The Five Pillars of an Authorpreneur Mindset

There's a moment in every self-publishing journey when something shifts. At first, it's all about the content—the characters, plot twists, and thrills for novelists; the facts, true stories, and wisdom for nonfiction writers. No matter the genre, in the beginning, most authors just want to finish their first draft. This goal typically dominates the first phase of a self-publisher's journey.

But then, suddenly, it's time to hand your manuscript over to editors and book designers—and that's when it hits you: Being an author is going to be different, bigger. Your brain is filled with questions and doubt. "Will people like my book?" "How will I find an audience for my work?" "What's an author brand?" "How am I going to distribute and market this book that I've worked so long and hard to create?"

The Five Pillars of an Authorpreneur Mindset

When you move from writing to publishing, you enter unfamiliar territory. You may feel unsure about what to do next or how to get it done. Don't worry, almost every self-publisher goes through this tough transition. And that's where a creative, professional mindset can help. We call it the authorpreneur mindset, and it makes all the difference.

1. Dream Big and Set Clear Goals

Every writer has at least one big dream: Become a best-selling author. Win a prestigious award. Land a book-to-movie deal. Whatever your dream, you'll need a roadmap to get there. As Benjamin Franklin once said, "By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail." Wise words! Dream big, but prepare early and set clear, achievable goals with deadlines. 

You can start the planning process by asking yourself some basic questions: Who is your ideal reader? How will you reach these ideal readers? Why should readers pick up your book over others in your genre? What books is your ideal reader buying and reading now? When do you plan to launch your book? What are the steps you need to take beforehand to ensure a successful launch? How much time and money will each of those steps take? When you are able to answer questions like these, you're starting to build a strong foundation for your book's launch and future sales. 

2. Build a Creative Business

"I hate marketing!" or "I just want to write. I don't want to bother with the rest." We hear such statements frequently when we talk to authors. We get it, but this is the opposite of the authorpreneur mindset. When you self-publish, you're choosing to be your own writer and publisher. So, throwing up your hands when it comes to the business side of books isn't going to help you achieve your dreams. Don't be your own worst enemy. Stop thinking about the craft of writing in one bucket and the business of publishing and marketing in another. When you adopt an authorpreneur mindset, you're deciding to bring creative energy to every aspect of self-publishing. Not only will you enjoy the journey more, you'll also have better outcomes. Creativity is your business and business can be creative. 

3. Remember, Your Author Brand Matters

Your author brand is so much more than a logo, color palette, tagline, or bio. It's what helps you break through the noise in today's crowded book marketplace. At its heart, your author brand is your promise to readers. Do you know what that promise is? Do you know how to articulate it clearly to readers? If not, that's important, foundational work you need to do early in the publishing process.

By definition, brands are built for audiences. The most successful authors understand the type of reading experience their audience likes and deliver that experience with incredible, unique stories. It's about how their stories make readers feel.

Let's do a little experiment to prove the point. Here's a list of famous authors. Take a moment to think about the reading experience each offers: Stephen King, Margaret Atwood, John Grisham, J.K. Rowling, and Colleen Hoover. Each is distinct and if you've read their work, you know exactly how their stories made you feel. That's why, when you see their names, you can make a buying decision in seconds. The promise they've made to their readers is clear and now their name is directly associated to that promise. That's the power of a successful author brand. 

Of course, for years, these authors also have clearly and consistently communicated their brand message everywhere—on their book covers, websites, advertising, social media profiles, etc. You'll need to do this, too, but only after you understand your brand. Here are the steps you can take:

• Understand your unique author brand.
• Develop a clear brand message.
• Consistently communicate your brand message across channels.

This is how an author goes from being an unknown to someone whose name means something to the right readers. Start small. Brand building takes time and commitment, but over time, it makes all the difference. 

4. Grow Relationships, Not Just Sales

The best authorpreneurs know that success is built through connection. Readers don't just buy books—they buy from authors they trust to deliver an amazing reading experience. Readers also like authors who authentically appreciate them and build communities around their work.

Don't be afraid to engage with your readers on social media. Respond to their comments and emails. Thank those who review and advocate for your work. Collaborate with other authors for joint promotions or giveaways. Host reader events—both virtual and in person. Relationships turn one-time buyers into loyal fans who will spread the word about your work. 

5. Keep Learning and Adapting

The publishing world changes fast—new tools, platforms, subgenres, and reader interests emerge constantly. Authorpreneurs stay informed, curious, and adaptable. Read industry blogs, attend webinars, join author communities, dig into available data, and experiment with new strategies. Track your results to see what's working—and what's not. Extraordinary things can happen when you open yourself to continuous growth and learning. 

The Takeaway

Adopting an authorpreneur mindset isn't about losing your creativity—it’s about expanding it! When you build structure around your craft and support your dreams with goals, you liberate yourself from doubt and fear. You also give yourself the freedom to write more books, publish more professionally, market more effectively, and authentically connect with readers who truly value your work. We hope you'll adopt these Five Pillars of an Authorpreneur Mindset and use this approach to make your dreams come true. 

📣 Ready to publish smarter?

As a complete, guided self-publishing platform, Bublish offers an experience like no other. We empower authorpreneurs with the knowledge, tools, services, and resources necessary to publish like a pro. Book a call with our team today to discuss your publishing project. We'd love to help you bring your book to life.