What are the satisfying moments of publishing? A lot of people ask me if there is a sense of accomplishment in seeing my work in print. I suppose so. Though there are a lot of moments that give me and other authors that sense of ‘well-done’ or ‘good job’.
For me, these feelings come when a new story idea sparks to life or when I’ve written a chapter. I feel it when the first draft is completed. Or even when I’ve finished all the edits. I love seeing people reading my book through Kindle Unlimited or after purchasing it and leaving a positive review. It isn’t about the money or the review. The money is invested in future books or paying bills. But when someone has read my book and they loved it, that is a feeling that evokes gratefulness.
An author spends a lot of time and effort in creating their work. It is silent hours early in the morning or late at night, around family and work schedules. This is certainly true for those of us who don’t yet make a livable income from our books. It is dedication to writing when no one is cheering you on. It is choosing to discipline one’s mind and actions to make space for writing. It is defining a lifestyle and creating room for one’s craft. A finished manuscript is hours, weeks, months, and years. The manuscript and the author face rewrites and edits, where lines are critiqued and scenes receive depth.
The author sends their work out into the world. The symbol of sacrificed hours and dedication. The writer’s hope is that people will find their work and love it, to connect with their main character’s journey, and leave the fictional world better.
A finished book is consumed by a reader in a matter of hours. The reader is lost in a world with very little awareness of the effort that went into their enjoyment. And I get it. I love to read. I often get lost in a good story and mourn when the story finishes.
When a reader leaves a positive review telling the world how much they connected with the characters or story, it is a moment that might bring a tear to the author’s eye. An author feels that sense of gratitude because the reader, on some level, connected with their fictional world. So if you’re a reader and enjoyed a good book, know that you just made that author’s day.
K. M. Wray 