I Quit My Job to Be a Full-Time Author

I finally did it ...
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I this video I share my journey to becoming a full-time fantasy author and KZbinr. It's been a wild ride here, and I can't wait to see the next chapter unfold.
⏲️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:39 - How this happened
15:20 - My last day at work
16:33 - What has it been like to be full-time?
19:03 - 6 principles that made this possible
25:49 - What's next?
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📙 MY BOOKS:
Across the Broken Stars: jedherne.com/acrossthebrokens...
The Thunder Heist: jedherne.com/thethunderheist/
Fires of the Dead: jedherne.com/firesofthedead
🎮 MY VIDEO GAME:
Siege of Treboulain: jedherne.com/siege-of-treboul...
🔨 MY FAVOURITE WRITING TOOLS:
Freewrite Traveller (distraction-free writing laptop): getfreewrite.com/?rstr=6485 - use this affiliate link for a 5% discount.
MailerLite (best email newsletter software for authors): www.mailerlite.com/a/awmq7yim...
ProWritingAid (editing software that helped a lot with my early books): prowritingaid.com/?afid=4301
🧑 ABOUT ME:
Hi! My name's Jed. I'm a fantasy author with three published novels and a bestselling video game. On this channel, I draw from my 10+ years of writing experience to help you become a better writer.
💬 CONNECT WITH ME:
Follow me on Instagram: / jedherne
Send me an email: jed(at)jedherne.com
(Note: I don't always get a chance to reply to every email. However, I do my best to read as many of them as possible, and it's my preferred method of communication.)

[@Jed_Herne]

My next fantasy novel, Kingdom of Dragons, launches on Kickstarter on November 2nd! Check it out here: bit.ly/kingdom-of-dragons

[@Evanski01]

This is so good to hear mate. After years and years of working so hard on all aspects of your writing and teaching/inspiring others, this is incredibly well deserved.

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks so much, Evan!

[@cameronsalas2091]

Im so happy for you Jed! This was the right call for you. You’ll now have true creative freedom in everything you do. You have your 1,000 true fans sitting right here on the other side of your screen, and we’ll be with you on your journey!

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks Cameron! I appreciate that a lot :)

[@in_the_wake]

I have so many thoughts. This is my personal dream, to be a full-time author. I had a similar wake up moment where I was confronted very clearly with my own mortality, compounded by a family member dying who wasn't much older than I am. I realized that I could keep chasing an imaginary finish line where I would finally allow myself to write full-time, or I could start living the life that I wanted to live, because there is no guarantee that I'm going to live beyond this very moment. I had to decide what things were the most important to me, and whether or not it was worth it to pursue those things. So, I quit my day job earlier this year, because I realized my job was actively preventing me from writing. I started working part-time for my brother so I could write part-time and still eat occasionally. I don't recommend this for everyone, but I needed that freedom to pursue my writing. And it has been so worth it. I moved leaps forward in my skillset. The obvious downside is that I make about half of what I used to. The less obvious downside is that without a structured schedule, it has been easy to waste time or not even wake up at a reasonable hour. It has been a crash course in discipline, and I'm still learning the ropes. It's absolutely true that there's a honeymoon period where everything seems amazing, and then you go back to baseline. Turns out we humans are about as happy as we make up our minds to be. External events can influence this temporarily, but eventually we go back to baseline. The good news is we set that baseline, so we can choose to be happy in any circumstance! I'm so proud of you. I have seen your videos on KZbin but never watched any until today, when I saw this one and thought, "If this guy's successful, he probably has some good information to share." You have a great understanding of the craft and what makes a successful story, from the couple of other videos I've watched. I'd love to see more videos about the business aspects of writing, too. I hope that someday when I've got the funds I can take one of your courses. I don't know if you offer scholarships for low-income writers, but that could really help a number of us out (though I have to admit that it's my own fault I'm low-income currently). Don't undersell your value by any means, but opening up this learning to those of us without a lot of money would be a true act of compassion. I think you're already doing that with your KZbin channel, which is amazing. If there is any way to present that information without the one-on-one coaching in a budget format (free on KZbin, available through Patreon, $100 bucks for lifetime access, something like that), I would plead with you to do it. Anyway, congratulations and best of luck moving forward! I'm not in New York (I'm in Utah) so I won't be able to meet up with you, but I'd love to get to know you someday, some way. Best wishes and regards, K. David Murdock

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks for writing such a thoughtful comment, David! Glad to see you're following your writing dreams as well - all the best with it :)

[@ivonekowalczyk5823]

Wow. It sounds to me that you had great support during your youth. Thanks for sharing your expertise and knowledge with us. Super valuable. Every time I watch your channel I am inspired to keep going!

[@JoriamRamos]

Wow! That's a lot of courage - that's super cool Jed :) I'm happy you can give this dream a real chance, and I wish you the best of luck. Not that you need much of it, you seem to be on top of things, especially strategywise. I look forward to join this life you're having one day, I look up to you as a creator.

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks Joriam! I appreciate the kind words. Best of luck with your own channel, too!

[@joshuastclairmusic]

Inspiring story Jed, thanks for sharing! I can relate to a lot of it. I’ve been trying to achieve similar goals for about 6 years, but haven’t seen much success. I relate a lot to your ideas of the ‘renaissance man’, and have chosen music and writing as my 2 main crafts, but the more I hone these crafts, the more I realise how vast they are, and even succeeding in just one alone is a long and arduous effort. But I’m determined and I work on it every day. Stories like yours give me hope! I finished my 1st book last year and I’ve been so excited to self-publish it, but I haven’t been in a good position to do it, busy with uni and lacking finances. I’ve been struggling to grow on KZbin for 6 years now and have long-since considered Captain Sinbad’s coaching programme, but I just can’t afford it. I think I will see some fruits for my efforts next year, but nothing is guaranteed on the creative path. In any case, it all makes for a good story at the end of the day 😊

[@sethlowen2303]

I’ve been watching your videos for a couple months now and I have to say you’ve been a big inspiration. My first novel, The Land of Shadows, is set to come out October 2023 and some of your advice has definitely helped to shape where the series is going to go. Keep up the good content, and maybe one day I can join you as a full time author 😂

[@Jed_Herne]

That's awesome! Good luck with the book launch, and well done for reaching this point

[@Axion29]

That is amazing, all the best

[@armando7682]

It's great to see your journey!

[@user-pb5jo6qj3w]

I feel inspired, good luck on your journey!

[@SparklesClock]

Inspiring! So happy for you.

[@themightypen1530]

Congratulations my man. That is cool.

[@Yattayatta]

Congratulations! all the hard work is paying off!

[@TeddyCrafter84]

Aaah, that's so cool! Congrats Jed, you deserve it 💙

[@thecanonjournoongoogle]

Glad this is working out for you Jed! All the power to you.

[@Wabin22]

Great story, and inspiring! Thanks for sharing with us, and congratz for having reached your dream :)

[@TheDoomKnight]

Congratulations! Living the dream! I wish you the best of luck!

[@user-jz1sy6nq2t]

So happy for you! I have been enjoying your videos for a few months now and found myself inspired. Good work!

[@ElaaraWylder]

Congratulations on taking such a leap! My ultimate goal is to do the same and it's interesting to hear about your journey, the choices you made, and the reasons for making them. Looking forward to huge things in the future for you!

[@AuthorJohnADouglas]

Congrats! Well earned!

[@TheRogueJedii]

Wish I could too bro. Congrats, I am genuinely happy for you.

[@nickprocter1560]

Fascinating video, Jed. Many congratulations on this exciting career move and best wishes for continued success.

[@englishhomestead]

Great to see you take this step Jed. You put so much into this it's great to see it paying off for you. You know you're going to have so much support with your kickstarter. I'll back you.

[@llawliet72]

Congrats! Your channel has been very helpful. I'm a senior in high school, and hope to be a full time author someday too. Thank you!

[@ClevePanike]

Jed! Thanks so much for sharing your story. I can feel your passion from here in Utah! You're an example to me!

[@milesdevine1161]

So cool, I'm hyped for the magic system competition vid jsyk

[@Bananatek]

Amazing Jed, I could hear the echoes of this dream when we caught up a few years ago, and to see you’ve come this far in that short time is past inspiring. Well done man

[@makkproductions]

Congrats man! I've been following you since the early days of WW&W and your content/journey has been a true inspiration! Keep up the great work!

[@TUKMAK]

You're awesome man. What a nice video

[@amysteriousviewer3772]

Proud of you, Jed! As someone of a similar age and similar ambitions your videos really inspired me to push past a severe writing block I've been struggling with on and off for years. I wish you the best in all your future endeavours.

[@marymcv3442]

This is great to hear! Thank you for sharing your journey, and all the best for this new chapter - looking forward to to seeing your work and channel continue to grow!

[@Jed_Herne]

Thank you so much!

[@nosotrosloslobosestamosreg4115]

I wish you succeed, even though I just subscribed one minute ago. I know your channel will help me in my TTRPG setting.

[@Schloetz]

Congrats Jed. You've made it to a point a lot of us dream of, and I look forward to you using your newfound time to create lots of great stuff :)

[@user-fc6rb6yy2c]

So great to hear! Schedule disruption can definitely be stressful. I've loved this show so far, I started after binge-listening to the entirety of Wizards, Warriors & Words, absolutely loved it! Helps my own day job go by, taking notes on occasion for things that stick out. Very inspiring story. Just remember the search for Steve can be different every day :D

[@jeanshelbybooks4154]

Great video! This is my dream, to be a full time author. I’m revamping my covers right now and putting a fresh spin on everything so hopefully that’ll be a success.

[@YudronWangmo]

Congratulations!

[@morganeua]

Wow, it's really awesome to hear your entire process of becoming totally self-employed. Thank you for sharing! I always wondered about the effectiveness of those KZbin courses... Sounds like it really helped you!

[@a_blaser]

Super happy for you, Jed! I'm excited for this new phase. We all have great confidence in you and your abilities. Future is bright!!

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks!

[@amandac8836]

Omg are you from Perth?? That’s awesome! Your videos have really helped me figure out how to get back in touch with my creativity. Thank you :)

[@alexandrakropaneva]

Congratulations!! Your videos are a true inspiration ♥️

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks!

[@skerr3773]

You're such a great public speaker, I really enjoyed this. Congratulations

[@calmkat9032]

I only just saw a video where you said something about having a part time job while you were an author, which really helped me set my expectations. But it's cool to see that doesn't always have t be true!

[@Wiizardii]

I'm at the 20:00 mark of the video and have to pause to say congratulations to you man! You're a real inspiration. I found your channel a month ago through the video 'How much I made as a fantasy author' which was super helpful. I'm currently at a stage in my life where I am considering these ''alternative-jobs'' (for the lack of a better term lol ) - KZbin, coaching, and also spending more time on my writing and eventually making that a source of income. Having people like you who have already walked this path is extremely helpful for young guns like me, and I am grateful as hell that it is available for free like this in YT! Thanks again bro! I will keep supporting you via your YT videos and your other creative endevours!

[@luisdall5575]

Congrats Jed! A lot of hard work and grinding has really paid off. Takes Jed's outlining insight was critical in driving my story and novel forward.

[@Jed_Herne]

Cheers Luis!

[@nytro222]

This is awesome and so inspiring to me! I am currently studying engineering, trying to start a youtube channel with my friend (not this one lol), as well as start writing. I've been finding it hard to stay motivated when not seeing initial results, but this video has really helped to give me some more insight into the process and reinvigorated my energy to pursue art and creativity. Your videos have also been extremly helpful in my develpment as a writer! Thank you so much Jed, and congrats! Can't wait to see what you do in the future!

[@dcloud3791]

Thank you 😇

[@ApolloBSG]

Well done! You have clearly worked very hard towards this, and its great to see your success :)

[@Jed_Herne]

Thank you!

[@cameronmurray5973]

Legendary video brother. I'm inspired by your journey, and it's good to hear a full time author's career that wasn't exactly linear. Love from NZ.

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks Cameron!

[@adrabloodstone6388]

Congrats and best of luck going full time!

[@Jed_Herne]

Cheers!

[@NicholasWFuller]

Congratulations, Jed! Happy to see you get to full time! :)

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks Nicholas!

[@JosipK93lk]

Great to hear Jed and congrats to you! I've listened to a lot of your podcast episodes and the thing that stuck out was your inextinguishable enthusiasm for writing, fantasy and stories. People can become a bit jaded, stuck or cynical but it seems you are just as fascinated and happy with all of it as you were years ago. Style can be improved, ideas can be had - but that stuff...guard that stuff with your life! I don't doubt that magnificence is yet to come. Cheers!

[@Jed_Herne]

Well said, thanks man

[@michelleburns6738]

Congratulations! This is wonderful news. I really enjoy your channel. I write in a different genre than fantasy, but your lovely advice works for me. You ave a soothing voice with clean content that I truly appreciate. I can show your videos to my children without muting. It is delightful. The best of luck to you sir from Upstate NY USA!

[@Jed_Herne]

Thank you!

[@WritingAdviceUA]

Congrats Glad for you)

[@C.G.Hassack]

Go Babe!

[@MiccJuice-nk3sm]

Hey man. It’s totally fine to go towards your next goal. That’s what makes you happy and keeps you being better and better. I’ve wrestled my whole life. And when I reached goals like a state title, I always given myself a day or two to enjoy it, then on to the next. I can rest on my laurels and marvel at everything I did when it’s all over, but I always wanted to work while I could

[@Jed_Herne]

That's a good call

[@johnnyritenbaugh1214]

That's awesome news! I'm happy to hear there are still ways to be renaissance men. I honestly have almost the same background and goals, and it's uplifting to see you succeed on what might seem in a short matter of time like only the first step on the journey. I'm another author/architect dreamer. I still work in architecture, and feel the same about all the red tape, legal, contractual, political, and insurance related minutiae of the job. It's mind numbing and frustrating. Thankfully, I'm blessed to work for a firm that isn't pushing me in that direction, particularly. I'm more of the render guy, schematic design go to, which really helps for the longevity of my time here. I don't think I'll leave architecture, as it's too comfortable with my pay and benefits. My writing would really have to take off. I haven't ruled it out, but I'm slower (and probably more fearful) on the task of making myself self-sufficient with stories.

[@m.j.johnsonbooks7856]

All of your videos are inspirational, but this one is especially so. The way you pursue your dreams really is worthy of the stories you tell. I have no doubts that someday you’re going to be a big fish in the big pond. Also forget New York, let’s do that meet up in Chicago!

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks Michael!

[@MrKlarc19]

I'm 37 and I've been working with the same company for 12 years. It was a stressful job with long hours I was working 60 to 70 hrs a week. I was making good money but I wasn't enjoying it. A month ago I just walked out and now I'm 40k words into my first book. I started another job with way less stress and it's laid back enough for me to work on some ideas while also working the job. It's been the best decision, whether I make money at it or not it's been amazing finally getting this story that's been in my head for years on paper(pc). I appreciate the videos and advice and feel I'm on the right track.

[@Keemy28]

Inspired

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks!

[@funfantasy3500]

I believe that unless you truly love your job or don't have a hobby you truly love you should strive to quit your day job early to do what you love, spend time with family, and better themselves.

[@Evanski01]

I can also relate SO MUCH to how the day job just wasn't how you hoped it would be. From an IT perspective, I strongly hoped it would be spending my time building technical environments and solving rewarding problems, but the reality I face is: managing 3rd party vendors, coordinating projects and a LOT of administrative work. It is not nearly as rewarding as writing would be (unfortunately necessary though)

[@jemajoy8839]

Congratulations! I wish you the best of luck ❤ Can we hope for a biography after few years? It would be inspirational book for future writers (if in case KZbin gone by that time) I subscribed to your channel after watching the video you made about AI. It helped me to clear my doubts. After that I did put more effort into my writing than before. I'm grateful for you.

[@Jed_Herne]

Ha, I have to live a lot more life before I can write a biography, I think! But perhaps one day. I really got a huge amount out of memoirs by Stephen King, Bruce Springsteen, Arnold, and Stan Lee - so I would like to live a creative life that justifies something like that one day :)

[@TheKatiecatapillar]

Thank you for the video and congratulations! Very inspirational. Just wondering, do you self-publish all your books?

[@hbookreviews]

I'm thinking to do the same!!!

[@clubb82]

Jed, This was fanastic to watch. So honest and straight forward. Congrats on the next chapter of your career! I do have a question. You seem to be a part of some awesome groups, whether it be KZbin mastery or writing guidance, plus you run your own coaching programs. You have a lot of "spinning plates" and it could be hard to keep them all straight and really take advantage while writing your own novels. How do you manage it all? Never sleep? All in all, cheers to you for all your success, it truly is inspiring!

[@GLOCKAVELLI-NEGRODAMUS]

THIS IS MY DREAM . I want to become a full time writer and a full time KZbinr . Everything is planned out for me , but I just don't have any start up money . The purpose of my current job is for basic survival .

[@markcoulter5858]

Best of luck mate.i hope you didn't burn your bridges with them. Seen too many people do that.

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks Mark! My boss said I was welcome to come back anytime, so I think the bridges are fairly intact :)

[@calcite_dragon]

When I read the title for the first time, I thought it said "Anchor", like a weatherman.

[@queilef88]

Oh. I want to be an author and architect when I grow up, too (I’m 14)

[@Wiizardii]

Re-watching this video - in 22:05 is it a specific project tracker you used for this table or is it google docs?

[@Buchnerd_Souly]

Oh? Did you ever read Alain de Botton or Ayn Rand beside Victor Hugo? Did they inspire you as well?

[@Jed_Herne]

I've read Anthem by Ayn Rand, but haven't read anything by Alain or Victor yet

[@constancegoldwing5867]

Hey Jed, how did you get comfortable talking, and watching yourself on camera? Did you struggle with this at all?

[@mr-vet]

Congrats! What’s you thought on using a pen name instead of your true name?

[@BrandonNinja]

Are you still offering first chapter critiques on your website?

[@Jed_Herne]

Hey Brandon! I'm no longer doing that specifically, but in my Story Coaching program there's an option to get a first 10,000 works critique. You're welcome to check that out if you'd like, but as a heads up my availability is pretty limited with the Story Coaching program these days (my focus is on current clients + the outlining bootcamp coming up soon, as I mentioned at the end of the video).

[@kerrysun7248]

I miss you Jed 😢

[@Jed_Herne]

You too, man!

[@Sisanf]

I don't even like fantasy, but I'm gonna cop Kingdom of Dragons day one

[@Jed_Herne]

Thanks!

[@luluzyz]

How does your full time author journey unfold

[@bruce33331]

I wish I took the risks that you took back in my youth. You have to fail three times, before you succeed at the highest international level as a writer.

[@Dontwantahandle111]

Be beyond careful with regards to NY and Chicago. The crime wave unleashed by demoncrat politicians in those cities has never been more destructive. Best wishes for your new direction in life and thank you for taking us along for the ride 😊

[@EmaryTegan]

Republicans are morona. Most crimes per capita are red states.

[@gamingwhileitshot8040]

What about AI. You don't see that as a threat to being an author?

[@erencanaslan7989]

LMAO

[@gamingwhileitshot8040]

@@erencanaslan7989 I've heard AI is actually writing and doing songs.

[@sovereigndeleon]

As a creative? Not unless you choose to see it as a threat. If anything, AI is an incentive to really define your authorial voice and build a strong personal brand to help you rise above the noise. AI can write derivative stories with structural perfection, but nothing more. It's the human touch that will give you the edge in tomorrow's marketplace.

[@lordofthecookie8555]

He himself said in previous videos that he uses AI as a tool to help in writing. He sees it as a tool to write better stories, not as a replacement.

[@gamingwhileitshot8040]

@@lordofthecookie8555 Sounds interesting 🤔