My definition of success changes as I grow in my writing career. For a long time I was chasing that big 5 publishing contract. But I didn’t have a good reason why. When you think about your definition of success, ask yourself why that goal would be important to you. Don’t simply shout a random dream with no thought or reasoning. We all have a reason why. But sometimes we don’t take the time to really look into our reason why.

I was watching a writing lecture and the instructor said that every author’s dream is a big 5 publishing dream for the external validation it provides. And honestly that got me thinking. Why am I so obsessed with being picked up by one of the big 5 publishing houses? It’s more than you think. I don’t care about the validation, well maybe I care a little bit about the validation. But my identity is not in my career as an author or audiobook narrator. My identity is in God and the fact that I am His daughter. So I have all the validation I need. I was called by God to write. Therefore, that’s what I do.

And yet, I still would like to be published by a big name publisher. Why? It came to me recently. I want the support to go on a book tour. Not because I want to be famous for vanity, but because I dream of the good I could do with such a platform. As a well known author, with the backing of a large publishing house, I would have the ability to encourage community in my audience. That is where my real heart is. 

There was a time when I didn’t have community. It was just me and the dog. I hid in my hallway of an apartment, ignored the world, and just wrote in silence. Some may think that’s the dream of every introvert, and I am an introvert so what was wrong? It was depressing. My life got darker and darker. When health concerns flared, I didn’t feel like I had anyone. Sure I had family, but they were hundreds of miles away. I rarely spoke with anyone outside of necessary work conversations. One night when a health scare happened, I called an acquaintance, just in case I needed someone to call the ambulance for me. In that call, they invited me to their church. 

Up until then, I’d been going to my grandmother’s church where no other young adults attended. I did not feel like I was being fed there. When I went to my friend’s church, her community grabbed me and never let go. I will always promote community because that is how we have been designed. Whether you believe in God or not, community is necessary for us. Think about those who have been forcibly removed from community. Those stranded on an island, prisoners in isolation, their minds begin to self destruction. 

Community will support and build you up, but they will also be there when you fall. They will catch you and help you dust yourself up to try again. Very few, if any, successful authors got to their mountain tops alone. So yes, I want to be picked up by a big 5 publisher, and yes I’ll put in the work that needs to be done. But it’s not out of a desperate need for validation or goal to check off my bucket list. Instead it is because I dream of all the incredible ways I could support authors and readers, to foster a sense of community like no other. 

Because we are a community. Look at authors supporting authors. Look at readers who are obsessed with supporting indie authors. We open our hearts and souls to one another across social media. We will defend each other against all odds. We will encourage everyone to chase their dreams and fully believe in them with all our being. 

Are you searching for that kind of community as a writer? I may not have my big 5 publishing contract yet, but I do have my website and social media platform. That’s why this year (2026) I’m hosting a writing challenge for authors of all levels. The Jack Frost Love Story Writing Challenge is a year-long challenge to write a 50,000+ word novel under the theme of Jack Frost falling in love. If you want to join a community and grow together, go to the EVENTS page and sign up. It is going to be a great experience designed to build a sustainable and supportive community. 

Whatever you decide to do, I truly hope you seek out community this year. When I finally found my community, both a Christian community and a writing community, I began to flourish. My confidence improved and I felt secure enough to start my own business. I was able to define my audience and focus on my niche. It has ultimately changed my life for the better. And I hope you get the chance to experience this too. 

NO AI was used in the writing of this blog post.