What Are Some Goals This Self-Published Author is Setting for 2024?
Hint; they all center around things I can absolutely control.
I’m a big fan of goals and challenges. If not for trying to push myself to become the best writer I could be, I wouldn’t have the career that I have now. To think that it all started with simply trying to write 1,000 words per day for clients on content mills.
I’ve come a very long way over the past 10 years.
Anyway, I plan on this year being perhaps one of the most epic for myself and self-publishing. Despite having quite the full plate of projects that need to be finished, I still believe I can accomplish even greater things in 2024 than in previous years.
For the most part, it all comes down to two vital elements when creating goals: making them realistic and focusing on things you can control.
For instance, you wouldn’t want a goal that says you want to sell X number of copies of your book. That’s because you can’t force anyone to pick it up and read it. However, you can create a goal for things like the number of hours learning how to hone your craft or the number of words you write in a week. Perhaps set a goal to spend X number of hours each week marketing your book. Those are goals you absolutely control and will help you sell more copies down the road.
So, what are some things I have planned for 2024 from the perspective of a self-published author?
Publishing Three Books, Minimum
This one kind of feels like I’m cheating a bit, which is why I said, “minimum.” Currently, I am nearly halfway through writing three different books: Fury, the new one for the Reedsy writing course, and VII on Wattpad. With any luck, all three will be published before June…though, that really depends on how much editing each one will require.
And I tell you what, this is the last time I try to write so many different books at the same time. I simply have too many things going on between clients, blogs, and YouTube channels to divide my attention in such a way.
Regardless, I will have all three of these books published this year and will strive for more, depending on what the Universe decides to throw at me.
Finishing Setting Up the Merch Store
I haven’t had a lot of time to drop into the merch store as of late. However, it’s one of the things that will be available in the very near future. I know I keep threatening it, but I assure you, the store is coming.
Aside from making a few sales, I have a few blog posts and video ideas that will center around my experience. So, I need to get it up as soon as possible so I can publish that content.
As soon as I have a few things ready for purchase, I’ll share the link so you can take a look. The plan is to see if I can get enough time to come up with one new item per week. Luckily, I know a few people who might actually help me with that kind of stuff.
Personally, I’m looking forward to a couple of coffee mugs. I collect them and would love to have one with “Chaos is my Co-Pilot” similar to how we designed my tank top a few weeks ago.
Attending Public Events
The last absolute goal I am striving for in 2024 is to attend more public events. I would love to get out of the house more and mingle, so I am looking into things I can attend as an author as I continue to build up my “brand,” so to speak.
This includes book signings and author expos. I’ve already looked at a few in the Denver area and plan on attending at least one at the Gaylord. But we’ll have to see as my schedule or finances might not allow it. The Gaylord is a bit spendy.
In any case, I plan on attending at least one. Hey, it’s more than I did last year.
I also plan on applying to the Colorado Author Program at Tattered Cover in January.
Minor Goals and Challenges to Come
Throughout the year, I often set up minor goals and challenges to keep myself moving forward. These are usually projects I’d love to try but am not stressed to complete before the end of the year. Remember, I am an incredibly busy individual.
Some of the things I’m toying with include:
Writing, editing, and publishing a decent book in 90 days.
Maintaining 8,000 words per week writing in my books.
Figure out what it takes to print books outside of Amazon.
Adding a bookstore portion to MichaelBrockbank.com outside of Amazon.
Get a paperback added to a local Barnes & Noble.
Get a paperback added to ANY book retailer.
Making 2024 THE Year to Beat
Yeah, I have a lot of goals and aspirations this year. The great thing is that none of these are outside of the scope of what I can handle. Sure, sometimes life intervenes, and something I have no control over wrecks my week. When that happens, all we can really do is adapt and keep walking the path. It may take longer to reach some of these, but it’s better than simply giving up.
No matter what, though, I intend to make the most out of 2024. Now, it all comes down to whether people like to read my books. And that is a story for another day.