A Writer’s Goals for 2023

by Crystal Bowman
As we begin another lap around the sun, we will read many posts and words of advice about setting new goals or making resolutions for the coming year. There’s something motivating about starting a new year and opening a fresh calendar with lots of blank spaces. So as writers, what can we do to fill in some of those blank spaces? 
How Writers Can Move Forward This Year
Attend a writers’ conference. Whether you are a published author or not, and whether you have already attended a conference or two or three—go! Attending a writers’ conference is one of the best investments you can make in your writing career. You can meet other writers, attend workshops, listen to keynote speakers, and meet with editors and agents. Not only will you learn tons, but you will also make connections that may open doors down the road. If you can’t attend a conference in person, consider attending a virtual conference. There are benefits to both.
Try a new marketing strategy. If you have a published book that isn’t climbing in the amazon ranks, explore ways to make it more visible. Create fun Facebook memes. Offer to be a guest blogger. Go to your local bookstore and offer to do a program or book signing (for free). Be a vendor at a local event. Find local support groups or organizations that would be a good target audience and offer to give a presentation. Any exposure is better than no exposure and every little bit helps. 
Try to obtain more book reviews. UGH! I hate asking for reviews but have found that most people are happy to write them. You may need to provide digital or hard copies to those who agree to write a review, but it’s worth getting your book in any format into the hands of reviewers. 
Start a new writing project. Whether you are trying to get a book published or working hard to market your book(s), it can be motivating and exciting to start writing something new. It might be an article, blog post, newsletter, or manuscript—but a new writing project keeps those creative juices flowing and adds to your collection of written words. 
Have your work edited. If you have written something that you would like to submit somewhere, go the extra mile, and have your work professionally edited before sending it into the world. A professionally edited manuscript will go much further than one that is not edited. 
These are only a few suggestions, and you don’t have to do them all. But setting realistic, attainable goals for the coming year may increase your writing opportunities and put a smile on your face.
Writers, please join the conversation. What other goals can we add to our calendars this coming year? 
TWEETABLEA Writer's Goals for 2023, insight from Crystal Bowman on @EdieMelson (Click to Tweet)
Crystal Bowman is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than 100 books for children and four nonfiction books for women. She also writes lyrics for children’s piano music and is a monthly contributor to Clubhouse Jr. Magazine. She loves going to schools to teach kids about poetry. She also speaks at MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) groups and teaches workshops at writers’ conferences. When she is not writing or speaking, she enjoys going for walks, working out at the gym, and eating ice cream. She and her husband live in Michigan and have seven huggable grandkids. 
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