Long Term Author Goals: How to Plan Your Next Book (and What Comes After)

Finishing a book should feel like a victory.

But for a lot of writers, it actually triggers a new kind of stress.

Once the manuscript is done—or the book is published—the questions start creeping in:

What should I work on next?

Should I write another book right away?

Do I need a plan… or should I just follow my creative instincts?

What if I make the wrong choice and waste months—or years—of effort?

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. One of the biggest reasons writers feel stuck isn’t because they don’t know how to write—it’s because they don’t know how their current project fits into a bigger picture.

That’s exactly why I recorded Episode 14 of my podcast: “Long-Term Author Goals – Planning Your Next Book (And Beyond).” And while the episode goes much deeper into this topic, I want to share a few ideaws here to help you start thinking more clearly about your long-term author goals right now.

Why “What’s Next?” Feels So Hard

Most writers don’t struggle because they lack motivation or ideas. They struggle because they’re making decisions in isolation.

Why you don’t have a long-term vision, every choice feels heavy:

Should this be a standalone or a series?
Should I switch genres?
Should I focus on passion or marketability?
Should I slow down… or speed up?

Without a bigger framework, it’s easy to bounce between ideas, second-guess yourself, or stay stuck in planning mode instead of moving forward.

Long-term author goals don’t box you in—they actually create freedom. They give your decisions context.

A Few Practical Steps to Start Planning (Without Overwhelm)

You don’t need a five-year business plan or a perfectly mapped-out career. But you do need some intentional direction. Here are a few steps you can take today.

ONE: Define What “Success” Means to You

Before you plan your next book, ask yourself:

Do I want writing to be a hobby, a side income, or a primary income?
Do I want flexibility or structure?
Am I writing for creative fulfillment, impact, income—or a mix?

There’s no wrong answer. But borrowing someone else’s definition of success will leave you frustrated fast.

TWO: Think in Seasons, Not Forever

You don’t need to decide what you’ll be writing ten years from now.

Instead, think in seasons:

What does the next 6-12 months look like?
What kind of projects fit my current energy, time, and life circumstances?
What would feel like meaningful progress by the end of this season?

This keeps planning realistic instead of paralyzing.

THREE: Look for Alignment, Not Pressure

Your next book doesn’t have to be the “perfect” move—it just needs to align with where you are now.

Ask:

Does this project support my long-term goals?
Will it build momentum or clarity?
Am I choosing it because I want to… or because I feel like I should?

Alignment reduces burnout. Pressure creates it.

FOUR: Make Space for Growth (and Change)

Your goals will evolve—and that’s a good thing.

Planning long-term doesn’t mean locking yourself into decisions forever. It means making thoughtful choices now while leaving room to adjust as you learn more about yourself, your readers, and the publishing world.

Why the Podcast Episode Goes Deeper

In the podcast episode, I talk more openly about:

Why writers often feel lost after finishing a book
The hidden cost of reactive decision-making
How successful authors think beyond one project
And how to balance creativity with sustainability over time

If you’ve been feeling unsure about what comes next—or worried about making the wrong move—this episode will help you zoom out and breath a little.

🎧 Listen to Episode 14: “Long-Term Author Goals – Planning Your Next Book (And Beyond)” wherever you get your podcasts or by clicking the links below.