Levels Of Writing Success

Writing can be a nebulous, uncertain venture. Many writers work at the craft and drop off despite progress that can be difficult to see.

Along these lines, I’ve brainstormed a number of milestones that writers hit and should celebrate. I’ve tried to organize these in increasing difficulty, it’s more likely to accomplish the earlier items on this list than the later items. I’ve been shooting from the hip with these, so I’d welcome any comments for milestones I’ve overlooked or any disagreement on the ordering (let me know if you think a higher-level milestone is easier to achieve than a lower one).

It’s also unabashedly self-publishing focused. Traditionally published authors would have their own extra milestones mixed in, such as having an agent request a full manuscript from them.

1. Start writing a book
2. Finish writing the first draft of a book
3. Revise a completed book
4. Get a cover for a book
5. Release a book
6. First sale of a book
7. First 5-star rating
8. First 5-star review
9. Sell a copy of your book to a stranger
10. First 1-star rating
11. First 1-star review
12. Sell your 10th copy of a book
13. Finding a used copy of your book for sale
14. Receive a personal message from a reader
15. Reader posts a photo of themselves holding your book
16. Someone pirates your book
17. Sell your 100th copy of a book
18. Release your 3rd book
19. Book makes more money than you spent to create it
20. Randomly come across someone reading your writing
21. Meeting someone for the first time who knows you from your work
22. Fans discussing your work online
23. Finding your book in a random bookstore
24. Release your 6th book
25. Had a book signing
26. Had a book signing (that anyone came to)
27. Someone makes fan art/songs of one of your characters or your work
28. Someone cosplaying as one of your characters
29. Reader-made mugs (or other swag) of your book cover
30. References to your book in another author’s book
31. Asked to ‘blurb’ a book
32. Release your 13th book
33. Sell your 1,000th copy of a book
34. Your book for sale in Walmart
35. Selling enough books to leave your day job
36. Sell your 10,000th copy of a book
37. Movie or TV show made based on your book

Thoughts? Anything you’d add or take away? Any levels you’d swap? What level are you at?