing about your mom, my friend? I don’t remember having this kind of time for doing it! …. Besides being able to read about my long time, long ago dear friend, this is a special privilege to get to share in your well-described insights; appreciate reading what you wrote about my longtime friend….and giving thanks that she was blessed to be in your loving care so full of insight and understanding !!!!and true love!!!!!”

Sure, I’d like more reviews -perhaps like other (lesser known!) authors I know. But as beautiful as it is to receive posted reviews, personal messages I receive do touch my heart beyond anything I imagined when I began writing. Messages like the one above, or the person who told me (Beyond the Ripples) was the first book they had read and finished since their spouse died. (Oh, and she loved it.) Or the messages telling me how my writing takes the reader back to a certain place or time or person. Or causes them to reflect on their lives and relationships now. Again, what could be more meaningful than all of that?

In saying this, I am reminded I have been privileged to write for sheer joy and creative expression without worries about making a living doing it. I’m grateful to have had a fulfilling career that has helped to support us financially. So, while I appreciate royalty checks and sales at events, I would never imagine planning on publishing to make a living. (Yes, I know there are well known authors who do, but that was never part of my life quest.)

And so, here are my tips. It circles back to the point that I began writing…because my heart compelled me to.

Dede’s Tips for New Authors

• Don’t expect to make money. Look at anything you do make as a bonus or tip – it may come in bits and bounds, but few authors will have the cash make up for the time, energy and stress put into it. (I have a small pile of twenties that I keep from events where folks pay me cash for books. Yeah, venmo and checks go straight to the bank. Oh, but that cash I spend carefully on special things: coffee with a friend, a small donation, a new book for me or gift for the little guy. This is oddly satisfying and probably goes back to my frugal nature.)
• Write because you have to: because your soul and spirit cannot not write. When I drafted my first book, My Music Man, all I could do was write. Each subsequent book felt the same way. Even today, I am thrilled to sit down with my cup of tea and craft that blog that has been filling my brain or that I dictated the first few sentences of into my phone on a walk.
• Compare yourself only to yourself. It is easy to equate your sales or exposure with other authors. For me, this is the part I’m most likely to struggle with. And it too is where I repeat the mantra I first scribed in From First Breath to Last. Enough is Enough.

It feels appropriate here to add in the final paragraph from the chapter

“For many years Be the Best tried new things but she often couldn’t help but still sometimes needed to Be the Best. Many years passed and the King died. A few years later the Queen too died after a very long life. Be the Best was filled with grief upon the loss of first the King, followed by the aging and death of the Queen. She missed them very much even though she was grateful for their long lives. During this near decade of grief and reflection, Be the Best had a vision that opened her heart to new creative pursuits. Through this new found creativity she felt gratitude. She endeavored to follow her heart and not her brain to identify completion and success. Be the Best understood she didn’t want to die striving to still Be the Best. She changed her name to Enough is Enough. She lived out the rest of her years grateful for her new name. Enough is Enough looked with wonder into the eyes of babies, listened to the sounds of the forest, and made sure to find time to explore still water.”

Women and New Stories: Be the Best; From First Breath to Last: A Story About Love, Womanhood and Aging

If, in fact, you are a newer or hopeful author, my best tip is to be true to yourself. Be honest about why you are writing. Writing is good for all of us, regardless of whether we publish. Publishing is tough and requires commitment, even if you self-publish. If you have a story you want to get on paper for yourself or your family, do it. Our mom left us with 250 (unpublished) pages in which she did just this. This gift is beyond words. Beyond that, find a writing community – even if it is simply another person or two. Be honest and authentic. Don’t overthink it all and be gentle with yourself. Who knows what you might create?

If you’re looking for more ideas about how to not just write but further your work, join writers Evan Morgan Williams, Carolyn Dasher and me at the Astoria Creative Writing Festival: The Urgency of Words October 2-4, 2026. The three of us will be presenting the panel As Long as It Takes: Maintaining Urgency for the Long Haul.

Other Events

I am excited for my scheduled September events. Each will be a bit different than prior talks and include slides. I’d love to see you!

Thurs., Sept. 10 at Friendly House, Portland.

Tues., Sept. 15 at Lake Oswego Library

Thurs., Sept. 24 at the Museum of the Oregon Territory

P.S. Books and Blackberries

An August post would not be appropriate without mentioning blackberries. Today, after more than a week of lovely but exhausting family time, I enjoyed my solo ramble. Russ dropped me at West Linn Historic City Hall and I walked across the Arch Bridge to visit and chat about all things bookish with Danielle, owner of White Rabbit Books and Gifts. I always appreciate her recommendations, especially for genres I infrequently read. It felt appropriate to pull out one of those twenty dollar bills to buy a book I’m certain I would not have otherwise chosen. And on my long ramble home, through Camassia, Wilderness Park and beyond, I was grateful I had thought to bring containers for blackberries!

Until next time. Write (and speak) from your heart. Read some good books. Be kind and compassionate. Take good care.