I wanna be an author
Amy Leung, author
Leung is the author of No Sweat Cantonese and she says becoming an author was the greatest gift. She believes that it's important for the parents of aspiring young writers to encourage and provide emotional support to their children.
What qualifications do you need?
Knowledge in the subjects you are going to write about as well as experience, creativity and motivation. Regardless of what degree you have, it's the knowledge you have in your field that counts most.
What sort of person does the job suit?
A person who is creative, confident and has a sense of direction. You should be flexible and have the ability to adapt to the environment. Be persistent because you will have to approach a lot of publishers.
What's the best way into the industry?
Try to meet people from the publishing field. Try to get exposure for your work by approaching newspapers and magazines. Pitch an idea for a column; you have nothing to lose if they don't accept. Be persistent and try again if you get rejected. Finding a publisher was the hardest job for me - try to differentiate yourself from others because unique ideas make good sales.
What work hours do you keep?
I don't have fixed hours. Writing is time consuming and I have to give up a lot of free time.
Is there a clear career path?
Not many people can make a fortune being a writer. But, as a published author, you are a valuable asset as not everyone has the skills to write well. Believing in yourself and having a sense of direction are the key.
What's the best part of your job?
Compliments and respect from readers give me job satisfaction. They make the effort worth it. Having your dream come true is something money cannot buy.
What's the worst?
Approaching publishers. I was rejected by several local publishers and I felt discouraged ... but I persisted and finally got my book published.
Who is your role model?
Oprah Winfrey, who once said, 'Doing your best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment.' Until you try, you don't know what you can do.
Salary?
There is no salary range for an author, so don't just rely on the royalties of your book to make a living.
Last word?
Writing is time consuming so prioritise. There's a big difference between seeing an opportunity and actually seizing it. Be prepared and believe in yourself.
