There’s a quiet shift that happens when you stop thinking of yourself as “trying to be an author” and start acting like one.

This week, I built out my media page.

Not just a book page. Not just a blurb. A proper, polished, press-ready media kit with covers, award mentions, publication details, ISBNs, and clean formatting.

And then I entered the Firebird International Book Awards.

Those two things are connected.

The Media Page Moment

For a long time, I told myself I didn’t “need” a media page. I had a website. I had social media. I had books available everywhere. That was enough, right?

But here’s what I realized:

A media page isn’t about ego.

It’s about clarity.

It says:

This is who I am.
These are my books.
Here is the professional information you need.
I am ready for interviews, features, and opportunities.

Building it felt different than building a social post. It felt steady. Intentional. Grown.

Seeing The Making of a Storm and However Much or Little side by side, with awards and metadata beneath them, didn’t make me feel like a hopeful indie author.

It made me feel like someone building a catalog.

And that shift matters.

Why I Entered Firebird

Entering awards is vulnerable.

You’re essentially saying:
“Here. Read this. Judge it.”

That never gets less intimidating.

I entered However Much or Little in:

Women’s Fiction
Romance
Most Likely to Make You Cry

And because I entered three categories, it was also automatically included in the general Fiction contest.

Is it my bravest book? No.

Is it my most solid? Absolutely.

It was my first published novel. It’s grounded. It’s cohesive. It knows what it is. I’m proud of it.

And here’s the thing I’ve learned:

Awards aren’t about perfection.
They’re about fit.

Panels change. Tastes vary. Some books win because they’re bold. Some win because they’re consistent and emotionally resonant.

Submitting isn’t about guaranteeing a win.

It’s about participating in the arena.

What This Actually Means

Will it win?

I don’t know.

Will I spiral a little while waiting?

Probably.

But building the media page reminded me of something important:

I’m not hinging my career on one award.

I have:

A shortlisted novel.
A growing series.
Readers who are collaborating on posts.
New projects in motion.

Awards are milestones, not identity.

The Bigger Picture

Creating the media page and entering Firebird felt like stepping into a more confident version of myself.

Not louder.
Not flashier.

Just steadier.

This is what building something real looks like:

Refining your materials.
Taking risks anyway.
Trusting the work you’ve done.
And continuing forward regardless of outcome.

Whatever happens on April 25, I know this:

I didn’t wait to be “ready.”
I acted like a professional author.
And that’s something no award can give or take away.