“I’ve been published!” is a phrase authors dream of saying. Of course, authors know being published is no small feat. 

One who knows this particularly well is Kate Heartfield, who had to wait years to get published. Now a bestselling author, Kate has plenty of tips on persisting with your writing even when you’re discouraged.

She also reminds us that being published isn’t the end-all be-all of being an author—continuing to write matters, too.