What Is a Baby Author? (And Why You Should Embrace the Title)

If you're just starting your writing journey, you might have called yourself an aspiring author at some point. And while that’s not necessarily wrong, I want to talk about why I believe the term baby author is a much more empowering—and accurate—way to describe where you are.

Because here’s the truth: If you’re writing, you’re already an author.
Full stop.

The Problem with “Aspiring Author”

I see it all the time, writers introducing themselves as aspiring authors, even though they’re already writing stories, building worlds, or even finishing full drafts of novels. The term has become a kind of safety net, a way to explain away the doubt or imposter syndrome that sneaks in and whispers: You're not real yet.

But here’s the thing: adding “aspiring” in front of author unintentionally puts distance between you and your creative identity. It says, maybe one day, I’ll be a real writer. It holds your power at arm’s length.

You wouldn’t call someone who’s baking their first cake an aspiring baker. They’re just new to it. They’re learning. Growing. Messing up and trying again.

Same goes for writing.

What Is a Baby Author, Then?

The term baby author acknowledges that you're already an author, just early in your journey. You're in the learning stages, maybe still figuring out your voice, your process, or how to navigate the publishing world. But you’re doing it.

I love this term because it gives room for growth without diminishing the value of where you are right now. It’s warm. It’s playful. And it says: I’m here, I’m writing, and I’m learning.

We were all baby authors once, even those with multiple books on the shelf. Every path starts at the beginning.

Words Matter—Start with Belief

If there’s one thing writers understand, it’s that words have power. The words we say out loud. The words we think. The words we write on the page.

So when you call yourself a baby author instead of aspiring, you’re sending a message—to yourself and others—that you believe in your voice, even if you're still learning how to use it.

And belief is where it all begins.

If You're a Baby Author, Here's What I Want You to Know:

✔️ You’re allowed to claim the title author, right now.
✔️ You don’t need to wait for a publishing deal to be real.
✔️ Your words matter.
✔️ Growth takes time, but growth only happens when you start.
✔️ The writing community is full of people who started exactly where you are.

So say it with me: I'm not aspiring. I'm a baby author—and I’m proud of it.