I would like to welcome Lauren Todd to NAG today. She is here to share some thoughts about how authors should behave professionally. Being an author is a job in itself with public relations. Enjoy!

“Be professional.”

This line applies to authors everywhere, be it a newbie or a seasoned and well-known writer.

But, what does being professional means and who defines it anyway?

Being a professional isn’t just with your talents and skills. It’s also in the way you carry yourself through your words and actions. This means a lot and is a reflection of your personality. Put your best foot forward always.

And here are some tips on how to behave professionally, as an author and person:

1. Being prompt and on time for everything

One thing that defines a professional person is being on time always. This isn’t only applied to book authors and writers, but to everyone who ever has to work and live.

Why do we always have to be on time? Well, think of it this way: the world doesn’t revolve around us. We are living and working with other people, too, and they also have a time to manage. This is the basic thought behind being on time. Not only that, it also helps us to manage our schedules better when we do things at the right time, like submit a manuscript a week before the deadline or arrive at an appointment 15 minutes beforehand. When we do and finish tasks on time, this leaves us room for other activities and relaxation.

Authors always have to deal with deadlines, which makes time an important priority for them. Manage your time wisely so you’ll be known as the writer who’s always on time. That’s a good image to have.

2. Being considerate

An author is considerate when s/he thinks of people and situations before insisting what s/he he wants or thinks about. When a person’s inconsiderate, that may come off as rude and selfish. An author must be considerate of the people around them. Basically, an author is considered as “public property,” especially if they’re the really prominent ones. One thing they speak or an action done can weigh so much on them and their professional careers. Think of the people who will be affected if ever you had a rash misdeed.

3. Accessible

Social media has made it easier nowadays for authors to interact with their fans and other important people in their lives. If before, they would get fan mails, now there’s Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and email to help fans reach out to them. In return, they get to interact with the fans as well, even if they chose to remain anonymous to help maintain their private lives.

But, still remain professional even if you’re accessed easily through social media. Respond to reviews with a simple “thank you,” and you don’t have to talk too much through your comments. If you receive negative comments, just shrug it off, and let that reflect the poor behavior of the person who commented. You don’t have to be defensive always.

4. Think first before reacting

It’s so easy to get carried away with your feelings if someone bashed your work or your boss gets mad at you over something. But before you get mad and pick a fight, think things over. You don’t want to be known as that hot-headed writer, right? Any kind of behavior you manifest is a representation of your publishing company, or yourself, if you chose to go indie. Present the best version of you. It’s difficult if you really want to react especially if you know you’re right. But think of the consequences that comes with negative behavior, whether online or in real life. So many people had their reputations tainted because of an online remark or a fight with someone.

Don’t be that kind of author.

5. Always do your best

It’s not always a field day for authors. Not all of their works are bestsellers, with rave reviews and skyrocketing sales. There are times that it goes slow for them, and it’s so easy to get disheartened when things don’t go your way. Don’t let bad days get you down. Keep on doing your best and improving in your craft. Most of all, don’t make fame the motivation for your writing. It’ll only frustrate you when you don’t get the fame you want. Write, because you want to. People easily know if a story has potential. Being recognized for your works and people liking you are only results.

Unleash your love for writing, along with good training and proper behavior expected of a professional author, and this will help you in achieving your dreams and goals.

About the author: Lauren Todd wrote her first story in her old notebook and it’s been with her until now. She plans to join the growing field of online literary writers. Now she’s busy with her full time job and also works as a freelancer for a uk essay writing company.