I will publish my second novel at the end of this month. I plan to publish a third by the end of October and more next year. Have I established a self-publishing career?

A few authors call their self-publishing endeavors a career by diversifying their creativity and making a livable income. Along with publishing books, they provide writing classes, consult, produce podcasts, and sell merchandise. But what about self-publishers who only publish books and do not make enough money to support themselves financially?

The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) might classify their work as a hobby. Maybe if an author publishes one book it is a hobby. And there is nothing wrong with one book. Yet writing and publishing consistently is too much work for someone to call it a hobby. And does money make a career?

I never considered my writing as a hobby, despite what the IRS or other people think. I always pursued writing with the desire to be published, which I have done. I also do not plan to stop writing and I hope to continue publishing.

Does it matter whether I call my writing a career? It matters because it helps with motivation. It helps me to continue the path of writing and publication, always searching for more creative paths. It helps build confidence.

I think a career is a lifelong ambition toward consistent accomplishments. Income should be a minor consideration. With this definition, more people have a career than a hobby.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a career as “a field for or pursuit of consecutive progressive achievement especially in public, professional, or business life.” I have made consecutive, progressive publishing achievements and will continue to do so.

I’m about to self-publish another book. They are short stories about commuting on a train, which I did going to the Pentagon for over 25 years. After my first book last year, I learned some things.

Last time, I designed my cover and it was not good. So, I had someone else design the cover, which I will do from now on. The designer provided more details than I could and gave a different perspective I did not have. I found it better hiring someone starting their career. This designer was more imaginative and willing to take risks to be different. More experienced designers tend to copy what worked before.

In my first book, I uploaded an MS Word document on websites using the available software to publish. Each software was different. The book looked okay, but not great. Plus, I had to learn each software.

The websites had an option to upload an already formatted book, which bypassed several steps. There was no need to get frustrated with learning more software.

There is software to format a book, but it requires a Macintosh computer. The software and Mac are expensive. (Other people are working on a PC version.) I hired a formatter. I could publish twelve books for the cost of buying a Mac and the software. I am a long way from publishing twelve books. (I’ve already invested in the PC version.)

In the end, I employed two people, which I will do this time, too. A cover designer and formatter. It was much easier and more professional to do this. I can upload a book quicker and it looks the same each time.

Self-publishing is not easy and authors should pursue whatever path will make it easier. Because, after publishing there is marketing and an author needs all their energy for that.