5 Easiest Ways to Become a Published Author in 2024

Many aspiring writers struggle with how to become a published author, often overwhelmed by the complexities of the process. The good news is that there are now several straightforward options to achieve this dream, each with its own benefits and challenges. 

Whether you’re considering self-publishing, traditional publishing, or exploring newer methods like crowdfunding, this guide will help you navigate the process. 

In this blog, we’ll outline five of the easiest ways to become a published author in 2024, helping you decide the best route to make your publishing dream a reality.

Self-Publishing: The Fastest Route

Self-publishing is the easiest and fastest way to become a published author in today’s digital world. With platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Draft2Digital, and IngramSpark, you can bypass traditional gatekeepers like agents and publishing houses. Here’s how it works:

Why Self-Publishing?

• Complete Control: You have full creative authority over your book, including the cover design, editing, and formatting.
• No Waiting: Unlike traditional publishing, there’s no waiting for approval from agents or publishers. Once your manuscript is ready, you can publish your book instantly.
• Higher Royalties: Self-published authors typically keep 70-80% of the royalties, compared to 10-15% in traditional publishing.

Steps to Becoming a Self-Published Author:

1. Finalize your manuscript: Make sure your book is polished and error-free.
2. Design a cover: You can either do this yourself or hire a designer.
3. Format your book: Ensure the layout is compatible with e-readers or print.
4. Upload to a self-publishing platform: Choose from Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Draft2Digital.
5. Set your price and publish: Once uploaded, you can go live with just a few clicks.

Challenges:

• Marketing Responsibility: Self-publishing puts the marketing on your shoulders. Building an audience via social media, email newsletters, or book promotions is essential for success.

For those seeking control over their content and schedule, self-publishing is the ideal solution on how to publish a book.

Traditional Publishing: The Classic Approach

If you’re exploring how to become a published author through more established routes, traditional publishing remains a popular choice. While the process can be more complex and time-consuming, it offers advantages that self-publishing doesn’t.

Why Traditional Publishing?

• Credibility and Prestige: Publishing through a reputable house gives your book immediate credibility, as traditional publishers are selective about the manuscripts they accept.
• Professional Support: You’ll have access to experienced editors, marketers, and designers who will ensure your book reaches the highest quality standards.
• Wider Distribution: Traditional publishers have established networks, meaning your book can reach bookstores, libraries, and more markets worldwide.

Steps to Becoming a Traditionally Published Author:

1. Find a literary agent: Most traditional publishers only accept submissions through an agent. Research agents who specialize in your genre and submit query letters.
2. Submit your manuscript: After securing an agent, they will help submit your manuscript to publishing houses.
3. Negotiation and Contract: If a publisher accepts your work, you’ll sign a contract that often includes an advance and royalty payments.

Challenges:

• Longer Timeline: Publishing a book traditionally can take months or even years. Many authors face multiple rejections before landing a deal.
• Lower Royalties: While the upfront advance is appealing, royalties are typically lower, ranging from 10-15%.

For authors who prioritize professional support and industry recognition, traditional publishing remains a solid choice for how to publish a book.

Hybrid Publishing: The Best of Both Worlds

For authors who want the benefits of both self-publishing and traditional publishing, hybrid publishing is an increasingly attractive option. Hybrid publishing provides the professional services of a traditional publisher while offering authors more control and higher royalties than a typical publishing deal.

Why Hybrid Publishing?

• Professional Services: Like traditional publishing, hybrid publishers offer professional editing, design, and marketing services to ensure your book is polished and market-ready.
• Creative Control: Unlike traditional publishing, you retain more creative control over your book, including decisions about the cover, pricing, and distribution.
• Higher Royalties: In most hybrid publishing models, you invest upfront to cover costs like editing and printing, but you keep a larger share of the royalties, typically 50-70%, compared to traditional publishing’s 10-15%.

Steps to Becoming a Hybrid Published Author:

1. Choose a reputable hybrid publisher: Research different hybrid publishers to ensure they have a good track record and offer transparent contracts.
2. Invest in your book: You’ll pay for professional services like editing, design, and marketing.
3. Collaborate on publishing decisions: You work closely with the publisher to make key decisions about how to publish your book.
4. Distribute and market: Hybrid publishers often have the same distribution channels as traditional publishers, but you may need to be actively involved in marketing efforts.

Challenges:

• Upfront Costs: Authors need to invest their own money, which can be a barrier for some.
• Shared Marketing Responsibility: While you get professional marketing help, you’ll still need to promote your book to maximize success.

For authors wondering how to become a published author while retaining creative control, hybrid publishing offers an excellent middle ground between self-publishing and traditional publishing.

Crowdfunding Your Book

Crowdfunding has emerged as a viable way for aspiring authors to publish a book. Platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo allow authors to raise funds from readers before the book is even published, making it a great solution for those wondering how to become a published author without upfront costs. Crowdfunding not only helps cover publishing expenses but also creates a built-in audience of supporters who are invested in your success.

Why Crowdfunding?

• Early Engagement: Crowdfunding allows authors to gauge interest in their book before it’s completed. Readers who back your project become your early supporters, helping to spread the word.
• Financial Support: By offering rewards like signed copies or exclusive content, authors can raise the money needed for editing, design, printing, and marketing.
• Creative Freedom: Crowdfunding platforms don’t have the gatekeeping of traditional publishing, allowing you to retain full control over your book’s content and direction.

Steps to Crowdfund Your Book:

1. Choose a platform: Popular choices include Kickstarter, Indiegogo, and Publishizer.
2. Create a compelling campaign: Detail your book’s concept, why it matters, and offer attractive rewards for different pledge levels.
3. Promote your campaign: Use social media, email lists, and personal networks to drive traffic to your crowdfunding page.

Challenges:

• Marketing Effort: A successful crowdfunding campaign requires significant promotion to attract backers.
• No Guarantees: If you don’t reach your funding goal, you may not get any funds, depending on the platform.

For authors seeking to publish a book while minimizing financial risk, crowdfunding is an excellent path to becoming a published author.

Networking and Competitions

Networking and entering writing competitions can be powerful tools for those looking to publish a book. These methods are particularly useful for authors wondering how to become a published author through more indirect but highly effective channels.

Why Networking and Competitions?

• Industry Exposure: Attending industry events like writer’s conferences, book fairs, and workshops connects you with publishers, agents, and fellow authors. These connections can open doors to potential publishing opportunities.
• Competitions as a Gateway: Winning or placing in a reputable writing competition can draw the attention of literary agents and publishers. Competitions often provide the credibility needed to stand out in a crowded market.
• Valuable Feedback: Whether through critique groups at networking events or judges’ comments in competitions, you receive constructive feedback that can help improve your manuscript before submitting it to publishers.

Steps to Leverage Networking and Competitions:

1. Attend writing conferences and workshops: Research events where you can meet key industry professionals.
2. Join writer’s groups and communities: Engaging with other writers can provide feedback and collaboration opportunities.
3. Enter writing competitions: Look for well-regarded competitions in your genre, many of which offer publication as a prize or lead to introductions to agents and publishers.

Challenges:

• Time and Effort: Building a network or winning a competition can take time and effort but often pays off in the long run.
• Rejection: Like traditional publishing, rejection is common, but persistence can lead to success.

For those seeking how to publish a book while expanding their industry connections, networking and competitions provide unique opportunities to become a published author.

Conclusion

Becoming a published author in 2024 has never been more accessible. Whether you’re exploring how to become a published author through self-publishing, traditional publishing, hybrid publishing, crowdfunding, or networking, there are clear steps you can follow. 

Each path offers its own benefits and challenges, from retaining full control with self-publishing to gaining credibility through traditional publishing. It’s important to evaluate which method aligns best with your goals and resources. 

Regardless of the route you choose, taking action is the most important step in publishing a book. Start today and make your publishing dreams a reality.

FAQs

1. What is the easiest way to get a book published?

The easiest way to become a published author is through self-publishing. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) allow authors to publish a book quickly and with minimal upfront costs. You retain creative control but will need to handle your own marketing and promotion.

2. How does self-publishing work on Amazon KDP?

Self-publishing on Amazon KDP involves uploading your manuscript, designing a cover, and setting your price. Once published, your book will be available for purchase on Amazon. You can publish a book in both digital and print formats, with Amazon handling distribution and royalties.

3. What are the benefits of traditional publishing over self-publishing?

Traditional publishing offers professional editing, marketing, and wider distribution networks. You’ll have access to more credibility in the industry, which can help boost sales. However, the process of becoming a published author through traditional means takes longer and often involves a lower percentage of royalties.

4. Can I crowdfund my book to cover publishing costs?

Yes, crowdfunding is an effective way to publish a book without upfront costs. Platforms like Kickstarter allow you to raise funds for editing, design, and printing, while also building a community of early supporters. Successful campaigns can help aspiring authors cover all publishing expenses.