Becoming a full time author (the story of my journey to writing full time)

This is the story of how I began working for myself and how I've shaped my author career over my first five years in self-publishing. All the extra links I mention are below!

----MENTIONED IN VIDEO----
◦ all my books are listed below!
◦ (VIDEO) The Stolen Kingdom LIVESTREAM RELEASE PARTY:
___

📚 T H E S T O L E N K I N G D O M S E R I E S :
___

📖 B E C O M E A P A T R O N :
Where you can receive digital early reader copies of my books, writing & publishing advice, help with your author platform, meet writer friends, and more!

💻 M Y A U T H O R N E W S L E T T E R :

❤️ M Y M E R C H :

📚 M Y S E L F P U B L I S H I N G C O U R S E :

___

📒 M Y O T H E R W O R K :

___

❤️ C O M P A N I E S I L O V E & A M A N A F F I L I A T E F O R :

💬 L E T ' S C O N N E C T 💬
___

Thanks for watching!
❤️ Bethany

Note: some of these links are affiliate links and will support me with a little extra income at no extra cost to you. :)

[authorannettepalmer]

I had a professor tell me I was a horrible writer and it took me years to get over that and start writing again. Teachers and professors really underestimate the impact they have on their students. So glad you started writing again 😊✍️

[one_smol_duck]

I had a professor once tell me, "Some people just aren't cut out to be a writer, " after a mental health crisis kept me from completing a string of assignments - with the heavy implication that I was _some people._ That really knocked the wind out of me and made me give up on my dreams for a while. I think what hurt most was that he was trying to be kind and give sincere advice - looking back though, he just didn't have a clue what I was going through or how I ended up in that situation. At the end of the day, I'm the only person who gets to decide who I am and what I'm capable of.

[sarahhawkins]

Just a shout that if you go wide with any future audiobooks, libraries will be sure to support the heck out of them! Our fastest growing format!

[alishacostanzo]

I have both an undergrad degree and a graduate degree in Creative Writing, and I had SO MANY experiences with professors who hated my writing (mostly that I wanted to write genre fiction instead of literary fiction or about vampires that they wouldn't comment on my actual writing style). It's too bad you didn't have others who could have influenced you along with her. I had plenty of them, too. But my MFA also made me stop reading for a while. I learned a lot in school, but writing is the best way to learn how to write. <3

[rodatriplett]

This video is so REAL, I went to College and my Professor discouraged me🎉 and I believe the negative at that time. During the pandemic and now trying to get back into writing. In my 50s now 😮😮😅

[taylerbaileymclendon]

1) Thank you so much for sharing your journey! Your videos are always so inspiring and this was no exception.
2) Zion’s babbling is just the cutest! Soak it up while you can—they grow up so fast! ❤️

[KendallVideoJournal]

Often think that the professors who claimed that someone can’t write, can’t write themselves. I bet your work is magnificent and your tips for us are incredibly helpful and encouraging because this writing full time biz is hard!

[bbrosser]

I am so impressed with every choice you've made. Thank you for sharing your incredible journey of writing while living life as a good person.

[OmarKWillis]

The right professor can definitely change the game

[chrystellyne]

Hi Bethany! I'm new here and I absolutely had a similar experience with a professor. Mine was my master's thesis advisor and I had unconditional trust that this person wanted what was best for me. And he didn't. I got seriously depressed and lost confidence in myself completely. It's still pretty fresh and I'm just starting the healing process. I really appreciate hearing that you went through something similar and most importantly that you did move past it.

[HanaEnyde]

Congrats on your whole author journey, Bethany! It's always motivating to hear others' self-publishing journeys. You've accomplished so much in such a short amount of time!

I hope to achieve what you've achieved as well. Though I'm in the wee early stages of trying to understand the novel writing process, publishing, improving on my skills haha.

I'm sorry that your professor wasn't more encouraging. But I'm glad you proved your previous professor wrong and became a successful author. You're a boss lady 💕This video came in at the right time to encourage me! I remind myself that if Bethany can do it, I have no excuses! 😁

[ladonnasims]

You are such a joy to watch with your baby! Thank you for giving us an inside peek into your author's journey. I made the decision to become self-employed as an author and you just gave a great presentation as to what I can look forward to! I'm actually excited about the journey. As I'm editing my first draft, I'm also networking with proofreaders, editors, and cover artists while talking more about my projects so that people can put me on their radar. Thank you for sharing your wisdom. I'm so glad I'm a subscriber to your channel.

[MomOfMany]

I’m on book 3 of the Stolen Kingdom and really love it, so far my favorite part was how you tied books 1 & 2 together :) I’m almost done writing my third book and love your content and advice thank you!

[sabarnidutta]

Honestly, your video gave me a hope I didn't know I needed.... I just graduated... I wanna become an author but honestly speaking, my family finances are not in a place where I can take risks....

I am working on a novel for almost a year now since I was a student but I think the idea of becoming an author is making my mind go all over the place... I need to take things slow and work on the way... Nothing will change within a day... I know all these good words... Just needed a reminder when I was getting overwhelmed with the thoughts...

And the fact that so many people are becoming successful in this field while it feels like I'm the only one struggling with finance, makes me just lise my mind sometimes 😭😭😭

[elizabethainger]

Oh my gosh - I got a BA in Creative Writing and I too feel like I’ve learned more about writing after graduation. My professors really believed that the only writing worth reading is contemporary literary fiction, and I couldn’t get behind that. I’m working on my first novel now after taking a break from writing as a result of how discouraging those professors were. Thanks for sharing your story!

[louisajaustin]

I love poetry BUT had a similar experience with a professor. She HATED my thoughts about poetry (luckily we didn't have to write poetry for that class-it was a critical thinking class about poetry) and I got really discouraged. I have moved past it but it is really hard when a professor is so discouraging! Glad you moved past it too!

[lmsanguinette]

Girl this is exactly the video I've been waiting for! You are such a star and I wish you all the best! What a beautiful, blinding light you are, and I know you will achieve all of your dreams for sure.

[tierajade]

Zion is so cute! 💖 I'm currently enrolled in your Academy and LOVE it!!! I hope to start self publishing next year. 🤞 Ty for your transparency!

[hobbywargamer]

Your story is incredible and inspiring, I would love to publish one day, I have a story swimming in my head but when it becomes written word it just doesn't flow properly, I am really hoping your videos can help me turn my mental story into written words and turn that gibberish into something that's worthy of being published that at least one person outside of my family would be willing to read.

[Ayb]

I love the Zion noises! Makes my heart smile to hear the baby noises :)