Self-publishing has become easier than ever, encouraging more people to put their creative narratives into a sharable format. In fact, two-thirds of those who pursue a writing career in the country are self-employed. While many of them write copies and essays, a good number has published books. One such writer you may have heard of is Amanda Hocking from Austin, Minnesota.

Like many people, Hocking was in need of some money, so she decided to self-publish her novel. Over a period of 20 months, Hocking sold 1.5 million copies of her book and made $2.5 million in the process. Her story has set the stage and inspired millions of writers to jump in and try their luck in the self-publishing business.

While self-publishing sounds enticing (as does making millions), it is not so easy, and there are some important things that need to be considered – like deadlines. Deadlines are not just due dates; they are the vital elements that force writers to do whatever needs to be done on time. If you are writing a book, here are more reasons you need to set deadlines for yourself:

Overcome Procrastination

The truth is, doing hard work is difficult and it is more enjoyable to do fun and easy things -- and this is one reason why procrastination occurs. We sometimes deliberately choose to do other things, instead of the task we know we should be doing and may have initially prioritized, despite the consequences. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, it happens to almost everyone! One way to counter procrastination is to set deadlines for completing tasks. By setting a deadline, you put a time limit on the job, and as the date approaches, it increases the level of priority of the task, thus raising the likelihood of working hard towards completing it before the deadline.

Turn on the Pressure

If you are writing your own book, do you need pressure? Yes, because pressure can be a good thing, especially when it helps you get things done. Just like when students have to write a final exam essay, or workers need to finish a writing project at work, the pressure from the deadline is a great source of motivation that forces the person to focus and concentrate on completing the task.

Set Up Accountability

To make sure your writing project is going according to plan, deadlines need to be met, and since you are the one responsible, it makes you accountable with yourself. The deadline puts you in charge of your time, so your personal accountability is being put to the test. Each time you finish a task, you can check it off your list and move on to the next (and don’t forget to celebrate).

Improve Time Management

Life will intervene with writing your book – problems occur, emergencies come up, and many unexpected things will need your attention. Deadlines will help you prioritize activities and manage your time. There are only 24 hours in one day, and if you sleep for 8, then you only have 16 hours to plan and split your schedule accordingly. Effective time management is crucial to getting things done.

Writing and self-publishing your own book can be a wonderful journey towards self-discovery and financial gains. The task will be challenging at times, but by setting deadlines, you’ll be able to overcome many of the difficulties. Keep your eyes focused on the goal, don’t give up, and you will one day become a self-published author.

When you’re ready to start your self-publishing journey, contact 48 Hour Books! With professional, high-quality printing, additional self-publishing resources, and an attentive customer service team, we’re here to help.

Sources:

https://www.online.maryville.edu/online-bachelors-degrees/english/careers/

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2012/jan/12/amanda-hocking-self-publishing

https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/387763