Writing as a Business: My Journey as an Author
We're excited to welcome Leslie Anne Lee to Geek Insider today. As creators ourselves, we know that the journey from imagination to publication involves far more than just storytelling—it requires business acumen, strategic thinking, and entrepreneurial grit. Leslie's candid exploration of the business side of authorship offers invaluable insights for any creative professional navigating the intersection of art and commerce. Whether you're a writer, game developer, content creator, or any kind of creative entrepreneur, her hard-won lessons about treating your craft as a business will resonate. From investing in professionalism to embracing unexpected pivots like adapting her novel Child of Dawn into a screenplay, Leslie shares the realities of building a sustainable creative career. Her story reminds us that passion and profit aren't opposing forces—they're partners in bringing our visions to life.
Writing as a Business: My Journey as an Author
By Leslie Anne Lee
When I first began writing, I thought it was all about the story. The characters in my head demanded to be written, and the world I was creating seemed far more important than anything else. I was driven by imagination, not spreadsheets; by passion, not profit margins. However, as the years unfolded, I realized something that every writer eventually must: being an author is not just about crafting words on a page. It is, at its core, a business. Moreover, like any business, it requires planning, investment, marketing, risk-taking, and resilience.
The Turning Point
The shift came the moment my first book left the safety of my computer and entered the world. Publishing is exhilarating—but it is also sobering. Suddenly, the novel wasn’t just mine anymore. It was a product. That doesn’t diminish the art of it; in fact, it elevates it. Because once you step into the world of readers, bookstores, film festivals, agents, and contracts, your story exists in two forms: as art and as a commodity.
For me, the turning point was when my series, The Legends of the Vale, began to gain traction. I was no longer simply “writing for fun.” I was scheduling signings, negotiating distribution, hiring designers, paying for edits, and hoping to pitch film adaptations. Each decision wasn’t just creative—it was financial. Do I invest in higher-quality printing, or spend the money on advertising? Do I attend that festival, knowing the costs may outweigh the immediate return? These are business questions, and they are as much a part of my job as writing dialogue or refining plot arcs.
Lessons in Investment
One of the first lessons I learned was that writing is not a “free” pursuit. Yes, words cost nothing to type but turning those words into a professional book costs time and money. Editors, cover artists, proofreaders, formatting, distribution, marketing—all of these are investments. I quickly learned that skimping on professionalism costs more in the long run than doing it right the first time.
Like any entrepreneur, I had to accept that risk is part of the journey. Sometimes, the investment pays off quickly. Other times, it takes months or even years before the rewards surface. Yet, every choice I made taught me something. The mistakes themselves became steppingstones.
Marketing Myself
The second great business lesson was learning that I am the brand. It is not just my books, the characters or the fantasy worlds, but me—Leslie Anne Lee. That realization was daunting at first. I am a writer, not a salesperson. But the truth is, no one can tell my story the way I can.
I began to treat social media differently, not as a casual place to post, but as a storefront, a stage, and a bridge. Each post had to carry my voice. Each interaction built trust. I leaned into newsletters, Instagram teasers, and TikTok reels, learning how to adapt my creative energy to fit different platforms. The goal was not simply selling books but cultivating a community—people who care about the stories, the characters, and the journey.
Resilience in Rejection
If writing is a business, then rejection is part of the market research. Every “no” from a publisher, every festival that passed on a screenplay, every bookstore that said they couldn’t stock my work—it all became data. Painful data, yes, but useful, nonetheless.
What I learned is that rejection does not mean failure. It means refinement. It forced me to sharpen my pitch, strengthen my proposals, polish my manuscripts, and keep trying. Rejection reminded me that I am not just an artist, but a professional – and professionals keep moving forward.
Partnerships and Networking
Another crucial business reality: you cannot do it alone. The myth of the solitary author, tucked away in a cabin, producing books in isolation, is just that—a myth. In reality, writing is communal. You need editors, agents, cover designers, marketers, event organizers, and, most importantly, other authors.
Some of the greatest opportunities of my career came not from solitary brilliance, but from connections. Someone introducing me to a bookstore owner, a friend recommending my book to a festival, or a fellow author collaborating on a project. Business thrives on relationships and so does writing.
Resilience in Rejection
If writing is a business, then rejection is part of the market research. Every “no” from a publisher, every festival that passed on a screenplay, every bookstore that said they couldn’t stock my work—it all became data. Painful data, yes, but useful, nonetheless.
What I learned is that rejection does not mean failure. It means refinement. It forced me to sharpen my pitch, strengthen my proposals, polish my manuscripts, and keep trying. Rejection reminded me that I am not just an artist, but a professional – and professionals keep moving forward.
Partnerships and Networking
Another crucial business reality: you cannot do it alone. The myth of the solitary author, tucked away in a cabin, producing books in isolation, is just that—a myth. In reality, writing is communal. You need editors, agents, cover designers, marketers, event organizers, and, most importantly, other authors.
Some of the greatest opportunities of my career came not from solitary brilliance, but from connections. Someone introducing me to a bookstore owner, a friend recommending my book to a festival, or a fellow author collaborating on a project. Business thrives on relationships and so does writing.
The Unexpected Pivot
One of the most surprising parts of my author journey was adapting my novel, Child of Dawn, into a screenplay. I never intended to be a screenwriter. When the opportunity presented itself, I treated it like any other business expansion. Screenwriting became another product line under my brand.
It came with new challenges, a steep learning curve, and fresh investments of time and energy. It also opened doors I never would have imagined—awards, recognition, and new audiences discovering my work through a different medium.
That is the essence of entrepreneurship: pivoting when opportunities arise. A writer who only writes risks limiting themselves. A writer who embraces new formats—film, audio, live events, merchandise—becomes a business that can thrive across markets.
Balancing Art and Commerce
At times, I feared that focusing on business would taint the purity of my writing – but I discovered the opposite. The discipline of business sharpened my artistry. Deadlines forced me to finish drafts. Budgets pushed me to prioritize what mattered most. Marketing required me to articulate the heart of my stories in a few sentences. No small feat, but one that deepened my clarity.
I realized that art and commerce are not enemies; they are partners. Art gives meaning, and business gives reach. Without one, the other cannot thrive.
What I’ve Learned
Looking back, here are the truths I carry:
- Writing is a business. Treat it that way from the beginning.
- Invest in professionalism. Your readers deserve it, and your work does too.
- You are the brand. Show up authentically and consistently.
- Rejection is information. Use it to grow.
- Relationships matter. Build them intentionally.
- Adaptability is power. Stay open to new opportunities.
Most of all, I have learned that being an author is not a destination—it is an ongoing enterprise. My books may tell the stories of heroes and dragons, of magic and redemption, but my own story is one of persistence, creativity, and the courage to build something that lasts. Because, at the end of the day, writing is not just my passion – it is my business. Now, I am proud to call myself both an artist and an entrepreneur.