Author Publishing Tips

Work-Life Balance For Authors In A Digital Age

Authors & Work Life Balance

Go back not so many years and there seemed to be a greater work life balance. An author was just that-an author…. who wrote, and at the most maybe edited their own work. How different things are today! In this modern digital age authors are writers, editors, advertisers, publicists and promotors. They are constantly at the beck and call of digital overspill-answering countless emails, taking phone calls; skype calls; zoom calls, not to mention researching, tracking, and creating websites. Add to that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, and time that should be spend winding down, resting, or spending quality time with others fades rapidly into the misty memories of time.

This is propounded by the fact that they often work in the same place as they live, where instant connection and lack of limitations increases the risk of burn-out.

Work-life balance is such a problem amongst developed countries that many have introduced legislation to ensure that employees have the right to disconnect. In fact, research suggests that the failure to do so negatively impacts not only on well-being but also on productivity. Not so easy though for authors, who are not only often their own boss, but are striving to maintain a balancing act between digital savvy and creativity.

This is not to say that authors do not appreciate the benefits of this digital generation. The business of writing can be faster and easier with touch type and dictation, not to mention the many apps and digital services which aid self-publication.

Switching Off In A Digital Age!

But how can authors, who’s digital ‘baby bird’ screeches endlessly at them from mobile, laptop and P.C with nonstop notifications, demanding to be constantly fed, have a hope in hell of switching off for some down-time, or at least creating some semblance of balance in their life?

Firstly, DO NOT chuck your digital devices out of the window! (although you may feel like it at times). There is a place for digital tools in your workspace. Invest wisely in the tools that will save you time in the long term. Get through that painful barrier of learning new digital skills, and you will thank yourself later and save yourself a whole load of stress.

However, DO do the following;

Define your work hours; my partners sets multiple alarms as reminders, for instance.

Define your communication hours; the emails will still be there in the morning.

Enforce digital downtime, disconnecting from devices; and stick to it!

Avoid letting your ‘work thoughts’ bleed into your free time; visualise a box, put them in, seal the box and toss it out of the window-and purposefully think of something else.

Finally, although the role of an author is constantly changing in this digital era, remember amongst all the other tasks, that the thing you do best-writing-is the most important thing. So hold onto your creative spirit, and the passion with which you started writing in the first place-After all, that is still, and always will be, the essence of an author.

Finding a work life balance
Traditional Detective Mysteries (Books)

Traditional Detective Mysteries (Books)

Hanley carefully leads her reader through a minefield of deception, half-truth and emotional wreckage as aunts and cousins unravel in a fascinating spider web of cat and mouse, with Lloyd placed firmly at the helm of its development.

Read More »

Trusted Book Reviews

We work with both traditionally published and “indie” authors who have self or independently published books and our mission is simple. It’s to discover new and talented authors and help them give their work the attention and awareness it deserves. We do this by providing professional and credible reviews which are respected by our readers. Our primary focus is on fiction across all genres, non – fiction with broad appeal and selected poetry.

  • Over 8000 Book Reviews And Counting
  • All Book Genres Reviewed
  • Books Reviewed In 14 Days Or Less
  • The Only Book Review Site To Offer A Book Review Guarantee

Publishing Tips For Authors & Recommended Book Reviews

Inspirational Spirituality
Book Reviews
Editorial Team

Inspirational Spirituality

An engaging, thought-provoking and potentially life-changing read ‘Wisdom from the Inner Oracle: Why Humanity Must Evolve’ provides an inspirational and philosophical look at the purpose of life and the role of humanity.

Read More »
Book Reviews
Editorial Team

Science Fiction Adventure

A bracing Science Fiction Adventure Aian D. Grey introduces us to a near future where the chaotic effects of climate change have taken their toll on the planet with dire ecological consequences.

Read More »
Daisy Roberts is Dead is nothing if not an original novel, especially in the realm of the supernatural. In the hands of a less astute author, it might have turned into a heaping serving of metaphysical gobbledygook but Claire Gallagher takes us on an unpredictable and mesmerizing journey with many astonishingly tender moments. With a narrative that embraces the sensibilities of the genre, Gallagher does a fine job of capturing the contemporary everyday textures of life with heartfelt observations on sorrow but without the need for lump-in-the-throat histrionics. It’s sincere with the gentle, nourishing quality of a fairy tale that you want to believe, but the unsoftened impact of gut-level entertainment.
Book Reviews
Editorial Team

Ghost Paranormal Romance

A wonderfully disarming read about love and loss Daisy Roberts is Dead refreshingly avoids many of the genre’s syrupy dangers leaving the reader with the truth of the matter. Which is the way it should be.

Read More »

Book Reviews That Readers Trust.

From humble beginnings in 2002 as a book review club BookViral has grown to become the first choice in book reviews for authors around the world and one of the biggest book review sites on the web. BookViral reaches millions of potential readers through best practice SEO and a trusted social media presence ensuring readers get unbiased, critical recommendations they can trust. 

BookViral also offers a full suite of author services, including, book editing services for unpublished and self-published authors, website design and bespoke SEO that help authors get discovered by more potential readers as well as industry influencers, such as publishers, agents and film executives. 

© Copyright 2019 BookViral Reviews. All Rights Reserved.