I’ve seen people write this numerous times before, but I still have to wonder, at what point do writers call themselves authors? I’ve always believed you can’t call yourself an author until you sign a publishing contract. Others disagree. This has come up a bit for me lately.
Over the past few months I’ve been hanging out with real authors, you know, the published kind with book on the shelves. We’ve had coffee and dinner and drinks and playdates with our kids. We’ve discussed everything publishing and everything writing and everything reading and books. And the whole time, I’ve been just as involved in the conversation and in fact even arranged these meetings for the authors and me to get to together. I really like these people.
Just today I’ve been invited to take part in a writing circle where we go to a cafe and write. I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to be invited. These are published authors, one being a New York Times bestselling, really famous author. But I must admit, I sometimes feel like an imposter who at any moment is going to be caught. I wonder, what allows me to be a part of this community? (that is super supportive by the way). And why am I invited into this circle of people who I’ve always admired, looked up to and aspired to be?
I’m not an author…yet. I’m a writer. That invitation got me thinking about this blog post.
At what point are you no longer an aspiring writer and all of a sudden a serious writer? Is it when you’ve written a whole manuscript or more? Is it when you have an agent? Is it when you’ve been mentored or got into a prestigious writing course like Faber or Curtis Brown? Is it when you’re published? When you win awards? Or is it when published authors can see you’re serious about this gig? Possibly.
The Australian writing community is incredibly supportive IF you put yourself out there. The idea of interviewing authors for my website has put me out there. I have authors asking to be interviewed now, which is great. It means people are noticing me. Networking is everything in this industry. The more authors you know, the more they are able to promote your books WHEN you are published.
Author or writer, I don’t know what I am. Some will say author, some will agree I’m a writer. It doesn’t matter. I’ve decided that these authors/writers are MY people. Likeminded, different (in the sense that they are really into human behaviour like I am), observant, creative, intelligent, brilliant at picking apart literature.
I’d love to know what you think about this topic and whether you sometimes share similar thoughts! Have you ever felt insecure about being a writer/author? What do you call yourself?
Thanks for stopping by,
Holly
0 Comments