5 Steps to Author Success: Write books readers love and become a full time writer

by Rachel McLean, Rachel McCollin

The key to becoming a bestselling author is to understand what readers love.

Are you trying to get published?
Are you a self published author with great reviews but disappointing sales?

I was just like you.
After three years of publishing, I was no closer to my goal of being a full time author.
So I took a good hard look at my author career to see what I needed to change.

Two years later, I’ve sold half a million books and have had multiple titles in the Amazon UK Top 100.

This book is the story of how I did it - and how you can use what I learned to become a bestseller too.

The Five Learn how to do all this and more by reading Five Steps to Author Success .

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

184 pages, Paperback

Published December 20, 2021

About the author

My name's Rachel McLean and I write stories you can't put down, with characters you'll be rooting for.

I'm best known for my Dorset Crime series, which has sold over a million copies. The first book in that series, The Corfe Castle Murders, won the 2021 Kindle Storyteller Award.

Here's what Clare Balding (the lead judge) had to say about the book:

'I particularly enjoyed the detail of the landscape and the humorous oddities of Dorset life. I enjoyed the richness of the characters, complexity of life for a working mother who is thrown into a new environment and has to prove herself, all over again.'

But The Corfe Castle Murders is by no means my only book. I've published five series and am working on two new ones, all of which connect. You'll find characters from each series in one or more of the other ones, so you (and I) get to follow them as they take on new challenges.

For example:

DCI Lesley Clarke is Zoe's boss in the DI Zoe Finch series and then moves to Dorset where she becomes the star of the Dorset Crime series.
DS Mo Uddin is Zoe's best friend and sidekick, then moves to Scotland for the McBride & Tanner series.
DC Tina Abbott is a key character in the Dorset Crime series and plays an important role in the new Lyme Regis Women's Swimming Club series of mysteries which stars her mum, Annie.
Zaf Williams starts off in the DI Zoe Finch series then moves to London and is one of the stars of the London Cosy Mysteries series (along with his colleague Diana and Gus the cat).
Dr Petra McBride appears in no fewer than three series and I'm planning a new series for her in 2026.
And not to be outdone, Zoe Finch has two series in which she stars: the DI Zoe Finch series of 'Deadly' books, and the Cumbria Crime series.
Once you get to know these characters, you'll find plenty of books to keep you entertained. And I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoy writing them.

You can read a full list of the series and books on my books page. Each series is designed to be read in order but which series you go for first is really up to you.

Reviews

[James Warwood]

Great, top level read, to help authors fine tune their mindset and craft for success.

I kinda knew much of what Rachel said on a subconscious level. It was very useful to see it all written down. It helped me see the things I'm doing well and the things that are in desperate need of some TLC.

Overall, a helpful book. One I'd recommend to new and old authors.

[Veronica Mixon]

Recommended for New and Established Authors

A well outlined map to Indie success. One that I’ll refer back to often. Also appreciated the author listing other marketing “how to” well-known books.

[Tracy Stanley]

A generous book. Easy to read. Rich in insights providing me with a much needed short in the arm.

I’ve written ten books to date, and while the reviews have been positive, I’ve not (yet) achieved the financial return to allow me to fund a life as a full time writer.

Rachel revealed how much she has learned from writing, publishing and marketing from her first nine books, which weren’t commercial – and how this learning informed the next steps on her author journey.

I’ve highlighted many passages in my book.

Characteristics of professional authors

• Write regularly.
• Seek constructive criticism and act on it.
• Put their readers first.
• Able to look at their work dispassionately and understand that it's not a personal slight when someone doesn't like what they've written.
• Spend time reading reviews from similar genre books and identify what it is that readers love about these books.

Rachel reminds us that first drafts are sometimes referred to as vomit drafts. Just get the story out there. It doesn't matter how bad it is. You can come back and edit it. Write the dross and edit it later.

She also highlighted the value in learning from others by following bestselling authors in your genre: find their websites; join their newsletters; follow them on Amazon, Bookbub, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram - indeed wherever they hang out online; and watch what they're doing and identify what works.

Other reviewers have criticised Rachel because her advice comes with caveats. She was right to do this as what works for one genre/audience may not have applicability for another. Also, the big platforms change their algorithms all the time. One thing you have to do as an author is track your learning. This is an area where I am inconsistent. Not everything will work. Note the failures and move on.

Thanks for sharing your lessons learned Rachel – and a double thank you for making this book free on Kindle.

[Sally Melia]

Thanks



Will be reading this again very soon.invludes great insights
Feels like the book all aspiring authors should read. Partially, the chapter: Don't Quit.

Love it

[Zoé Perrenoud]

A helpful book that focuses on mindset and best practices. Very useful for indie authors.

[Naviru Shorno]

«5 steps to author success» es un libro de Rachel McLean, escrito en inglés, con 169 páginas y publicado en 2021, que trata sobre la creación literaria.

En este libro, la autora ofrece una especie de guía que ha seguido para alcanzar el éxito en el mundo de la autoedición. En resumen, aconseja escribir mucho (publicar varios libros al año), centrarse en un género en particular y siempre tener en cuenta las últimas técnicas.

Lo que más destaca de este libro es la sinceridad y el humor que emplea la autora en la narración. Sin embargo, es importante tener en cuenta que el libro está escrito por alguien que ya ha tenido mucho éxito y, aunque parece sencillo de seguir, puede no ser tan fácil en la práctica.

Recomendaría este libro a personas que tengan un buen nivel de inglés y que tengan como objetivo vivir de su escritura.

[Andy Roberts]

Disappointing. A superficial overview that lacks any real detail.

If you’ve watched Rachel give an interview on her career to date, there’s no advantage in buying the book. There’s no additional info in it. I thought she’d elaborate on things like ad targeting, but unfortunately not. There’s lots of ‘what worked for me might not work for you.’ I got the feeling she was always holding back, reluctant to share anything of real use.

[A.A. Abbott]

This is a book aimed at new authors, and if you read it before you even pick up a pen, you will save yourself money and heartache. I have already written and published 8 books, but even so, I learned some very useful tips from Rachel.

[Amanda Brown]

Down to earth, pragmatic advice for new (and established) writers

A quick read, full of advice and resources for publishing success. Not sugar-coated like other books in the category.
Highly recommended.

[Maurice David]

Great Practical Advice

This book is loaded with tips and an overarching system that should provide a springboard to a successful author. Newbie and established authors will find something worthwhile in here. Recommended!

[William Blackburn]

Excellent 6 for authors at any level.

Rachel effectively outlines, in 5 steps, her journey as a best-selling indie author. A must-read for anyone looking to launch a successful and sustainable writing career.

[Emily Grabatin]

Great book for aspiring authors wondering what it takes to become a serious, profitable author (especially if fiction). It's more of an overview, and the author keeps it moving without getting caught in the weeds.

[David Wogahn]

Good tips. The only thing she gets wrong is the definition of hybrid publishing. Ignore this small part and there is lots to learn from the rest of the book.

[Ralexdiz Qdsy!]

Aunque en ocasiones le da muchas vueltas a lo mismo, contiene enseñanzas y recomendaciones sobre cómo construir el camino del escritor que me han resultado muy útiles.

[Sandra]

Muy buena información, práctica y útil.