As I reflect on being an author, I reflect on my 12 years of published authorship. From starting out and knowing very little to becoming a literary publisher with years of experience behind me. The time as an author and publisher has not been easy, but definitely enjoyable. Writing and publishing has the ability to enrich your soul, help you develop ways to market yourself, and give you an opportunity to build a legacy.

Writing has enriched writers souls by allowing them to meet and network with others. From meeting numerous authors, entertainers, and readers who love attending book festivals and planning programs together. Some authors have had the pleasure of working with other authors to plan book festivals, book bag and book drives, and other literary activities to get the community engaged in reading and writing. Networking provides a great opportunity for authors to share ideas with each other and help each other uncover things about the field. Authors also tell each other about different events, festivals, and collaborations.

Marketing is about utilizing various methods to help increase your exposure, sales, competitiveness, ranking, and whatever else you deem necessary for your area of interest. Marketing can be word of mouth, printed materials, paid and non-paid advertisements, social media, blogging, online, and offline. The great thing about marketing now is that it can be relatively cheap. Some social media applications and publishing sites allow you to take out an ad for as low as $5 a day for as many days or months you would like.

Building a legacy is a great way to build generational wealth and a foundation for your loved ones. In writing, legacies are built by creating a body of work that people love, read multiple times, and tell others about. Authors who have built a writing legacy are Maya Angelou, Sista Souljah, Robert Greene, and Viola Davis.

Writing and publishing can be a very long process, as well as marketing, and building a legacy. However, if you create plans like marketing plans and work with individuals who know the industry, it can reduce the amount of time you spend on mistakes and correcting mistakes.