Literature experts, what's a common misconception about the life of an author that you've encountered and how do you address it?

Oh, there are a lot of myths. A common one is that there’s a single right way to schedule your writing time. I’ve written in many author cohorts and publishers and found folks using a variety of writing-schedule techniques (time blocking, setting a time each day, haphazard, at least x number of minutes per day, author accountability partner). For me, I find the way that works for right now, and adjust it whenever I need.

Here are two options. Feel free to pick one. As an author people often think that I spend way more time writing than I do – that I am always working on the next project. While it is true that I am often creating for at least part of every week, I am not always working on new creative projects. Sometimes, I’m supporting the project I have just finished – through marketing, speaking or in other ways – sometimes I am doing other work in my business and sometimes am simply celebrating being done with the most recent project and not having a current project! As an author people often think that my opinion of other people’s writing carries more weight. Sure I’ve written a book and published a lot of other articles, but that doesn’t meant that my opinion on other people’s writing is more valid or valuable than someone else who may not have published their work. Creating and consuming are two different things and having done one does not necessarily make you an expert at the other.

People ask me often why I write about the topics I do. I write about what the things that inspire me. When I sold solar products I wrote a children's book on solar energy. Someone told me once that if a young child could understand what you are writing about, everyone will. It was the same for the Christmas Book, The Deaf Puppy Book and for the one about pets on submarines and ships. I find something in life that I think children will like and I write about it.

Many people assume your work is over after you get published when in actuality a different type of work begins - Keeping the book alive! Publicity (often self sponsored), marketing, podcasts, social media posts, book events, book talks,..etc. The onus is on you, the author, to sell your book even if you go through a traditional publisher. Neelu Kaur Author of Be Your Own Cheerleader & Keynote Speaker

There's a widespread misperception that writing is a glamorous career that never stops inspiring people. Contrary to popular belief, authors don't actually spend their days producing blockbusters. Instead, they work quite differently. Many times, writing is a laborious process that entails a lot of research, several revisions, and frequent periods of self-doubt. Writers devote endless hours to refining their work, overcoming rejection, and handling the administrative aspects of publication. I address this by stressing the value of tenacity and commitment in writing. In spite of the difficulties, I also emphasize the happiness and fulfillment that result from telling and creating tales. Greater regard and admiration for an author's work are fostered by knowing the truth about their journey.

Most people think that if you've written a book, it sells itself. It actually takes a lot of hard work to get a book into the hands of a reader - whether that is for a fiction or nonfiction audience. As a corollary to that, most people don't understand that regardless of how you publish (traditionally, through a hybrid or independently), the author is the primary marketing engine. It can take years to get a book written and that is just the start! Being an author is not for the faint of heart!

People often think that authors make a lot of money from selling their book. The reality is most authors make money not from book sales but what opportunities come from having a book published. Very few authors actually make a living selling copies of their books but many authors generate a lot of extra income from how they leverage the fact they have a book. Whether it's professional speaking engagements, driving more revenue to their business, or adding credibility and authority to help the author be seen as a thought leader, there's often more success in having a book than selling it.