We’re 21 days into the A to Z Challenge. Hard to believe the month is almost over. Today is R day and the word Rookie popped into my head (with hubby’s help). We don’t often think of new authors as rookies, but if they’re inexperienced, a novice in the field of writing and publishing, they are. One can be published and a novice–as odd as that seems.

I know some rookie authors. Time and time again, I see them doing something a little strange. When their season is over, they don’t let go of the rookie title.

A rookie should strive to improve with each book s/he publishes. That’s a given so let’s not go there. I want to talk about those rookies who abuse their rookie title in one way or another. For example:

One lady I know has a couple of self-published books under her belt. In my mind, she’s still in the rookie camp because she’s upset that she can’t enter contests for unpublished writers. She sees them as valuable because they are judged by editors and agents. The rules dub this lady a pro because she’s published. I want to say hey, what do you want to be—published or unpublished?

Another self-published friend tends to kowtow to the multi-published/traditionally published, as if she knows nothing. She’s not wearing her “published author cape” when she’s around other authors. Why? If she knew enough to self-publish her book she should stand tall and proud, and act like the professional she is. The word rookie isn’t synonymous with the word doormat.

I think the problem here is that these rookie authors (both self-published) might not feel like real authors because they are self-published. They don’t believe in or respect what they’ve done. Could I be wrong?

We’ve all been rookies. And it’s scary to think each book needs to be better than the one before. Writing a good book isn’t easy for any of us. Some writers say it gets easier the more we write; others say no, it gets harder. Whatever the answer is … enjoy your season as a rookie. 

Here’s food for thought:

In sports a rookie card is a trading card that’s the first to feature a specific athlete. Collectors value rookie cards. Rookie authors, you are valued. Act like it!

Do you have words of encouragement for rookie authors? Or, do you think I’m totally off in my assessment? Feel free to set me straight.