E.S. Raye

(I know, I wrote about this topic back in February, but that was before Gas Giant Gambit came out, and before I became an actual published author. So, I’m doing it again, this time with a little more knowledge, experience, and appreciation for what I have already done!)

While on the one hand it feels like I’ve been working towards the goal of becoming an author for a long time now (Gas Giant Gambit’s first draft was completed in 2020), the truth is I’ve only just begun!

So, this may be one part manifesting, one part dreaming, and a whole, heaping, helping of wishful thinking, but I’m going to share my author bucket list (again), ending with some of the things I’ve already accomplished.

Many of these are sure to be more attainable than others, but if you’re not going to dream big, why dream at all, right?

The List!

• See fan art of my characters online.
• Win a writing contest.
• Earn enough from my writing to do it full time.
• License film or TV rights for a book or short story.
• Win a sci-fi or horror literary award.
• Have a book become a bestseller.
• Get an agent.
• Be someone’s favorite author.
• Go on a book tour.
• Attend a major comic con as a vendor.
• Attend a major comic con as a panel member.
• Donate to a literary cause.
• Film a screenplay I’ve written.
• Have a screenplay I’ve written screened at Cannes (or TiFF!)
• Go on a writing retreat.
• Join a writers’ union.

Things I’ve already accomplished

• Been rejected dozens of times.
• Worried no one would like my stories.
• Had my first short story published.
• Got paid for a short story.
• Finished writing my debut novel.
• Signed a publishing contract.
• Published my debut novel.
• Received a positive review from a major publication (Kirkus!).
• Got a 5 star review from a stranger.
• Been interviewed for a podcast.
• Received a fan letter.
• Did a book signing.
• Attended a local comic con.
• Worked with one director to write a horror film, and another to co-write a web series (neither were never filmed, but both were positive experiences!).
• Made the “long-list” for a literary award (the short-list news should be coming soon, so keep your fingers crossed!).

Wow, listing it all out like that is certainly one way to make yourself feel both humbled and blessed.

I’m sure as I grow as an author and my career moves forward, I’ll think of more things to add to this list, and hopefully I’ll cross a few more off it along the way.

If you’re also an author or writer, what’s on your list?